Atlas, the global grassroots movement counting more than 22,000 members across 130 countries, has gathered in Geneva on July 15-17 to deliberate on its way forward. After two years of advocacy work on topics such as climate, democracy, and vaccine access, the members have established that Atlas shall begin to engage in electoral politics.
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For Immediate Release
PRESS RELEASE - London, July 26th, 2022
ATLAS ANNOUNCES ITS INTENTION TO BECOME A GLOBAL POLITICAL PARTY.
Atlas, the global grassroots movement counting more than 22,000 members across 130 countries, has gathered in Geneva on July 15-17 to deliberate on its way forward. After two years of advocacy work on topics such as climate, democracy, and vaccine access, the members have established that Atlas shall begin to engage in electoral politics.
This decision came as the Assembly analyzed the current landscape of global affairs, where the emergence of an international, multi-crises situation – ranging from the climate emergency to surging inequalities and conflicts – requires new ways to coordinate political response beyond the traditional framework of nation-states.
As such, Atlas will lead the way by constituting itself as a global political party, holding its first General Assembly in January 2023. The agenda that the party will pursue will be anchored by the progressive philosophy its founders have established, Equitism. Equitism is the political, social, and economic ideology promoting access to all fundamental human, civil, economic, and social rights for today and tomorrow's generations. This is encapsulated in the right to Equity, which is the idea that no group of individuals - in terms of race, geography, gender, age, ability, religion, or any other trait - should have less power, benefits, or rights than any other groups.
In the coming months, the party will refine its electoral targets, but early indications emerging from last weekend's discussion indicate that Atlas will start its engagement on two fronts, the global and local ones. On the international front, the party is already preparing to launch a multi-year, global campaign to file a people-backed candidate for the 2026 United Nations Secretary-General selection process. Commenting on this, Atlas co-founder Colombe Cahen-Salvador stated: “Atlas will strive to bring the voice of the many in the undemocratic and obscure selection process of the Secretary-General: it’s high time for the United Nations to put those they are supposed to serve at the center, the People. In addition, I hope we will be able to present a female candidate for this process as not one woman has been appointed to the position of Secretary General in 77 years: that’s 77 years too long”. On the local front, Atlas members intend to pilot their local strategy by filing a candidate for the 2024 London Assembly elections, the city where Atlas is headquartered. Andrea Venzon, the co-founder of Atlas, said: “ A global city like London is the perfect stage to present our vision for true Equity to the people of the world. Londoners have long struggled by living on the fine line between the city's great potential and its contradiction, embodied by its skyrocketing cost of living and poor quality of life. At Atlas, we intend to pilot innovative policies such as Universal Basic Income to radically change the course of London – and the world – history”.
Atlas will soon share an invitation to its next General Assembly with all interested media organizations. For any further queries or to be kept updated regularly on the operations of the party, please reach out to Atlas’ Media Team.
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About Atlas – Atlas is a global, Equitist political party in the making. Despite global challenges existing - from the threat of climate change to the erosion of democracy worldwide - there is no coherent political force working to solve them within elected bodies. This must change. Let's build global politics. Together.
Atlas Media Team: [email protected]
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