1) What
Steven C. Rockefeller,
Co-Chair, Earth Charter Steering Committee, says, in his opening
address on the 2nd of June 2001 to the Earth Charter Initiative Global
On-Line Discussion Forum.
2) The Earth
Charter Initiative Rationale, by members of the Earth Council:
excellent paper esp. for matters concerning environmental justice
"This
is a critical moment in the Earth Charter Initiative. As more and more
people learn about and begin to use the Earth Charter and as a growing
number of organizations endorse the Earth Charter, the Initiative steadily
gains momentum. The many formal endorsements of the document by major
national and international organizations as well as local groups are
particularly encouraging. In recent weeks the Earth Charter has been
endorsed by the World Wildlife Fund, the International Baccalaureate
Organization, the US Conference of Mayors, Bund (Friends of the Earth
Germany), Friends of the Earth Scotland, and Soka Gakkai International.
The support of the US Conference of Mayors
and hundreds of other mayors and city councilors around the world is a
particularly important development. The Earth Charter is beginning to play
a significant role in local government. The Earth Charter is also the
framework for a teacher-training program developed by UNESCO. We can all
take pride in this progress.
The World Summit on Sustainable
Development, which will take place in Johannesburg next September, is
rapidly approaching. Your ideas and active participation are needed to
ensure that the Earth Charter is placed on the Summit agenda for
consideration. This will require the support of influential NGO's and
both local and national governments.
As we approach the 2002
World Summit on Sustainable Development, we must resolve the divisiveness, conflict and
inequities that have arisen in response to globalization. This year’s World
Economic Forum commenced with an address that admitted the failure of the world’s institutions to meet our current crises. Poverty
has not been reduced despite a decade of unprecedented global trade and creation of wealth. Developing nations have increasing doubt that the benefit of the current model will filter down.
At the same time, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change reminds us of imminent dangers, and we witness the failure of many governments to substantially respond. Loss of biodiversity and critical habitats such as wetlands, deforestation, and desertification continue despite a plethora of
policy, legislation, programs and other mechanisms designed to promote a more sustainable way of living. Disparities persist between the increasing wealth, knowledge and environmental conditions of the few, and the poverty and environmental degradation experienced by a much larger number.
Poverty in the past was a self-contained unit, unseen and unheard of, even by those in close proximity. But today, poverty travels well, it crosses our boundaries, it invades cities, it further depletes environments that often nourished its formation in the first instance. It causes social unrest; it further depletes natural resources. It is a traveler sent by deforestation, depletion of arable lands, flooding, draught and war. The future that beckons us warns that communities must be sustainable in a broad sense, or the developed world will face levels of poverty that cannot be sustained, because for so many, that which sustains life, has wasted away. Environmentally, we can no longer afford disparities, issues now emerge that demand world collaboration.
In the face of these worsening trends, there is an urgent need to re-evaluate how business and government are
allowing the process of contemporary globalization to unfold. Everywhere there are calls for dialogue, new partnerships and action. However, we would be foolish not to recognize that civil society, business and government approach the challenges of sustainability and globalization often with conflicting agendas and demands.
Meaningful dialogue and partnerships, and the necessary fundamental changes in the behavior of communities, organizations and nations, will only occur following reassessment of the underlying value systems that motivate people’s actions. This in turn must lead to acceptance amongst stakeholders of a global ethic promoting environmental responsibility together with social and economic justice. Indeed, the Brundtland Commission report (Our Common Future) argued the need for a new ethical framework to guide the emerging global society towards sustainable development.
The Earth Charter has been drafted in response to these urgent calls, and provides an articulation of values and principles for sustainable development. It is, by analogy, the sustainable development equivalent of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The Earth Charter uniquely integrates the agendas of the ‘north’ together with those of the ‘south’, thereby providing an operational definition of sustainable development in terms of civil society and community aspirations. The Earth Charter benchmarks the attributes of ‘good’ globalization, and frames the dialogue that must proceed and underpin new partnerships between civil society, business and government.
Over the past decade the international Earth Charter Initiative conducted a world wide, cross-cultural dialogue on common goals and shared values. Hundreds of organizations and thousands of individuals participated. Guided by this global conversation, the Initiative drafted the Earth Charter as a people's declaration that gives expression to an emerging global consensus on fundamental values and principles for a just and sustainable world.
