The Earth Charter Youth Initiative

What is the Earth Charter? The History of EC ! EC principles ! The Earth Charter Youth Initiative ! The Earth Charter Youth Groups ! ECYI Partners.

WHY ! EC ? the Earth Charter comes from :

What Is the EC ?

the Earth Charter is a “Philosophy/Theory” that gives the direction of where to go.

the Earth Charter is a “Shared & Integrated Vision of Basic Values”.

the Earth Charter is a “Declaration” of our Responsibility to one another.

the Earth Charter is a “Call to Action”.

2 words to be in MIND

Sustainability

Interdependence

EC is all about

Respect for Nature.

Human Rights.

Economic and Social Justice.

Culture of Peace.

Message must be delivered to All Individuals. Organizations. Business. Governments. Different Institutions.

Focus on EC Principles Respect & Care for the

Community of Life. Ecological Integrity. Social and Economic Justice. Democracy, Non-Violence,

and Peace.

The EC is Made OF• “Preamble”, a describing the major

challenges and choices facing humanity.

• “16 Principles divided in 4 parts”, 61 supporting principles clarifying the meaning of the 16 main principles.

• “The Way Forward”, the Conclusion. A call for commitment and action.

! Go Through EC !

Read EC principles later.

“The Way Forward”

Read EC principles later.

“The Way Forward”

I- Respect For the Community of Life.1. Respect Earth and life in all its

diversity.- Recognize that all beings are interdependent,

and every form of life has value regardless of its worth to human beings.

- Affirm Faith in the inherent dignity of all human beings and in the intellectual, artistic, ethical, and spiritual potential of humanity.

I- Respect For the Community of Life.2. Care for the Community of life with

understanding, compassion, and love.- Accept that with the right to own, manage, and

use natural resources comes the duty to prevent environmental harm and to protect the rights of people.

- Affirm that with increased freedom, knowledge, and power comes increased responsibility to promote the common good.

I- Respect For the Community of Life.3. Build democratic societies that are just,

participatory, sustainable, and peaceful.- Ensure that communities at all levels guarantee

human rights and fundamental freedoms and provide everyone an opportunity to realize his/her full potential.

- Promote social and economic justice, enabling all to achieve a secure and meaningful livelihood that is ecologically responsible.

I- Respect For the Community of Life.4. Secure Earth`s bounty and beauty for

present and future generations.- Recognize that the freedom of action of each

generation is qualified by the needs of future generations.

- Transmit to Future generations values, traditions, and institutions that support the long-term flourishing of Earth`s human and ecological communities.

The Earth Charter

II- Ecological Integrity

5. Protect and restore the integrity of Earth`s ecological systems,with special concern for biological diversity and the natural processes that sustain life.

- Adopt at all levels Sustainable Development plans and regulations.

- Maintain Biodiversity, and preserve our natural heritage.- Promote the recovery of endangered species and ecosystems.- Manage the use of renewable resources to not exceed rates of

regeneration.- Manage the extraction and use of non-renewable resources to

minimize depletion and environmental damage.


6. Prevent harm as the best method of environmental protection and, when knowledge is limited, apply a Precautionary approach.

- Take Action to avoid the possibility of serious or irreversible environmental harm.

- Make the responsible parties liable for environmental harm.- Ensure that Decision Making addresses the cumulative, long-

term, indirect, long distance, and global consequences of human activities.

- Prevent Pollution of any part of the environment.- Avoid military activities damaging to the environment.


7. Adopt patterns of production, consumption, and reproduction that safeguard Earth`s regenerative capacities, human rights, and community well-being.

- Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle materials.

- Rely increasingly on renewable energy sources such as solar and wind.

- Adopt lifestyles that emphasize the quality of life and material sufficiency in a finite world.


8. Advance the study of ecological sustainability and promote the open exchange and wide application of the knowledge acquired.

- Support the international scientific and technical support on cooperation on sustainability, with attention to the special needs of the developing countries.

- Ensure that vital Information to human health and environmental protection remains available in the public domain.

III- Social and Economic Justice9. Eradicate poverty as an ethical, social,

and environmental imperative.- Guarantee the right to potable water, clear air,

food security, uncontaminated soil,shelter, and safe sanitation (public health), allocating national and international resources required.

