News release from the International Simultaneous Policy Organisation
"Capital flight, job losses and globally destructive competition can be reversed" claims British businessman in 2002 Schumacher Lecture
John M Bunzl, author of "The Simultaneous Policy: an insider's guide to saving humanity and the planet", will speak about this "ambitious and provocative" Policy to the Schumacher Society at its Annual Lecture event in Manchester, northern England, on Saturday 6 April 2002.
He will argue that the destructive, vicious circle of global market competition, which prevents national governments from implementing ecologically and socially sound policies, can be broken. And that it can be replaced by a new non-party international politics of cooperation through the simultaneous implementation by all, or virtually all, nations of a range of democratically designed policy measures.
He will show that Simultaneous Policy (SP) represents a new and vital consensus-building strategy for solving many urgent global problems because it removes governments' fear of taking unilateral action that might render them uncompetitive.
It is thus a strategy with far-reaching implications, provisionally concerning such major measures as regulating and taxing transnational corporations, modifying world monetary systems, combating global warming, and funding debt-free development in poorer countries. But its implementation is achievable through its adoption by parliamentarians, political parties, and voting citizens world-wide, all jointly developing a new process of democratic governance.
In this "new global politics of international cooperation and community", citizens who provisionally adopt SP not only engage with independent advisers and other adopters to help design its policy measures, they also crucially pledge to vote for any politician or party - within reason - who also adopts it. In this way, national groups working under the auspices of the International Simultaneous Policy Organisation (ISPO) aim democratically to agree the alternative measures recommended for simultaneous implementation. And, as support grows, politicians around the world will increasingly find they are forced to adopt SP for fear of being unseated at the next election.
Already this year, the Canadian Action Party announced its provisional adoption of SP, and national SP organisations are forming in many countries. ISPO-UK will shortly be the first such body to be formally established. Participatory methods of policy formulation using both internet and conventional means are under development. And, while the adoption campaign is growing rapidly in Northern countries, a significant proportion of ISPO's membership is in the South.
Further information:
International Simultaneous Policy Organisation (ISPO)
www.simpol.org / jbunzl@simpol.org / Tel +44 (0)20 8464 4141 /
Fax +44 (0)20 8460 2035 / P.O. Box 26547, London, SE3 7YT, UK.
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John M Bunzl's book, with foreword by Diana Schumacher, is published in 2001 by New European Publications (14-16 Carroun Road, London SW8 1JT, UK): ISBN 1-872410-15-4 hardback £14.95; ISBN 1-872410-20-0 paperback £9.95. Profits from copies purchased direct from ISPO go to supporting the SP campaign.
News release from the International Simultaneous Policy Organisation
Political party "opposed to the rise of corporate rule" first to adopt the newly published Simultaneous Policy
While John Bunzl, author of The Simultaneous Policy: an insider's guide to saving humanity and the planet, was in Porto Alegre in January, to present to the World Social Forum his proposal for a "radically innovative approach to solving problems of corporate globalisation that offers win-win solutions for voters, civil society activists, and politicians", it was confirmed that the Canadian Action Party (CAP) had decided to adopt the Simultaneous Policy (SP).By taking such an initiative, this radical new party has decisively marked itself out to the growing people-first globalisation movement within Canadian civil society as the party to vote for in future elections. As increasing numbers of Canadian citizens pledge their willingness to vote only for parties that adopt SP, other political parties will feel obliged to note this important electoral development by following CAP's example.
The International Simultaneous Policy Organisation (ISPO), based in London and active in 20 countries, with members in many more, provides a practical framework for the democratic development of a range of measures to re-regulate global capital markets and transnational corporations. The aim is to gradually force politicians of all parties around the world to adopt those measures and then, finally, to get them implemented by all, or virtually all, nations simultaneously.
To this end -- as a unique new development among NGOs -- ISPO is establishing the means by which voting members, functioning at national and international levels and interacting with globally respected independent advisers, can evolve effective alternatives to current macro and micro policies. Thus ISPO offers disaffected voters everywhere the opportunity to join a 'parallel democracy' with teeth, which demonstrates to ruling elites that re-election votes are at risk if its proposals are ignored.
