Declare Interdependence!, 相互依存を宣して!, declare la interdependencia!, déclarez l'interdépendance!...

Sunday, July 26, 2009

The Declaration of INTERdependence 3.0



The WE generation has chosen to update Will Durant's eloquently worded Declaration of Interdependence. The original document was signed and collected by hand in the 1940s. Some of the language ("man", "heavenly father", etc) is clearly outdated, so we have chosen to update the prose to better match the spirit of our age. All due respect goes out to Durant, for he understood that this was not his project alone, but a project of all the kindred souls of humanity:



H
uman progress having reached a high level through respect for the liberty and dignity of humankind, it has become desirable to re-affirm these evident truths:

That differences of race, color, and creed are natural, and that diverse groups, institutions, and ideas are stimulating factors in the development of man;

That to promote harmony in diversity is a responsible task of religion and statesmanship;

That since no individual can express the whole truth, it is essential to treat with understanding and good will those whose views differ from our own;

That by the testimony of history intolerance is the door to violence, brutality, and dictatorship; and

That the realization of human interdependence and solidarity is the best guard of civilization.

Therefore, we solemnly resolve, and invite everyone to join in united action,
To
uphold and promote human fellowship through mutual consideration and respect;

To
champion human dignity and decency, and to safeguard these without distinction of race or color or creed
;

T
o
strive in concert with others to discourage all animosities arising from these differences, and to unite all groups in the fair play of civilized life
.
Rooted in freedom, children of the same Divine Force, sharing everywhere a common human blood, we declare again that all humans are kin, and that mutual tolerance is the price of liberty.

This is where the traditional declaration ends, but with the power of the internet, ours continues indefinitely. Anything you choose to create, in whatever medium--as long as it is in the spirit of interdependence--can become part of the document itself. As humans, we are all co-authors. Therefore, WE encourage you to respond in the comments section, on our social network groups, or by submitting original work to the blog.

Peace be with you,
Generation WE