Weaving a Culture of Peace in Florida

What are the important elements of a "sustainable" community?

Sustainability is a term we hear a lot about now days. What is your definition of "sustainable" and why should we stress this term in our peace work?

One definition often used comes from the The Report of the Brundtland Commission, Future"">Our Common Future, (reported by wikipedia at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brundtland_Commission)

"Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet
their own needs. It contains within it two key concepts:

the concept of 'needs', in particular the essential needs of the world's poor, to which overriding priority should be given; and
the idea of limitations imposed by the state of technology and social organization on the environment's ability to meet present and future needs."

How can this concept be described to make it more meaningful for our world today?

For example, is work to reduce Climate Change a form of peace activism?

Does peace activism involve education regarding responsible consuming?

What other issues can be brought under the umbrella of "working for peace?"

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Permalink Reply by Debra Stucki on August 31, 2010 at 9:08pm

http://www.epa.gov/smartgrowth/pdf/2010_0506_leveraging_partnership...

I like that transportation, environmental and housing are collaborating on projects. Its a great idea, although have experienced first hand the challenge of "collaborative" agreements. When you have leaders that support it, your 80 percent there, the rest is opportunity and follow thru at the lower levels.

For me Peace is the mindfulness and consciousness that has allowed me to realize my role in creating the "worlds poor" through my own greed and support of the many forms of greed awake in our culture. This quiet contemplation has brought with it a deepend awareness of my responsibility and connection to the earth and all other beings.

I think most people get that. Peace - the lack of conflict starts in the heart and grows outward, with that understanding we become stewards of each other and our planet. We can understand the meaning of sustainability and the scientific and cultural journey required, but its only a topical bandaid to the deeper issue of sustaining peace and the consciousness of the mind that must open itself to our connectedness at every level.