Speech by Yoshiyuki Takagi, President and Founder of Network Earth Village

Geneva, 18 July 2002—World Civil Society Forum

Audio

Konnichiwa!

Hello everyone!

I am Yoshiyuki Takagi, President and Founder of Network Earth Village, an environment and peace NGO from Japan.

I am very honoured to speak to you all today, to make a very important proposal.

Now, as you know, the world today is full of issues such as hunger, poverty, wars, corporate-driven globalization, etc.(et cetera) which are difficult for governments to solve.

Why? Because of conflicts of interests, economic and military pressures by very powerful countries and multi-national corporations.

Who can solve this? We, the peoples, the citizens. We are not bounded to such conflicts of interests.

Then why, were we not able to solve it?

Because:

• No.1: We are not, well informed of the facts and the real root-causes
• No.2: We are not, really working together as a whole and
• No.3: We are not, aware of the methods and solutions already existing in the world today

Then, what can we do?

It's simple, very simple:

• No.1: Spread and Inform, facts and underlining real root-causes
• No.2: Network, together
• No.3: Share, the many good practices and solutions that are in the world.

And last but important

• No.4: Act and express in your own diverse ways to solve the issues

Imagine all the peoples on this Earth, through this informational network, utilizing communication tools such as internet or other methods, to spread the truth, share good ideas, expressing opinions and act together, but in our own diverse ways to solve many of today's world issues!

Let's name it, a "United Global Citizens", tentatively for now, to call this single huge network of peoples, citizens, NGOs, CSOs, and already existing networks.

What can United Global Citizens do? Please don't think, but try to imagine what this can do.

We are talking about a network on a global scale, worldwide, in the billions!

Against hunger, poverty, and large scale disasters we can all express support and act immediately to help. Helping on a global scale should be most effective against any unfortunate situations. Against countries and those who perpetrate wars, terror and violence, unfairness, environmental degradation, we can say NO, or act such as global boycotting.

Who or what country can act against global wishes and demands? Who or what country can act, resist a global and simultaneous boycotting? Boycotting globally should be able to move anybody or any country.

In the upcoming 21^st century, world will naturally lead to civil society. Lead actor in civil society, is naturally, we the peoples or citizens. Would you not think that this "United Global Citizens" is one an important concept needed in our 21^st century?

We have named it United Global Citizens for now, and this is our proposal! And we have worked on spreading the words of this concept for more than 2 years, from the G7 summit in Japan to Euro Environment Conference, and WSSD Prepcoms 1, 2, 3, 4, and here is the long list of supporting individuals and NGOs who wanted to change this World.

And we have come to propose the same concept to all of you here at World Civil Society Forum!

Please, let see your hands if you support this concept.

Let us applaud if you think this is a great idea, and support such a concept!

Thank you, and I thank you to all too!

I am relieved to hear such positive expressions!

Please sign your support to this long list of supporting members.

Let's join together!