The Earth Charter seeks to promote awareness of the major challenges and choices facing humanity. It recognizes that in the midst of great diversity we live in an increasingly interdependent world and that a global partnership involving civil society, business, and government is essential. It is an urgent call for the changes in life style, institutional practice, and public policy required to protect the larger living world and to ensure a better future for all.
The Earth Charter
and the Earth Charter Movement UK An article by Linsay Stevenson, former CND campaigner in Scotland
Written in March 2001, for UNED UK Conference The Earth Charter which arose out of the Rio Summit in 1992 is a document which attempts to codify the rights of the living world in the way the Universal Declaration of Human Rights sought to protect the rights of all people in the aftermath of the genocide of World War 2.
It is an idealistic document and like the Universal Declaration of Human Rights it can make uncomfortable reading for
governments and others who seek only their own ends and not those of the welfare and dignity of all.
At the present moment there is no doubt that the earth and all its inhabitants, plant and animal, including ourselves, face a very uncertain future. Human activity is causing serious degradation of the bio-systems on which all life, including our own, ultimately depends. It seems trite to recite the litany of plant and animal species driven to extinction, global warming, climate change,
BSE, Foot and Mouth disease, dwindling fish stocks, the destruction of soils. As we read about one or other of these it appears an individual tragedy. It is only when we put them together that the full extent of the damage begins to appear.
Here, in cushioned Western Europe we are able to close our eyes to the full scale of what is happening. If food or water are contaminated there are always alternatives - at a price. If we find it unfortunate that elsewhere people are dying of starvation or lack of water we can always donate to a charity, salve our consciences and forget such uncomfortable facts.
However, the roots of the many and diverse problems plaguing the world lie far deeper than any donation to charity, no matter how large, can reach. Economic systems which are based on the exploitation of the earth’s resources: the lithosphere, hydrosphere and bio-sphere, without regard to the complex balances which support all life, are ultimately non-sustainable.
The movement towards a sustainable global economy is profoundly challenging on both a personal and societal level. To meet the challenges will require an understanding of the interdependency of life systems and acknowledgement of the inalienable right of all other life-forms to exist – whether or not we like them, whether or not it is convenient to us, for they are all part of the delicate eco-system which is the earth we share with them. It is only a deep commitment to these beliefs and attitudes, found enshrined in the Earth Charter, which will ensure the difficult transition to a sustainable future is made and bequeath a peaceful and healthy future to earth and all its inhabitants.
The Earth Charter Movement UK aims to draw together individuals and groups in Scotland and throughout the UK to endorse the Earth Charter, promote knowledge and understanding of it, and to bring pressure to bear on the Scottish and Westminster parliaments and Welsh and Northern Ireland Assemblies to endorse the Earth Charter and embody its principles in the processes of law.
TARGETS,
SHARED PERSPECTIVES AND POWERFUL PARTNERSHIPS: The
hope for 'real' change on the way to Rio + 10 in 2002. Ruth Strauss, July
2001, Glasgow
Conflict
and divisiveness have led to the present state of the world. The root
cause lies in the most powerful tool of the human being, the mind. It is
necessary to learn to think thoughts which facilitate cooperation on all
levels, not just at a few. The other major challenges to reach 'no less
than a decent life for all' lies in the structures of our society, which
more often than not hinder sustainable or holistic development. But, when
powerful organisations build partnerships powerful change can happen,
because new roads open to connect afore disconnected terrain, and ancient
conflicts can be resolved.
In the foreword to "Earth Summit2002,
a new deal" (ed.F.Dodds, 2000, Earthscan), a key book on the road of
the UK approach to Rio + 10, Klaus Töpfer (former German Environment
Minister, now Executive director of the United Nations Environment
Programme (UNEP), says:
"We need to set targets and dates that are
realistic to deliver the change that is needed."This year he writes
in Germany another foreword, this time to the joint publication for the
German Friends of the Earth (BUND - meaning actually coalition) and the
Ecumenical One World Initiative, "Eine Welt" (one world). This
publication pre-ambles the German version of the Earth Charter, and the
launch of the German Earth Charter campaign in full.
