Conference Earth - Humanity and Planet Earth: 2001 and Beyond
Public Lecture, Melbourne University. Dr Michael Ellis.
17-19 November 1995

I am delighted to welcome you to the first international conference, "Humanity and Planet Earth - 2001 and Beyond".

I would like to quote a beautiful and moving speech made by Chief Seattle on surrendering his land to Governor Isaac Stephens in 1854. His words are alive today and express a significant theme of our conference.

"Teach your children what we have taught our children. The Earth is our Mother. Whatever befalls the Earth befalls the sons of the Earth. If men spit upon the ground they spit upon themselves. Man did not weave the web of life, he is merely a strand in it. Whatever he does to the web he does to himself".

David Suzuki elaborated on this theme when he said, "We are species out of biological control. Like the exotic organisms introduced into Australia, we longer have the biological constraints that keep us in balance with nature".

Does this transformation not imply, as Einstein said, "if humankind is to survive, there has to be a substantially new manner of thinking".

Jung in the Undiscovered Self states that, "The structure and physiology of this brain poses no explanation of the psyche. The psyche has a peculiar nature, which cannot be reduced to anything else. Consciousness is a pre-condition of being human. The psyche is endowed with dignity, which philosophically gives it a dignity equal to a human being. Consciousness must be granted this status of human existence and the individual, who is only the source of consciousness, must be allowed a corresponding significance in society. Institutions of ideology and religion permit individuality only in so far as the individual does not oppose their dogmas, otherwise he is condemned as a heretic and/or eccentric".

Similarly the modern state with its industrial, military complex in the hands of a comparatively few people has a tendency to dictate the course of society and to suppress any full expression of individuality amongst the mass of the population. It is a dangerous habit of our age to think only in large numbers, mass organizations and mega deaths.

Valslev Havel, President of Czechoslovakia has said, "Without a global revoltion of human consciousness nothing will change for the better in the sphere of our being as humans and the catastrophe towards which this world is headed, be it ecological, demographic, social or the general breakdown of civilization will be unavoidable".

I am mentioning these things not to depress you, but to state the reason why we are having Conference Earth. I believe we have a time gap of about ten years to put the planet to rights. I believe many people, the thinkers, activists, artists, scientists, humanists and peace workers around the world are actively involved in creating a positive future - a future beyond our wildest dreams that enhances the human being to know the beautiful form that he or she is. Unless we see the problematic, how can we possibly create positive solutions? Our vision is one of growth of the human potential and the development of technology, which is more in harmony with the environment and less energy wasteful. Energy after all is one of the most important keys to the future.

However, the plan of action that we wish to construct must take into account the scientific causes and the scientific reasons for positive change. Only then will such a report be pragmatic and constructive.

The United Nations has done a lot to tackle the various global crises now confronting us with the World Summit on the environment in 1992, the World Summit on social development in Copenhagen in March 1995, the Women's Summit in Beijing recently and the 2nd UN Conference on human settlements, Habitat II, Istanbul June 1996.

Since Conference Earth - The Decade of Action was originated, a lot of work has been done with a wide variety of people. During this time, the name Conference Earth has circulated around the world. It is known to many environmental and peace organizations.

First and foremost I would like to thank Sir Mark Oliphant for being a constant encouragement and inspiration over the past eight years. In 1998 I arranged for him to speak at the House of Lords in England, to a packed chamber, on peace through openness, a theme we hope to explore this weekend.

I would like to thank Phillipe de Montignie, who in 1989 and 1990 let me use his office and its facilities. A lot of people have come and gone during the past six years and have contributed their part in enhancing the framework of Conference Earth. I would like to thank them.

I would like to thank DR Rashmi Mayur, a wonderful friend and supporter. In November 1991 he came out to Australia and was received on national television and radio. Rashmi had traveled to 36 countries in 6 months and experienced first hand the crisis confronting our planet. At the time we were waiting with anticipation for the effect that the Rio Summit (1992) would have on environmental sustainability.

To make this conference possible it has taken a number of dedicated people, who have worked tirelessly. I would particularly like to thank Michelle Pangalis, our administrator, who enabled the conference to be translated into practical reality through her persistent efforts at our office and our publisher, Andrew Wood, who has been responsible for designing and publishing all the literature needed to make this conference a reality, including this program. He has been tremendous in his devotion and zest for the cause. I would also like to thank Professor Mike Webber. Chair of Geography and Environmental Science at the University of Melbourne, who has given tremendous encouragement and contributed resources, both financial and a venue for this weekend. Our team has been meeting regularly for the past six months and includes Michael Drapac, a property developer, who has donated office space to us and Professor Avni Sali, Associate Professor of Surgery at the University of Melbourne. Both have been tremendously helpful and a wonderful think-tank.

Unfortunately Sir Ninian Stephen was not able to speak due to his work commitments with the Human Rights and the War Crimes Tribunal in The Hague, but his assistant, Mrs. Dove, has been tremendously helpful. I also have to thank Ms Jager Ellison for her constant support over the past few years. As for everybody else on our Executive and others who are helping the conference, and there are many, thank you.

DR Michael Ellis
Convenor and President The Centre

© 1989-1999 to DR Michael Ellis