Who we are

Individuals

  • Marleen van Rijswick, Netherlands, Professor of Water Law, Research Director Water and Sustainability, Utrecht University

    I believe in democracy to create a sustainable world in a legitimate way. Making societies more resilient and sustainable takes a multidisciplinary approach in which the role of the people should be a leading one. Participation and access to justice in a society that is based on the rule of law is only one. Access to information and knowledge and education are necessary to fulfill democratic duties and rights. Working for years as a teacher and researcher in the field of water, environment and sustainability make me realize that the opportunities to make a change should be open to all.

  • Aline Caixeta, Brazil, Federal Prosecutor, Ministério Público Federal

  • João Carlos De Carvalho Rocha, Brazil, Federal Prosecutor, Ministério Público Federal

    The symbiosis between democracy and sustainability is what the Earth needs and just what my organization stands for.

  • Rafael Murta Reis, Brazil, institutional networks coordinator, Friends of Amazon Network | Fundação Getulio Vargas

  • John Caswell, United Kingdom, Founder & CEO , Group Partners

    A subject very close to our hearts and focus as a business

  • Belinda Pratten, United Kingdom

    I think it is really important that all citizens are able to debate and create a fairer and more sustainable world and are able to hold those with power to account in order to achieve positive and lasting change.

  • David Voxlin, United Kingdom

  • Jim Barton, USA, Director, Smith Mill Creek Institute

  • Heera Lal, India

    I enjoy the fruits of democracy in India. Hence I wish to cherish it.

  • Stuart Palmer, Malawi, Blogger on Christian Stewardship, CURE International

    I am getting involved because I am passionate about living thoughtfully in ways that help others. In Africa people are more defined by their relationships and less by possessions. Even here though there is a poor understanding of the reality that nothing we have here is our own, it is all on loan to us. How we manage is important. Important to us now, but also important for future generations. How we manage the land, our money, out time and our consumption. All of these areas interest me at a deep level.

  • Kate Roach, UK, Writer, Myself!

    What is more important for us than a planet to live on and society to live in?

  • Jorge Molina, Mexico, Red Puentes

    For me, it just makes sense to link both ideas: Democracy and Sustainability.
    The real challenge will be in figuring out HOW to implement the commitments expressed in the manifesto. And the idea of joining a group of devoted persons and organizations willing to take action and create new forms of collaboration to achieve these goals, becomes exiting.

    I’m particularly interested in exploring the ways in which computer and information technologies (i.e. Big Data, on-line public education, social media, gamification), can help in building a society where informed citizens actively participate with their governments and private sector organizations in promoting accountability, transparency and achieving sustainability for all.

  • Thomas Thomas, Singapore, Singapore Compact for CSR

    I believe that promoting sustainability is the way forward for our planet. People have to be in the centre of the actions of governments, businesses, civil society and citizens. Without true democracy people will not have an effective voice.

  • Richard Blundel, England, Senior Lecturer in Enterprise Development, The Open University

    I agree that political institutions around the world need to integrate sustainability  - in its various forms – into their core structures and processes. There are examples of good practice but we all have a lot to learn and a long way to go before the aims of the manifesto are realised more widely.

  • Nick Aveling, Canada, Journalist

    The spectre of short-termism is haunting global politics, causing untold and untellable damage. The Manifesto for Democracy and Sustainability identifies and begins to address this most vexing and most important problem. A vital document for uncertain times.