FOR AFTER THE PANDEMIC
"A MANIFESTO OF GLOBAL WELL-BEING"
April 22, 2021
As members of the Üsküdar University Senate, we felt the need to voice a concern and propose solutions for the future of the world. We are concerned about the general hopelessness in the world, especially in our society, due to the pandemic, which has prompted us to think about a global restructuring (Great Reset) .
As the tragedy of the COVID-19 pandemic unfolds, we are seeing global justice and environmental challenges crystallize despite strong and advanced health systems. Across the globe, feelings of vulnerability, inadequacy, helplessness, loneliness and hopelessness are widespread. Decision-makers need diverse views to change the world for the better. We feel a responsibility to openly declare our findings and recommendations for the betterment of global peace, natural beauty and individual happiness.
Today, we see that despite being defined as the most honorable being regardless of country, race, color, culture, religion, belief, ideology, the human character, which is "insatiable, knows no boundaries, self-centered, hedonistic, cares for no goal other than satisfaction" and lacks high human values, has come to the fore. That is why we are signing this declaration to make our future and our beautiful blue planet more peaceful, more sustainable, more just and livable.
- In this tragic period of humanity, we are witnessing a global increase in income inequality, economic injustice and poverty. We predict that intercontinental migrations will increase and we want this to be recognized. We demand that the emphasis in the world should be on building bridges, not walls.
- We observe that inequalities in access to health services have increased much more during the pandemic. We declare that those living in poor countries with limited access to clean water and sanitation are subject to economic neglect, which is inhumane.
- We are concerned that the physical and psychological discomfort of the pandemic will increase unhappiness, loneliness, substance abuse, violence, depression and suicidal tendencies globally. We are worried that the rulers of countries will not pay as much attention to this situation as they do to the arms trade and global domination. We demand an understanding of global, not individual, peace that looks after the welfare of all humanity.
- Fewer social relationships have increased the need for secure attachment; anxiety about the future and living in constant fear of death have increased people's fears. Therefore, we would like to emphasize the importance of giving more importance to global wisdom values in the 21st century and taking them into account in health, cultural and educational policies.We declarethat it is a mistake for human beings, as thinking and responsible beings , to think only of themselves in their search for meaning .
- During the pandemic, we began to realize that we have been too harsh on nature and it is as if nature has begun to take revenge on us. We are ruthlessly slaughtering nature; we are straining the ecosystem; we are watching helplessly as global warming and environmental pollution reach the panic value limit. We have realized that we have been fooling ourselves because of the desire for power and growth and the ambition to dominate. If we cannot develop a growth that respects nature, a medicine that respects tissues, and a policy that values the human spirit , increasing injustice will end the human species along with nature. We declare that we must raise future generations with an understanding of life that respects nature, is more balanced, non-destructive and produces value while consuming.
- We see the pandemic crisis not only as a threat to humanity but also as an opportunity to achieve high human values. Our greatest enemy is prejudice, discrimination and greed... Our greatest need is empathy, justice and trust. We believe that balancing the scales of global justice against the scales of self-interest is the most important and prioritized reality. We declare that without global justice, there can be no peace in our own homes.
- We regret to see that the world is full of conflicts, that even in the face of this global catastrophe there is no cooperation, and that discrimination and partisanship are on the rise. Man is a being capable of destroying his own species. We have seen this in all wars and the human carnage caused by nuclear power. We believe that a life dominated not by polarization but by common ideals, not by our own society but by the interests of all societies, not by power but by equity, will be sustainable .
- In the 21st century, we declare that the primary value is "wisdom", and that without global justice, global peace will remain in words.
- We pledge to strive to ensure that wisdom is not just a lip service and an abstract attitude, but a part of our daily lives and a value in our life practice.
- In conclusion, we invite world leaders, thinkers and the general public to think about "Random Acts of Kindness" and to put them into practice without interest and without preconditions. We all need "a sweet smile, a kind word, a loving look, a warm touch". We declare that awareness that can touch both minds and hearts can lead to social happiness and individual well-being after the trauma of Covid-19.
Every small step for humanity carries great hope. If there is life, there is hope, if we can learn from it...
OnApril 22nd, Earth Day, we present our best wishes to the public.
ON BEHALF OF ÜSKÜDAR UNIVERSITY SENATE
Founding Rector and Chairman of the Executive Board
Prof. Dr. Nevzat TARHAN