A CALL FOR A NEW MANIFESTO: DEFENDING HUMANITY IN AN AGE OF RISING RIGHT WING EXTREMISM

Di Alberto Zucconi

In an age marked by growing changes and uncertainty, where the rapid pace of technological advancements coexists with social and political upheaval, humanity finds itself at a critical juncture. The forces that threaten our shared values—human rights, human security, and sustainability—are more present and potent than ever before. Across the globe, authoritarian movements rooted in far-right ideologies, are gaining strength, fueled by fears, prejudices, and an increasing sense of social and economic instability. These movements not only erode the foundations of democracy and inclusivity, but they also pose an existential threat to the very principles upon our societies have been built: justice, equality, and the sanctity of human life.

It is at this moment in history that we need to create a new manifesto—a unified, global declaration of principles that affirms a commitment to human rights, human security, and sustainable development in the face of these rising challenges.          This manifesto must serve as a call to all people, especially those who value human dignity, to speak up, act decisively, and choose to be vocal in the fight for a world grounded in respect for individuals, communities and all the living life forms.  

It must be a clarion call to reject the passivity of remaining spectators in a world increasingly divided by ideologies of hate and division. Now is the time to be courageous, to choose action over complacency, and to reclaim the future by prioritizing human-centered values in every facet of society.

The Rise of Authoritarianism and the Threat to Human Rights

Across the globe, far-right movements are experiencing a resurgence. Nationalism, xenophobia, and populist rhetoric and fake news are on the rise, threatening the stability of democratic institutions and the social fabric of societies that have long prided themselves on their inclusivity and commitment to human rights. This shift is not isolated to one country or region but is a global phenomenon, with far-right ideologies infiltrating both established democracies and emerging political movements alike. What was once considered fringe is now becoming mainstream, leading to increasingly polarized societies, where intolerance and division are normalized, and the rights of minorities and marginalized communities are under constant attack.

This rise of extremism is not merely a political shift—it is a fundamental threat to the values that underpin modern human civilization. Human rights, which have been painstakingly developed over the last century through the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and various other international agreements, are being eroded. Freedoms of expression, assembly, and association are increasingly under threat, as populist leaders use fear and divisiveness to consolidate power. The idea of human security, which emphasizes the need to protect individuals from threats to their safety, dignity, and well-being, is being undermined by these movements. Instead of striving for global peace, cooperation, and sustainability, the focus is on nationalism, militarization, and the creation of “us versus them” mentalities that breed violence, exclusion, and inequality.

The time has come for those who value humanity’s potential to come together and reaffirm the fundamental values that bind us. We must reject the authoritarianism creeping across the globe and insist on a vision for the future that places people at the center, protecting and promoting their human rights, security and sustainability as the goals and common denominator of all our actions.

The Need for a New Manifesto

In light of these mounting challenges, there is an urgent need for a new manifesto—a document that can inspire and unify people around the world to act in defense of the values that sustain our common humanity. This manifesto must articulate a clear, compelling vision for a future in which the dignity and rights of every person are upheld, and where human security is not a privilege for the few but a right for all.

The manifesto must call on all individuals and organizations —regardless of nationality, race, religion, or political affiliation—to make an existential choice.      We can not  afford to be passive spectators as the world around us deteriorates.     To remain silent is a choice that has dire consequences. Each one of us must decide whether we will stand by, silent and complacent, or whether we will actively defend the rights and security of all people. We must choose to be vocal in affirming the human-centered values that have long been the bedrock of progress and equality.

This manifesto will also serve as a reminder that our values—justice, equality, sustainability—are not just aspirational ideals but necessary pillars for a future that is worth living. As the world faces unprecedented challenges, from social injustice, to climate change and global health crises to increasing social and political polarization, we must reorient our collective efforts toward solutions that prioritize human well-being over corporate interests, military might, and the exploitation of vulnerable populations.

A Human-Centered Process: Reaffirming Human Rights, Human Security, and Sustainability

The heart of this new manifesto must lie in its commitment to a person-centered approach to governance, policy, and societal development. This approach recognizes that human rights, human security, and sustainability are not separate or isolated concerns but are inherently interconnected. Protecting human dignity and promoting the well-being of individuals should guide all decision-making processes, whether in the realm of politics, economics, or environmental policy.

