World Syntegrity News

Much has occurred in the WSP during the last few months. To start, three more Infosets have been held in Ethiopia (see the following reports and statements), bringing their total to five and the total number of Infosets worldwide to twenty-one. Ethiopia is planning to hold about twenty more Infosets in the near future. Other locations of planned Infosets are Wukari, Nigeria; Dhaka, Bangladesh; Freetown, Sierra Leone; Auckland, New Zealand; Khemisset, Morocco; and Onitsha, Nigeria.

An Infoset of paramount chiefs, tribal authorities, councilors, and customary law officers is scheduled in Sierra Leone for January 1-3, 1997. The vice president of Sierra Leone, Dr. Albert Joe Demby, declared himself a World Citizen and expressed his willingness to officially open the scheduled Infoset in January. In addition, Infosets in Sierra Leone are scheduled for every month in 1997 in various Districts throughout the country.

Specific dates for some of the scheduled Ethiopian Infosets are: December 21-23, 1996, Bati; December 1-3, 1996, Awassa; December 15-17, 1996, Asila; December 26-28, 1996, Goba; January 10-12, 1997, Arebamench; January 28-30, 1997, Lekemet; February 14-16, 1997, Gema; February 27-29, 1997, Herere; March 15-17, 1997, Asemera.

We are grateful to Addis Ababa (Ethiopia) organizer Seleshi Admassu, who organized the Infoset in the capital city last June and has done a great deal of work not only helping to coordinate these latest Infosets in Ethiopia but also translating the Organizer's Guide into Amharic.

Ethiopian Infosets

I. The DEBRE MARKOS Infoset

The goal of our meeting was to generate twelve Statements of Importance to send to the World Syntegrity Project. Our meeting took place over the course of three days in six different places. The discussion focused on the question, "How can we, sovereign world citizens, govern our world?" We had a dynamic discussion of these issues, and, after much group work, produced the following twelve Statements of Importance:

There must be one world bank with thousands of branches all over the world, and loan priority must be given to the poor nations with very low interest rate.
Child labor must be forbidden. Some people do not send their children to school because they use their labor power. This should not continue. The children must have a chance to learn.
Education must be free and compulsory. Some people do not send their children to school because some of them could not afford the payment and others use child labor.
Medical care must be free. Most people die by curable diseases because they are not able to pay for the doctor and medicine.
War must be stopped. It kills many people and destroys the economy.
Freedom of travel must be without any restrictions. One must be allowed to go anywhere s/he wants as long as s/he can afford it.
There must be freedom of work for everyone.
There must not be political boundaries; there should be only administrative boundaries.
Child marriage should be stopped by law. In the poor and "uncivilized" countries, many parents force their daughters (as low as 8 years old) to get married. This child marriage hurts these children since they are not ready mentally, physically or emotionally.
All nuclear weapons factories must be changed into agricultural factories since the population of the world is increasing rapidly.
Population control must effectively and fairly be applied since this world will not have enough food for everyone after a few decades.
Dictatorship must be stopped by law. The highest authority must be given to the people. They should democratically elect or dismiss their leaders as necessary.

Comments Given by Participants and Coordinator

We would like to express our thanks and appreciation to the organization in U.S.A. We support the principles and objectives they carry. We would like to give our thanks to Seleshi Admassu, who has come from Addis Ababa and covered all the costs of our meeting. We will work hard to spread other Infosets. We would like printed materials to be available in Amharic. Seleshi has said that he will do his best to resolve the language problem.

Organizer Getnet Dilie

II. The NAZARETH Infoset

We who support the objectives of the WSA are gathered here to discuss what this world should be. We support a world with democratic rights, where every individual can participate fully.

Working with the World Syntegrity Project, we are creating Infosets so that a world constitution can be developed. The objective of this meeting is to contribute ideas towards the content of that constitution. We will do this by addressing the question, "How can we, sovereign world citizens, govern our world?" through twelve Statements of Importance.

We met over the course of three consecutive days, in six different places. We were grouped in "teams," and each "team" had 5 players. After much discussion, the final twelve Statements of Importance were selected by majority vote. They include the following:

Since pollution is an enemy of mankind, certain laws must be established to decrease pollution.
Disabled people must be supported by law. They should get social security monies to pay for food, shelter, clothing, and medical care.
All people should have financial security. If you lose a job, there should be a social security fund.
Prostitution must be stopped by law since it spreads deadly diseases such as AIDS. The law must limit everybody to one partner.
Gambling must be stopped since it bankrupts people. The casinos must be closed.
Everyone should have the right to have an international passport.
Sex discrimination must be stopped. Any woman must have the right to compete for any job with men. In some countries, women are not allowed to work in an office or a factory. They are forced to stay at home as housewives only.
There must be a one-world currency which has the same purchasing power all over the world.
Women should have equal authority in the family. In most countries, women can only obey their husbands and cannot participate in family decisions.
Color discrimination must be stopped. A black man must have the same opportunities as that of a white man as long as he is professionally fit for the job.
All religions must be respected equally. By law, one should not put down his workmate or any other person because he is following another religion.
Space war practice must be stopped. This practice will result in destruction of mankind on earth. We have to struggle peacefully and systematically to stop it.

