I am under the impression that our government supports sustainable development as a cornerstone of its foreign policy. I would like you to address whether or not our government also supports sustainable development as a cornerstone of its domestic policy.

I have asked you, and you have stated that you would, look into the following matter: I desire that a letter be sent by the Minister of Canadian Heritage, or the appropriate Ministerial Office, or the individual responsible for Canada 2000, or some such other individual that you deem appropriate to write letters to the following individuals with the purpose of having them incorporate sustainability into their policy: Perrin Beatty (President of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC), and Bill Roberts, the Secretary General of North American National Broadcasting Association (NANBA). It also may be appropriate to request Perrin Beatty write the letter to Bill Roberts at NANBA.

I would ask that your offices forward such letter and request that a written response confirming the action taken. I do want to apprise you of the fact that the last time I wrote to Sheila Copps on this issue, making the request, her director of Operations wrote back to me and told me to write the letters to those individuals so mentioned above, myself. I have done so with no response.

A second matter comes to mind that arose out of last nights discussion, and one that also may have great significance. That is in regard to the question posed by Dr. Inge Bolin of Malaspina University. She asked what the College could do in the process of education that would directly affect sustainability. As you may recall, when I stepped in to complete your answer, and I pointed out in my response to her question, the validity of Global Education and World Core Curriculum concepts in this regard. I would ask you to query CIDA as to the possibility of reinstating the Global Education Programs that shut down two years ago. This request appears to be mandated both by your job description as well as a possible solution to some problems you have identified with public information and understanding.

While this may seem to be counterproductive to my own self-interest, as our programs - on the internet - are attempting to fill that void in the marketplace - It is for the sake of the greater good that I make this proposal to you.

I should like you to be aware of the history of the World Core Curriculum that was first enunciated by Robert Muller. It was 1972 in British Columbia when he heard the difficulties encountered in the Canadian education system that Robert had his great "ahaa" with regards to his program. He said - "You have these difficulties in Canada, imagine how difficult it must be at the United Nations?" And no truer words have ever been spoken. People that heard him speak after that have built education programs around that message, and our website contains synthesized versions from the leaders in the field.

Additionally, I would like to understand how it comes to be that you have not been briefed on the MAI. If the MAI is as important as the media is making it out to be, a notion that I personally do not hold to, it would seem to me that it would be in your responsibilities as you so well described in your presentation. My position on MAI is that it is merely a diversionary tactic - to focus attention away form the serious issue being fought in the courts (Oil company lawsuit) over the interpretation of NAFTA. It is my concern that the government will settle this issue out of court. If this happens then we will be stuck with MAI as I understand it to be a mere extension of the NAFTA agreement. Of course this is only my naïve approach to the issue, because I too have not been briefed by the government. Hopefully you will keep me up to date on what you learn on this important issue.

You stated also in your presentation that there are certain factions that believe there is nothing wrong on planet earth - and you pointed to Michael Gee of the Globe and Mail as an illustrative example. Perhaps if we educated people more in global thinking, we would not have the problem that you define. Perhaps if we were taught more how to learn, and not just particular biased points of view - perhaps then we would not need an Ambassador for the Environment or people like me who feel it necessary to issue the World Citizenship Challenge.

As you suggested, I, or one of my associates will follow up in three weeks to determine the anticipated results of delivering such a letter to the people named above. I will be meeting at that time with the Elders of the First Nations people as an invited guest of Medicine Man Chief Crow Dog who has been introduced to our Challenge and is supporting it.

I ask you to visit our site www.homeplanet.org as a world citizen that you are, and to register along with the rest of us. Let you and I and the people I am meeting on my 1000 day Plan come together in Greenwich in the Year 2000 and celebrate our success.

Come John Fraser, let us work together as you have suggested, and inspire changes, not just with our thoughts and words, but with our concrete actions. I invite you, fellow world citizen.

In peace,

Mitchell L Gold C.A.
P.S. I can be reached over the next several days @ 250-247-7241 or fax 250-247-7294
cc: local Nanaimo media
www.homeplanet.org
World Citizenship Challenge