• Press Release November 14, 2023

    'More Than Enough': broad coalition calls for systemic economic change two weeks before COP28

    Today a broad coalition of civil society organizations launches the 'More Than Enough’ campaign in Brussels. This bottom-up political campaign calls for a systemic change of the current economy, securing good lives for all within the boundaries of the planet. The coalition’s manifesto aims to sharpen the debate two weeks before the climate summit in Dubai, and in the run-up to Belgium's EU presidency and the June 2024 elections.

    Tour along ‘places of the future’

    After delivering the manifesto to the headquarters of Belgium's main political parties earlier in the day, representatives of the coalition will do a tour in the popular neighborhood of the Marolles which will pass by locations that represent what a liveable future for all could look like: 

    - a tech-repair store

    - an ethical bank

    - an anti-racist bookstore

    - a social cycle-up workshop

    - a skate park 

    - a community center that provides social, medical and psychological support to the local community

    The tour will end at the legendary café Het Goudblommeke in Papier/La Fleur en Papier Doré, where several political and social movements saw the light of day. There will be speeches by campaign spokespersons Chloé Mikolajczak and Gert-Jan Vanaken, as well as inspiring guest speakers like UN-rapporteur Olivier De Schutter. The press is kindly invited to join the tour.

    Manifesto

    Among the many organizations rallying behind the central manifesto are crucial social players like ACV/CSC as well as major environmental organizations like Bond Beter Leefmilieu, Canopea and the European Environmental Bureau. All point to the need for a profound change in how we produce, consume and measure prosperity. The coalition explicitly addresses the various Belgian political parties. In the run-up to Belgium's EU presidency and the June 2024 elections, there is a need for a new political perspective that is both socially hopeful and ecologically realistic. 

    A number of innovative political ideas are put forward, including:

    - wellbeing as a central policy goal

    - a drastic reduction in our use of raw materials

    - a job guarantee

    - an advertising ban

    - tech transfers to the Global South

    Environmental debate needs to grow up

    Campaign spokespersons Chloé Mikolajczak and Gert-Jan Vanaken have been particularly active in recent years as spokespeople for climate youth and climate action groups. 'Today, the climate and environmental debate must grow up,’ says Chloé. 'Politicians must pay attention to all nine planetary boundaries, while ensuring no one is left behind. The problem is much broader than a climate problem. As the Gilet Jaunes showed, social concerns and ecological issues have been opposed for too long, when really, they are two sides of the same coin.’ 

    Gert-Jan: ‘From the left to the right, we hear politicians say there is not enough money, not enough time, not enough support base to address the combined social and ecological crises. As for us, we say: there is more than enough. If, and only if, we break free from the current economic business-as-usual. In our manifesto you will find a hopeful alternative, which is much more realistic than the current collision course.’

    Practical info

    The tour starts at 16h30 sharp at Vossenplein/Place du Jeu de Balle, Brussels. At 18h30 the tour arrives at cafe Het Goudblommeke in Papier/La Fleur en Papier Doré (Cellebroersstraat 55).

    The spokespersons of "More Than Enough" are available for interviews - before, during and after the launch. You can reach them at:

    Gert-Jan Vanaken (NL, ENG) 0032499480934

    Chloé Mikolajczak (FR, ENG) 0032486311814

    More info on www.morethanenough.be