Global Justice
Tread Softly offers a straightforward aggregation of links to content of other websites, organised by themes relevant to learning about global justice. The concept of global justice is founded on three principles:
- that all humans are individual citizens of the planet sharing equal social and political rights, alongside obligations to respect each other and to protect the Earth’s life support systems.
- that all governments should honour a primary duty to enable the rights and obligations of global citizens, both within and beyond their borders, recognising that this challenge can only be addressed through international cooperation and respect for universal human rights.
- that economic inequality has limits, whether between individuals within countries, or between countries. The impact of lifestyles in richer countries on environmental resources in poorer countries is a primary example of global injustice.
Content
Selected links are drawn from news, analysis or opinion, targeting the general reader through articles of modest length and technicality. The sources range from familiar media to agencies focused on specific topics. The perspective of poorer countries is the dominant concern.
Content is chosen with a view to recognising the range of debate on relevant issues. However, the recent disruption of recognised norms of governance and policy has made this ideal impossible to observe. Unilateral military aggression, sham elections, and excising environmental science are examples of overstepping the tolerance thresholds of global justice principles.
Content is updated on a weekly cycle and aims to provide an accessible update on global justice issues rather than a daily news source. All linked articles are free to access, although some of the sources may require registration. For more detailed research, each thematic page offers a list of suggested Resources; these may include sources whose content is protected by a paywall – which is indicated where applicable.
Editor
The site is compiled by Bill Gunyon, formerly Editor of OneWorld Guides, a similar educational resource produced between 2003 and 2012. The Guides were published on oneworld.net, a pioneer of online content concerned with human rights and sustainable development from 1995.
Bill worked for OneWorld, an international NGO based in the UK, in a variety of roles for nearly 20 years, retiring in 2018. His blog is Waiting to Credit Marvels.
This website is designed as much as a personal aide memoire as an outward-facing product for conventional audience development. Nonetheless, I hope that it will offer a helpful reference point for those concerned about a safe and fulfilling future for all people.