Human Rights: The manifesto must reiterate the importance of human rights as the foundation for a just, equitable and prosperous society. Human rights are not privileges granted by governments—they are the inherent, inalienable entitlements of every individual, regardless of background, identity, or circumstance. The manifesto must advocate for the full protection of civil and political rights, including freedoms of speech, assembly, and the press, while also ensuring economic, social, and cultural rights, such as access to healthcare, education, and housing. In a world where authoritarian regimes and far-right movements threaten these rights, the manifesto must call for a renewed commitment to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other international frameworks that safeguard individual freedoms and dignity.

Human Security: The concept of human security, which emphasizes protection from threats such as violence, poverty, disease, and environmental degradation, must be central to the manifesto. Human security goes beyond the traditional notion of state security and focuses on the well-being of individuals. It requires addressing the root causes of insecurity, including inequality, corruption, and environmental destruction. This means creating systems of governance that are transparent, accountable, and responsive to the needs of all people, particularly those who are most vulnerable. It also means ensuring that people’s voices are heard, and their agency is respected, whether in the context of local governance or international relations.

People-centered approaches: people centered approaches facilitate people centered processes where the development of the potentialities  of people and communities are facilitated and promoted via actions of empowerment and responsabilization.  People right’s are prioritize with respect for the unique needs, preferences, and values of the individuals and communities, ensuring that they are actively involved in decision-making processes that affect their lives. This methodology is rooted in the belief that those directly impacted by decisions are best positioned to articulate their requirements and aspirations. There is a large body of research showing that is more effective and cost/benefit effective than traditional approaches.

In the realm of design and development, people-centered design involves immersing oneself in the experiences of specific user groups to co-create solutions that genuinely address their needs. Designers engage deeply with communities, tapping into their insights to identify real issues and develop appropriate interventions. This practice ensures that the end products or services are both relevant and effective for the intended users.

In the context of international development, people-centered development focuses on enhancing local communities' self-reliance, social justice, and participatory decision-making. It recognizes that economic growth alone does not inherently lead to human development and calls for changes in social, political, and environmental practices. This approach emphasizes local ownership, equitable distribution of resources, and the empowerment of communities to define and pursue their development goals. 

Overall, people-centered processes are characterized by a commitment to collaboration, respect, and empowerment, ensuring that interventions are tailored to the specific contexts and desires of the people and communities involved.

Sustainability: Finally, the manifesto must embrace the principle of sustainability as essential to the long-term survival and prosperity of humanity. This includes not only environmental sustainability but also social and economic sustainability. As we face the challenges of climate change, resource depletion, and environmental degradation, the manifesto must call for immediate and bold action to safeguard the planet for future generations. It must advocate for policies that prioritize renewable energy, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable agricultural practices. At the same time, sustainability must extend to the social and economic realms, ensuring that development is equitable, inclusive, and responsive to the needs of all people, especially those who have been historically marginalized.

Uniting for a Humanistic Renaissance

The manifesto must also serve as a call for a new humanistic renaissance—a period of intellectual, cultural, and social rebirth in which human dignity, creativity, and collaboration facilitated by people centered processes are celebrated as central to our collective future. This renaissance will not be born from the narrow, exclusionary ideologies of the far-right but from the broad, inclusive ideals that affirm the interconnectedness of all people that are grounded in the science of sustainable human ecology. It will require the collective effort of individuals, organizations communities, and nations to create a world in which justice, equality, and sustainability are not just aspirations but realized truths.

This humanistic renaissance is not a distant dream. It is a choice that each of us can make today and realize congruently in our daily lives. It is a call to unite—to work together across boundaries, borders, and differences to affirm our shared humanity grounded on effective relationships that combine respect, empathy and authenticity to realize personal and social health and wellbeing. Each person and organization has a role to play in this global movement. Whether through activism, education, advocacy, or simply by living according to these values in our daily lives, we can all contribute to social change and the creation of a world where human rights, human security, and sustainability are not just ideals, but a lived  reality for all people.

The Time to Act is Now!