- Recognize the ignored, protect the vulnerable (weak), serve those who suffer, and enable them to develop their capacities & pursue their aspirations.

III- Social and Economic Justice9. Eradicate poverty as an ethical,

social, and environmental imperative.- Empower every human being with the

education and resources to secure sustainable livelihood, and provide social security and safety nets for those who are unable to support themselves.

III- Social and Economic Justice10. Ensure that economic activities and institutions

at all levels promote human development in an equitable and sustainable manner.

- Promote the equitable distribution of wealth with nations,and among nations.

- Enhance the intellectual, financial, technical, and social resources of developing nations, and relieve them of onerous international debt.

- Ensure that all trade supports sustainable resource use, environmental protection, and progressive labor standards.

III- Social and Economic Justice11. Affirm gender equality as prerequisites to

sustainable development and ensure universal access to education, health care, and economic opportunity.

- Secure the human rights of women and girls and end all violence against them.

- Promote the active participation of women in all aspects of economic, political, civil, social, and cultural life as full and equal partners.

- Strengthen families and ensure the safety and loving nurture of all family members.

III- Social and Economic Justice12. Uphold the right of all, without discrimination, to a

natural and social environment supportive of human dignity, bodily health, and spiritual well-being, with special attention to the right of indigenous (original people) and minorities.

- Eliminate discrimination in all its forms, such as that based on race, color, sex, religion, language, and national, ethnic, or social origin.

- Honor and support the young people of our communities, enabling them to fulfill their essential role in creating sustainable societies.

- Protect and Restore outstanding places of cultural and spiritual significance.

IV- Democracy, Nonviolence, and Peace.13. Strengthen democratic institutions at all levels,and

provide transparency and accountability in governance, inclusive participation in decision making, and access to justice.

- Uphold the right to everyone to receive clear and timely information on environmental matters and all development plans and activities which are likely to affect them or in which they have an interest.

- Support local, regional, and global civil society, and promote the meaningful participation of all interested individuals and organizations in decision making.

- Protect the rights of freedom of opinion, expression, peaceful assembly, association, and dissent.

IV- Democracy, Nonviolence, and Peace.13. Strengthen democratic institutions at all levels,and

provide transparency and accountability in governance, inclusive participation in decision making, and access to justice.

- Eliminate corruption in all public and private institutions.

- Institute effective and efficient access to administrative and independent judicial procedures, including remedies and redress for environmental harm and the threat of such harm.

IV- Democracy, Nonviolence, and Peace.13. Strengthen democratic institutions at all

levels,and provide transparency and accountability in governance, inclusive participation in decision making, and access to justice.

- Strengthen local communities, enabling them to care for their environments, and assign environmental responsibilities to the levels of government where they can be carried out most effectively,

IV- Democracy, Nonviolence, and Peace.14. Integrate into formal education and life-long

learning the knowledge, values, and skills needed for sustainable way of life.

- Provide all, especially children and youth, with educational opportunities that empower them to contribute actively to sustainable development.

- Promote the contribution of arts and humanities as well as the sciences in sustainability education.

- Enhance the role of Mass Media in raising awareness of ecological and social challenges.

- Recognize the importance of Moral and Spiritual education for sustainable living.

IV- Democracy, Nonviolence, and Peace.15. Treat all living beings with respect and

consideration.- Prevent cruelty to animals kept in human societies and protect

them from suffering.

- Protect wild animals from methods of hunting, trapping, and fishing that cause extreme, prolonged, or avoidable suffering.

- Avoid or eliminate to the full possible the taking or destruction of non-targeted species.

IV- Democracy, Nonviolence, and Peace.16. Promote a culture of tolerance,

nonviolence, and peace.- Encourage and support mutual understanding,

solidarity, and cooperation among all peoples and within and among nations.

- Implement the comprehensive strategies to prevent violent conflicts and use collaborative problem solving to manage and resolve environmental conflicts and other disputes.

IV- Democracy, Nonviolence, and Peace.16. Promote a culture of tolerance,

nonviolence, and peace.

- Eliminate nuclear, biological, and toxic weapons and other weapons of mass destruction.

