Members of the Universal Declaration of Material Rights session panel, from left to right: Sabine Oberhuber, Dr. Maikel Kuijpers, Nina dos Santos (moderator), Rabbi Awraham Soetendorp and Ezekiel Ole Katato.
however he felt we are still missing one: the 18th SDG, the new relation between humans and every thing that makes life possible, the relationship between us and planet Earth. He therefore saw mind change as an even bigger challenge than climate change. Even when it comes to such important climate initiatives as the Paris Agreement, is there a danger of focussing on what’s possible, rather than what’s necessary? He urged us to focus on what’s necessary.
Former Prime Minister of the Netherlands and Chair man of the Major Alliance, Jan Peter Balkenende, described what he called an “agenda of hope”: the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, together with the issues of climate change and the circular economy, to ensure quality of life for future generations. As he pointed out, the alternative of continuing to produce and consume as we do now, leaves no future for the next generations, and is therefore not an option. Since it is not an option, rather than being a threat, it becomes a source of hope by virtue of its imperative.
T HE U NI V ERSA L DE C L ARAT ION OF MAT ERIA L RIGH T S Article 1. All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood. Materials are the foundation of the fabric of life and form an integral part of it. They are endowed with meaning, purpose and utility and should be treated in a spirit that extends life itself. Article 5. No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. No material shall be subjected to treatment that degrades its future ability to contribute to life. Article 15-1. Everyone has the right to a nationality. Every unique aggregation of material has the right to a unique, documented identity. Article 16-3. The family is the natural and fundamental group unit of society and is entitled to protection by society and the State. Materials are the natural and fundamental building blocks of life and are entitled to protection by society and the State.
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