Global Wellbeing Manifesto for the Post-Pandemic Era!

Üsküdar University Senate published a 'Global Wellbeing Manifesto' for the post-pandemic era. In the manifesto, shared with the public by Founding Rector and Chairman of the Board of Trustees Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan on behalf of the Üsküdar University Senate on April 22nd, Earth Day, concern was emphasized regarding the general despair caused by the pandemic in our country and around the world. The manifesto stated that reduced social interactions during the pandemic increased the need for secure attachment; and living with constant anxiety about the future and facing death continually heightened people's fears. It declared, 'Therefore, we want to emphasize the importance of giving greater priority to global wisdom values in the 21st century and considering them in health, culture, and education policies.' Anyone wishing to do so can sign the manifesto, which is also available on the university's website.

As members of the Üsküdar University Senate, we felt the need to express a concern and propose solutions for the future of the world. We are concerned about the general despair in the world, particularly in our society, stemming from the pandemic, which has led us to contemplate a global restructuring (Great Reset).

With the COVID-19 pandemic turning into a tragedy for humanity, we observe that global justice and environmental problems have become more pronounced, despite strong and advanced healthcare systems. The widespread feelings of vulnerability, inadequacy, helplessness, loneliness, and despair across the world draw our attention. Decision-makers need diverse perspectives for the world to improve. We feel a responsibility to openly declare our findings and recommendations for the positive evolution of global peace, natural beauty, and individual happiness.

Today, we observe the emergence of a human character, despite being defined as the most honorable being without distinction of country, race, color, culture, religion, belief, or ideology, that is 'insatiable, boundless, self-centered, caring for no purpose other than hedonistic satisfaction,' and lacking high human values. Therefore, we sign this declaration for our future and our beautiful blue planet to be more peaceful, more sustainable, more just, and more livable.

1. In this tragic process humanity is experiencing, we witness a global increase in income inequality, economic injustice, and poverty. We foresee a further rise in intercontinental migrations and call for awareness of this. We demand that emphasis be placed on building bridges, not walls, in the world.
2. During the pandemic, we observe a significant increase in inequalities regarding access to health services. We declare that those living in poor countries with limited access to clean water and healthcare are exposed to economic neglect, and this is inhumane.
3. We are concerned that the physical and psychological ailments experienced during the pandemic will globally increase unhappiness, loneliness, substance addiction, violence, depression, and suicidal tendencies. We are apprehensive that the leaders of countries will not prioritize this situation as much as they prioritize arms trade and global dominance. We demand a concept of global peace, not individual peace, that considers the welfare of all humanity.
4. Reduced social interactions increased the need for secure attachment; anxiety about the future and constantly facing death heightened people's fears. Therefore, we want to emphasize the importance of giving greater priority to global wisdom values in the 21st century and considering them in health, culture, and education policies. We declare that it is an illusion for humanity, as a thinking and responsible being, to consider only oneself in the search for meaning.
5. During the pandemic, we began to realize that we have treated nature very roughly and that nature seems to be taking its revenge on us. We mercilessly destroy nature; we stress the ecosystem; we helplessly watch as global warming and environmental pollution reach panic thresholds. We realized that we have been deceiving ourselves due to the desire for power and growth, and the ambition for dominance. If we cannot develop a policy that respects nature for growth, respects tissues in medicine, and values the human spirit, the increasing injustice, along with nature, will also destroy the human species. We declare that we must raise future generations with a life philosophy that respects nature, is more balanced, non-destructive, and creates value while consuming.
6. We see the pandemic crisis not only as a threat to humanity but also as an opportunity to reach higher human values. Our greatest enemies are prejudice, discrimination, and insatiability... Our greatest needs are empathy, justice, and trust. We believe that balancing the scale of global justice with the scale of interests is the most important and priority reality. We declare that there can be no peace in our own homes unless global justice is achieved.
7. We sadly observe that the world is full of conflicts, that cooperation is not possible even in the face of this global disaster, and that discrimination and the illness of partisanship are increasing. Humans are beings capable of destroying their own species; we have seen this in the massacres caused by all wars and nuclear power. We believe that a life dominated by common ideals, not polarizations; by the interests of all societies, not just our own; and by fairness, not power, will be sustainable.
8. We declare that the primary value in the 21st century is 'wisdom,' and that global peace will remain mere words without global justice.
9. We pledge to strive for wisdom not to remain merely a verbal and abstract attitude, but rather to become a part of our daily lives and a value in our life practice.
10. In conclusion, we invite world leaders, thinkers, and the entire public to consider 'Random Acts of Kindness'; and to implement them without self-interest and unconditionally. We all need 'a sweet smile, kind words, a loving gaze, a warm touch.' We declare that awareness capable of touching both minds and hearts can provide social happiness and individual wellbeing after the Covid-19 trauma.

Every small step taken for humanity carries great hopes. Where there is life, there is hope; of course, if we manage to learn our lessons… We present this to the public with our best wishes on April 22nd, Earth Day.

ON BEHALF OF THE ÜSKÜDAR UNIVERSITY SENATE
Founding Rector and Chairman of the Board of Trustees
Prof. Dr. Nevzat TARHAN

List of Signatories