So what is the right reaction to the Fontis Declaration? Well, getting any engagement or reaction will be good.  Of course we hope it will excite you and you will sign up enthusiastically and become active, if you choose to, in working through where our shared principles take us - with everyone else who signs up. (Read and sign up here)

But we also know that for some it will is bound to pose a bit of a puzzle. 

“Isn’t all this something which everyone surely agrees with already?”  Well our view is that if that were the case the world around us would look and feel better.  So even if no one can disagree with the Declaration then we/they are doing too little too ineffectively to actually change the world in line with what we believe.

“There’s nothing in the Declaration about what you are you actually going to do”. We take the view that it is not for us to decide where this takes us.   Indeed one reason for us promoting the Declaration in the way we have is because we do not believe that much can be achieved at this time though lobbying – identifying a list of demands with which to influence government and join the crush of people doing exactly the same - often to very little effect. 

It may be that it is too much to hope for in a cynical world that it is still possible for a community based on common values to generate fresh energy and ways of acting.  But social movements which challenge the established ways of doing things have to start somewhere. And they are needed now. This mobilisation may not come about via those who get the Declaration and want to join together, think and act, but given all that is going on in the UK at the moment we are passionately determined to give it our best shot. 

So will you join us?

Sign up to Fontis here