For a Green Party in
November 27, 1989 • #174 International Viewpoint the GDR
THE East German opposition also has a strong ecological consciousness. We publish below the founding appeal for the East German Green Party. DOCUMENT
HE transformation of our ruined environment is of decisive significance for the renewal of our society. Not only the environment, but also, to a large extent, our own consciousness has been contaminated, notably by the utopia which claims that prosperity and its point of departure - permanent economic growth - must be the aim of social development. This utopia is founded on the idea that humanity can have its own way and arbitrarily change the life systems of our planet. This leads to the conviction that humanity can subject nature to its domination. This also implies the idea that production and revenue are the essential indexes of human progress. This conception, in its arrogance, throws the weakest to the margins of society and denies them all possibility for improving
Those who share this idea of society are indifferent to the question of knowing whether the weak should present themselves, alone and robbed of dignity, at the nursing wards, whether they should be shovelled into the mass graves of the Third World or be put on show in the museums of rare species of animals or created, for the first time in the history of the planet, the possibility of the destruction of every form of life. If we denounce the common responsibility for this consciousness and this process, it is from our instinct of self-preservation. From this starting point we intend to build a Green Party in the GDR so that it can fight according to its principles and as a political force.
Our initiating group has decided to call for the creation of a Green Party in the GDR on the following bases: The Green Party in the GDR takes its place alongside every force that is mobilizing in our country for liberty and democracy through deepgoing reforms. It is ecologist, feminist and anti-authoritarian.
The specific aims of the
Green Party
1. The consistent ecological reorganization of our country through a radical break with environmentally destructive growth with its waste of raw materials and with the Stalinist-style attitude to people, the economy and the environment.
Immediate intervention is needed to deal with ecological disaster areas such as exist at Leipzig, Bitterfeld, Halle, Dresden Karl-Marx Stadt and Cottbus and to save many old historic towns, cultural locations and castles, for example in Mecklenburg.
2. The final securing of peace through general and complete disarmament. The dissolution of the military alliances, the reduction of the army to the smallest level necessary for defence and the removal of the military no-go areas are urgently necessary for the upholding of peace and defence of the environment.
3. We reject force, national chauvinism and racism, and adhere to a consistent
EAST GERMANY
4. The unlimited equality of all women and men at every economic and political level, and in both local and national administrative bodies, which retain their character as overwhelmingly patriarchal institutions. Women as mothers should enjoy positive action in these spheres.
5. Nature needs to be protected against unrestricted development. Only thus can it be the basis of human community and culture. Every economic act needs to be justified: where will it lead? Who will it benefit? Why is it being undertaken?
The Green Party is committed to long-term development.
We above all want to prevent the present movement for renewal, under the pressure of an unthought out and short-term material need to catch up leading to a society of ruthlessness, alienation and
We consider that it is urgent for the ecological outlook to be introduced at all leveducation, including introduction of ecological and peace stud-
We are for a reform of the constitution of the GDR. We are therefore opposed to all obstacles placed by the state in the way of the Green Party's activity.
We will collaborate, both at a national and international level, with every citizen, organization and group that even partially supports our ideas.
As part of the European Green movement, we are for a just order of distributhat will guarantee a long term economic development also to the peoples of the third world and help to stem the breakdown of the eco-system.
We call for collaboration across borders for the general ecological transformation of areas of ecological crisis.
In the light of the fundamental changes in our country, we call on all interested inhabitants of whatever outlook, religion or nationality to:
1. Come together on a local and regional basis to form Green Party groups out of concern over the catastrophic situation of our environment, and responsibility to our children and generations as yet unborn.
2. To choose delegates to work out proposals for our programme and consciousness has
Our contaminated
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Ober anti-fascism.
organizational structure. Elaborate alternative concepts, make creative and praproposals for the ecological reconstruction of our society on the basis of lists of problems and demands for your
Start with actions!
The first general meeting that will determine among other things the programme, structure and personnel matters of the Green Party in the GDR will take place at the start of 1990 in one of the places in the GDR worst affected by the destruction of the environment.
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For a Green change! *