Rethinking the economy and consumption
The Western economic and development model has created considerable prosperity in the industrialized countries of the Global North, in East Asia, in the BRICS countries, and in many other countries. Whether privately or state-capitalist, regardless of all differences, it is based on the imperative of permanent GDP growth and on excessive consumption. This is referred to as the Imperial Mode of Living [*].
At the same time, societies in the Global South have always been exposed to significant negative effects. The imperial lifestyle of elites and middle classes worldwide disregards human rights and massively endangers the ecological integrity of the planet. Children suffer particularly from the consequences. They suffer from hunger, poverty, and violence, lack access to adequate healthcare and education, are exposed to extreme weather, pollution, and war, and are frequently victims of child trafficking, exploitative child labor, and abuse.
It is becoming increasingly obvious that this economic and lifestyle model has reached its limits and is leading to the irreversible destruction of the livelihoods of present and future generations.
Humanitarian aid and conventional state-run or state-commissioned "development aid" will not remedy these injustices. A comprehensive transformation of the prevailing economic system and its associated way of life is needed.
The wealth debate in rich countries
It's time to rethink
To make a good life possible for everyone , we must fundamentally question our economic system, our consumption habits, and our understanding of "development." Instead of short-term growth, we need: global justice, social inclusion, and ecological sustainability.
Our contribution as a children's rights organization is to finally realize children's rights, because children have a right to a good life, now and in the future. That is why Terre des Hommes particularly committed to ensuring that children and young people worldwide are protected, involved, and empowered, and have a future worth living.
People around the world are thinking about how we can do business differently – more fairly, more sustainably and with a future-proof approach.
Degrowth/Post-growth movement
This movement in the industrialized countries of the Global North advocates for a socio-ecological transformation of society. It calls for selective growth in these countries in sustainable, social, and ecological sectors – for example, in the care sector. Simultaneously, a restructuring of production and consumption aims to radically reduce economic output in sectors with high throughput of matter, energy, and emissions. Only in this way can their destructive effects on people and nature be ended. Parts of the post-growth movement also reject "green" growth because of the associated environmentally damaging rebound effects [*] . Instead, they argue that a systemic shift to a radically sufficiency-oriented economic system [*] is necessary to achieve the post-growth goals: global ecological and social justice, self-determination and a good life, and independence from growth.
Degrowth/post-growth is an umbrella term for a wide range of alternative concepts and practices from both the Global North and South, all of which aim to transform growth-oriented societies. Examples of alternative concepts are the common good economy [*] and the solidarity-based way of life [*].
Alternative approaches in the Global South
In various regions of the world, including the project regions of Terre des Hommes there are other movements that resist the reproduction of unequal structures. They build on traditional and indigenous knowledge, on collective rather than individualistic goals, and above all on shared intercultural learning. These approaches draw on diverse sources such as tradition, active pragmatism, and intellectual discourse, and are increasingly engaging in international exchange. Examples include Buen Vivir (Andean region), Radical Ecological Democracy (South Asia), and Ubuntu (Southern Africa).
All three approaches clearly distinguish themselves from the growth-oriented mindset and the selfish, consumer-driven lifestyle, rejecting a purely technical and utilitarian relationship to the Earth, to life, to "nature." They are each based on their own spirituality and—especially Buen Vivir—on their own conception of "nature." They adopt ideas from traditional Indian, African, and indigenous cultures and emphasize socio-political principles such as solidarity, community, cooperation, respect for others, and self-restraint. This provides clear points of connection to the post-growth debate in the Global North—for example, with the concept of a solidarity-based lifestyle. A holistic view of these approaches precludes considering individual aspects in isolation. Nevertheless, these approaches can provide important impetus, for instance, when it comes to rethinking our utilitarian relationship to the Earth, to life, to "nature.".
Unfortunately, it must be noted that children's rights are not directly addressed in the political discourse surrounding these three concepts. However, in all regions, Terre des Hommes ' partner organizations and youth networks, which are guided by these concepts, are vehemently advocating for greater respect for children's rights, for more participation and empowerment of children and young people.