The Canadian Action Party, under the leadership of Paul Hellyer, a former Deputy Prime Minister of Canada, "dares to confront the powers that be and examine the true causes of unemployment, environmental destruction, the growing gap between the rich and poor, inflation, and threats to democracy". Both organisations thus have complementary objectives, aimed at creating real choices for voters within an overall vision of improved global governance.
For more information about ISPO, see www.simpol.org
And about the Canadian Action Party, see www.canadianactionparty.ca
Further information:
International Simultaneous Policy Organisation (ISPO)
www.simpol.org / jbunzl@simpol.org / Tel +44 (0)20 8464 4141 /
Fax +44 (0)20 8460 2035 / P.O. Box 26547, London, SE3 7YT, UK.
--------------
John M Bunzl's book, with foreword by Diana Schumacher, is published in 2001 by New European Publications (14-16 Carroun Road, London SW8 1JT, UK): ISBN 1-872410-15-4 hardback £14.95; ISBN 1-872410-20-0 paperback £9.95. Profits from copies purchased direct from ISPO go to supporting the SP campaign.
News release from the International Simultaneous Policy Organisation
"Provocative" book offers real, practical alternative for anti-globalisation protestors and disaffected voters
As the G8 prepare to protect themselves from Seattle- and Genoa-like protests during their 2002 Summit, and even some economists admit modern capitalism is inherently unmanageable, British businessman John M Bunzl provides the civil society movement with a boldly different way to make its alternatives heard. His book suggesting how this can be done -- The Simultaneous Policy: an insider's guide to saving humanity and the planet -- will be launched at the Foreign Press Club in London at 11:15 on Tuesday 22 January 2002.
Endorsed by Noam Chomsky as "ambitious and provocative", it argues that the global free movement of capital and corporations has brought virtually all nations into a vicious circle of destructive competition where the needs of business and speculators damagingly predominate over those of society and the environment; a potentially fatal vicious circle no government alone can control and from which there is ordinarily no way out.
With the slogan "Adopt SP: Vote Globally!", Bunzl shows how the growing "anti-corporate globalisation movement" and the wider public can use the concept of Simultaneous Policy (SP) to oblige national politicians to heed their priorities or risk being unseated at the next election. It provides a practical framework for the democratic development a range of measures to re-regulate global capital markets and transnational corporations, to gradually force politicians around the world to adopt those measures and then, finally, to get them implemented by all, or virtually all, nations simultaneously.
By removing governments' key objection to ‘going it alone’, SP represents a vital consensus-building strategy. As one member of the leading world-wide activist group ATTAC put it, "With a system like SP, there’s no way for governments to wriggle out. All excuses evaporate. It’s a system which unmasks all those seeking to hide behind theoretical impossibilites. I can’t wait to see what follows."
Under the guidance of the International Simultaneous Policy Organisation (ISPO), the SP campaign is already active in 20 countries and has members in many more. In short, the widespread adoption of SP uses existing national political systems and institutions to create an entirely new international politics of cooperation, in which robocops and batons are nowhere to be seen.
Subject to the approval of SP adopters, ISPO-UK will shortly be incorporated as a non-profit company democraticaly controlled by UK adopters with plans for direct voting and for refining policy proposals in on-going collaboration with independent researchers and world-renowned advisors. ISPO-UK is to serve as a model for other national SP bodies in keeping with democratic principles and local legal requirements.
Further information:
International Simultaneous Policy Organisation (ISPO)
www.simpol.org / jbunzl@simpol.org / Tel +44 (0)20 8464 4141 /
Fax +44 (0)20 8460 2035 / P.O. Box 26547, London, SE3 7YT, UK.
--------------
John M Bunzl's book, with foreword by Diana Schumacher, is published in 2001 by New European Publications (14-16 Carroun Road, London SW8 1JT, UK): ISBN 1-872410-15-4 hardback £14.95; ISBN 1-872410-20-0 paperback £9.95. Profits from copies purchased direct from ISPO go to supporting the SP campaign.
ShiP
Ahoy!
