Development and Peace: Life Before Profit

Since this is Solidarity Sunday I thought I would post something from the Canadian Catholic Organization for Development and Peace. Development and Peace, as they are known, have developed a set of faith-based principles to govern resource extraction in developing countries in order to avoid the social and environmental abuses that so often accompany industrial activities in the South. Canadian mining companies in particular have a reputation for bribing officials in order to avoid environmental regulations and override local opposition. It is up to us to speak for the voiceless and demand that our corporations and governments uphold the same values abroad as at home.

Life Before Profit Declaration of Principles

DEVELOPMENT AND PEACE affirms the following declaration of principles. We believe it should serve as a guide to any decision and action regarding resource extraction and management made by our government, Canadian companies, and individuals.

1. SACRED: The Earth is sacred. All life is interconnected and interdependent. Therefore, the Earth’s ecological diversity, beauty and health must be protected.
2. EQUITY AND PEACE: The Earth’s resources must be shared by peaceful means in an equitable manner that allows current and future generations to meet their needs.
3. PARTICIPATION: All people have the right to participate fully in and have control over decisions that affect their lives and communities.
4. SOLIDARITY: In the interests of solidarity and the common good, decisions made for the benefit of one community must not violate the rights of other communities.
5. COMMON GOOD: The importance of the Earth’s resources to the common good takes priority over any possible commercial value.
6. OPTION FOR THE POOR: In the extraction, management, and use of resources, human rights must be respected. Preference must be given to the rights of indigenous peoples and those who are marginalized by poverty or because of race and gender.

For more information on these issues, please visit D&P's Life Before Profit Campaign page.