The Alternatives to Empire Project is inspired by the belief that humanity is living through a unique moment in history. The system of political, economic and military power which sustains the hegemony of the United States-led Empire is in considerable difficulty. This situation carries undeniable risks, but also an opportunity to envision and work towards a political, economic and cultural order that rejects the legitimization of greed, the perpetuation of hegemony and the sanctification of violence as organizing principles.

With collective effort based on a shared spiritual and moral vision, we believe that people of different faiths and philosophies can combine to create a cosmopolitan framework which will nurture a universal yet culturally and religiously diverse civilization; one that places a respect for the rights and dignity of all humanity, sustainable and just stewardship of the Earth’s social, economic and ecological systems, and the sacredness and unity of all life, both past, present and future, at its core.

The vision of the Alternatives to Empire Project is underpinned by a set of values which we believe are commonly held, to a greater or lesser extent, by all the great faith and humanist traditions, values which can be used to facilitate a dialogue among faiths which forges linkages to be used in visioning an alternative to the hegemonic ways of empire.

The values we propose to be held in common include:

• The belief in a higher purpose for the human journey, based upon transcendental spiritual and moral values.

• A belief in the world as a holy and sacred place, nurturing, caring for and giving life to humanity, and consequently entitled to reciprocal respect, care and nurture from humanity.

• A conviction that human beings exist to live in communion with each other, as individuals each possessed of their own intrinsic value and worth.

• That to live in a relationship of communal harmony entails a commitment to refrain from competition with each other, using and exploiting each other, and living at the expense of each other.

• A fundamental respect for equality and diversity, reinforced by a respect for the principle that cultural, racial, religious, and gender difference constitute the fundamental building blocks of human community.

• That humanity possesses the means to resolve conflict without resorting to the use of war and violence.

• That humans possess the right to social, economic and cultural development. Every human being has the intrinsic right to food, potable water, basic health care, housing, recourse to the rule of law, education, the right to participate in decision making and, the right to participate in decisions which affect their rights, life chances and individual well being, as well as those of their families and communities.

The Alternatives to Empire Project seeks to engage members of all the major faith and humanist traditions in a process of dialogue, based upon a deep respect for the diversity of deeply held views, with the aim of exposing the flaws of the imperial project, harnessing new energies, resources and skills to envision and enact alternatives to the present structures of hegemonic domination. It is anticipated this process of dialogue will pave the way for more appropriate models for organising human affairs, while at all times recognising and celebrating all that is valuable in our respective traditions and cultures.