Greens Values are Global Values

Global Greens ‒ Green activism at home and abroad

By Vivienne Glance

It’s been great to see former senator, Scott Ludlam, speaking about his book, “Full Circle”, in the media and on social media. Rob Delves has referred to this book in his article in this Green Issue, so I won’t go into detail about it here. I’ll just mention that Scott really highlights the global nature of our Greens movement. It was fascinating to read about his interactions with various people, many of whom I’ve met (in person, but more recently, virtually) in my roles as International Secretary and Asia Pacific Greens Federation Councillor over the past three years.

Each Green party across the world has a unique culture, faces different challenges, exists in their own political system, and is informed by their singular history. This means that no two parties are exactly alike. We exist in a patchwork of shades of green, connected by tangible and intangible threads. Wrapped in this quilt we collectively work towards a common purpose, informed by shared values.

Australian Greens belong to this active and engaged political movement that is working for progressive change in the world. The Global Greens are made up of around 90 members, split across four federations: 

• African Greens Federation (AGF)
• Federations of Green Parties of the Americas (FPVA)
• Asia Pacific Greens Federation (APGF)
• European Green Party (EGP) 

All members work together to uphold and implement the Global Greens Charter. This founding document is in two sections: Principles and Political Action.

You’ll be familiar with the first section as it reflects our own Four Pillars, although set out as 6 separate principles: Ecological Wisdom, Social Justice, Participatory Democracy, Nonviolence, Sustainability and Respect for Diversity. The second section sets out a framework of broad principles on which policies might be based.

For many new and emerging Greens parties, including some in the countries Scott Ludlam mentions, the Global Greens Charter provides the foundation on which more complex and localised policies can be built for their party. However, many Greens members work with the threat of strong and sometimes brutal political opposition. Recently, the leadership of the Ecological Movement of Guatemala were detained, and many members of the Global Greens called for their release, including Sen. Janet Rice in Parliament.

Over the past couple of years, the Asia Pacific Greens Federation (APGF) with support from the AG International Development Committee (IDC), have created several policy templates which are available for emerging parties to use and amend as fits their local circumstances. Furthermore, these templates have been translated into multiple languages by APGF members. You can see the results of this amazing work here.

In many political parties, women have historically been unable to fully participate in public life. Over the years, this has changed, but there is still work to do. The Global Greens has a Women’s Network (GGWN) dedicated to supporting and advocating for the participation of women in member parties. In our own region the APGF Women’s Network, again set up with support from the IDC, creates several webinars presented by women from around the world. To find out about upcoming webinars follow the Women’s Network on Facebook.

As highlighted in ‘Full Circle’, we all play a hugely important role in advocating and agitating for Greens values globally. I’ve been fortunate to have the benefit of several experienced Greens members to help and advise me in my efforts as International Secretary and APGF Councillor. People such as Christine Milne, a Global Greens Ambassador, Giz Watson, a member of IDC, and Bob Hale, the current Global Greens Co-Convenor, along with many other long-time Greens activists.

I stepped down as the APGF Councillor in May this year, and I wish Cathy Peters well as she steps into the role alongside returning councillor, Dominic Wy Kanak. They will work with our co-international Secretaries, David Feith and Andrew Morrison, to continue this critical, global involvement. Their contact details are on Greenhouse, if you’d like to connect with them.

Look out for the on-line conference the Global Greens are planning for February 2022. If you have a burning issue or topic that has an international focus, look out for the call-out for ideas. The fifth Global Greens Congress, scheduled for this year has been postponed because of the Covid pandemic. They are now hoping to hold it in 2023 in South Korea.

Many of you may not have heard of the Global Greens or even be aware of the necessary work they do in supporting and connecting green parties and movements across the world. To end on a quote from “Full Circle” where Scott is talking about activism – “…the true purpose of this kind of work is to catalyse a wider field of action; to make common cause with others around the world, creating new instances of synchronisation in the global village square.” (p. 341).

The work of the Global Greens and APGF and other Federations, may not be front line actions, but it is essential. I hope you’ll find a moment to explore more, and maybe even help to build and grow this fascinating aspect of our Greens movement.

Header photo:  Map of parties in the Global Greens by country as of 22 January 2021. In order of increasingly lighter shades of green:

• At least one full member party supports or participates in national government.
• At least one full member party is present in the national legislature.
• At least one full member party is present.
• At least one associate member party is present.

_{[Opinions expressed are those of the author and not official policy of Greens WA]}