The Earth Charter:

An Introduction
[Name]
[Title]
Presentation to [Audience]
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[Date]

E ARTH C HARTER INTERNATIONAL

 The Earth Charter Initiative

is the collective name for the extraordinarily

diverse, global network of people, organizations,
and institutions that participate in promoting and
implementing the values and principles of the
Earth Charter.

E A R T H C H A R T E R I N T E R N A T I O N A L
 Earth Charter Initiative
Affiliates Council Secretariat

Endorsers

Youth Network

Partners
Ambassadors

Advisors

EC Commission Volunteers

E A R T H C H A R T E R I N T E R N A T I O N A L
The Earth Charter document

is a declaration of fundamental ethical

principles for building a just, sustainable
and peaceful global society in the 21st
century.

It seeks to inspire in all people a new sense

of global interdependence and shared
responsibility for the well-being of the
whole human family, the greater
community of life, and future generations.
It is a vision of hope and a call to action.
E A R T H C H A R T E R I N T E R N A T I O N A L

Represents a Global Consensus on Shared Values and Ethics
for Building a More Just, Sustainable, and Peaceful World
Core sustainability values + Shared ethical principles
I. Respect for
nature
II. Universal human
rights
III. Economic justice
IV. A culture of peace
E A R T H
The Earth Charter
= Widely endorsed and inspiring call to action
1. Respect Earth and life in all its diversity.
2. Care for the community of life ...
3. Build democratic societies ...
4. Secure Earth's bounty and beauty ...
5. Protect and restore ... Earth's ecological
systems ...
6. Prevent harm ... apply a precautionary
approach
7. Adopt [sustainable] patterns of production,
consumption, and reproduction ...
8. Advance the study of ecological
sustainability ...
9. Eradicate poverty ...
10. Ensure that economic activities ... promote
human development ...
11. Affirm gender equality ... ensure universal
access
12. Uphold the right of all ... to a natural and
social environment
13. Strengthen democratic institutions ...
14. Integrate [sustainability] into formal
education and life-long learning ...
15. Treat all living beings with respect and
consideration
16. Promote a culture of ... peace
C H A R T E R I N T E R N A T I O N A L
This is the promise
of the Earth Charter:

By declaring
what we must care about ...

By describing
what we must do ...

By inspiring
as many people as possible…

E A R T H C H A R T E R I N T E R N A T I O N A L
More and more people
will care ...

More and more people

will take action ...

More and more people

will inspire
more and more people ...

E A R T H C H A R T E R I N T E R N A T I O N A L
... to work for the wellbeing of all of us and our common
home:

E A R T H C H A R T E R I N T E R N A T I O N A L
 A Brief History
of the Earth Charter Initiative
1987 -1992 Origins - The Brundtland Commission calls for “a new charter or
universal declaration” on environment and development to “guide state and
inter-state behavior.” UN Earth Charter process is stopped at Earth Summit;
Rio Declaration adopted instead (1992)

1994 -2000 Phase 1 - Development and Global Consultation

Maurice Strong and Mikhail Gorbachev relaunch Earth Charter as a civil
society initiative; drafting and consultation process begins (1994); Earth
Charter Commission created (1997); 5,000 people contribute comments

2000 -2005 Phase 2 - Launch and Establishment

Final text approved and launched, and endorsement campaign begins
(2000); Earth Charter promoted strongly at WSSD in Johannesburg, but not
formally adopted (2002); local and grassroots action grows, important
international endorsements continue (such as IUCN, 2004)

2006 - Phase 3 - Expansion with Action Orientation

Strategic review conducted (2005); decision taken to expand the Initiative, with
new international centers and programs, and intent to greatly increase
awareness, impact, and active commitment to sustainable development

E A R T H C H A R T E R I N T E R N A T I O N A L
 A Brief History
of the Earth Charter Initiative
1987 -1992 Origins - The Brundtland Commission calls for “a new charter or
universal declaration” on environment and development to “guide state and
inter-state behavior.” UN Earth Charter process is stopped at Earth Summit;
Rio Declaration adopted instead (1992)

1994 -2000 Phase 1 - Development and Global Consultation

Maurice Strong and Mikhail Gorbachev re-launch Earth Charter as a civil
society initiative; drafting and consultation process begins (1994); Earth
Charter Commission created (1996); thousands of people contribute

