Foreign Policy and Our Biosphere

Basic Rights Are the Foundation

The wars in Iraq and now in Afghanistan have not made people safer. We cannot continue this trend of military might as a way to peace.  Defense has its place, but not to the extent that we have allowed and encouraged. This exciting age of global communication is ushering in greater opportunities for world economies and can unite us in a common vision.  But peace doesn't happen without direction. It begins as people learn about their lives and culture in the context of others who share the same planet. It grows as people learn to respect their similarities and put less value on superficial differences. 

 

 

Foreign policy must become more engaging. Most acts of violence stem from desperation in places where poverty is extreme and governments are repressive. Sharing resources and developing new ones should be a common goal. All people want to feed themselves and enjoy life. All people need clean air and water. There is no room for nations to horde and contaminate our water or pollute our air. Basic rights to food, water and air must be the foundation of foreign diplomacy.

 

 

Spiritual and humanitarian leaders need to foster hope in human solutions. Genuine stewardship of the planet calls for less greed and more concern about our commonalities.  All foreign policy must support the common good. It makes life better for all in the here and now. We share one biosphere.  Whether you are religious or not, all life depends on what we do in our common space we call planet Earth.