The 'Green Cross World Speakers' initiative can make a difference

In my opinion our ‘Mother Earth’ is still in danger to survive! There are still many major problems to solve. The issue of climate change, the ongoing problem of poverty and hunger, the different civil wars in some countries, terrorism/criminality, the ‘competition’ between the U.S., China and other upcoming economies about ‘who is the strongest/most powerful economic player in the world’ etc. All these different problems/issues have one thing in common: at a global level we need another way of thinking and acting as citizens, as human beings, as leaders, as politicians, to change our ‘Mother Earth’ into a sustainable society! I think, this was/is one of the key motivations for the former President of Green Cross International, Michael Gorbatsjov, to found this organisation!

So, we need the inspiration and support of ‘great leaders’, even if they are no longer ‘with us’ at this moment, to guide us on how to change our society into a sustainable one…! I still admire great leaders like John Kennedy, Nelson Mandela, Wangari Maathai, Michael Gorbatsjov and – don’t forget – ‘our’ Herman Wijffels, because of their vision, courage and inspiration to go on with the ‘big challenge’ to transform our society and to save ‘Mother Earth’. And the Earth Charter, of which Green Cross International was once one of the initiators (1993!), is – in my opinion – a good ‘instrument’ to use as a ‘guideline’ on how to act as organisation, if you want to contribute to a more sustainable world…!

For these reasons, I am willing to join the Green Cross World Speakers initiative and to donate a substantial part of my ‘speakers fees’ to Green Cross The Netherlands! Because everyone who is supporting the idea of a sustainable society has to contribute to achieve this goal! And this can be done in very different way. And I think showing in all kind of presentations your own experiences, examples etc. to others and how to apply this, is important!

Bart Jan Krouwel
Athens, december 2009