ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the prioritized challenges in the society based on the UN’s Millennium Development Goals, the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals and the Earth Charter. Murray Bookchin expressed an important point when he argued that knowledge of history is important to the understanding of the society. Even if the environmental and social challenges facing the global society today differ from what they were some epochs back in history, they are just as serious and threatening. Instead of discussing economic growth and full employment, the Earth Charter speaks about ensuring that economic activities and institutions at all levels promote human development in an equitable and sustainable manner. The extent to which trade creates prosperity or poverty depends on the systemic conditions for trade and human consciousness. Support local, regional and global civil society, and promote the meaningful participation of all interested individuals and organizations in decision-making.
