Humanity is now at a critical juncture. As Paul Hawken succinctly put it in his inspiring address to Portland University’s graduate class in May of 2009, “civilization needs a new operating system,” and fast. Many of the socio-economic rules under which we operate were created under a worldview that failed to recognize that the earth is a living system and that every form of life has its unique and valuable place and purpose in sustaining the larger web of life.
Read the full story »
What can governments do to address the banking crisis, remedy unemployment, poverty and ecological threats, and create conditions for sustainable abundance?
How can time-tested currency innovations such as mutual credit systems help businesses of all sizes deal with cash flow shortages and monetary instability?
CommunityWhat can communities do to leverage their untapped wealth and connect resources that would otherwise remain unused with needs that would otherwise remain unmet?
ResearchWhat can scientific and academic research tell us about how to design and implement more effective and resilient monetary systems?
Currency ProposalsWhat types of complementary currencies could help us overcome current obstacles to the flourishing of our educational, energy, commercial, and other systems?
The story of Banco Palmas in Brazil is a great example of how local currencies can stimulate the local economy. With the help of NGOs, people in Palmeiras, an impoverished district in Fortaleza, Ceara, Brazil organized and set up a community credit bank. The currency of this bank is called Palma and it is in this currency that inhabitants there sell, buy and stimulate the local economy. 1,200 new jobs have been created with a lot of dignity.
We can end the threats to our environment, and aid dramatically in its restoration. We can help provide meaningful work for all, with opportunities that enhance and replenish the world around us. We can effectively address fundamental urban and rural concerns and the many diverse and often divergent needs of developing and developed nations alike. We can create a better world where life and all living systems flourish. This is not and idealistic dream, but is rather a pragmatic attainment, achievable within our very own lifetime.
So write Bernard Lietaer and Stephen Belgin, authors of the much anticipated book New Money for a New World. Mr. Lietaer is a principal architect of the euro and author of the acclaimed international best seller The future of Money, which has been translated into sixteen languages. Mr. Belgin is the founder and president of Qiterra Press and author of the upcoming City of Light Chronicles.
New Money for a New World examines a previously unexamined culprit for the many issues we face today—the monopoly of our centuries old monetary system. This book also provides many ways and means that are now readily available to stop the current juggernaut towards global self destruction. Many of the solutions offered within this book are more than theory. Communities from around the world have successfully addressed a myriad of issues without the need to raise taxes, redistribute wealth, or depend upon enlightened self interest from corporate entities. Rather the improvements were realized simply and effectively by rethinking money. With such a shift everything is possible.
Order the book here!
The story of Banco Palmas in Brazil is a great example of how local currencies can stimulate the local economy. With the help of NGOs, people in Palmeiras, an impoverished district in Fortaleza, Ceara, Brazil …
Until now, governments at all levels have been using three main policy instruments to encourage behaviors they consider desirable: regulations; subsidies for behaviors they want to encourage; and taxes for what they would like to discourage. …
Bernard Lietaer @ Poptech, October 22, 2011
Download video: MP4 format
Feasta’s Autumn conference examined measures that Ireland could adopt to secure its economic future which would not leave it reliant on external factors largely outside of its control. Scenarios explored included the potential collapse of …
In brief:
Businesses have tended to leave the question of how the monetary system works to the government, central banks, and the banking system. Yet in doing so they miss the opportunity to solve key monetary and …
The Commercial Credit Circuit (C3) is a business-to-business system that is an improvement on the WIR, in the sense that the currency is convertible on demand into national currency. It is a powerful way to create …
You don’t need a degree in economics — in fact you don’t even need to be numerate — to realise that the European Union is making a dog’s dinner of the economic crisis.
Ignore the financial …
In this episode of the Evolutionary Provocateur, Dawna Jones talks to Bernard Lietaer, author of “The Future of Money” and the forthcoming “New Currencies for a New World”, about the root causes of financial uncertainty and what practical steps businesses can take to insure against it.
Excerpt of a RAI TV documentary presenting the WIR money system with a short interview of Bernard Lietaer.
In a recent interview with Tesa Silvestre for the Community Currency Magazine, I was asked to take a big picture look at the complementary currency movement, and answer the following questions:
What are the questions you …
The CC Open Collective is an online forum (skype chat) for complementary currency practitioners, researchers and advocates. It is about 6 years old, and currently includes 120 people from around the world. Members share their …
Your contributions help to keep this site alive.