A DECLARATION OF INTERDEPENDENCE

A contemporary statement of Gandhian values, coordinated by Guy de Mallac, Tim Lattimer and Leslie Goldman

When in the course of human evolution, it becomes necessary for all people to unite as One People, and to build a world based upon peace, justice, and order, a decent respect to the opinions of humankind requires that we should declare the causes which impel us to such integration.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that our planet is one interdependent and interrelated life support system. That we are all children of the same creative Spirit who have a mission to love each other with all of our hearts, minds, and souls. That the basic human rights of life, liberty, dignity, and the pursuit of self-realization cannot be separated from the responsibilities we have to respect the sacredness of all life; to serve others, to act as stewards of the planet, and to actively pursue peace and justice. That the continued buildup of armaments results from self-centered, self-righteous, and myopic attitudes is a colossal waste of resources and human potential, and has set the world in motion toward inevitable planetary self-destruction. That whenever any form of government, which derives its powers from the consent of the governed, threatens to destroy the planet in order to achieve or preserve political, economic, or ideological ends, it is the obligation of the people to alter or abolish such morally and spiritually bankrupt governments, and to institute a new order of the ages.

We, the human beings of this generation, are at a crossroads in human history: we must choose between life and death. The decisions we make as individuals and collectively will determine the path that humanity will follow. We cannot shrink from making these decisions, for to do so is to decide to abdicate our personal responsibilities to each other and to future generations. Now is the time to discard the straightjacket of a single-minded national security system, and to think more globally. Now is the time to choose life.

We must therefore recognize that the resolution of conflict through violence is not acceptable. That there can be no personal or national security without a more global security. That our human and technological resources must be directed toward constructive, life-affirming purposes rather than toward destructive military activities. That we must transcend the illusion of separateness by recognizing that there can be unity in diversity, and the diversity is truly a strength.

We, the people of Earth, recognizing the single source of our being and our essential brother/sisterhood, solemnly declare that the nation-states of the planet are free, equal, and interdependent. That we are One Humanity living on One planet, partaking of the One life. That we view Earth and all its offspring in every race, culture, and consciousness. That we are the caretakers of this planet for our descendants, and that ours is the generation which must begin the task of renewing the world.

We declare that a necessary first step toward such renewal is the abolition of violence, especially warfare. That each of us will sow the seeds of peace within ourselves and throughout our personal relationships. We promise to resolve conflict and to be peacemakers. Let this be our assurance against war — that each one of us asserts:

“Within me, I am fostering and making peace.

And I pledge to spread peace around me.”

In order to spread peace around us, we pledge not to preoccupy ourselves with the notion of enemies. And we pledge to exemplify unconditional love and unconditional forgiveness toward our fellow human beings.

We pledge to work together and with others to build a world beyond violence and war, a world transformed; diverse yet united.

Let everyone know from this moment our Declaration of Interdependence with our community, with our country, with all of our fellow human beings, with our planet, with our universe. For the support of this Declaration, we mutually pledge to each other our love and our lives, our fortunes and our honor.

Let every living thing know each of us as a refuge, an open portal welcoming new visions and human possibilities, a sanctuary of peace, a protector of the sacred child in everyone.

Let us be the seeds of peace, let each one of us make a positive difference. For each one of us is the Earth and the fullness thereof.

THE AUTHOR

Guy de Mallac’s primary interests are in spreading the Gandhian message while emphasizing its relevance to today’s world, and in fostering peace education and education in nonviolence.

He was instrumental in founding The Ways of Peace and Service (a group geared to exploring Gandhian and related values) as well as the United Peace Network, an umbrella for peace groups in Southern California. He maintains contacts with those (in this country, in India, and elsewhere) concerned with the task of presenting the Gandhian strategy in terms relevant to today’s world situations. Dr. de Mallac teaches a course on nonviolence at the University of California at Irvine, where he is professor in the School of Humanities.