Imagine a tomorrow where you are part of the circle of life and the well-being of nature is also your well-being. You are not taking away opportunities for a good life from others near or far, now or in the future. You belong to a community of your choice that cares and supports you. You are part of a democratic society that can slow down by distributing resources fairly.
What is degrowth?
The degrowth movement brings together scientists, activists, artists and people concerned about the state of the world.
Degrowth challenges the colonialist structures of Western development thinking and its dependence on continued economic growth.
Degrowth creates a democratic society in which everyone has the opportunity to participate in deciding common issues.
Degrowth does not spring from nowhere. There are many established self-sufficient communities and radical movements in the world from which degrowth learns and which it supports.
In the global North, degrowth implies a major political and economic reorganisation, where energy and resource use is measured against the limits of the earth's carrying capacity.
What is Kohtuus?
Kohtuus is a group and association interested in how degrowth ideas are manifested in the Finnish debate. The group was formed from a reading circle and we still gather to think about degrowth-related texts that we want to understand together. By supporting degrowth thinking in Finland, we want to stimulate critical reflection on economic and political structures and their ability to provide a good life for all.
We collect, produce and disseminate information and ideas, and participate in social action. We create spaces where people can come together to discuss.
Kohtuus is one of the many voices in the degrowth movement, and we cooperate with other groups in Finland and around the world. In Finland, degrowth thinking has for long been promoted by Kohtuusliike.
"Kohtuus" is a deep-rooted term for sufficiency in Finnish.
Anna-Liisa Arjama
Anna-Liisa has worked for more than 20 years in various roles in social services. She is interested in promoting care work - professional and informal - in society. Anna-Liisa does not believe that economic growth can solve the problems of the most vulnerable people.
Elsa Kivinen
Elsa is interested in the intersection of degrowth theory and practice and what gets people involved in political action. She works as an information broker in many social movements. Elsa is motivated by strategic thinking and building social capacity through valuing human relationships.
email: elsa.kivinen@kohtuus.org
Juha Soivio
Juha's background is in social sciences and social work. In degrowth thinking, Juha is interested in the elimination of inequalities and social change. Juha likes to be a bridge builder between different actors.
email: juha.soivio@kohtuus.org
Katja Pellini
Katja is an international development cooperation practitioner. She is interested in promoting opportunities for all to participate in democratic decision-making and human nature relationships. Katja is a student in the Degrowth Master's programme at the Autonomous University of Barcelona.
email: katja.pellini@kohtuus.org
blog: Ecology Alike
Timo Tiuraniemi
Timo is a programmer and activist with a background in philosophy. He is interested in free software and the philosophy of technology and their relation to degrowth thinking. Timo is responsible for the technical maintenance of this site.
email: timo.tiuraniemi@kohtuus.org
homepage: tiuraniemi.org