Vol.1 No.1 - March 2002
Welcome aboard our first, monthly newsletter designed to inspire all our Shipmates to activate the lifeboats and help SP to save the Planet. (Individual letters have been ruthlessly edited to save space).
We have CAPtured our first Political party! Many thanks to Jim Jordan for all his work inside the Canadian Action Party (CAP) to bring this about, and congratulations to Diana Jewell in Vancouver, BC for introducing Jim to SP. By taking such an initiative, this radical new party has marked itself out to the growing globalisation movement as the party to vote for in future elections. As increasing numbers of citizens in more and more countries assert their willingness to vote only for parties that adopt SP, other political parties will feel obliged to take notice of this important electoral development.
John Bunzl wrote: ”I was invited to lunch at the Schumacher's home in Godstone, south of London. Diana S has been very helpful and I've left her a supply of books which she will be sure to place in the hands of key people in the future.” The upshot is this month’s BIG NEWS. John has accepted an invitation to deliver one of the Schumacher Lectures early in April, along with Vandana Shiva and Anne Pettifor. A shortened version of John’s talk will also be published in Resurgence. Exposure of such a large and distinguished audience to SP will be a major breakthrough in public awareness. To find out more about the Schumacher Lectures, go to http://www.schumacher.org.uk/forthc_lec_manchester_02.htm. It will be worth your while, because you can see a picture of John himself!
Are you having trouble promoting SP in your area? We need to know about your efforts, your successes and disappointments. What tools do you need that you don’t have? An e-mail committee is working on a quick fix of the www.simpol.org site, including rewriting the first page to give an instant introduction to our basic tenets, and also to remove the pop-up screen that contains all the endorsements. These will get a new home inside the Website. The interim changes will be in place in time for the anticipated surge of interest in SP following the Schumacher Lecture.
The same team is also actively developing a totally new Website with improved graphics and more instant appeal. The text pages are also being reviewed and improved. Subscribers to simpol@yahoogroups.com have already had the chance to review the new site in its very early stages. Constructive criticism is always welcome, as is expert help.
Newsflash!! - John Finally
Calls for Help
From the stories in this Newsletter it is obvious John has been doing
the Lion’s share of the work towards getting SP adopted. Now
he is asking for your help. Please read the list of volunteer jobs that
need to be done, and let him know where you can help. Please don’t
be shy; this is new to all of us.
Volunteer positions available:
- Central Membership Database Coordinator: adds to and modifies the SP list; issues Adoption Updates, sends out ENG announcements to all adopters.
- External Relations Coordinator:
seeks and sets up partnership arrangements with other NGOs.
- Fundraising Coordinator:
liaises with John to seek fundraising opportunities, then follows up.
- Local and Regional Coordinators:
interact with members in each country via email and post, etc.
- Membership Coordinators:
maintain databases for each country; liaise with Central Membership
Database Coordinator.
- National Coordinators:
set up appropriate national organizations within the ISPO movement.
- Public Awareness Coordinator:
drafts and issues news releases; maintains media contacts list.
- Website Coordinator:
acts as webmaster; designs/modifies website reflecting new activities.
- Listserve Liaison Volunteers:
campaign for SP by joining and influencing relevant listserves.
- Local Campaigning Volunteers:
attend meetings, demonstrations, to distribute flyers, etc.
- Public Speaking Volunteers:
assist John in responding to requests for talks, speeches, etc.
- Translation Volunteers: from English into other languages for our 44 member countries.
Adopters List as of Feb 28, 2002. It will be interesting to see whether the increases correlate to the reported promotional efforts of people in those countries.
1 Argentina, 48 Australia,
1 Austria, 8 Belgium, 7 Brazil, 1 Bulgaria, 8 Cameroon, 92 Canada, 2 Colombia,
2 Denmark, 1 Finland, 21 France, 2 Germany, 3 Greece, 1 Hong Kong, 6 India,
1 Indonesia, 4 Ireland, 9 Italy, 1 Jordan, 1 Lebanon, 1 Malaysia, 78 Mali,
3 Nepal, 2 Netherlands, 1 New Caledonia, 9 New Zealand, 2 Nigeria, 93
Pakistan, 1 Philippines, 2 Russia, 1 Scotland, 6 South Africa, 1 Spain,
1 Suriname, 7 Sweden, 3 Switzerland, 1 Tanzania, 1 Turkey, 1 Uganda, 1
United Arab Emirates, 128 United Kingdom, 72 United States of America,
1 Uruguay, 5 Country Unknown
Total: 641 in 44 Countries
More Outreach by John:
Living Systems Group: this is an on-going meeting of about 15 people which
takes place about every 2 months. They are interested in Earth and Humanity
as a living system. They asked me to present SP to them which I
did some months ago. Now they've asked me back for a question and answer
session on Monday 18th Feb.
