Democracy
North America
The United States has served as a model of democracy to many nations but now they have lost credibility on several grounds:
* by not ratifying the Kyoto Protocol, they have shown a total disregard to the protection of life on Earth. What good is democracy when
the existence of life on Earth is being threatened by CO2 pollution? All democratic systems are required to be responsible and accountable to humanity. The
Scale of Human and Earth Rights places life on top of the Scale and is the most important right to be protected.
* systematically planning and invading other nations either through their military or through their corporations and institutions, and for the purpose
of controlling or taken over a nation's resources for profit and self-interests.
* american elections are becoming more corrupted by money and special interest lobbying, advertising and campaign contributions
Countries in Latin America & the Caribbean
Less than 50% of citizens vote. Democracy does not have a solid ground for growth. Free-market democracies in the region must include social
justice and equity as a way of life. Unless America includes the Scale of Human and Earth Rights and the Charter of the Earth Government to govern
the newly proposed Free Trade Area of the Americas(FTAA), than we will see a collapse of democracy in the region, civil wars and the rise of dictatorships.
Africa
There are only 20 of the 53 African nations with electoral democracies. Authoritarian regimes in the region have been successful because of strong
ethnic groups and religious fundamentalism. Dictators might yield their power if they had secure retirement. May be an 'African Council of Elders' composed
of former heads of state could be created to advise Africa.
Europe
Democracy implies not just the mechanics of free and fair elections but the ability of different political parties to
choose and, if elected, to implement their freely chosen manifestos. On the face of it, this may appear to be the case. But we need
to probe a little deeper. In Britain, there were protests in Genoa, Gothenburg, Davos and at almost every other major
summit meeting since Seattle in December 1999. And this disaffection is just the festering tip of a very large iceberg. For
underlying these high-profile protests lies a widespread and deepening public disengagement from party politics as evidenced by
ever-lower voter turnouts in elections around the world. This is something Tony Blair should know well, having himself been
re-elected by only 42% of the vote with a turn-out of just 58%; the lowest since 1929. That means only 25% of
those eligible voted for him. So why all the disaffection when the mechanics of democracy seem to be in good working order?
European democratization will require the expansion of the EU to the East and South. Unless genuine democracies are created, the former
authoritarian regimes of Central and Eastern Europe may come back.
Asia & Oceania
There are 24 of the region's 39 nations with electoral democracies. Japanese appear indifferent to democratic issues in other nations
because democracy was forced into them. Much of Asia supports autocratic governments. China provides stability to its 1.3 billion people.
Health
North America
Global travel is a major factor affecting North America. Infectious diseases can be easily brought into the region. Food imports increase
vulnerability to infections from overseas. The widespread use of antibiotics is responsible for the growth of microbial resistance. Biotechnology has made
real progress but still need responsible use and a greater understanding of ethics. Multidrug therapies have reduced significantly AIDS deaths. SAR is spreading in Toronto and Vancouver.
Countries in Latin America & the Caribbean
Underfunded public health systems are inadequate and with too much emphasis on bureaucracy and politics. Tuberculosis and HIV are growing and so
are many other communicable diseases.
Africa
Sub-Saharan Africa accounts for almost half of all deaths from the full range of infectious disease worldwide. Because of AIDS, life
expectancy is 47 years. Children made orphans by AIDS usually turn to crime to survive.
Europe
The health systems in Central and Eastern Europe are deteriorating. All of Europe is facing problems such as AIDS, mad cow disease and inflenza.
Migration is a factor in spreading diseases.
Asia & Oceania
Except for Japan and Australia, Asia and Oceania countries have communicable diseases increasingly widespread and out of control. SAR has is spreading in several cities.
Women's rights
North America
Single-mother households are raising one third of the children living in poverty in the United States. Corporations must allow women and men
equally to advance in the business.
Countries in Latin America & the Caribbean
These nations have the highest rates of maternal mortality. Governments must change laws about rape, sexual harassment, and equal pay for women.
Africa
Women are not considered for jobs outside the home. The situation can be improved by:
a) increasing enrollment of girls in all levels of education
b) help women entrepreneurs
c) give women access to credit
d) offering women better health care services
e) let women have equal job opportunities than men, equal pay for equal work
Europe
Few women are in top management positions in business. Stressful social and financial pressures force women to work very hard, and thus they
have no time to raise children.
Asia & Oceania
It is expected that the changing status of women will improve democracy and equality. Rural women in India are working more to stay in the
same place. In Japan women have a high economic and social status.
Our overpopulated planet
North America
The United States are the only industrial nation with a fertility rate at or above the replacement level of 2.1 children per woman. North
Americans need to be educated on the impacts of an aging population and immigration on the economy and resources. The average American consumes
about 50 times more resources than the average Indian. North American consumers obtain resources at a cost lower than the true value and
at the expenses of less economically fortunate regions.
Countries in Latin America & the Caribbean
There is a rapid urbanization of the region due to migration from rural areas and by high fertility among new arrivals in urban settings. About
54 million people are hungry in the region. Political unrest is caused by a disproportionate income gap.
Africa
Africa's population is expected to grow from 13% of the world's population in 2000 to 20% by 2050. Africa has major management problems in all areas.
In fact, much of the urban management class is being reduced by AIDS. AIDS orphans grow up in crime groups and join armed conflicts over
natural resources. Several major global problems can be resolved by:
* promoting one or two child per family
* increase income
* improve literacy
* insure protection of new born children
* educate men and women to family planning and let them be equal partners in all aspects of life
* make men and women use of inexpensive contraceptives with easy access to them
* promote a more healthy and rewarding lifestyle with just one child per family
* expanding women's opportunities
* access to high-quality reproductive health services
* community-based natural resource management practices and security of land tenure
Europe
Its population is expected to fall from 12% of world's population in 2000 to 7.1% by 2050. Future benefits for an aging population will therefore
be difficult to provide. The EU is enforcing the U.N. decisions on development in the region. More conflicts with immigrants are expected.
Asia & Oceania
Because of its low birth rates, by 2080 Japan's population will be half of what it is today. Low birth rates are also seen in Australia. About 60% of
all Arabs are under 25 years old with very little employment. In China, 7% of the population is older than 65. Its annual population growth rate is 1.07% and
its fertility rate is 1.82 %. When translated in absolute numbers, the increase causes major challenges to social and economic development.
[ Global Dialogue ] [ Earth Community Organization (ECO) ] [ Earth governance and management ] [ the Global Community overall picture ] [ Sustainable Development ] [ Humanity's new vision of the world ] [ Links to conferences, projects, NGOs ]
Back to top of page
Send email to gdufour@globalcommunitywebnet.com 
with
questions or comments about this web site.
Copyright © 2004 Global Community WebNet Ltd.
Participants have presented their views, research papers and we had workshop sessions and made recommendations to all nations. The Vision of Earth
in Year 2024 has resulted from our common work. We gave humanity a sense of direction.