- Recognize that Peace is wholeness created by right relationships with oneself, other persons, other cultures, other life, Earth, and the larger whole of which all are a part.

The Way Forward As never before in History, common Density beckons us to seek a new Beginning.

This Requires

To Build A Sustainable Global CommunityThe Nations of the world must: Renew their commitment to the UN.

Fulfill their obligations under existing international agreements.

Support the implementation of the Earth Charter Principles with an international legally binding instrument on environment and development.

EC,The History 1987, UN World Commission on Environment and

Development issued a Call for new Charter that would set forth fundamental Principles for Sustainable Development.

1992, EC draft was a part of “the unfinished Business” of Rio Earth Summit.

1994, Maurice Strong [The Secretary General of Earth Summit,and chairman of Earth Council], & Mikhail Gorbachev [Pres. Of Green Cross International] launched a new Earth Charter initiative with support of the Dutch Government.

EC,The History

1997, an Earth Charter Commission was formed to oversee the project and Earth Charter Secretariat was established at the Earth Council in Costa Rica.

2000, A new phase in the initiative began with the official launching the Earth Charter at the Peace Palace in the Hague June 29,2000.

The ECI Goals To Promote the dissemination and

implementation of the EC by civil society, business, and government.

To encourage and support the educational use of the EC in formal as well as informal settings.

To seek endorsement of the EC by the UN.

EC needs

Understanding.

Disseminating.

Implementation.

The EC Youth Initiative

The Earth Charter Youth Initiative seeks to take the Mission of the Earth Charter Initiative and make it one that is alive,relevant and applicable to young people globally.

The EC Youth Initiative The Earth Charter Youth Initiative (ECYI)

was put together by a core-group of young people from different countries committed to the Earth Charter, and active in bringing it to a larger number of young people worldwide.


Individuals and groups can join the ECYI with the criteria of actively promoting the Earth Charter locally and internationally and implementing the Earth Charter values into their daily lives.


We are aiming at establishing a cultural diverse network of young people active for sustainable development sharing the integrated ethical vision of the Earth Charter.

ECYI is a part of the ECI. ECYI is a NETWORK of organizations and

interested individuals that are committed to EC values.

Role of ECYI is to bring the different YOUTH NGOs and GROUPS together that work for one or more specific field of the broad concept of the sustainable development.

Goal is to facilitate that youth around the world can SPEAK with ONE VOICE INTERNATINALLY.

ECYI Partners & Support The ECYI challenges all to think both

locally and globally,and to act both locally and globally (!).

The only reasonable way to achieve this is to partner with other organizations, and network with other youth and organizations we meet - for example,during international conferences or joint actions.

ECYGs Directly!ECYGs Directly!

ECYI PartnersSome of our partners:

Youth Employment Summit has launched a

Decade Campaign of Action, so that an additional 500 million young adults, especially youth facing poverty, will have productive and sustainable livelihoods by the year 2002.


EarthYouth.Net: A network of young people acting for a more sustainable planet, working together on projects, and sharing experiences. If you go in their section “About us / International Partners”, you will find some of the most active international youth organizations.


The Skyfish Project: At 12 years old, Severn

Cullis-Suzuki spoke in Rio to all the heads of States. She is now a Commissioner of the Earth Charter and started the Skyfish Project which includes a Recognition of Responsibility each of us can sign.


Brink Expedition: An Australian team biking and sailing across the planet while supporting the educational aims of the Earth Charter.


Pole to Pole 2000: During the year 2000, an international teamof 8 youth from 5 continents went human powered across the Americas from the North Pole to the South Pole. During their trip, they inspired thousands of schools students to take action for a sustainable future and brought an Earth Charter flag to the South Pole.

The Earth Charter !

Youth !

Groups !

EC is - An international, participatory consultation over years.- People`s text.

Youth “ Young People “ - Have the Energy and Creativity.- Have the Willing to Change.

Groups - Can achieve more than individuals working on their own.- Is the best Structure to have a constant multiplying effect.

Mission of ECYG To inspire young people all over the world

to adopt sustainable lifestyles.

Enjoy life in giving JOY to others.

To get EC Implemented and Known.

Share thoughts,and experience between youth.

