the Earth Charter and EC Community Summits
Rob Nevitt
"The Earth Charter is not 'just' about the environment. It is a broad
encompassing respect for all living beings, the eradication of poverty, the
need for justice, and building a culture of peace. The Earth Charter is
actually about values, the kind of values we as human beings need to
cultivate in order to make our continued existence sustainable. It is a
guideline for humanity in the 21st century." - SGI President Daisaku Ikeda
The Earth Charter is an grassroots international people's (not governments,
UN or organizations) agreement written by thousands of folks in 78 countries
over the course of 12 years and was launched at the Hague Peace Palace in
June 2000. It provides a theoretical Constitution for many organizations,
communities, and individuals that states the core values of interdependence
and cooperation, and calls for a compassionate and sustainable world based
on economic and social justice, peace, democracy, and ecological integrity.
The Earth Charter provides an opportunity for us to share our hope and
commitment for the future with all living things that share this planet.
The World Summit on Sustainable Development scheduled for Johannesburg,
South Africa Aug. 25-Sept. 8, 2002, will see the presentation of the Earth
Charter to world leaders before the Earth Charter presentation to the United
Nations General Assembly in late September 2002.
Here is a link to the Earth Charter website: http://www.earthcharter.org/
The Earth Charter Community Summits are an important way for us to learn
that we are not alone in wanting to live in a world that reflects the values
and principles of the Earth Charter. They also serve as a kickoff for local
initiatives based on the Earth Charter. Sociologist Paul Ray, Ph.D. studied
100,000 Americans and their values over 14 years and found that one in four
value the same things the Earth Charter is about--relationships,
sustainability, the oneness of life. However, people who share these values
often work for the greater good on their own or with a few friends. It's
time to connect and become a catalyst for positive change.
The Earth Charter Summits will be held this year on September 28th in:
Austin, TX - Boulder, CO - Burlington, VT - Chicago, IL - Hartford, CT -
Honolulu, HI -
Indianapolis, IN - Los Angeles, CA - Louisville, KY - Minneapolis / St.
Paul, MN -
Mobile, AL - New Orleans, LA - Oshkosh, WI - Philadelphia, PA - Portland,
OR -
Prescott, AZ - Prince Georges County, MD - San Francisco, CA - Santa Rosa,
CA -
Seattle, WA - Tampa / St. Petersburg, FL - Ventura, CA - Washington,
DC/MD/VA
The Summits will also be webcast in many of these cities.
Partners in the Earth Charter currently include:
Action Coalition for Global Change
Alliance for a Sustainable Future
American Anthropological Association
Association of Waldorf Schools of North America
Association of World Citizens
Calvert Group, Ltd
Center for Visionary Leadership
Center for Ethics in Action
Center for the New American Dream
Center for Voting & Democracy
Citizen's Network for Sustainable Development
Club of Budapest USA
Co-op America
Do Something
Earth Council
EarthLight Magazine
First Nations Development Institute
Florida Council of Churches
Florida League of Cities
Foundation for Global Community
Friends of the Earth USA
Global Action Resource Center for the Environment
Global People's Assembly
Gray Panthers
Humane Society of the United States
Institute of Noetic Sciences
International Baccalaureate Organization
LAPIS Magazine
Medical Missionary Sisters
The National Conference for Community & Justice
North American Coalition on Religion and Ecology
Northwest Earth Institute
Nuclear Age Peace Foundation
Pacific Research Center
Pathways to Peace
Population Coalition
Rain Forest Action Network
San Francisco People's Assembly
SGI-USA
Sierra Club National
Sisters of Charity Halifax
Social Ventures Network
Student Environmental Action Coalition
TIKKUN Magazine
Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations
United Nations Association-USA Northern California
Unity Foundation
US Conference of Mayors
We the People
The Weekly Planet
WMNF Community Radio
Women of Vision & Action
YES! Magazine
Wilderness Society
World Parliament of Religion
To learn more about the Earth Charter Summits, visit:
http://www.earthchartersummits.org
To read the Earth Charter document, visit:
http://www.earthchartersummits.org/TheEarthCharter.htm
"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change
the world, indeed it is the only thing that ever has." - Margaret Meade