2000 -2005 Phase 2 - Launch and Establishment

Final text approved and launched, and endorsement campaign begins
(2000); Earth Charter promoted strongly at WSSD in Johannesburg, but not
formally adopted (2002); local and grassroots action grows, important
international endorsements continue (such as IUCN, 2004)

2006 - Phase 3 - Expansion with Action Orientation

Strategic review conducted (2005); decision taken to expand the Initiative, with
new international centers and programs, and intent to greatly increase
awareness, impact, and active commitment to sustainable development

E A R T H C H A R T E R I N T E R N A T I O N A L
 A Brief History
of the Earth Charter Initiative
1987 -1992 Origins - The Brundtland Commission calls for “a new charter or
universal declaration” on environment and development to “guide state and
inter-state behavior.” UN Earth Charter process is stopped at Earth Summit;
Rio Declaration adopted instead (1992)

1994 -2000 Phase 1 - Development and Global Consultation

Maurice Strong and Mikhail Gorbachev relaunch Earth Charter as a civil
society initiative; drafting and consultation process begins (1994); Earth
Charter Commission created (1997); 5,000 people contribute comments

2000 -2005 Phase 2 - Launch and Establishment

Final text approved and launched, and endorsement campaign begins
(2000); Earth Charter promoted strongly at WSSD in Johannesburg, but not
formally adopted (2002); local and grassroots action grows, important
international endorsements continue (such as IUCN, 2004)

2006 - Phase 3 - Expansion with Action Orientation

Strategic review conducted (2005); decision taken to expand the Initiative, with
new international centers and programs, and intent to greatly increase
awareness, impact, and active commitment to sustainable development

E A R T H C H A R T E R I N T E R N A T I O N A L
 A Brief History
of the Earth Charter Initiative
1987 -1992 Origins - The Brundtland Commission calls for “a new charter or
universal declaration” on environment and development to “guide state and
inter-state behavior.” UN Earth Charter process is stopped at Earth Summit;
Rio Declaration adopted instead (1992)

1994 -2000 Phase 1 - Development and Global Consultation

Maurice Strong and Mikhail Gorbachev relaunch Earth Charter as a civil
society initiative; drafting and consultation process begins (1994); Earth
Charter Commission created (1997); 5,000 people contribute comments

2000 -2005 Phase 2 - Launch and Establishment

Final text approved and launched, and endorsement campaign begins
(2000); Earth Charter promoted strongly at WSSD in Johannesburg, but not
formally adopted (2002); local and grassroots action grows, important
international endorsements continue (such as IUCN, 2004)

2006 - Phase 3 - Expansion with Action Orientation

Strategic review conducted (2005); decision taken to expand the Initiative, with
new international centers and programs, and intent to greatly increase
awareness, impact, and active commitment to sustainable development

E A R T H C H A R T E R I N T E R N A T I O N A L
 The Mission of the
Earth Charter Initiative

to promote the transition to sustainable

ways of living and a global society
founded on a shared ethical framework
that includes respect and care for the
community of life, ecological integrity,
universal human rights, respect for
diversity, economic justice, democracy,
and a culture of peace.

E A R T H C H A R T E R I N T E R N A T I O N A L
 The Earth Charter Initiative Goals
1. To raise awareness worldwide of the Earth Charter and to
promote understanding of its inclusive ethical vision.

2. To seek recognition and endorsement of the Earth Charter by

individuals, organizations, and the United Nations.

3. To promote the use of the Earth Charter as an ethical guide

and the implementation of its principles by civil society,
business, and government.

4. To encourage and support the educational use of the Earth

Charter in schools, universities, religious communities, local
communities, and many other settings.

5. To promote recognition and use of the Earth Charter as a

soft law document.

E A R T H C H A R T E R I N T E R N A T I O N A L
 The Earth Charter Initiative is a global network of people, organizations,
and institutions who participate in promoting the Earth Charter, and in
implementing its principles in practice in different areas, including ...

Education for Youth Action

Sustainable Development & Empowerment Business Engagement
in Global Ethics

Religion & Arts & Culture

Sustainability

E ARTH C HARTER INTERNATIONAL

 The Earth Charter and
Education
Framing, Guiding, and Supporting
Education for Sustainable Development

E ARTH C HARTER INTERNATIONAL

 The Earth Charter and Education
• The Earth Charter has been endorsed by UNESCO and used
as a key reference document for the Decade on Education for
Sustainable Development (DESD).

