Is feidir linn Manifesto

The crisis in national and global financial and economic systems, combined with grave weaknesses in the Irish political project and the chosen model of development, is creating hardship for many individuals, families and communities in Ireland.

The most disadvantaged and marginalised groups in society, who gained least during the economic boom, are bearing a disproportionate burden of poverty and inequality as a result of policies in place to manage and address this crisis. Organisations at community and national levels, which have been at the forefront of combating poverty and inequality, are being silenced and dismantled.

There is an urgent need for an alternative model of development with a capacity to create a more equal Ireland which also breaks free of enduring injustices such as socio- economic and gendered inequalities, and is rooted in a human rights framework. In more equal societies everybody does better. Economic and social restructuring can only make sense in the short term if the recovery programme contributes in the medium and long term to a better, more equal, inclusive and sustainable society and economy.

Is Féidir Linn is a network of individuals that’ seeks to devise an alternative political economic and social model of development for Ireland. It hopes to facilitate the emergence of a social movement based on this model of development to promote an inclusive equal and sustainable Ireland. This vision document was first publicly discussed by over 150 attendees in a June 2009 Is Feidir Linn conference.

This amended vision outlines values and goals that could underpin an alternative model of development. Is Féidir Linn aims to use this document to stimulate discussion and understanding of the need for and content of such an alternative model.

The next step is to build consensus, momentum, solidarity and alliances among those interested in this vision and these goals, with a view to working towards an inclusive, equal and sustainable Ireland.

A longer term aim is work with other progressive groups and individuals to develop an Alternative Programme for Government which we hope can become a focus of political debate in the context of Ireland’s next general election.

For more information visit the Is Féidir Linn Ning site: http://isfeidirlinn.ning.com/
Also check out our Facebook site. Email contacts: annecostello@cwc.ie or fbyrne@oneparent.ie
Sign up to this vision for a more inclusive, equal and sustainable Ireland on NING