The Planetary Network
The planetary network of light, love and service is transforming the mental climate of the planet, reorientating humanity to spiritual attitudes and values. The groups and activities reported in the Bulletin reflect different aspects of the network.
Preamble (to the Earth Charter)
We stand at a critical moment in Earth's history, a time when humanity must choose its future. As the world becomes increasingly interdependent and fragile, the future at once holds great peril and great promise. To move forward we must recognize that in the midst of a magnificent diversity of cultures and life forms we are one human family and one Earth community with a common destiny. We must join together to bring forth a sustainable global society founded on respect for nature, universal human rights, economic justice, and a culture of peace. Towards this end, it is imperative that we, the peoples of Earth, declare our responsibility to one another, to the greater community of life, and to future generations.
Earth Charter International
The ‘Earth Charter Initiative’ is a collective name for the global and diverse network of organisations, people and institutions that promote and implement the values and principles of the ‘Earth Charter’.
The ‘Earth Charter’ is described as “an ethical framework 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”. The Charter began life as a United Nations project, but it was carried forward and completed by a global civil society initiative.
Earth Charter International (ECI) aims to actively participate in the transition to sustainable ways of living on the planet, 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”.
ECI achieves these aims through:
raising awareness worldwide of the Earth Charter and promoting understanding of its inclusive ethical vision.
seeking recognition and endorsement of the Earth Charter by individuals, organizations, and the United Nations.
promoting the use of the Earth Charter as an ethical guide and the implementation of its principles by civil society, business, and government.
encouraging and supporting the educational use of the Earth Charter in schools, universities, religious communities, local communities, and many other settings.
promoting recognition and use of the Earth Charter as a soft law document.
In 2012 the ‘Spiritual Dimensions of Sustainable Development Project’ was launched. Its purpose is to “bring together a global alliance of religious, spiritual, and ethical organizations to deepen the understanding, public awareness, and practical application of the ethical and spiritual foundations of sustainable development”.
c/o University for Peace, P.O.Box138 6100, San José, Costa Rica
w: www.earthcharterinaction.org
t: +506 2205-9060