Victoria W. Thoresen PERL project manager

Balancing between freedom and responsibility

1. Reticence to recognize that values and ethics form the foundation for responsible living, for consumer citizenship, for the responses that are needed in face of climate change and social inequity

2. Unwillingness on the part of many researchers, educators and policy makers to focus on the intricate inter-linkages and interrelatedness of climate change and development issues

3. Doubt that creativity coupled with solidarity can provide the future with viable alternatives to the ways we live today

4. Fear that education for sustainable consumption might usurp or undermine education for sustainable development

Those with true vision are those who not only see the mountain, but also what is behind it.

scientific investigation

and

an active social learning process

“…learning which flows naturally into direct community engagement.

An exercise in anticipatory democracy”

Life Cycle Analysis

Social life cycle assessment

Life quality analysis

Macro-structural changes(international agreements and standards, national policies,

taxes ,laws, controls, etc )

Infra-structural changes(local policies, resources, curricula)

Research

Information

Education

Collaboration and co-operation(across disciplines, between producers and consumers,

within communities)

Collective and individual encouragement

Communication

Identification of fundamental principles

Examples of social innovation

create online communication platforms

share examples of social innovation

develop toolkits for active learning about ESC

make videos and other teaching materials

promote regional networks and relevant projects

prepare and implement think tanks, seminars, workshops and conferences…..

Balancing between freedom and responsibility

Freedom to express oneself (where and when hindrances no longer exist)

Freedom of choice (when there are things to choose from)

Freedom from social and economic injustice

Responsibility to others,

Responsibility towards Nature, Responsibility for the generations of the future

Balancing between freedom and responsibility

Mahatma Gandhi preached about seven “social sins”:

1. Politics without principles2. Commerce without morality3. Wealth without work4. Education without character5. Science without humanity6. Pleasure without conscience7. Worship without sacrifice

Moving from the freedom of indifference

to the responsibility of involvement

Thank you!