There is cause to wonder where society is heading. Public policy, over the past twenty years, has not produced the anticipated results and a review is in order.

For the sake of discussion, there are two approaches to human progress. One is the conventional wisdom of economic growth. The other is the spectrum of considerations presented by volunteers and non-profit groups working for long-term well-being. This second approach is encompassed by the word sustainability. In some areas the two approaches are complimentary, in others they conflict.

Where these approaches clash, we are challenged to determine which one is more appropriately applied.

'Invitations to Debate' is a contest open to students at any Canadian college or university. Prizes will be awarded for the best print, graphic and audio materials inviting the campus community to think about and discuss the following question:

SHOULD SUSTAINABILITY OR GROWTH BE THE VALUE UPON WHICH PUBLIC POLICIES ARE BASED?

In brief, the perspectives in question are these:

GROWTH:

Objective: continuous expansion of economic activity.

- Progress is measured by the value of goods and services consumed (GNP & GDP). The greater the financial return from activities, the greater the benefit to society.

- Self-interest is recognized as a prime motivation for maximizing financial gain. Cultivating want for goods and services stimulates the desire to make money and thereby advances the system.

Other stimulants include:

DEREGULATION removes government interference and increases the flexibility of money to seek the greatest return.

FREE TRADE leads to globalization where the materials and labour necessary for production can be selected world wide for the best deals. Greater economies of scale can be realized, producing for the largest possible markets.

COMPARATIVE ADVANTAGE is the dynamic where, thanks to their particular natural resources, climate or skills, one trading partner can produce certain goods less expensively than others. Maximum benefit is derived when countries concentrate on the goods for which they have advantage and trade them for the goods which others produce more efficiently.

COMPETITION encourages efficiency as producers try to out-do each other at producing goods for the lowest price. Only the fittest enterprises survive and consumers get less expensive goods.

TECHNICAL INNOVATION creates new products with new markets; reduces the cost of existing products by refining production techniques, reducingthe amount of resources and labour needed for production and enabling greater scales of production.

GOVERNMENT'S ROLE is to protect property rights so that monetary capital can grow safely, bringing prosperity to all.

SUSTAINABILITY:

The objective of this approach is to find ways of living which can be maintained into the indefinite future. This requires that attention be paid to the long-term ecological and social impacts of activities.

Considerations include:

- the FINITE NATURE OF NON-RENEWABLE AND RENEWABLE RESOURCES.

- the Earth's LIMITED ABILITY TO ABSORB WASTE.

- the MUTUAL DEPENDENCY of living things, (including humans) on each other and on the well-being of the ecosystems of which they are part.

- the extensive possibilities for PERSONAL GROWTH and fulfillment which being alive enables, i.e. learning, love, laughter, creativity, sport, dance, service and appreciation of the world within and around ourselves. These life-based pursuits have little or no negative impact on the Earth,

- EQUITY: People need to participate meaningfully in productive activities and in the decisions which affect their lives. Without these opportunities, unrest and desperation will undermine attempts to achieve a durable relationship with the Earth.

WHICH OF THESE VALUES SHOULD BE AT THE ROOT OF PUBLIC POLICY?

WHY?

These various considerations have long been identified, but the opportunity has yet to arise where they can be thoroughly and openly discussed. There are many good arguments for why either set of values should take priority over the other. And there are good rebuttals that should be heard. You can help bring these points of view forward for consideration by producing media items inviting thought and discussion about these matters.

The objective of this contest is to generate materials inviting thought and discussion about where society is heading and where we want to be.

The FIRST CRITERIA upon which entries will be judged is BALANCE in the way the differing perspectives are included.

What the future holds is not certain and it is to our advantage to draw all perspectives into deliberation. A venerable philosopher once said: "It is from the clash of differing opinions that the light of truth shines." In this spirit of inquiry, we are looking for invitations that will appeal to people of all persuasions.

The SECOND CRITERIA is the ABILITY of entries TO STIMULATE THOUGHT on the topic.

The three categories for which 1st, 2nd and 3rd prizes will be awarded are:

* Print, 600- 1200 words,

* Graphic, 4.25" x 5.5" (may be submitted up to 200% size)

* Audio, public service announcement, 30-60 seconds.

The prizes offered in each of these three categories are $150 for first prize, $100 for second prize and $50 for third prize.

If you produce an item, you are encouraged to submit a copy to the local campus paper or radio station, at the same time you send it to:

SUSTAINABILITY PROJECT *

'Invitations to Debate' Contest

P.O. Box 374, Merrickville
Ontario, K0G 1N0

Deadline for entries: Post marked on or before Feb. 16 or received by Feb. 23. (Previously announced as Feb. 9)

Winners will be announced in early March.

More details are available via e-mail: sustain@web.apc.org

Related information at:
http://www.chebucto.ns.ca/environment/scn/commlink/sustain.html

* The Sustainability Project is a non-profit, non-government organization.