• ECI education materials are being used to help teachers

integrate sustainability issues into curricula; this includes a
general guidebook, and some specific curricula.
• Thousands of teachers and schools have used the Earth
Charter in various ways, ranging from early childhood education
to whole Master’s degree courses based on the Charter’s
guiding framework.

E A R T H C H A R T E R I N T E R N A T I O N A L
The Earth Charter Youth Network

Inspiring Young People to Take Action to

Create a More Just, Peaceful and
Sustainable World

E ARTH C HARTER INTERNATIONAL

 The Earth Charter Youth Network
• Over 35 Earth Charter Youth Groups (ECYGs) use
the Earth Charter in various action programs, ranging
from promoting sustainable livestyles in the Philippines
to crossing the digital divide in Rwanda, supporting the
use of renewable energy on university campuses in the
US and reintegrating former child soldiers in Sierra
Leone

• E-GLO (Earth Charter Global Leadership

Opportunity) is being developed as an online
leadership training for youth around the world

• For more info, check out

www.earthcharterinaction.org/youth

E A R T H C H A R T E R I N T E R N A T I O N A L
 The Earth Charter
and the Business Sector
An Update on our Consultation Process,
and an Invitation to Participate

E ARTH C HARTER INTERNATIONAL

Four Specific Ways the Earth Charter
Can Be Used in Business
1. As a simplifying and unifying platform for the complex
array of activities now expected of companies, under banners
ranging from CSR to EMS

2. As a convening reference point for dialogue with multi-

stakeholder groups about critical global issues

3. As a tool for inspiration and education that explains the

ethical foundations and motivates change efforts within
companies, or supports the convening of external
stakeholders

4. As a stimulus for innovation for the design/redesign of

products, services, and business models - “What would this
look like if it met all the conditions for a just, peaceful, and
sustainable world?”

E A R T H C H A R T E R I N T E R N A T I O N A L
 The Earth Charter Religion and
Sustainability Project

Supporting religious organizations and

institutions in their engagement with
the global challenges of our time…

E ARTH C HARTER INTERNATIONAL

Strategy for interreligious outreach and
engagement with global challenges
• Creation of high quality communications and education
materials designed to "translate", current knowledge and
best practice into terms that religious audiences will find
compelling, inspiring, and empowering.

• This project also supports ECI's engagement with the

United Nations High Level Dialogue on Inter-Religious
and Inter-Cultural Understanding.

• Partners of the project: the Forum on Religion and

Ecology at Yale University

• For more information contact Michael Slaby:

mslaby@earthcharter.org

E A R T H C H A R T E R I N T E R N A T I O N A L
 What can you do?

E A R T H C H A R T E R I N T E R N A T I O N A L
 Be part of the
Earth Charter Community!
• Make the Earth Charter values part of your daily life

• Promote the Earth Charter vision

• Endorse the Charter

• Volunteer your time for Earth Charter International

• Join the Earth Charter Youth Initiative

• Use Earth Charter Tools

• Take action to realize Earth Charter values in your community,

organization, and personal life

E A R T H C H A R T E R I N T E R N A T I O N A L
 Visit our website!
www.earthcharter.org
• Read the Earth Charter in more
than 35 languages

• Read “Earth Charter in Action,”

our news site, and download
dozens of free resources

• Endorse the Charter and/or

subscribe to our Newsletter

• Find out how to contribute, get

involved and become a member
of the Earth Charter Initiative…

E A R T H C H A R T E R I N T E R N A T I O N A L
T HE EARTH CHARTER
INITIATIVE

Let ours be a time remembered

For the awakening of a new reverence for life
The firm resolve to achieve sustainability
The quickening of the struggle for justice and
peace, and the joyful celebration of life”*

(*Closing lines of the Earth Charter)

E A R T H C H A R T E R I N T E R N A T I O N A L
 Join the Earth Charter Initiative!
Contact:
Earth Charter International Secretariat and
Earth Charter Center for Education for Sustainable Development
at UPEACE, Costa Rica

For general enquires: info@earthcharter.org

www.earthcharter.org
E ARTH C HARTER INTERNATIONAL