THE GREEN PRINCIPLES WE BELIEVE IN
The following principles shall guide all members, organs, committees and other bodies and persons in applying membership to the Uganda Young Greens - UYG Movement. The six principles and tasks will be:
(A) Ecological Wisdom
I. That we learn to live within the ecological and resource limits of the planet
II. That we protect animal and plant life, and life itsel
f that is sustained by the natural elements: earth, water, air and sun
III. Where knowledge is limited, that we take the path of caution, in order to secure the continued abundance of the resources of the planet for present and future generations. (B) Social Justice
I. A just organization of the world and a stable world economy which will close the widening gap between rich and poor, both within and between our countries;
II. Advocating for the balance the flow of resources from South to North; and lift the burden of debt on poor countries which prevents their development. Eradication of poverty, as an ethical, social, economic, and ecological imperative
IV. Elimination of illiteracy
V. Create a new vision of citizenship built on equal rights for all individuals regardless of gender, race, age, religion, class, ethnic or national origin, sexual orientation, disability, wealth or health
(C) Participatory Democracy
I. Through individual empowerment through access to all the relevant information required for any decision, and access to education to enable all to participate
II. Breaking down inequalities of wealth and power that inhibit participation
III. Building grassroots institutions that enable decisions to be made directly at the appropriate level by those affected, based on systems which encourage civic vitality, voluntary action and community responsibility
IV. Advocate for strong support giving young people a voice through educating, encouraging and assisting youth involvement in every aspect of political life including their participation in all decision-making bodies. That all elected representatives are committed to the principles of transparency, truthfulness, and accountability in governance. That all electoral systems are transparent and democratic, and that this is enforced by law
VII. That in all electoral systems, each adult has an equal vote that all electoral systems are based on proportional representation, and all elections are publicly funded with strict limits on, and full transparency of, corporate and private donations. That all citizens have the right to be a member of the political party of their choice within a multi-party system
(D) Nonviolence
I. Advocate for a comprehensive concept of national and global security, which gives priority to social, economic, ecological, psychological and cultural aspects of conflict, instead of a concept based primarily on military balances of power
II. Advocate for a national and global security system capable of the prevention, management and resolution of conflicts
III. Removing the causes of war by understanding and respecting other cultures, eradicating racism, promoting freedom and democracy, and ending poverty
IV. Pursuing general and complete disarmament including international agreements to ensure a complete and definitive ban of nuclear, biological and chemical arms, anti-personnel mines and depleted uranium weapons
V. Supporting the strengthening the United Nations (UN) as the global organization of conflict management and peacekeeping
VI. Pursuing a rigorous code of conduct on arms exports to our countries where human rights are being violated. (E) Sustainability
I. Ensuring that the rich limit their consumption to allow the poor their fair share of the earth's resources
II. Redefining the concept of wealth, to focus on quality of life rather than capacity for over-consumption
III. Creating a national economy which aims to satisfy the needs of all, not the greed of a few; and enables those presently living to meet their own needs, without jeopardizing the ability of future generations to meet theirs
IV. Eliminating the causes of population growth by ensuring economic security, and providing access to basic education and health, for all; giving both men and women greater control over their fertility
V. Redefining the roles and responsibilities of trans-national corporations in order to support the principles of sustainable development
VI. Implementing mechanisms to tax, as well as regulating, speculative financial flows
VII. Ensuring that market prices of goods and services fully incorporate the environmental costs of their production and consumption
VIII. Achieving greater resource and energy efficiency and development and use of environmentally sustainable technologies
IX. Encouraging local self-reliance to the greatest practical extent to create worthwhile, satisfying communities
X. Recognizing the key role of youth culture and encouraging an ethic of sustainability within that culture. (F) Respect for Diversity
I. Recognition of the rights of indigenous peoples to the basic means of their survival, both economic and cultural, including rights to land and to self determination; and acknowledgment of their contribution to the common heritage of national and global culture
II. Recognition of the rights of ethnic minorities to develop their culture, religion and language without discrimination, and to full legal, social and cultural participation in the democratic process
III. Advocating for equality between women and men in all spheres of social, economic, political and cultural life
IV. Significant involvement of youth culture as a valuable contribution to our Green vision, and recognition that young people have distinct needs and modes of expression.
