Ensuring Representation of Future Generations
National legal systems have traditionally included mechanisms for protecting future needs and interests in some way or another. Natural or cultural conservation laws provide such examples. These are, however, often confined to the protection of particular sites and the vast majority of our rules are built around the flawed narrative of unlimited natural resources and ever-increasing material production. As a result, our current governance structures are driven by short-term decision-making, be it in business and investment aiming for quick profits or in representative politics aiming for the next votes.
Our goal: Bringing long-term orientation into policymaking
Sustainable Development was defined as “healthy and fulfilling lives for the current generation while entrusting to future generations the means to do the same” (United Nations 1992), but we are far from making this vision reality.
To change this, we urgently need a balancing representation of “the long view” in governance institutions and potentially all decision-making bodies. The WFC commissioned legal research for best existing institutions with this goal and discussed the different options at its Meeting in 2010 (see summarising presentation). The solution perceived to be most effective were Ombudspersons for Future Generations.
Rio+20: Establishing Ombudsperson for Future Generations
Given that in June 2012 the next World Summit for Sustainable Development will take place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, we have a political window to push for wide spread instalment of Ombudspersons for Future Generations.
With the extraordinary support of EU citizens for the protection of future generations by policy-makers, the WFC has embarked on a campaign for Ombudsdpersons for Future Generations on all governance levels. Find more information on our campaign page www.futurejustice.org.
Background information: From legal research to speeches
Access our Future Justice Library with in-depth research and outreach materials.
