This letter appeared in the Guardian and in a number of other European newspapers today. It is signed by people well known in the degrowth/post-growth and steady state community but also by a number of other prominent critical thinkers who have not been associated with the movement. It is an initiative from the international degrowth network on the occasion of the Brussels degrowth conference: video links to sessions here.
Even when/if the UK leaves the EU, maybe this initiative, which has been widely circulated, could help facilitate a wider de-emphasising of GDP growth in favour of the things that people and their societies actually do need.
The EU needs a stability and wellbeing pact, not more growth
238 academics call on the European Union and its member states to plan for a post-growth future in which human and ecological wellbeing is prioritised over GDP
This week, scientists, politicians, and policymakers are gathering in Brussels for a landmark conference. The aim of this event, organised by members of the European parliament from five different political groups, alongside trade unions and NGOs, is to explore possibilities for a “post-growth economy” in Europe.
Read the letter here, and do share it:
Guardian https://amp.theguardian.com/politics/2018/sep/16/the-eu-needs-a-stability-and-wellbeing-pact-not-more-growth
In French Liberation https://www.liberation.fr/debats/2018/09/16/europe-ne-plus-dependre-de-la-croissance_1679117
In Spanish El Diario https://www.eldiario.es/ultima-llamada/Europa-llegado-terminar-dependencia-crecimiento_6_814428550.html
Other links to publication in most European countries / languages: https://degrowth.org/2018/09/06/post-growth-open-letter/
You can add your support here: https://t.co/GhalzDvHg0