Conclusion Comment

We would like to express our strong support for the organization. We will try to explain about the objective of the organization to others and expand other Infosets. Addis Ababa Infoset organizer Seleshi Admassu explained that the printed materials from the organization are not in Amharic because of the financial and technical limits on translating them. But he said that he will do his best to help them in getting it translated locally, and he emphasized that Infoset members have to contribute.

Kasuen H/Selusi
Nazareth Organizer

III. The SHASHEMENI Infoset

We are here because we support the goal of democratic rights for everyone. The people must be governed and administered by laws that they accept. All man-made problems must be abolished. Our meeting objective is in supporting the above principles.

It is clear that when one country invades another, the purpose is to gain power to take all the wealth of the defeated country. If the world is governed by one law, these problems will not exist. So far, two Infoset meetings have been conducted in this country-one in Kembolcha and one in Addis Ababa. Two other meetings will be held in two other towns within the next two weeks. Today, we are conducting a similar meeting here in this town. Focusing on the question, "How can we, sovereign world citizens, govern our world," we met for three days in teams to come up with twelve Statements of Importance to establish a constitution.

The final 12 Statements of Importance are the following:

Forest destruction must be stopped by law since destroying trees will create a desert and eventually will result in mass hunger. There won't be enough food to feed the ever-increasing population.
All nuclear weapons must be de-activated since they have the capability of mass destruction.
The "Star Wars" program must be stopped now. One might ask "Is the 'Star Wars' program trying to defend planet earth from potential enemies from other planets?" Most people fear that man himself will severely damage his own planet before there is a threat of war from other planet invaders. We have to solve our differences and unite together as one world before we are ready to defend ourselves from outer space enemies.
Strong laws and systems must be established to stop bribery. In this country, bribery is spreading in every NGO and government organization. It is increasing like the AIDS disease without much control.
Freedom to speak, write, and peacefully assemble must be given without any restrictions. In most "backward" countries, one can't criticize the government, whatever facts s/he may have. S/he will be put in prison or even be killed without fair trial.
Authority must be given by democratic election and not by force. In most African countries, civilians shut their mouths and obey the military rulers. Otherwise, they will be killed or put in prison. This has to be stopped. It requires unity, tact, courage, and self-sacrifice.
All people of the world do not want war. Therefore, the military budget must be transferred to an agricultural fund. We need food, but not bullets.
Every citizen must have a right of free education. Knowledge brings power and responsibility for the common interests of mankind.
All kinds of pollution must be limited to a safe standard by law. Many natural riches and human health were damaged by pollution.
Every citizen must get a social security fund when s/he is not working.
The illegal narcotics (drugs like marijuana or LSD) must be stopped by strong laws and systems since these drugs turn a normal person into a useless creature.
Treatment of any disease and medical care must be free. Many people in this country die because they are not able to pay for their treatments.

Players' Comments

Regarding WSA passports, participants have stated that to get passports from WSA they have to pay the fee in US dollars and that this is difficult. The bank does not exchange our local Birr with USD without official authorization so it is not within their limits. Is there any way around this?
Participants felt that to reach the final objective, the three-days meeting was not enough. Therefore, conferences, symposiums, and meetings must be organized and conducted nationwide.
Participants have promised that they will do their best to organize other Infosets in neighboring towns.
Finally, all players have given their word that they will keep in contact with the Infoseters in Addis Ababa.

Seleshi Admassu pointed out that WCF does not have regular income and is supported by sponsors. Although the organization has very limited financial support, it has covered the costs of this meeting, and we would like to thank them. We have planned to organize Infosets and other meetings nationwide and look forward to hearing their conclusions.

Tadele Alemyhe
Shashemeni Organizer

Nigerian Infosetters Forge On

Dear Ms. Tangel-Cate,

I am writing in appreciation of receipt of your certificates as well as the publication in the World Citizen News. Our group is very happy with all these efforts and they have decided to rededicate themselves to the services of humanity and the advancement of the cause for which the World Citizen Foundation stands.

Please accept our congratulations and appreciation. Our secretary should brief you more on these vital issues.

God bless you.

Yours in one world,
Mathew J. Obata
(Organizer of the December 1995 Infoset in Badagry, Nigeria)

Ethiopian Infoset Organizers Work Together

(Mohammed Yimer, organizer of last February's Infoset in Kembolcha, Ethiopia, provided us with the following statement, developed during a recent orientation meeting of Infoset organizers there.)

We believe that the World Government of World Citizens has discovered the true way to coordinate people to bring practical peace and human rights to all of humankind.

The World Syntegrity Project is part of an active process, directed by the World Citizen Foundation, whereby each of us can contribute ideas toward how to build global peace for all of humanity.

Perhaps some will say "It will take too long to change our corrupted world and it is not possible to reach global harmony in my lifetime," which clearly means, "I won't work for change if it doesn't benefit me." This kind of selfishness contributes to many social ills and prevents people from fighting for their rights.

Our main point is that we must continue forward, working together, against cruel, hateful, selfish and immoral tendencies.

