Reading Josef's comment was very constructive.

I would also love to urge all members to come on board and see how we can make Earth Charter work. I see Earth Charter with the same ability and strength that TIG [TakingItGlobal] has right now and we need to initiative a lot of OFFLINE ACTIVITIES and not just theoritical works on the net. Then take it to the grassroot level in developing nations.

Thanks,

Maxwell Ogaga
ECYG Warri Coordinator
Nigeria

Thanks Josef for your comments! I also have something to add on the Human Rights.

Under Section III: Social and Economic Justice of the Earth Charter on principle 12 - it does not address the growing issue of age discrimination "ageism" which is quite prevalent among youth and seniors populations.

Until recently, the Human Rights' Code of British Columbia (one of the ten province of Canada) does not include people who are over the age of 65 years. However, this code has been recently amended to include anyone over the age of 19 years.

The impacts of ageism is quite serious and has not been addressed due to many systemic, societal, cultural and organization barriers.

With the aging of the world's population, issues pertaining to age discrimination is a growing concerns. The growth of seniors in our community can also be an impetus to address ageism among youth as well.

Thanks,

Yongjie Yon
ECYI Member
Canada

I agree that ageism is a major factor that is affecting the effectiveness of sustainable development.

An example is the recent elections in Kenya. Many young people ran for office during the December General elections, but were unsuccessful mainly due to their age. A lot can be said for constantly re-electing the same old guard: their ideas are archaic at best and I, for one, think that was one of the underlying factors that has led to the violence we continue to experience.

Ageism needs to be addressed fast in Africa because all the great development ideas are being ignored because those with the ideas are 'too young' and 'inexperienced.'

Thank you,

Angela Wambua
ECYI Member
Kenya

Dear Angela,

Thank you very much for your response! I hope peace can be quickly restored in Kenya soon.

There is a magazine called "Help Age International" (http://www.helpage.org/Worldwide/Africa). They have a number of projects serving seniors and issue of ageism in Nairobi, Kenya.

I hope you could connect with them to raise critical issues on age discrimination and youth engagement.

All the best and warmest regards,

Yongjie Yon
ECYI Member
Canada

One thing I dislike about the [Earth Charter] Preamble is that it sounds like a doomsday scary scenario is what we have in our hands rather than a beautiful planet. I don't like the pessimistic view the Preamble draws on our present.

Some would say, and I can't disagree, that change is needed or that we are at the verge of a catastrophe, but that situation is no different than any other moment in history.

I think the Preamble should state what the Earth Charter is, how it can be used and maybe some other relevant information.

Thanks,

Sef Major
ECYI Member
Israel

For me, the Earth Charter has a big, big chance to start a global debate around the free movement of persons (if a debate of this kind has not started already). Even if a debate of this nature has begun, there is every reason the EC should see this as a major issue worthy of engagement. It would be great to make the EC put forward her position around this - just as she did on other issues contained in the quite comprehensive EC document.

But, it looks to me as if the United Nations will have a big role to play here. It took until only recently for the UN to pass a global resolution on Anti-Corruption. While we acknowledge the UN's role to pass a more binding resolution around free movement of persons, I think it is the responsibility of well-meaning people to mobilise citizens' action across the globe to facilitate such a resolution.

Movement of persons came to me as an interesting issue given my involvement in civil society action around trade negotiations involving Nigeria and the EU, under the Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs). Movement of persons came up as an issue. The African, Caribbean & Pacific (ACP) bloc of countries wanted to have the EU open up their borders for free movement of persons - just in reciprocity - as the EU is insisting that ACP countries open up their borders for EU goods/services to gain unrestricted, quota-free and untaxed access to their (ACP) markets.

Of course, it was not agreed because, according to EU, security checks are very needful in an age increasingly bogged by terrorism. This monster-word - TERRORISM - has really changed the world's view about so many things. I am one of those persons who does not believe that terrorism should only be defined to suit America's motives. Put properly, terrorism is a crime to humanity - and not just to America!

Given the obvious challenge burdened by terrorism, how can we begin a discourse around the right of free movement in such a manner that unleashes conviction and buy-in for seemingly opposing global safety and security proponents?

Perhaps, I will be happy to see what can be done around this. I can recommend that we can start by applying to do a session on this during youth gatherings around the world. The CIVICUS Youth Assembly 2008 is billed for June in Glasgow. It would be great if we can start a discussion around this at that event, that is, if the sessions gets selected.

These are priorities that do immediately come to my mind. I will raise more perspectives as they come to mind.

I will be happy to host you in Nigeria, should you decide to come. Our office will gladly offer you an internship/experience sharing and learning opportunity.

Warm regards to you Sef and to other advocates of freedom of persons and the Earth Charter.

Excellence Uso
ECYI Member and Former Core Group Member
Nigeria

I don't know what I would really change about the Earth Charter, but simply add to it. I think that it is important to make sure that people who read the Earth Charter understand all the various concepts within the document.

It would be easier to visualize the movements projected if there were examples or scenarios that demonstrated what each key point is addressing.

The piece itself is well constructed and enthralling and captivating, which is important for any kind of document. I also want to say to the contributors, good work.

Isaac

I would just like to say that I thought the Earth Charter was very well written and very informative. I think that the document as it is right now has the power to change the world if it is put into the right hands.

I have just one suggestion. I think that the inclusion of examples and scenarios would be very beneficial. I believe that they would help people understand not only the problem, but also help people understand how they can help.

Katie

When I first read the Earth Charter I was amazed at the amount of information offered in one document. It covers a wide variety of issues important to our planet and its people.

I understand that the Charter is not geared toward any one specific group of people, but, as Isaac said, examples of places or areas where more work is being done on specific principles is needed. Right now the Charter gives the public a good view of what the world should look like and what needs to be done to make these vast changes possible. However, if this Charter is supposed to educate and motivate everyone, then some explicit instructions could be helpful.

Another thing I am particularly happy with is how the Charter addresses the building of a global sense of empathy, especially with principles like "respect Earth and life in all its diversity", and "promote a culture of tolerance, nonviolence, and peace". The ability to not only see the world from a different perspective, but understand the world from someone else's viewpoint is one of the first steps in creating this "sustainable global community" that the Earth Charter describes.

All in all, the Earth Charter is a great piece of work. It is a lot of information, well organized and easy to read and understand. A job well done.

Patrick

I realize that it is nearly impossible for the contributors to cover every subject that is in controversy, so I would like to add my thoughts for others to think about as well:

1) Animal rights. They mention how every life should be important no matter how small or insignificant, and I believe that animals are a part of that.

2) Understanding people and their experiences. They mention eliminating discrimination, but I believe that this is impossible to do unless you understand the people that you have a prejudice against. As nations and as one world, we need to understand the backgrounds of different people in order to make agreements that benefit all of humanity.

3) Human Rights. The Charter certainly addresses it, but there is a difference in the steps needed to be taken for each country so that the Earth is on the same page when it comes to human rights. We need a definition that every country can follow and strive towards.

Hopefully, these comments added some thought to what a great and forward-moving Charter already did.

Sara

I think that ensuring universal reproductive healthcare would not work for some countries because their culture interferes with that concept.

Alex

I agree that the Earth Charter is very well written. The only thing that I would suggest would be a tangible form of human (and animal) rights, that would be possible for everyone from different cultures to recognize. What one culture may think is human rights, may not be what other cultures think, so having a definite definition of human rights is important.

The only other thing I have to say, is that it would be good if we could get everyone on the same page, so to speak. If everyone is at the same place, and facing the same direction, it would be much easier to set the Earth Charter moving.

Kiley