ECYG ECYGs can be created in all existing

kinds of settings, for example: schools, universities, associations, neighborhoods,cliques, … as long as people want to work together towards it.

Existing groups: all kinds of already existing groups,associations, or NGOs that do not contravene the EC Principles are heartedly invited to join ECYI, or to create ECYG.

This depends entirely on your local habits.- do you want to make it legal structure? Of what kind? How

do you split the tasks between each other?

From ECYI point of view, the only need is a contact person.

Next Tips are designed to help, and not to put any additional constraint.

It`s your choice to use them or not! And they do not intend to be fully complete.

Core Functions

Facilitation.

Fundraising and finding resources.

Activities Manager(s).

External relations.

In General ECYGs should consist of up to 20.

The coordinator should be considered as a spokesperson of the group rather than its chair.

Principle of grass-root democracy, decisions should be taken by the group as a whole.

ECYI, National Coordinator is to offer: Help.

Contacts.

Projects. [support and initiate projects that demonstrate EC principle].

ECY network.

Answers.

Discussions.

1st Steps towards ECYGs

Get more information and advices.

Find a group of interested people.

Review the mission and objectives proposed here and adopt them locally.

Define concrete results you want to achieve and actions to get there.

From the idea, to the realization …

One suggestion for developing a project (again, there are other ways)

1. Decide what you want to do.• Do you want to work locally or further (scope of your involvement)?

• Who in the society do you want to reach (your target audience)?

• What outcomes do you want to have?

• Do you want people to know about the Earth Charter or to implement its values?


2. With the resources you have (financial, knowledge, time, …), develop a few ideas.

• Avoid starting with a huge plan if you are not used to such activities.

• It might be wise to work as a team, or as an association. At least seek for support and advices around you.

3. Make a quick survey to find out what has been done.• In the scope of your project: who can help you, who to create a

partnership with.

• Seek for advices with others in the Earth Charter network.


4. Write a precise mission for your projects, with defined objectives.

5. Break your project in logical steps and tasks with deadlines … and start acting.

6. Report progress and good ideas back to us, so that they can be used elsewhere !

Examples of Activities Respect and care for the

community of life- Learn from each other through Discussions

and meetings of people from different beliefs, cultures, minority-groups that live in your community or school.

Examples of Activities Respect and care for the

community of life- Write/ perform theatre plays that make

evident the positive side of each person.

- Initiate a creativity contest/ draw pictures to illustrate the idea of one community of life.

Examples of Activities Ecological Integrity - List some things which the group members use

everyday, follow the production chain of these product, try to find its impact on the environment, then discuss how to use these things in sustainable way. Publish the results or an exhibition.

- Stir your imagination on life in the year 2050, and know how people will relate to nature then.

Examples of Activities Ecological Integrity- Promote the “three Rs” :” Reduce, Reuse,

and Recycle.

- With a local NGO involved in that processes, promote the usage of technologies that reduce the depletion of resources (e.g solar energy, rainwater, etc…).

Examples of Activities Social and Economic Justice- Watch the origin of the product you buy: Does the

company and the country of the origin respect human rights and progressive labor standards? Does your school/ community sell fair traded products? If not,what are the obstacles? Do you see ways to overcome those obstacles?

- Encourage Small Businesses managed by families and youth groups to face poverty .

- Encourage Business Sector to offer part-time jobs for youth and Universities Students.

Examples of Activities Democracy, Nonviolence, and Peace.

- Reflect on the relation between politics reality of your country and the aspirations of the Earth Charter. What are the specific problems of your country, do they have ethical/ values dimensions? Do you see EC could help to overcome those problems? .

- Write/Perform theatre plays that show a culture of tolerance, nonviolence, and peace.

Contacts

International Program Coordinator Michael Slaby, [email protected]

Arab Region, Jordan Hamza [email protected]

The ECYI Presentation

Prepared by Hamza AlAmoosh,Jordan.- Yarmouk University, Communications Department.

Hijawi Faculty of Technical Engineering.

Based on materials available atwww.earthcharter.org/resources

Publications, Case Studies, Related Websites, Interviews, …

- ECYI, Arab Region.

The Earth Charter Youth Initiative

Documents

Transcript of The Earth Charter Youth Initiative