A Local, Living Economy Supports the Seacoast Way of Life

  A Living Economy, as described by BALLE , ensures that economic power resides locally, sustaining healthy community life and natural life as well as long-term economic viability.

A Living Economy is guided by the following principles:

Living economy communities produce and exchange locally as many products needed by their citizens as they reasonably can, while reaching out to other communities to trade in those products they cannot reasonably produce at home. These communities value their unique character and encourage cultural exchange and cooperation.

Living economy public policies support decentralized ownership of businesses and farms, fair wages, taxes, and budget allocations, trade policies benefiting local economies, and stewardship of the natural environment.

Living economy citizens appreciate the benefits of buying from living economy businesses and, if necessary, are willing to pay a price premium to secure those personal and community benefits.

Living economy investors value businesses that are community stewards and as such accept a "living return" on their financial investments rather than a maximum return, recognizing the value derived from enjoying a healthy and vibrant community and sustainable global economy.

Living economy media provide sources of news independent of corporate control, so that citizens can make informed decisions in the best interests of their communities and natural environment.

Living economy businesses are primarily independent and locally owned, and value the needs and interests of all stakeholders while building long-term profitability. They strive to:

• Source products from businesses with similar values, with a preference for local procurement
• Provide employees a healthy workplace with meaningful living-wage jobs
• Offer customers personal service and useful safe, quality products
• Work with suppliers to establish a fair exchange
• Cooperate with other businesses in ways that balance their self-interest with their obligation to the community and future generations
• Use their business practices to support an inclusive and healthy community, and to protect our natural environment
• Yield a "living return" to owners and investors

It is worth noting that the living economies movement coincides with the United Nations Decade of Education for Sustainable Development (2005-2014). This campaign, for which UNESCO is the lead agency, seeks to integrate the principles, values, and practices of sustainable development into all aspects of education and learning, in order to address the social, economic, cultural and environmental problems we face in the 21st century, through

• Education for gender equality
• Education for health promotion
• Education for environmental stewardship
• Education for rural development
• Education for cultural diversity
• Education for peace and human security
• Education for sustainable urbanization
• Education for sustainable consumption

Learn more at http://portal.unesco.org/education/en/ev.php-URL_ID=27234&URL_DO=DO_TOPIC&URL_SECTION=201.html