NICANOR PERLAS, IN AN INTERVIEW WITH PHILIP STOLL, FAKT21 2020
(Sgd.) Nicanor Perlas
Former Undersecretary-Designate, Department of Environment and Natural Resources Philippines (2016-17)
Recipient, Right Livelihood Award (Alternative Nobel Prize, 2003)
LINK letter to the president of the Philippines:
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Inspiring Systemic Change with Covid-19
by Philip Stoll
What now? Still, Outwardly, nothing is moving. Now we are asked to wear masks. But really, what is this time for? What could this be? What could I be for you? What could I be for us? How could I be in this time that has never been like this before?
This time of Covid-19 is presenting us with possible insights into a different society and a more alive and healthy planet. The globe is experiencing a stillness: the systems are on hold. Industries are on break. Societies and their daily consumption are broken down to basic needs. Transport and logistics are standing still. Individuals are at home. We are in contact only with our closest relationships. In most countries around the world this presents societies with dangerous challenges of food shortages, lack of drinking water and lost incomes.
At the same time, the spring is bursting with life and nature is so vivid and clear. We can experience a revival of the natural spheres already in many parts of the world. In China, we can see the sky again. Bochum city reports dropping nitrogen dioxide levels. In Germany, we see almost no airplanes in the sky and clouds seem to create their beautiful forms again, without traces of airplanes cutting their polluting lines through the blue. Thus this time gives us an experience of the awesome ability of collective decision making: if we want to change the world drastically, we can – within hours.
Though, whilst the corona pandemic is moving around the world, many are asking questions about how changes are made, from what ideas and values we are acting and to what extent our reactions to the crisis make sense. In these times of disruption, the responses of governments need to be questioned and critically observed. The necessity of being highly alert to watch and facilitate the rightful use of power that is now in the hands of a few individuals becomes essential. We must make sure that the power that has been taken within these fragile weeks to centralise the management of healthcare, governance and surveillance will be handed back entirely to the states, regions, communities and individuals as soon as and in every way possible. If this is ensured, we can speak of an, in-parts, functioning state of emergency. If any power is kept with those who have gained it in this vulnerable situation, then we need to clearly speak of betrayal and destruction of democracy. Amnesty International speaks of the rights as guaranteed under the Universal Declaration of Human Rights: “the right to access healthcare, the right to access information, the prohibition of discrimination in the provision of medical services, the freedom from non-consensual medical treatment and other important guarantees (…) Human rights violations hinder, rather than facilitate, responses to public health emergencies, and undercut their efficiency.” The Health and Human Rights Journal states that “amid growing public fears, confusion and misinformation, as well as government reactions that may fuel rather than mitigate intolerance, discrimination and exclusion, it is critical to set out some key human rights principles and the guidance they provide.”
Amid the chaos of this time that expresses itself in such harsh measures and the conditions that many societies are experiencing around the world, we need to ask the crucial question of how we can overcome fear, confusion and find clarity in thinking, feeling and will. Our actions and responses to the crisis that Covid-19 presents us with need to be led from a deeper source than the thinking and willing that brought fourth so many of the challenges that our civilisation is facing now.
How can we renew our codes of conduct and deepen our source of action to not only react but to create, renew and innovate from a place that generates life and welcomes the healing of our interconnected societal-natural-human-eco-systems? From this perspective, this time is full of possibilities. How do we get from fear to freedom of choice? How can we open our minds to think freely and invite a future that can bring forth health and holistic sustainable development for all beings on planet earth? Covid-19 offers yet another pathway towards renewal and change. How will we re-imagine the world? How will we contemplate the activities of our own life, networks, groups and families in this time of reflection?
