The Earth Charter is the product of a worldwide, decade long, cross cultural dialogue on common goals and shared values. lt was drafted by a civil society initiative arid launched in 2000. The mission of the Earth Charter lnitiative is 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, economics, justice, democracy, and a culture of peace.
This Guide is intended for all educators who are concerned to develop educational systems and programs that prepare young people and adults to live sustainably and become responsible local and global citizens in the 21 st century. lt provides basic information on how to use the Earth Charter in educational settings. lt will be especially helpful to educators who are working in the fields of environmental education, education for sustainable development, human rights education, human ecology education, peace education, humane education, social education and allied areas. The Earth Charter can also be used to assess and reconstruct the entire curriculum and management practices of an educational institution in an effort to ensure that the institution is doing everything it can to prepare students to meet the great challenges of our time.
