2. Our demands, principles and values
Attempt: 139
Our Demands, Principles and Values
Intro / Aims
This section is on:
... XR's three Demands, and XR's 10 Principles and Values.
Watch the introductory video...
Watch on YouTube instead: https://youtu.be/aVs7KjRdxd8
Or read the introductory text:
Welcome to this lesson on the three Demands and the 10 Principles and Values, which are what unite us in XR. The three Demands make sure that we're all fighting for the same things, and the 10 Principles and Values make sure that we're all trying to build the same kind of movement.
By the end of this section...
... you should know what the three Demands are, and why 2025 is used as a goal. You should feel like you can explain the demands to someone else.
... you should know what the 10 Principles and Values are, why they have been chosen and what kind of movement they allow us to create.
Learning Material
The Three Demands
Extinction Rebellion has three demands which it puts to the government. These are:
1. TELL THE TRUTH
Government must tell the truth by declaring a climate and ecological emergency, working with other institutions to communicate the urgency for change.
2. ACT NOW
Government must act now to halt biodiversity loss and reduce greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2025.
3. DECIDE TOGETHER
Government must create and be led by the decisions of a Citizens' Assembly on climate and ecological justice.
Here is a 1 minute video summarising the three demands (note that the third demand is now "decide together")
Watch the video on YouTube instead: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4s9jfkWz72g
Why 2025?
The date 2025 was chosen when XR first started in 2018. When Extinction Rebellion was launched in 2018, scientists were saying that this was an achievable goal. It remains our target figure to remind us of how much time has been lost for positive government action.
Many people argue that this is not realistic - however, we know that governments can make drastic changes if they have the political will, they just need to be pushed into action. It is important that we demand what is needed, rather than what we think politicians will be comfortable with.
Policy Changes
We don’t ask for specific policy changes because we want a group of people representative of the general population to come up with them. We demand urgent action and ask governments to use Citizens' Assemblies to decide on policy.
To find the demands for other countries:
Use the global website to find the branches: rebellion.global/branchesThe 10 Principles and Values
Our Principles and Values bring us together – they are an agreement about how we work together. They define who we are as a group, and how we behave. They are the same across all countries.
Please read our Principles and Values on our website.
Anyone who acts within the Principles and Values, and in line with the three Demands, can call themselves XR - you don’t need permission to rebel.
Case Studies
Watch some rebels talking about what the Principles and Values mean to them.
(We weren't sure how much detail to go into so this video is quite long! We hope you find it useful)
Your Turn
Task 1: explaining the three demands
Can you explain the three demands in your own words? Try and explain them to a friend or family member.
Task 2: Explaining the 2025 target
Task 3: Reflecting on the principles and values
This interactive task gets you to reflect on what each of the 10 Principles and Values bring to the movement.
On the left are the 10 Principles and Values. On the right are four aspects of the movement that are guided by these principles and values. Please drag each principle on to the aspect - or aspects - that you think might be appropriate. Some principles will guide more than one aspect of the movement.
The purpose of this activity is to explore and reflect on the principles and values - it is unlikely that you will match them exactly the same as us!
You might find it easier to enter full screen mode, or if you're on a phone, to turn your phone to landscape.
This optional annotation task (opening in a new tab) invites you to think personally about what the Principles and Values mean for you and your action.
Review and Reflect
Take a moment to reflect on what you've learnt.
- Do you know what the three Demands are and understand what they mean?
- Would you be able to explain them to someone?
- Would you be able to justify the 2025 goal?
- Do you understand how to the Principles and Values bring us together to create a community of people that can act autonomously?
If you think you've understood, take the quiz to complete the lesson....