The Earth Charter Initiative - Values and Principles for a Sustainable Future

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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.

United States


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In 1996 The Center for Respect of Life and Environment - CRLE organized a first Earth Charter meeting to raise awareness and support to the Earth Charter consultation process. John Hoyt, CEO of the Humane Society of the United States, Bella Abzug, chair of WEDO – Women, Environment and Development Organization and Steven Rockefeller, chair of the Earth Charter Drafting Committee, participated among many others in this special event that took place in Washington and was organized under the leadership of CRLE’s head Rick Clugston.
 
In the year 1999 CRLE continued to organize events and publish materials through its Earth Ethics related to the Earth Charter. The Earth Charter USA (http://www.earthcharterus.org ) was established and an Earth Charter Campaign to involve NGOs, Universities and other groups in the drafting process of the EC was initiated.

In April 2000 activists from around the US gathered in the Washington, DC area to hold the Earth Charter USA National Conference. Participants included the chair of the Earth Charter International Drafting Committee, Steven Rockefeller, the Chairman of Earth Charter USA and former president of the Humane Society of the United States, John Hoyt among other key leaders.

After Jan Roberts, Founder of Earth Charter U.S., learned about the Earth Charter at an EC drafting session in Assisi, Italy in July 1999, she set up a process to engage individuals from communities all around the US. The purpose was to sensitize and engage local community leaders including individuals who don’t necessary belong to any organization or institutions. They formed an Earth Charter Local Community committee in Tampa, Florida to organize simultaneous Earth Charter Community Summits in as many cities or towns as possible that would be connected by satellite. Since the first EC Local Community Summit held in September 2001, these efforts are taking place every year and have been growing with more participations from around the world. For more see at www.earthcharterus.org

Earth Charter Community Summits have also initiated the Earth Scouts project that developed an interesting guide. The Earth Scouts Guide is based on a cooperative learning environment that empowers children and youth to take active roles in leading Earth Scout activities. It is written in a conversational and helpful style, so both adults and youth will find it easy and enjoyable to use. To download the guide at www.EarthScouts.org

In May 2002 a remarkable Academic Symposium, co-sponsored by the Chewonki Foundation, The Center for Respect of Life and Environment and the University Leaders for a Sustainable Future took place in Wiscasset, Maine, USA. The organizing theme was the implication of the Earth Charter in higher education.
 
Yes! Magazine developed a curriculum and guide to the Earth Charter for teachers. Now 6,500 teachers are part of this education network. Yes! Magazine is a ten-year old quarterly that prints no advertisements and has a circulation of 50,000 copies. Another 50,000 or more readers access the magazine online, and the print version goes to subscribers in 55 countries.

Around 2004, EarthCat, the Earth Charter Community Action Tool, is a software tool developed for use by communities interested in developing sustainability programs and is available for use free of charge. It is a guide designed to provide communities with a framework that permits them to identify their own priorities and approaches as they work towards a sustainable future. EarthCat provides a clear methodology to take in defining goals and targets, developing strategies, and measuring progress. It is an easy-to-use tool that provides practical instruction and theoretical background for every step.

EarthCAT was developed by the Earth Charter Partnership for Sustainable Communities (ECPSC). ECPSC is a partnership consisting of the Earth Charter Secretariat, Global Community Initiatives, the World Resources Institute and communities and organizations around the world. Take a look at it at www.earthcat.org


There is one Earth Charter Youth Group in USA, called E3: Ecology, Economy, Equity.


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ECI Secretariat and composer Enrique Rodriguez-Pastor are pleased to present a new album entitled Life Alert that includes 12 songs inspired by the Earth Charter.
Klaus Bosselman and J. Ronald Engel are the editors of this new very interesting 200 pages book.
A new Encyclopedia on Environmental Ethics and Philosophy identifies the Earth Charter as one of the ten primary source documents in this field.
Find here information on new developments from COPE project, carried out by Zambian and US Earth Charter Affiliates.
Take a look at how some businesses are using the Earth Charter as an ethical guide
UW Oshkosh endorsed the Earth Charter in 2002 and since then has proven its commitment to sustainability.
An inspiring story of a collaborative development project between two NGOs, separated by the Atlantic Ocean but united by the principles of the Earth Charter
The Earth Charter inspired musical "Our Blue Planet Will it Survive Till Tomorrow?", created by the Japan Classic Live for the United Nations group, was performed in New York
The Earth Charter International is pleased to announce the creation of several new national Earth Charter websites.

The COPE Project is a joint venture between Earth Charter US and the Workers Education Association of Zambia, both are affiliates of the Earth Charter Initiative.  The aim is to move rural people from poverty to contentment without going through the carbon economy.  They are using the Earth Charter Principles to guide their actions.

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