E A R T H C H A R T E R I N T E R N A T I O N A L

Introducing

The Earth Charter

Values and Principles for a Just, Sustainable, and Peaceful

Global Society in the 21st CenturyThere is nothing else in global civil society

with the demonstrated power of the Earth Charter

to unite people from across divisions

of culture, religion, and politics ...

background, sector, and profession ...

and inspire them to work together for a world that is

more just, more sustainable, and more peaceful.

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How do we address

the current challenges

to life on Earth?

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Challenges like these…

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... and these ...

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Challenges to Life on Earth include ...

Diminished natural resourcesRapid loss of biodiversity

Climate change

Population growth and rapid urbanization Unsustainable livelihoods and poverty Unsustainable consumption

Poor governanceLack of universal primary education

Lack of health education, potable water, and sanitation

Social inequity and war

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What is“Our Common Future”?

If these trends continue,what will the Earth look like in 50 years?

If we want to alter these trends,

what should we do?

What is the “buzz word”

for these types of activities?

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“Sustainable Development”

A Few Definitions

• Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs (Brundtland Commission, 1987)

• Improving the quality of life within the carrying capacity of supporting ecosystems (UNEP, WWF, IUCN, 1991)

• …a process which enables all people to realize their potential and to improve their quality of life in ways which protect and enhance the Earth's life support systems (Forum for the Future, UK)

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Conventional Development vs. Sustainable Development

What are the values associated with

conventional development?

What are the values associated with

sustainable development?

Sustainable development is not a

technical term, but an ethical pursuit

So an ethical framework is needed

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The Earth CharterRepresents a Global Consensus on Shared Values and Ethics

for Building a More Just, Sustainable, and Peaceful World

1. Respect Earth and life in all its diversity.

2. Care for the community of life ...

3. Build democratic societies ...

4. Secure Earth's bounty and beauty ...

5. Protect and restore ... Earth's ecological

systems ...

6. Prevent harm ... apply a precautionary

approach

7. Adopt [sustainable] patterns of production,

consumption, and reproduction ...

8. Advance the study of ecological

sustainability ...

9. Eradicate poverty ...

10. Ensure that economic activities ... promote human development ...

11. Affirm gender equality ... ensure universal access

12. Uphold the right of all ... to a natural and social environment

13. Strengthen democratic institutions ...

14. Integrate [sustainability] into formal education and life-long learning ...

15. Treat all living beings with respect and consideration

16. Promote a culture of ... peace

I. Respect for

nature

II. Universal human

rights

III. Economic justice

IV. A culture of peace

Core sustainability values + Shared ethical principles = Widely endorsed and inspiring call to action

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This is the promise

of the Earth Charter:

By declaring

what we must care about ...

By describing

what we must do ...

By inspiring

as many people as possible…

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More and more people

will care ...

More and more people

will take action ...

More and more people

will inspire

more and more people ...

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... to work for the wellbeing of this:

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A Brief History of the Earth Charter Initiative

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); 5,000 people contribute comments

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

E A R T H C H A R T E R I N T E R N A T I O N A L

A Brief History of the Earth Charter Initiative

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 (1996); 5,000 people contribute comments

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

E A R T H C H A R T E R I N T E R N A T I O N A L

A Brief History of the Earth Charter Initiative

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); 5,000 people contribute comments

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

E A R T H C H A R T E R I N T E R N A T I O N A L

A Brief History of the Earth Charter Initiative

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 re-launch Earth Charter as a civil society initiative; drafting and consultation process begins (1994); Earth Charter Commission created (1997); 5,000 people contribute comments

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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The Earth Charter Initiative is a global network of people, organizations, and institutions who participate in promoting the Earth Charter, and in implementing its principles in practice in different areas, including ...