The rise of far-right movements and authoritarian ideologies presents an existential threat to the values that have long sustained humanity’s progress. But it also presents an opportunity—an opportunity to unite in defense of those values, to reaffirm our commitment to human rights, security, and sustainability, and to create a future that is grounded in human dignity and respect.

Now is the time to stand together. Now is the time to choose action over complacency, unity over division. This new manifesto is not just a document—it is a movement, a clarion call to all who believe in a better world to rise up, speak out, act and connect with others that share the similar values and concerns.

 Let us begin the process of creating a new humanistic renaissance, one that will affirm our shared humanity and ensure a future where all people can live in peace, dignity, and security.

Creating a People-Centered New Humanistic Renaissance Manifesto through a scientific approach involves integrating the principles of the sociology of knowledge and employing participatory action research (PAR) to ensure the manifesto reflects the socially constructed realities of diverse communities and facilitates meaningful change.

Understanding the Social Construction of Reality: The sociology of knowledge, as articulated by Peter L. Berger and Thomas Luckmann in "The Social Construction of Reality," posits that our understanding of reality is shaped through social interactions and shared experiences. This perspective suggests that concepts, beliefs, and knowledge are not inherent but are developed collectively within societies. Recognizing this framework is crucial for crafting a manifesto that resonates across different cultural and social contexts.

People Centered Steps to Develop the New Manifesto

Engage Diverse Communities: Initiate dialogues with various groups to understand their unique experiences, challenges, and aspirations. This engagement ensures that the manifesto addresses the specific needs and realities of different populations.

Collaborative Knowledge Creation: Facilitate workshops and experiential courses and focus groups where participants can share their perspectives. These sessions should aim to identify common values and principles that underpin a people-centered approach, acknowledging that these values are products of collective social processes.

Iterative Feedback Mechanisms: Develop drafts of the manifesto and circulate them among the communities for feedback. This iterative process allows for the incorporation of diverse viewpoints, ensuring the manifesto is a living document that evolves with societal changes.

Participatory Action Research: PAR is a collaborative research methodology that involves stakeholders in the research process to effect change. By integrating PAR into the development of the manifesto, the process becomes inclusive and action-oriented.

Co-Identification of Issues: Researchers and community members collaboratively identify the core issues that the manifesto should address. This partnership ensures that the research focuses on areas of genuine concern to the communities involved.

Co-Design of Interventions: Together, researchers and participants develop strategies and solutions to the identified issues. This co-design process ensures that interventions are culturally appropriate and practically applicable.

Continuous Monitoring and Evaluation: Establish systems for ongoing assessment of the manifesto's impact. This could involve regular community meetings, surveys, and feedback sessions to monitor progress and make necessary adjustments.

Global Scientific Monitoring of the People Centered Project for a New Reinassance: To ensure the manifesto's principles are effectively implemented and have a global impact, a scientific monitoring process is essential.

Establish a Global Network: Create an international consortium of researchers, practitioners, and community representatives committed to the manifesto's principles. This network facilitates the exchange of best practices and supports collaborative efforts.

Standardized Data Collection: Develop standardized tools and methodologies for collecting data on the manifesto's implementation across different contexts. This standardization allows for comparative analysis and the identification of universal challenges and successes.

Regular Reporting and Dissemination: Publish online in the project open platform regular reports detailing the progress, challenges, and lessons learned from various communities. These reports should be accessible to all stakeholders and serve as a basis for ongoing dialogue and refinement of the manifesto. The collections of reports that need to include documented best practices but also the failures in order to learn from success and failures should be open to all people, researchers, organizations and national and international institutions.

An open access training courses and online labs that include free scientific consultation and exanges among different projects and epistemic communities will enrich a free for all data bank

Conclusion

By grounding the development of a People-Centered New Humanism Manifesto in the principles of the sociology of knowledge and the people/person centered approaches, employing participatory action research, this  process becomes a collaborative and dynamic endeavor. This approach ensures that the manifesto is not only reflective of diverse social realities but also serves as a catalyst for meaningful, community-driven change on a global scale. 

The World Academy of Art and Science (WAAS) being the main facilitator of this worldwide project assumes a role of serving the needs of humanity, this is congruent with its mission since the foundation of WAAS and the publication of Albert Einstein’ Manifesto