Earth Charter is an excellent resource for educating and
creating a sustainable, and peaceful global society. Earth Charter is an international declaration
of fundamental values and principles. It was created by a global consultation
process and endorsed by organizations that represent millions of people. The Charter “seeks to inspire in all peoples
a sense of global interdependence and shared responsibility for the well-being
of the human family, the greater community of life, and future generations.” [Earth
Charter Initiative: “What is the Earth Charter?”] The Earth Charter tells us that humanity is at
a crossroad with our future. As humans
we must join together to create sustainability for our global society. We must also take into consideration our
future and our children’s future as it is important to respect all nature and
maintain universal peace.
Earth Charter is composed of four pillars and sixteen principles
and basic values aimed to provide an ethical foundation for the emerging world
community. The four pillars consist of; “Respect
and Care for the Community of Life, Ecological Integrity, Social and Economic
Justice, and Democracy Nonviolence and Peace.” (Earth Charter Initiative: text
from the Earth Charter) Pillar one is
simply stating that we should respect all of Earth and life and to care for our
surrounding communities, in respect to our futures and our children’s
futures. Pillar two summarized is to
protect and restore the integrity of Earth’s ecological systems, with special
concern for biological diversity and the natural processes that sustain
life. Pillar three is basically stating
that we should affirm gender equality and to eradicate poverty as a societal
imperative. Pillar four says to
strengthen our democratic institutions at all levels and promote a culture of
tolerance, nonviolence and peace.
In order to live up to the principles and basic values
established by Earth Charter we must develop a sense of global interdependence
and universal responsibility while applying the vision of sustainability and a
peaceful way of life.
For more insight on the Earth Charter, or on how to build a
more sustainable and peaceful world visit:
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