Education forSustainable Development

Youth Action & Empowerment

Arts & CultureBusiness Engagementin Global Ethics

International Law & Ethics

Religion & Sustainability

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Selected EndorsementsOver 2,500 Organizations, Institutions, Cities and Ministries have

Formally Endorsed the Earth Charter

African Women’s Development and Communication Network, Kenya

Arab Office for Youth and Environment, Egypt

Associaçao Portuguesa de Educaçao Ambiental - ASPEA, Portugal

Australian Centre for Environmental LawBellagio Forum for Sustainable DevelopmentThe Club of BudapestNational Council on Environment and

Sustainable `Development, PortugalThe CORE Trust, United KingdomConsejo Estatal de Ecología de Michoacan,

MexicoCouncil of the Parliament of the World’s

ReligionsThe David Suzuki Foundation, CanadaDevelopment Alternatives, IndiaEnvironmental Defense, United StatesFundación Mundo Sustenable, MexicoFundación Valores, SpainFundación Cultura de Paz, SpainThe European Environmental BureauThe Ministries of Environment in the Nations of

Brazil, Costa Rica, Honduras and MexicoThe Government of the Republic of NigerGreater Johannesburg Metropolitan Youth

Council

National Committee for International Cooperation and Sustainable Development (NCDO), Netherlands

National University, Costa RicaNational Wildlife Federation - NWF, United

StatesThe Green Belt Movement, KenyaGreen Cross InternationalGrupo de los Cien, MexicoGrupo Xcaret, MexicoInstituto Paulo Freire, BrazilInternational Consortium on Religion and

EcologyInternational Council of Local Governments

for Sustainability - ICLEIInternational Institute for Environment &

Development - IIEDInuit Circumpolar Conference - ICCThe Jane Goodall InstituteJordanian Hashemite Fund for Human

DevelopmentKehati, IndonesiaLEAD InternationalLenting, IndonesiaMillennium NGO Forum (a group of a 1000

NGO’s)The Ministry of Youth, EgyptThe National Center for Human Rights

Education, United States

The National Center for Youth Development, Nigeria

Natural Resources Defense Council, United States

Pro-Natura, Italy

The Senate of Puerto RicoThe Senate of AustraliaThe Parliaments of Tatarstan, Kabardino-

Balkaria, and Kalmykia, Russian Federation

Physicians for Social Responsibility, United States

Stockholm Environment Institute, SwedenThird World Academy of Sciences - TWAS,

ItalyUnited Nations Educational, Scientific and

Cultural Organization - UNESCOUnited Nations UniversityUniversity for Peace, Costa RicaThe US Conference of MayorsVitae Civilis, BrazilThe Wilderness Society, AustraliaWorld Conservation Union - IUCNWomen & Environment Development

Organization - WEDOWorld Federation of Engineering OrganizationsWorld Resources Institute, United StatesWWF International

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What can you do?

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Be part of the Earth Charter Community!

• Make the Earth Charter values part of your daily life

• Promote the Earth Charter vision

• 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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Visit our website!www.EarthCharter.org

• Read the Earth Charter in more than 35 languages

• Read “Earth Charter in Action,” our news site, and download dozens of free resources

• Endorse the Charter and/or subscribe to our Newsletter

• Find out how to contribute, get involved and become a member of the Earth Charter Initiative…

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www.EarthCharter.org (Photos from Millennium Ecosystem Assessment Reports)

Charter International

Earth Charter International Secretariat and

Earth Charter Center for Education for Sustainable Development

at UPEACE, Costa Rica

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

Contact the volunteer coordinator: volunteercoordinator [@] earthcharter[.] org

Join the Earth CharterInitiative

ContactEarth

E A R T H C H A R T E R I N T E R N A T I O N A L

“We stand at a critical moment in Earth's history, a time when humanity

must choose its future. As the world becomes increasingly interdependent and fragile, the future at once holds great peril and great promise. To move forward we must recognize that in the midst of a magnificent diversity of cultures and life forms we are one human family and one Earth community with a common destiny. We must join together to bring forth a sustainable global society founded on respect for nature, universal human rights, economic justice, and a culture of peace. Towards this end, it is imperative that we, the peoples of Earth, declare our responsibility to one another, to the greater

community of life, and to future generations.” — PreambleThe Earth Charter 2000