We commit to the emergence of ‘post-growth’ world futures, guided by the following principles:

Prosperity without Growth:

• Recognition that there are natural limits to economic, population and consumption growth and points at which further growth produces, overall, negative outcomes.
• Acceptance that, globally, we have long surpassed the natural limits of the planet to allow us to sustain further increases to material consumption.
• Commitment to restoring, protecting, and prioritizing a healthy ecosystem in order to sustain wellbeing for humans and other species, without requiring further economic growth to do so.

Social and Global Justice:

• Acknowledgement that current models of economic growth have systemically benefited certain populations and species over others and that greater social and environmental justice is required for sustainable futures.
• Awareness that, because of current inequitable conditions, extra efforts may be required to ensure equal access to participation by all, particularly in relation to the most politically charged global issues in which power dynamics have routinely excluded consideration of certain perspectives.
• Advocacy for non-hierarchical organizational systems that invite everyone to contribute in whatever ways they can, valuing the potential of such contributions.
• Support for equitable social and economic systems by which people do not feel forced to leave their homes for the sake of safety, health or opportunity.

Political and Structural Reorganization:

• Acknowledgement that the planet comprises our collective heritage (commons) and that all notions of private possession are human constructions, not laws of nature.
• Belief that post-growth thinking must go beyond polarized debates about existing systems and allow for entirely new ideas and frameworks to form, often drawing inspiration from models other than those that have led to our current challenges while also recognizing that there are many things currently do work for both people and the planet.
• Support for positive forms of growth, such as the (re)generation of local economies, the natural environment, spirituality, well-being, community and respect.
• Acknowledgement that positive outcomes are not always measurable through currently established means.

Diversity, Multiplicity, and Cooperation:

• Respect for diversity in all its forms.
• Recognition that for post-growth outcomes to be most effective, they will most often need to be grounded in relevant contexts and driven by local communities, and that communities do not exist in isolation of larger contexts, meaning there is value in global dynamics informing local action.
• Appreciation that creating positive futures requires embracing multiple approaches, rather than seeking ‘one right answer’.
• Recognition that these issues can have deep emotional impacts in people, and that moralising, blaming, or engendering guilt is counter-productive.

Creativity in Action:

• Commitment to placing intentional emphasis on creativity and collaboration as opposed to constant critique, while still valuing the important role of critical engagement – promoting an attitude of ‘critical hope’.
• Valuing multiple voices means we seek consent rather than consensus in our collective work; finding ways of working together amidst differences is important.
• Recognition of the need to be transparent about assumptions, values, perspectives, and goals in order to continuously revisit them based on new learning.
• Recognition of the creative potential of fun and humor!