We will work together, through the World Syntegrity Project, knowing that we are responsible for humankind today and in the future.

We hope that man-made divisions caused by nationalism can be replaced by a vast shelter of justice created by a world government of world citizens. This could transform the entire world so that everyone could taste the sweetness of freedom.

We can only realize this dream if everyone expresses their ideas to the World Citizen Foundation and identifies themselves as World Citizens.

Your brothers and sisters in World Citizenry, Organizers from Ethiopia

Report of the First Infoset of Women in Sierra Leone

The first Infoset of women in Sierra Leone was held August 29-31, 1996, in Freetown, Sierra Leone. The country organizer, Rev. Nathanael T. Tarawalli, welcomed the 116 participants. The mayor of Freetown, Ms. Florence Dilsworth, told the participants that they should be proud to be world citizens. She reviewed the definition and purpose of Syntegration. The mayor said that Syntegration is a process by which the world's citizens can discuss important issues within a global framework creatively and effectively. She stressed that "Sierra Leone women will take the lead in Africa."

Rev. Nathanael T. Tarawalli later gave a brief biography of Mr. Garry Davis, founder of the World Service Authority. Mr. Tarawalli said that the purpose of Syntegration is to bring peoples of the world together in a non-hierarchical way. In the infoset, the question "How Can We, Sovereign World Citizens, Govern Out World?" would be examined, with reference to the fact that the women of Sierra Leone have been engaged in a rebel war for the past five years.

The twelve final statements developed are as follows:

Group I/ Red and Green Team

Bonth and Kenema Districts, Southern and Eastern Province Information System

Provision of a Local Radio Station to all WSP World Citizen countries for the dissemination of World Citizen information in their national dialects.
People with natural or inborn talents should also be syntegrated.

Group II/ Brown and Deep Blue Team

Mayamba and Bo Districts, Southern Province The Role of Women in Government

With some exception, women should have the same rights as men to Civil Service jobs and governmental affairs.
There should be an equitable distribution of resources and use of one currency.

Group III/Black and Light Blue Team

Pujehun and Kailahun Districts, Eastern Province Health

Allocate sufficient funds to provide primary health care for all.
Emphasize health education and training of nurses and community social workers in World Citizen countries.

Group IV/ Yellow and White Team

Kambia and Kono Districts, North and Eastern Province Legal System

Women must pursue work which offers them economic independence and care for children and home.
Women should have an equal vote within a democratic system.

Group V/Silver and Gold Team

Bombalili and Tonkolili Districts, Northern Province Education

Children should receive free education and adequate educational materials should be provided.
World Government should support raising the standard and salaries of school teachers.

Group VI/Purple and Orange Team

Port Loko and Koinadugu Districts, Northern Province Dangers of Drug Abuse

Education on drug abuse must be taught in schools and colleges worldwide to ensure lasting peace and good citizenship.
Barriers to freedom of religion should be discouraged and amicably reconciled.

Evaluation/Recommendation

Sierra Leone women have agreed that the World Syntegrity Project has brought them closer to understanding many political issues worldwide, specifically in Sierra Leone and in other parts of Africa. The women believe that a world government with a world constitution should be empowered to stop all wars and restore peace. The women agreed that peace and justice will bring prosperity, love, happiness, and development to all mankind, and that Sierra Leone women will work toward this goal of the world before or after the year 2000.

We recommend that Infosets of women in Sierra Leone be held in all 12 Districts, and that funding for food and transportation be provided and sponsored by World Citizen Foundation to carry out the Syntegrity process within these Districts.
We also recommend that a WSP Centre be established in Freetown since Syntegrity is rapidly growing in the country.
We recommend that an FM radio station for PEACE INTERNATIONAL be provided to WSP countries of operation for dissemination of World Citizen information and news in our national dialects.
We recommend that WSP organizers attend conferences overseas on World Citizen affairs organized by World Syntegrity Project of World Citizens.
We recommend that all WSP countries of operation raise their local funds to meet with the local commitments on WSP matters.

The three-day meeting ended with a vote of thanks given by Haja Alamatu Sia Mangu, who was elected as National Women's Organizer in Sierra Leone. She thanked the participants for a job well done.

Request for Financial Support from WSP Women's Organization, Sierra Leone

The circumstances of the world are ever-changing, and Sierra Leonean women feel that it is now time to take the lead in planting the seeds of World Citizenship in Africa. We feel that we must make every effort to reach out to African women with this very urgent responsibility and that we must do so by the year 2000.

Our call is to build real democracies. We pledge to nurture, strengthen, and support all women in both Sierra Leone and in Africa towards building global communities. Our Sierra Leone sisters have a strong commitment to World Citizenship and mean to turn this into a reality. To many it may seem that our heads are in the clouds, but, in fact, our feet are on the ground.

We are raising funds to help our WSP Women's Organization and would appreciate it if we could receive financial help for the three women who wish to attend the 2nd Annual International Seminar on Women in Environment in Nigeria from March 5-11, 1997. We request global women to financially support our participation in the Nigeria Seminar. Thank you.

Haja Sia Mangu
National Women's Organizer, Sierra Leone

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