opvoedingsproblemen - gedragsproblemen - jeugdcriminaliteit - orthopedagogiek - politiek voor de 21ste eeuw   

The Covid19 virus is manufactured in a laboratory and therefore will not disappear on its own like viruses that originated in nature. Perhaps the world pandemic will never end. This will mean that people will have to radically change their way of life.

The corona pandemic is not alone. Through his interventions in the world, man has caused irreparable damage to nature and to what makes life on earth possible. These interventions have indeed brought prosperity, but at the cost of a high price. That price could mean the end of our prosperity in the longer term.

Industrialization, for example, is the main cause of climate change. The arms industry has spread a huge and extremely expensive arsenal all over the world. In a world war, intentionally or unintentionally unleashed, all mankind could be wiped out. The presence of nuclear weapons in Islamic countries is very dangerous, because the risk of these weapons falling into the hands of extremists is all too real.

Other human interventions that have fatal consequences are, for example, the agro-industry with global degradation of the biodiversity and deforestation of rainforests, the out of control car, ship and air traffic or the pollution of groundwater, rivers and the oceans.

The corona pandemic has taught us what measures are necessary to contain disease and death. Since the end is not in sight and may never come, we need to think about how we should adapt our way of life, not only to this pandemic but also to allow decent life on earth in spite of the above developments.

It is my belief that eventually humanity will be better off than before. Greed, endless consumerism and competition will be replaced by a more meaningful life. We will live frugally and yet know more well-being. We will live in communities where people feel connected. The environment will be taken care of. Landscapes will be restored. Many will contribute to organic farming and animal husbandry. On a voluntary basis, citizens will contribute to a network of solidarity. This network offers help where needed. Every town and village is surrounded by biodynamic agricultural and horticultural businesses where many come to help voluntarily. Life in one's own community will be so meaningful and motivating and besides it will absorb all our free time that there will be no need for travel anymore. The emphasis is on a self-sufficient community, to the extent possible, and on solidarity-based cooperation with other communities.

What I am proposing here is more or less like living in an abbey. The monastic community was self-sufficient. The environment was responsibly managed. Everyone, regardless of status, contributed to the household. There was no smoking, no alcohol and the food was vegetarian. The monks, in their own way, lived a meaningful life in the service of an ideal. They never left their community and were very hospitable. If everyone lived like this, nitrogen emissions would be drastically reduced, biodiversity would be restored and health care costs would be reduced to the maximum.

In the world I see before me, people are inspired by the appeal to act responsibly for all people on Earth and also for future generations who will have to live on the planet we leave behind for them. The foundation is one's own community from which a new light shines on humanity.

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