The development model promoted by these institutions is not only a question of “economics.” The prevailing economic paradigm is strongly related to a system of thought that is based on an imagination conception of the human being as “economic man.” This ideology is reinforced by corporate media and marketing firms that promote egoism, competition, material consumption, and boundless accumulation of private wealth in utter disregard of the social and ecological consequences of such behaviour. This system of thought is intimately intertwined with patterns of patriarchy and paternalism.

If we really want to address this crisis, we need to recognize that the human species is part of both nature and society and cannot exist without either. Therefore if humanity is to survive, we need to respect the integrity of Mother Earth and strive for harmony with nature and for peace within and between cultures. We are at once citizens of different nations and of one world. Everyone shares responsibility for the present and future well-being of the human family and the larger living world. The spirit of human solidarity and kinship with all life is strengthened when we live according to the principle of “One among many.”