I have struck up a good rapport with Jakob von Uexkull (founder of the
Right Livelihood Award). He is working on putting together a World Future
Council (WFC) consisting of 'wise people' (ecologists, economists, etc)
to advise and monitor governments worldwide on their sustainability performance.
This body has not yet come into existence but there is a possibility that
it could additionally perform the function of proposing policies for SP.
Gradually I'm building links with the ATTAC UK/Amis UK crowd and have
been asked to contribute an article for their newsletter later this month.
I'm hopeful that they may eventually ask me to give a full presentation
of SP at some point soon.
Jordan Poppenk wrote, from
London, Ontario:
Last Sunday, I spoke at the University of Western Ontario's Oxfam conference
on SP and received mixed support. Hopefully there will be some
fresh adopters, and a select
few were very enthusiastic and wanted to help further the cause. I also
suggested the concept to Progressive Conservative Finance Minister Jim
Flaherty on his university campaign trail, but of course I received little
other than a stone-faced explanation of why further globalization is most
essential.
I've been having discouraging
results recruiting new adopters, although admittedly, UWO is a fairly
right-wing, apathetic university. Regardless, I have some thoughts on
what it is that makes evangelization so difficult. I'll be sure to bring
these up later on for discussion, as soon as I have a good moment to write
them out!
Cheers, Jordan
(thanks, Jordan. Please don’t forget to let us have your analysis)
Never tell me changing the
world is no fun:
How to do outreach:
Alan James, from Burnaby, BC, uses this approach to contact other Groups
or Lists:
Hi, I recently visited your website looking at the [insert whatever interested
you on their site]. It seems to me that your organization has very similar
aims to the Simultaneous Policy. I'm including a press release. Please
consider joining forces by adopting this policy.
...Alan
JB wrote (again)
Shipmates,
Just a note to let you know that I will be meeting with Mikael Nordfors
in London on 24th Feb. Nordfors is working on various projects connected
to global democracy and his websites are www.globaldemocracynow.org
and www.planetparliament.org
Nordfors has good connections to Mikael Gorbachev, Nelson Mandela and
others. He is in the middle of reading my book so he hopefully might turn
out to be a good connection. Jiri Polak has also played a part in alerting
him to SP. So we'll see what happens... I'll let you know.
cheers John
and John writes….
Dear Dan Mauger (Friends of the Earth)
I refer to your exchanges with David Smith concerning the Simultaneous
Policy. I believe the busy FoE campaigner you refer to is Ronnie Hall
who I met briefly at the WTO last year. With respect, I think it is unlikely
that the SP proposal has yet been given any significant consideration
by FoE. I wonder, therefore, if you would be willing to arrange for this
to happen? If so, I would be happy to send you a complimentary copy of
my new book on SP (details below) We are increasingly working together
with other NGOs including New Economics Foundation, Jubilee +, ISEC and
Schumacher Society (where I will giving one of the Manchester Schumacher
Lectures in April) and would be pleased to do the same with FoE. Meantime,
you might care to visit our website http://www.simpol.org.
Look forward to hearing from you.
best wishes
John Bunzl - Director
I hope this first
effort is interesting and inspiring. I think we need to keep in touch
with each other’s efforts and thoughts. I need new material for this
newsletter every month, so let me know about your ideas and doings. Negative
feedback is also useful, so feel free.
Jessica Markland, Editor
International
Simultaneous Policy Organisation
P.O. Box 26547, London
SE3 7RE, UK
www.simpol.org
jbunzl@simpol.org
Fax: +44 (0)20-8460 2035