The Earth Charter International Campaign is launched at The Hague

Citation

(2000), "The Earth Charter International Campaign is launched at The Hague", International Journal of Sustainability in Higher Education, Vol. 1 No. 3. https://doi.org/10.1108/ijshe.2000.24901cab.002

The Earth Charter International Campaign is launched at The Hague

The Earth Charter International Campaign is launched at The Hague

Keywords Sustainable development

On 29 June 2000, a new phase of the Earth Charter Initiative was officially launched at The Hague. The purpose of the occasion was to celebrate the accomplishments of the consultation process to date, and the release of the final Earth Charter document, which was completed in March 2000. This historic event was organized in collaboration with The Netherlands National Committee for International Cooperation and Sustainable Development and took place at the Peace Palace. The event was honored with the presence of Queen Beatrix of The Netherlands, and international leaders from governments and religious and business groups.

The creation of a new charter concerning environmental protection and sustainable development was first recommended by the World Commission on Environment & Development (Brundtland Commission) in 1987. After governments failed to reach agreement on an Earth Charter at the 1992 Earth Summit, the Earth Council and Green Cross International began the task of developing a "People's Earth Charter" in 1995. At this time, an extensive Earth Charter consultation process began, which included individuals and groups worldwide. After various drafts, the final version of the Earth Charter was adopted by the Earth Charter Commission in Paris in March 2000.

Objectives of the Earth Charter Initiative are to:

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  draft an Earth Charter that sets forth a succinct and inspiring vision of fundamental ethical principles for sustainable development;

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  circulate the Earth Charter throughout the world as a people's treaty, promoting dialogue, awareness, commitment, and implementation of Earth Charter values;

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  seek endorsement of the Earth Charter by the United Nations General Assembly by the year 2002.

The Earth Charter is already being used by faculty at various colleges and universities to teach sustainability. An Earth Charter teaching resource, especially designed for higher education, is being prepared.

For more information, please write to info@earthcharter.org or visit the Earth Charter Web site at www.earthcharter.org.