 2004 Proutist Universal 1 Proutist Economic Development Introduction

Proutist Universal2 Prout Prout is the abbreviation for the Progressive Utilization Theory A new socio-economic model for a sustainable future Prout is based on: – economic self-sufficiency; – cooperatives; – environmental balance; and – universal spiritual values.

Proutist Universal3 Prabhat Ranjan Sarkar ( ) Indian philosopher Founded Prout in 1959 Author of more than 200 discourses Composer Spiritual master Political prisoner from

Proutist Universal4 “Prout’s cooperative model … sharing the resources of the planet for the welfare of everyone, deserves our serious consideration.” - Dr. Noam Chomsky, MIT "The concepts of ethics and justice … reflect what saints and sages of all the wisdom traditions have been saying for centuries." - Dr. Bo Lozoff, LL.D., Director of the Human Kindness Foundation “Prout is a human and ecological approach to society and the economy that is not only eminently feasible but is already being brought into existence by visionaries and courageous common people in various places.” - Arturo Escobar, anthropologist

Proutist Universal5 “It is spiritual and utopian while remaining grounded in reality.” - Howard Zinn, author of the best-selling A People’s History of the United States “Prout is the theory of a self-reliant economic and political system that is spiritually rather than materialistically inspired.” – Johan Galtung, peace activist, of the Right Livelihood Award

Proutist Universal6 “An important contribution to re-thinking the disastrous course of the current economic globalization.” – Hazel Henderson, economist “The constitutional proposals of Prout are the ethical summary of everything that humanity needs....” – Frei Betto, Dominican friar, activist and writer “Prout was carefully thought out to create a development with equilibrium and with harmony.” – Leonardo Boff, co-founder of Liberation Theology and recipient of the Right Livelihood Award

Proutist Universal7 PU is a global educational and community services organization Founded in 1978 in India PU’s global headquarters is in Copenhagen, Denmark It has Sectorial offices in all the major continents: eg in Manila, New Delhi, Nairobi, Sydney, Taipei, Washington and Sao Paulo The mission of Proutist Universal is: –1) To promote Prout, the Progressive Utilization Theory; –2) To restore balance on our planet through the practical application of Prout-based values, principles and policies in social, economic, environmental and institutional life.

Proutist Universal8 Course content 0.Significance of Prout Training in Venezuela 1.Introduction 2.Possible Futures for Venezuela 3.The Number One Problem: Poverty 4.Economics, Community and Ecology 5.People’s Economy 6.Economic Self-Sufficiency 7.Decentralised Economic Planning 8.People’s Economy and Eco-Design 9.Triple Bottom Line 10.Three-Tier Industry 11.Cooperatives 12.Housing Cooperatives 13.Agriculture 14.Balanced Economy 15.Different Forms of Currency 16.Trade 17.Prout’s Five Fundamental Principles 18.Resource Types: Physical, Mental, Spiritual 19.Psycho-Economic Exploitation 20.Middle Class and Psycho- Economics 21.Wholistic Human Development: Neo-Humanism 22.Ethics for Personal and Social Transformation 23.Six Hats Thinking 24.Ideal Leadership 25.Meditations

Proutist Universal9 Course Content TopicPart 1Part 2Part 3 1  Significance of Prout Training in Venezuela  Introduction  Possible Futures for Venezuela  Three-Tier Industry  Cooperatives  Housing Cooperatives  Agriculture  Psycho-Economic Exploitation  Middle Class and Psycho-Economics 2  The Number One Problem: Poverty  Economics, Community and Ecology  People’s Economy  Balanced Economy  Different Forms of Currency  Trade  Wholistic Human Development: Neo- Humanism  Ethics for Personal and Social Transformation  Six Hats Thinking 3  Economic Self- Sufficiency  Decentralised Economic Planning  People’s Economy and Eco-Design  Triple Bottom Line  Prout’s Five Fundamental Principles  Resource Types: Physical, Mental, Spiritual  Ideal Leadership  Meditations

Proutist Universal10 Training Plan 1.The principles of the Prout model 2.Examples of local initiatives that illustrate the principles 3.Discussion and practical exercises

Proutist Universal11 Course Material developed by: Dada Maheshvarananda Trained in India as a yoga monk Studied Prout personally under its founder, Prabhat Ranjan Sarkar Teaches meditation and yoga to the public 14 years in Southeast Asia and 11 years in Brazil Written 3 books on Prout Lectured at more than 30 universities Hundreds of seminars and workshops about social issues and spiritual values

Proutist Universal12 & Course Material also developed by: Dr. Michael Towsey Computer scientist - machine learning and artificial intelligence Research Fellow at the Queensland University of Technology in Brisbane, Australia Studied Prout for 30 years Published 2 books and numerous articles about Prout Founding member of the Prout Institute of Australia