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The Earth Charter:An Introduction

Values and Principles for a Just, Sustainable, and Peaceful Global Society in the 21st Century

Earth Charter International Secretariat

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Values

• What are values?• How do they inform us individually?• Can you think of a value-based decision

you made recently?• Do you make value decision when you buy

something? When you throw something away?

Dilemmas

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Ethics• The social dimension of values• Why are ethics important?• What questions do they help us address?

i.e. How can we live together? • Different ethics for different times – XXI

Century ethics• The EC provides an ethical framework for

our present time.

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What is the Earth Charter?

Network/ Initiative

Document/ Ethical

Framework Secretariat

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The Earth Charter…

is a declaration of fundamental ethical principles for building a just, sustainable and peaceful

global society in the 21st century.

Represents a Global Consensus on Shared Values and Ethics

for Building a More Just, Sustainable, and Peaceful World

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Ecological Integrity

Social and Economic

Justice

Democracy, nonviolence and peace

Respect and Care for

the Community

of Life

The Earth Charter and its Systemic Nature

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Content of the Earth Charter• A Preamble that describes the major

challenges and choices facing humanity.• 16 Principles divided in 4 parts, with 61 sub

principles. – Principle 1 on respect for Earth and all life is the foundation of

all the other principles in the Charter.– Principles 2, 3 and 4 in Part I deal with relations between

human beings and the community of life, relations among human beings and between present and future generations.

• A Way Forward that is a call for commitment and action.

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Those involved in the Earth Charter Initiative participate in implementing its principles in practice in different areas, including ...

Education forSustainable Development

Youth Action & Empowerment

Media, Arts & Culture

Business Engagementin Global Ethics

Religion & Sustainability

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Climate change

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Mission

The mission of the Earth Charter Initiative is to promote the transition to sustainable ways

of living and a global society founded on a shared ethical framework that includes

respect and care for the community of life, ecological integrity, universal human rights,

respect for diversity, economic justice, democracy, and a culture of peace.

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A Brief History of the Earth Charter

1987 -1992

Origins - The Brundtland Commission calls for “a new charter or universal declaration” on environment and development to “guide state and inter-state behavior.” UN Earth Charter process is stopped at Earth Summit; Rio Declaration adopted instead (1992)

1994 -2000

Phase 1 - Development and Global Consultation Maurice Strong and Mikhail Gorbachev relaunch Earth Charter as a civil society initiative; drafting and consultation process begins (1994); Earth Charter Commission created (1997); more than 100.000 people participate in the consultations

2000 -2005

Phase 2 - Launch and EstablishmentFinal text approved and launched, and endorsement campaign begins (2000); Earth Charter promoted strongly at WSSD in Johannesburg, but not formally adopted (2002); local and grassroots action grows, important international endorsements continue (such as IUCN, 2004)

2006 - Phase 3 - Expansion with Action OrientationStrategic review conducted (2005); decision taken to expand the Initiative, with new international centers and programs, and intent to greatly increase awareness, impact, and active commitment to sustainable development

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Earth Charter InitiativeAffiliates

Partners

Advisors

EC Commission

Endorsers

Youth Network

Ambassadors

Volunteers

Council Secretariat

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Human Rights

Universal Responsbility

Respect

Community of Life Common but Differentiated ResponsabilityCommon Good

Peace and Non-Violence

Interdependence

Eradication of poverty

Equitable Economic Development

Democracy

Environmental Protection

Sustainable Living

Transnational Responsibility

Respect for Nature

Participation

Gender Equality

Key Themes of the Earth Charter

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How to use the Earth Charter?

• As inspiration to change our lifestyle.

• As a values framework for creating policies and plans.

• As an education tool to teach what is sustainability. Also as a ethical framework for national curricula.

• As foundation for companies’ codes of ethics and as assessment tool.

• As a tool for interfaith dialogue.

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Be part of the Earth Charter Community!

• Make the Earth Charter values part of your daily life

• Promote the vision of sustainability

• Endorse the Charter

• Volunteer your time for Earth Charter International

• Join the Earth Charter Youth Initiative

• Use Earth Charter Tools

• Take action to realize Earth Charter values in your community, organization, and personal life

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Engaging with the Earth Charter• Please, read the Earth Charter and write a

paragraph about your response. What moved you? How can you see it informing parts of your lifestyle? Your work? Your family? Your community?

• Endorsement is an expression by an individual or organization of commitment to the spirit and aims of the Charter. We invite you to join with us in active engagement towards the realization of the values and principles of the Earth Charter here.

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QUESTIONS, COMMENTS..

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www.earthcharterinaction.org

Charter International

Earth Charter International Secretariat andEarth Charter Center for Education for Sustainable Development

at UPEACE, Costa Rica

For general enquires: info [@] earthcharter [.] orgContact the youth coordinator: youthcoordinator [@] earthcharter [.] org

Join the Earth CharterInitiative

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