In 2013, while attending a module at Harvard for the Young Global Leader’s program within the World Economic Forum, I was speaking with my good friend and classmate Lucian Tarnowski about my passion for space. Lucian is a gifted “big thinker” and as he often does he asked me the thought provoking questions about the nature of the passion and why it mattered to the world today. Given the context of the Harvard module (the program was on global leadership and public policy for the 21st century) our conversation quickly morphed into the lack of leadership, institutions, and structure surrounding space. This led to a conversation about what the principles for humanity’s expansion into space should be. Later, based upon this conversation Lucian published many of the thoughts arising from that conversation under the title of “Declaration of Space Opportunity.” Are these the right topics? What is missing and what would you change?

Declaration of Space Opportunity

We the people believe we live in an interdependent world. With human progress access to opportunity has gone beyond Planet Earth. We believe that it has become necessary for people to declare the future of human opportunity beyond our planet.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all humans are created equal, that they are endowed with certain unalienable Rights that among these are Life, Opportunity and the pursuit of Happiness. That to secure these rights, outside of Planet Earth we must go beyond Nation State Governments as the earthly instrument of governance.

For human opportunity not to be abused outside of Planet Earth it much be the right of all people to decide on the leadership of outer planetary governance. That whenever any Form of Leadership becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Leadership, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety, Opportunity and Happiness.

With the opportunity of Space and new planetary discoveries it has become necessary to state the ownership and governance structure outside of Planet Earth. No earthly government shall be able to lay claim to property outside of this Planet Earth. All ownership must be in the interests of all people. This is in order to move from an independent world to a interdependent universe. We the people do not want wars fought over outer planetary resources, the gap of the haves and the have not’s to grow without limitation and natural resources be abused without limit.

Article 1 – The right to Open Access to Opportunity

We believe opportunity must go beyond the Nation State. Outside of Planet Earth all people have access to equal opportunity. Global leadership must operate as a pure meritocracy.

Article 2 – All people are created equal

We believe all peoples have the equal right to vote over Universal Leadership. They have their ability to change their representation based on majority consent. All humans have the right to life, opportunity and their own pursuit of happiness. All humans are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of humanity. Everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set forth in this Declaration, without distinction of any kind, such as race, colour, gender, sexual orientation, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status.

Article 3 – The right to Open Access to the Internet

We believe access to the Internet is a basic human right. All people must share in this right and access this opportunity. Outer planetary governance will be organised, managed and implemented through the Internet. People will be able to participate in open democracy through their online vote. All votes will count equally.

Article 4 – The right to Open Access to Information

We believe transparent access to information is a human right. Information has historically been used for power. A more transparent leadership is a stronger leadership. The exception here is where the safety of the people might be compromised with the sharing of sensitive information.

Article 5 – A Universal Digital Currency

We believe physical money has no place outside of planet earth. All money should be digital and connected through an individuals unique human identity. This is an effort to counter the corruption and abuses of money that has taken place historically. There will also only be one universal currency.

Article 6 – The Universal Law

We believe outside of planet earth no Nation State law shall apply but rather the new Universal Law shall apply. Everyone has the right to recognition everywhere as a person before the law. No one shall be subjected to arbitrary arrest, detention or exile.

Article 7 – The right to Universal Mobility

We believe every human has the right to freedom of universal movement and residence within any outer planetary location of their choice. Everyone has the right to leave and to return to their residence. All people should have the choice to work at a location of their choice that best represents their own skills.

Article 8 – The right to Work

We believe every human has the right to work in a profession of their choice where they achieve their optimal happiness. People should be able to achieve their potential through their work. In order enable people to work they must be able to reside in a home of their choice. No one shall be arbitrarily deprived of their home. All homes must be in a Universal marketplace that is to be governed by Universal law.

Article 9 – The right to Lead

We believe despite its obvious faults democracy remains the best form of governance. Every human must have the right to take part in Universal leadership, directly or through freely chosen representatives. Every human has the right of equal access to Universal public service. The will of all people shall be the basis of the authority of the leadership; this will be expressed in periodic and genuine elections, which shall be by universal and equal suffrage and shall be held by secret vote or by equivalent free voting procedures. Where possible governance will be desired to be implement on a local basis.

Article 10 – The right to Universal Education

We believe every human has the right to education. Education shall be free, at least the delivery of learning and training content through the Internet. Universal Education shall be directed to the full development of human potential. It shall promote understanding, tolerance and friendship among all people, racial or religious groups, and shall always strive for Universal Peace. By allowing Universal access to Education humanity shares in the possibility of meritocracizing opportunity.

Follow Lucian Tarnowski on Twitter: www.twitter.com/LucianT