Eco-social forum
The Eco-Social Forum is committed to since the 1990s as an independent club regionally, nationally and internationally for sustainable and fair conditions in the global economy . The Eco-Social Forum is a non-partisan platform in various countries with the aim of making the idea of the eco-social market economy known and implementing it in concrete action. The platform connects people and organizations who are committed to sustainability . In addition to its function as a “hub for eco-social action”, the eco-social forum organizes events, generates knowledge and creates awareness for a socially and ecologically sustainable social and economic system in business, science and politics as well as in the general public.
The current president of the Eco-Social Forum is the Lower Austrian Provincial Councilor for Environment, Agriculture and Energy, Stephan Pernkopf .
history
In 1968 the Austrian Society for Agriculture and Forestry Policy was founded, the first president was Karl Schleinzer . In 1992 it was renamed the Eco-Social Forum , and Josef Riegler became President . In 2001, the Eco-Social Forum Europe was added as a second association, and Josef Riegler was also president. In January 2012 Stephan Pernkopf succeeded Franz Fischler as President. In 2014 Elisabeth Köstinger was elected as the new President of the Eco-Social Forum Europe , Stephan Pernkopf remained President of the Eco-Social Forum . Honorary presidents of both forums are Josef Riegler and Franz Fischler.
aims
The Eco-Social Forum advocates the implementation of the Eco-Social Market Economy on a regional, national and global level. The goal of the eco-social market economy is a sustainable society that acts in its respective cultural context in three dimensions: ecological, social and economic. Especially in the current financial, economic and environmental crisis, the eco-social market economy can show new ways for sustainable and responsible action. The Eco-Social Forum is currently primarily committed to:
- a modern, ecological and socially fair tax system in Austria
- more transparency and stability on the international financial markets, e.g. B. through the introduction of a financial transaction tax
- a world treaty based on climate justice
- the worldwide recognition and implementation of the human right to food
- keeping the 0.7 percent promise in development cooperation
- a perspective development for a modern, sustainable agricultural policy
structure
The eco-social forum is divided into numerous sub-organizations. In addition to the Eco-Social Forum Europe, there are national and regional associations.
- Eco-social forum Austria
- Eco-social forum Vienna
On January 1, 2013, the Eco-Social Forum Germany merged with the Eco-Social Market Economy Forum .
Global Marshall Plan Initiative
In 2003 the Eco- Social Forum Europe founded a new initiative for world peace, sustainability and justice in cooperation with the Club of Budapest , the German Society Club of Rome and the World Contract Foundation . Numerous representatives from science, politics, media, culture, business and the NGO sector as well as environmental associations, charitable and church organizations were also involved in the establishment. The Global Marshall Plan Initiative advocates social and environmental standards worldwide. In order to enforce a more just global regulatory framework, massive structural changes are necessary, which should enable the establishment of a global eco-social market economy. Social security for everyone, a fair distribution of resources and the preservation of the natural environment for future generations are the primary goals of the initiative.
Five key goals of the Global Marshall Plan Initiative
1. The Millennium Development Goals must be achieved by 2015.
2. The increase in official development cooperation to 0.7 percent of gross national income , which has been promised several times since 1970, is to be achieved. This is necessary to finance the Millennium Development Goals and to maintain global public goods - such as an intact environment, our cultural heritage, peace and social security.
3. A fair and competition-neutral raising of the required funds should be achieved through the taxation of global financial transactions and the consumption of resources. The enormous increase, especially short-term speculative transactions, over the last few years has made a significant contribution to the rapid rise in the prices of oil and grain. The introduction of a small tax of 0.01 percent on financial transactions would be feasible at EU level and would bring in around USD 120 billion per year.
4. The establishment of a new global regulatory framework in the sense of the eco-social market economy should make it possible to overcome the current unsustainable economic development. A combination of ecological and social minimum standards with (co) financing programs could be a possibility to be coordinated with the South. The creation of binding political rules for the world market is in any case indispensable in solving global problems, as is the equal involvement of developing countries .
5. A fair development policy must be steered and sustainable by the countries concerned and also include concessions from the North. A new development partnership to be negotiated must also specifically take into account gender-specific differences in access to education, gainful employment and prosperity.
Hans Kudlich Prize
In memory of the Austrian peasant liberator Hans Kudlich , the Eco-Social Forum Austria annually awards the Hans Kudlich Prize. It was first awarded in 1968 by the “Austrian Society for Agriculture and Forestry Policy”, the predecessor organization of the Eco-Social Forum. The award goes back to the initiative of the then Agriculture Minister Karl Schleinzer and the Secretary General of the "Austrian Society for Agriculture and Forestry Policy", Ernst Brandstätter.
The Hans Kudlich Prize is awarded to physical / legal persons for special achievements that are suitable:
- to deepen the general public's understanding of agriculture and forestry. Particular consideration should be given to people who contribute to raising the public image and self-esteem of the population in rural areas and who support the implementation of the goals of the eco-social market economy in the population;
- to promote the harmonious integration of agriculture and forestry into general economic and social development while maintaining economic efficiency and responsibility as well as social orientation and cultural background;
- improve the living and working conditions of those involved in agriculture and forestry. Above all, those achievements are to be honored which contribute to the creation of appropriate agricultural and economic policy framework conditions for extensive rural agriculture and forestry and which serve a fair system of social integration;
- To show and implement perspectives for a responsible handling of the natural foundations of life. The protection of nature and the environment as well as the responsible use of natural resources are to be combined with sustainable, multifunctional livelihood security in order to intensify thinking and acting in cycles. Particularly those achievements that promote an eco-social-oriented interaction between agriculture and forestry with industry, trade, gastronomy and the tourism and leisure sector are worthy of the award.
- To promote, support and convey the objectives described above to a broader public in the sense of serious and continuous public relations work or an outstandingly innovative and inspiring example in the tradition of Hans Kudlich.
Agrarian review
The Agrarian Rundschau is one of the most important journals for agricultural, environmental and economic policy issues in Europe. The magazine is published by the Eco-Social Forum and appears six times a year. It provides information about current developments at home and abroad and tries to identify impending problems, trends and opportunities and to discuss them with national and international experts. Each issue offers a key topic with selected specialist articles, current articles and interviews, explanations of agricultural and environmental law and book reviews. The main target group includes scientists, politicians, economists, agricultural officials, agricultural officials and farmers.
Web links
Individual evidence
- ↑ a b Eco-Social Forum: Board & Association . Retrieved June 7, 2018.
- ↑ Generation change at the Eco-Social Forum: Stephan Pernkopf succeeds Franz Fischler as President . OTS bulletin dated November 3, 2011, accessed June 7, 2018.
- ↑ Eco-Social Forum celebrates a quarter of a century of grandchildren's fitness . OTS announcement of October 29, 2014, accessed June 7, 2018.
- ↑ March 16, 2013: First joint general meeting after the merger of FÖS and ÖSF