Klaus Töpfer writes:
"The re-membering of shared values
-and the understanding that the whole of mankind carries the
responsibility for the protection of the environment, the maintenance of
biodiversity and the effective utilization of the limited resources _ all
this belongs to the necessary change of attitudes and behaviour in the
highly developed countries.
The Earth Charter exemplifies these
connections in a beguiling way. The environment programme of the UN
supports the principles formulated in the Charter, and will continue to
hold up and promote the culture of solidarity between the continents,
between governments and civil society. This is no blue-eyed but a
realistical optimism, knowing that with the knowledge about the growing
problems something else has grown with that knowledge: the technical
possibilities and the ethical conscience regards their solution. It is my
hope that the guiding principles formulated in the Earth Charter may serve
world wide as guiding thoughts for governments, NGOs, industry and
science; and that they may serve as foundation for the world summit in
Johannesburg."
The 'new deal' needed now is one which
includes the ethical dimension and the tools to bring it alive in society
in a way which fits the 21 century. This is the realm of education, both
formal and informal, and it is one not addressed at all for instance in
the UK Earth Summit book.
FoES have addressed both in their
strategies for the road to Rio+ 10, community development and education,
and they have just endorsed the Earth Charter, a people's charter with an
inherent strategy of education for the interconnectedness of ALL the
issues to be considered for sustainability to be achieved.
"Meaningful dialogue and partnerships,
and the necessary fundamental changes in the behaviour of communities,
organisations and nations, will only occur following reassessment of the
underlying value system that motivates people’s action. This in turn
must lead to acceptance amongst stakeholders of a global ethic promoting
environmental responsibility together with social and economic justice.
Indeed the Brundtland Commission report (Our Common Future) argued the
need for a new ethical framework to guide the emerging global society
towards sustainable development."
This paragraph is from the Earth
Charter Initiative Rationale which argues that as we approach the 2002
World Summit on Sustainable development we must resolve the divisiveness
arisen in response to globalisation through meaningful new dialogue, new
partnership, dialogue and action.
Other
Key Quotes - We live in a world...,
We need a new system..., Meaningful dialogue and partnerships...
We live in a world increasingly characterised by interdependence, where the problems of poverty, environmental degradation, war, injustice, social alienation, and spiritual crisis are intricately interconnected. If we are to be successful in addressing these critical problems, the human family must develop a sense of universal responsibility, one that builds solidarity among people and a sense of kinship with all life. The Earth Charter Initiative can assist in awakening these values and providing a blue print to a compassionate and sustainable future for all life on earth. “The Declaration”, Vol.4 no.1
(bi-annual magazine from the Association of University Leaders for a sustainable future)
+++++++++++++++
"We need a new system of values,
a system of the organic unity between mankind and nature and the ethic of global responsibility" Michael Gorbachev
+++++++++++++++
"Meaningful dialogue and partnerships, and the necessary
fundamental changes in the behaviour of communities, organisations and
nations, will only occur following reassessment of the underlying value
system that motivates people’s action. This in turn must lead to
acceptance amongst stakeholders of a global ethic promoting environmental
responsibility together with social and economic justice. Indeed the
Brundtland Commission report (Our Common Future) argued the need for a new
ethical framework to guide the emerging global society towards sustainable
development." This paragraph is from the Earth Charter Initiative Rationale (click
here for full 2 page paper from Earth Council) which argues that as we
approach the 2002 World Summit on Sustainable development we must resolve
the divisiveness arisen in response to globalisation through meaningful
new dialogue, new partnership, dialogue and action.
As more an more people start to sense the unique opportunity
offered this year, I would like to encourage you to be part of making this process alive in Scotland by:
endorsing the Charter through your
group, organisation, or/and as an individual
creating a link to it on your web sites
exploring the use of the Earth Charter
as a tool (educational; policy making; business orienting; auditing;
holistic ethical guidance and personal inspiration; art projects - etc
etc)
and support the Scottish Initiative in
the best possible way (more thoughts on that will follow; please
communicate yours)
Scottish
Discussion Forum Please also submit your developments here and visit often to see what is happening.
