In this report, Share the World’s Resources (a civil society organisation campaigning for a fairer sharing of wealth, power and resources within and between nations) seek to demonstrate how a call for the key principle of sharing is central to a growing worldwide movement of global citizens. The report notes the increasing discussion of extremes of inequality, and the growth of the ‘commons’ movement, which frames many of our most pressing issues in terms of our need to cooperatively protect the shared resources of Earth. It argues that a call for sharing “holds the potential to connect disparate campaign groups, activists and social movements under a common theme and vision.” The report also notes its potential to engage public opinion.

In five sections, Sharing as Our Common Cause maps out how sharing is central to the key themes of social justice, environmental stewardship, global peace, participatory democracy, and multi-issue movements. In each section, the themes are further sub-divided into specific topics, and the connection with sharing is explored in more detail, including reference to organisations active within the topic areas, and relevant publications.

In conclusion, the report makes the following arresting points:

1.A call for sharing represents unity in diversity

2.Sharing embodies a positive proposal beyond ‘isms’ and factional politics

3.We all understand the human value of sharing

4.The demand for sharing is already on the rise

5.A global call for sharing has radical implications.

Its final recommendations are:

1.Integrate the message of sharing into advocacy and campaigning activities

2.Mobilise on collective platforms for sharing

3.Sign and promote Share the World’s Resources global call for sharing (www.sharing.org/global-call)

The report, written in a clear, concise, non-technical style, makes a compelling case for the key importance of the principle of sharing, and deserves a wide audience.