MICAGO: Unified for a World Free of Harmful Chemicals
Lourdes Salvador
April 29, 2008
The MICAGO Initiative was initially launched by founding members in February of 2006. MCS America was founded in June of 2006 and has been a member of MICAGO since its inception. MICAGO is now up and running strong with fourteen member organizations.
MICAGO members stand unified on the MICAGO Declaration, which is reprinted on the next page.
McHendry states that MICAGO "is for those who want to be counted in a stand-up public display of unity and support for the MICAGO Declaration's clear demand for the honoring of basic human rights regarding the reckless proliferation of toxic, synthetic chemicals in the world today, and their inevitable destructive impact on human, animal and environmental health."
The beauty of MICAGO is the respect members have for differences of opinion. There are no binding commitments and members may opt in or out of individual initiatives. So while members may resonate with and support one initiative, they are not required to be involved in initiatives for which they have dissimilar goals.
McHendry asserts, "The MICAGO Declaration, and the coalition that are forming a new oasis of unity and positivity around it, offers a golden and much needed opportunity for - and a viable means of - transcending that hostile and cause-defeating desert of seemingly never ending disputes that all to often plague substantial sections within the international community of the chemically injured (by whatever name)."
He goes on to state, "The chemically injured EVERYWHERE (for the problem is an international one) are hereby invited to make of this unique, win-win offer - of "a new oasis of unity" - a place where ALL personal and "Cause" related issues can (be) left, even if only for a while, at this new community door on the way in. They are invited to make of it a place were it truly can be said that "Here, in this place at least, I voluntarily suspend ALL my "issues" in the service of a much greater good; Unity of common cause! That here at least there shall be no dragons."
No "dragons" indeed. It takes organizations with great professional respect for one another to participate in this outstanding coalition. MCS America is proud to be a member of MICAGO.
Organizations interested in joining MICAGO may obtain more information at: http://mcs-international.org/, by clicking on the MICAGO link in the navigation bar at the top or bottom of the page.
The MICAGO Declaration
Revised January 2008
To Whom It May Concern
I assert my right to the fundamental freedom to choose what is right for my health. I assert my right not to be poisoned by toxic chemicals in the name of corporate greed. I assert my right not to have my health damaged by either government action or apathy.
And I fully acknowledge my often-overlooked responsibility to do all I can within the spirit of the law to protect those vital rights.
I call for an end to the pollution of my air, food, water and environment by toxic chemicals. I call for an end to the burden imposed on my body by the synergistic effect of known toxins. I call for an end to all the many daily violations of my body by unavoidable toxic chemicals
And I confront with all my honesty my own complicity and past contributions in helping to bring about the present toxic holocaust we are all living under.
I believe that all toxic synthetic chemicals can be replaced by safe and natural alternatives. I believe that a safe, pollution free world is possible - and that we can have it if we really try. I believe that the unity of the many - in common cause - can bring about true miracles of change
And I want now to add my voice to the international choir of the just for ending the insatiable greed of the few at the great expense of the many.
If the above declaration resonates with you, your group, or your organisation, then we invite you, with arms wide open, to join with us in a new unity of common cause called The MICAGO Initiative. Joining incurs no cost, it asks of you no compromise, and it places no obligation whatsoever upon you. By joining with us you are simply making a basic but very empowering statement of international unity against the toxic-chemical abuse of our bodies, our social and wild environments, and the many forms of wildlife that share this wonderful blue planet with us - all in the name of soul-less, corporate greed.
Gordon D McHendry, Founder & Campaign Coordinator, MCS International
Join us NOW and make your voice (or voices) count for even more.