Earth Charter presented at the Children and Youth Conference of the World Future Council
On May 18, the Earth Charter was presented at the children and youth conference of the World Future Council that is holding its second annual meeting from May 18 to 22 in Hamburg, Germany. Aiming to speak out for future generations in the global political arena, the WFC consists of 50 personalities from around the globe, including HRH Prince Hassan bin Talal of Jordan, Sulak Sivaraksa, co-founder of the International Network of Engaged Buddhists, and Judge C. G. Weeramanty, former Vice President of the International Court of Justice who presented a first draft of his book "Tread Lightly on the Earth. Religion, the Environment and the Human Future".
Around 60 children and youth aged 10 to 18 are attending the conference that is expected to generate youth input for WFC’s annual meeting. In a public event at Hamburg’s major hall to be held on May 20, the WFC will give the floor to the youth to express their aspirations for a more sustainable future.
World Future Councillor and Earth Charter Commissioner Pauline Tangiora addressed the assembled youth and told from her experiences of the Earth Charter drafting process. She particularly highlighted the meetings of indigenous peoples that took place before the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio. In their address to the heads of state gathered in Rio the indigenous peoples called for the adoption of an Earth Charter that would be based on indigenous wisdom such as the 7th generation principle and the notion that Earth itself is alive and warrants our care and respect.
Apart of inviting Ms Tangiora and ECI Program Coordinator Michael Slaby to speak to the youth, WFC included the Earth Charter into the conference by displaying the Seeds of Change exhibition and showing parts of the film “A Quiet Revolution” produced by the Earth Council and Soka Gakkai International. During the afternoon session, Slaby also led a working group on climate change and renewable energies and helped the youth to formulate their statements on this crucial topic. The inclusion of the Earth Charter into the program of the youth conference underscored WFC’s commitment to help promote and implement the Earth Charter wherever possible.
For more information, please visit the international website of the World Future Council