Grassroots Community Summits in Glasgow
A project at the very first network planning stages through Common Ground
Glasgow and
Fablevision with the view to
inspire wider participation for a sustainable Scotland
What’s the Idea?:
To get community groups and civic society group together with educational
and council departments to create a “Dear Green Place Community Summit”:
A loose network of organisations explore the Earth Charter (EC) as it
relates to their work; Educational activities and projects during winter
/spring to use the Earth Charter as a frame work to deepen their own work,
culminating Midsummer Time 2002 in a celebration of their ongoing work and
projects as they relate to the Earth Charter vision. This is to be
followed by action programs as relevant for the organisations, to see that
ideas become reality.
Why:
Because of relating the local to the global with learning, fun and action;
a fairer world concerns all and everything , and the Earth Charter needs
support in Rio +10 next year; process must start now to build that, with
the people for the people, at all levels, grassroots, organisation,
government
Who can get involved?
Anybody really as long as they would like to explore the EC as it relates
to their own work, or how they could get inspired through it.
and how? By:
1.taking care to read and to discuss the EC, alone and with your friends or group and work
2.looking at how what you are doing anyway does already relate to the EC, and how the framework the EC offers could deepen your work
3.put on a relevant educational activity for yourself or with others
4.join the network (msn online community and newsletter developing; become part of shaping both); and please contact Shula, from Common Ground or Liz Gardiner from Fablevision
5.submit an artistic entry for the Summer 2002 day of fun as the Dear Green place (= your place summit)
6.help with documentation of process and event (good thing for students as part of their work!)
7.donate to ECS: funds or any of our resources so that process keeps alive.
The overall aims are
a)make the Earth Charter known and collect recognition and support for its historic opportunity on every level of society
b)to strengthen and develop further education and action for sustainability in Scotland
Here
you can explore the Earth Charter through reading and reflecting
some of the very interesting scholarly and professional articles
and projects (this site receives your suggestions, too)
A very substantial selection of major
notions and concerns mentioned in the Earth Charter as they are included
in other relevant documents and proposals of the global community.
· The Boston Research Center for the
21st Century is an international peace institute that fosters
dialogue among scholars and activists on common values across cultures
and religions.
· The Center for the Respect of Life and
Environment assists in developing an effective Earth Charter by
soliciting input on values and practices from environmental, religious,
and animal protection communities.
* Earth Charter online Forum 2001. www.earthcharter.org/forum2001
Read the "conversations" of other
grass roots activists, educators, young people, academics, leaders of NGOs
and
governmental bodies sharing their local and
personal experiences with the global Earth Charter Initiative. It ended
12th of July 2001, but can still be visited.
This Gate is open to you all for your voice and your face to be heard
and seen on the way to Rio + 10 and beyond, standing and speaking out for the
key principles which we all need to agree on in order to ensure a fairer future for
all locally and globally.
Earth Charter
Endorsements
The
Earth Charter Initiative encourages the endorsement of the Charter as well
as its use and implementation.
Endorsement of the Earth Charter by individuals
or organizations signifies a commitment to the spirit and aims of the
document. It is an indication that they intend to
utilize the Earth Charter in ways that are appropriate given their
situation. For example, an organization might use
the document to review its operations and modify its activities so
that they better reflect the principles of the
Earth Charter, and it might integrate the Earth Charter into its
educational
programs. Endorsement also means a readiness to
cooperate with others in the effort to implement Earth Charter
values. There are many other ways that those who
endorse the Earth Charter can help to advance the objectives of the
Initiative.
Many groups and
organizations have endorsed and are making use of the Earth Charter.
Endorsements build support
for the Earth Charter movement and social change.
A growing number of endorsements increases the possibility that
the United Nations General Assembly will endorse
the Earth Charter in 2002.
(from the 2002/2002 International Earth
Charter Strategy)
If you wish to endorse the Earth
Charter:
remember the process by which this happens is part of what makes the
difference......,
and then do it in your best possible way, and let us know, and we let
Scotland and the world know.
Friends
of the Earth Scotland, the
first major Scottish NGO to recognise the significance of the
Earth Charter, and especially the Web Master of their Aberdeen
group
-