I am a life member of FairShare International, established by my friend Pam in Adelaide, South Australia. FairShare International (FSI) is a diverse, global community where everyone, individuals and families and businesses, take everyday action to distribute the world's resources (money, water, energy, minerals, etc) more equitably. The aim is to: (1) decrease the gap between rich and poor; (2) use the earth's resources more effectively; (3) create more ethical connections with others; and (4) conserve the natural environment and threatened species.
The motto is simply - 5.10.5.10 (five, ten, five, ten). What does this mean? It's an easy formula to help members achieve the 4 aims of FairShare International:
- 5 ( redistribute your own personal wealth by donating at least 5% of your income to a cause)
- 10 (reduce your use of water, energy and minerals by at least 10%)
- 5 (contribute at least 5% of your time to assist a local or international community)
-10 (take significant democratic action at least 10 times a year to correct global injustices)
The last one can be done by writing letters to politicians, the media, or corporations to take a stand for a cause, environmental, health, welfare, etc that you are passionate about.
By living 5.10.5.10 each day, friends of FairShare commit to giving directly, at their own discretion and according to their own individual passions. How do I do this? Here's my example:
I donate at least 5% of my annual income to causes, local and international (and this is not difficult to do because there are so many charities that require financial assistance). These include groups associated with fair trade, the wilderness, and improving healthcare in the developing world through sanitation, clean water, and aid to treat malaria, TB, HIV/AIDs etc. The idea is not just to donate to a charity but to consciously make a difference in the lives of disenfranchised or disadvantaged people and communities anywhere on earth with the aim of reducing the gap between rich and poor. I also include giving away at least 5% of my "stuff" - through recycling goods, clothes, etc.
I reduce at least 10% of my consumption by spending less on items I don't need; by reusing items of clothing; by repairing goods instead of unconsciously throwing them out; reducing water and electricity consumption and so on.
I also contribute at least 5% of my time to the community - for example, I am often a guest lecture at my local university, and I contribute to the community markets each week. For others it might include giving time at the local sporting competition for kids.
Lastly, I contribute at least 10 democratic actions a year. Much of this is done while I am on international assignments in developing countries - such as speaking with government officials or advocating for democracy in countries emerging from crisis and conflict. I also do this locally by writing letters to politicians for improvements to community projects, as well as to international politicians to take action against child labor, human trafficking, and a range of human rights issues.
In summary, the message is simply:
5: reject greed
10: tread lightly
5: connect with community
10: build democracy
For more information on FairShare International, see http://www.fairshareinternational.org/
MARTINA NICOLLS
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MARTINA NICOLLS is an international human rights-based consultant in education, healing and wellbeing, peace and stabilization, foreign aid audits and evaluations, and the author of: The Paris Residences of James Joyce (2020), Similar But Different in the Animal Kingdom (2017), The Shortness of Life: A Mongolian Lament (2015), Liberia’s Deadest Ends (2012), Bardot’s Comet (2011), Kashmir on a Knife-Edge (2010) and The Sudan Curse (2009).
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