Iceland is a charming country where with a referendum they have decided that the taxes of the citizens cannot be used to save the banks. And where, thanks to Birgitta Jonsdottir, they have brought in a law that protects the freedom of information on the Internet. In Iceland it will not be possible to stop the spread of public interest documents on the Internet, nor will it be possible to make known the author or to punish the author. Birgitta is also collaborating with Wikileaks, the site that has published the atrocities in Iraq. Her grass roots movement is very similar to the 5 Star MoVement. Each person counts for one and each person has to play his part. Birgitta was at 5 Star Woodstock.

Interview with the Iceland Member of Parliament, Birgitta Jonsdottir

Change is now The 21st Century will be the century of the common people, the century of you, of us. The ideologies of the old school of politics, media, monetary systems, corporations and all known structures are in a state of transformation. They are crumbling. Now is the time for fundamental change on all levels. We have to seize this moment, because this is the moment. It is rare that generations and so many individuals get such an opportunity to transform the world as we know it. The big question is, how do we transform it? Let's start by turning the pyramid of power upside down. It is obvious that we are running out of planet. Many people have lost the vital connection to our environment. Most of humanity don't comprehend cause and effect of lack of sustainability anymore. And many of us feel lost, displaced and lonely. All the structures we thought would take care of us, be it systems, ideologies, religion, politics or institutions are failing, big time. To follow my intuition as a politician makes a lot more sense to me than the rivalry and manipulations of left or right ideology. The right and wrong ideology of the old world has simply outgrown itself. No longer do we have strong parliaments with direct link between the general public and decision makers. We have so called professional politicians that are far removed from the reality most of us live in. Parties and politicians are often in an unhealthy marriage with corporations. And corruption is thriving in the political arena all over the world. Many governments and politicians talk about transparency. Yet the process of politics and laws is shrouded in secrecy. When everything collapsed in Iceland in 2008, I sensed that within this crisis was to be found an incredible opportunity for change. Because of that I have created a political movement, called the movement like this one, in February 2009. Its chief agenda was to bring forth democratic reform such as people being able to call for national referendum and sever the ties between corporations and politics. In order for profound change to be possible, those of us inside parliament have to behave like activists by changing the traditions and revealing the unwritten rules of power. We are creating a haven for freedom of information in Iceland. Information will set you free and thus it should be free to access by everyone. We went on a quest to find all the best possible laws from around the world that ensure freedom of expression, information and speech. By basing our laws on legislation that has already proven to be strong enough to withstand attacks from those that want us to live in a world with less flow of information about the darker side of politics, international corporations, war and oppression. Information doesn't have any borders anymore. We live in a world where the superpowers want to put global censorship laws on the Internet. We have to be a step ahead of them. I joined WikiLeaks because I feel it is so incredibly important that there is a place in our world where whistleblowers and sources can feel safe to drop important documents that governments and corporations want to hide from us. I encourage you to go to WikiLeaks.org and look at the treasure-trove of information you can find there. The Icelandic Modern Media Initiative will make it possible for investigative journalists from around the world to publish their stories if they are under threat to be placed under gag orders in their own countries. Everyone should have free access to information. In our world there should be no gag orders, no prior restrictions, IMMI will provide a shield against that. We should have a haven for those that are willing to risk their lives to blog or write news about things in their own world. Even if we might not be able to save them from the risks they take, we should at least make sure that their stories will not be taken down from the Internet, no matter what. My hope is that IMMI will transform into the International Modern Meet Initiative because every day, the freedoms we want to protect with it, are eroding at an alarming rate. Here in Italy, you are witnessing the end of the freedom of media, with a new set of laws. Fight it! There is no copyright on any music now. Without freedom of information, you don't really have democracy, but dictatorship with many heads. The 21st century will be the age of us, the common people. Where we will understand that, in order to live in the reality we dream of, we have to participate, and help co-create that reality. So, I strongly encourage you to join this incredible movement that [inaudible 6:34] has co-created. Run for office. Be part of this opportunity of change. If I could become an MP in Iceland, anyone can become a Member of Parliament. So, here is your first task, once you're in office. If there is something we have to make sure stays under the guardianship of nations, not corporations, then it is the following: water companies, energy companies, social welfare, education, and health systems. We have made everything so complex and grand. Perhaps it is time to return to more simple ways, more self-sustainable ways. We can do that by learning from each other, by helping each other, locally and globally. And remembering that we, as individuals, can change the world. And now, it is time to step forward, take on that challenge, and be the change maker. Don't expect others to do it. Your time has arrived, to make the difference. So, a year and a half ago, I was temporarily unemployed, single parent, with a simple goal of figuring out how I, as an individual, could help create a sustainable future for the next generations. Needless to say, no one really believed I could be where I am today. Yet, it is not a Cinderella story, but a story I co-created with my society. Most people have seen that left and right politics don't have any meaning anymore. To create political movement, based on common agenda of pressing issues of basic human rights and democratic reform, is so important right now. In order for the common people like us to co-create our society, we have to have the democratic tools to do that. People need to get into Parliament to change the laws, so we all can have the power that is rightfully ours, to impact our society, and apply real pressure on those in power to work for us, not the elite. My political movement's chief aim has been to inspire ordinary people to take on political responsibilities. We don't want people with political training. We don't want professional politicians, and we, above everything else, don't want to be a political party. And remember, no matter what they will tell you, power corrupts, and disconnects people from the reality other citizens live in. We created the movement in Iceland eight weeks before elections. We had no money. No one knew us. Yet, we got more than seven percent of the vote at the general election in 2009. I hope to see the same sort of numbers for your movement in the 2010 elections. One of the reasons why it is so important for groups to get representatives into places of power is, that it is a lot easier to get media attention on our causes. It is healthy to be able to confront, to talk with ministers or other MP's about important issues, without delay. What might seem impossible now, might be quite possible tomorrow. Because, we are experience very rapid changes, on all levels. So, I encourage you to start to make the blueprint for the future you want to live in. Be passionate about your cause. And, I encourage you to believe that everything is possible. Today's failings might turn into tomorrow's successes. It's true. But, the most important part, if you have a chance to work within the belly of the beast, is not to become like them. But to listen to your heart, to listen to your intuition, and to be impeccable with your words. And finally, not care at all, if you lose the place of power. So thank you. Thank you, all the people of the movement in Italy. I know I am experience a truly historical moment, here with you, today. And thank you. Thank you all, who dared to be a part of this massive movement of transformation of politics.