Dear Editor:
It was just a couple of months ago, in early September, that
leaders of many nations and representatives from a variety of
organizations gathered in South Africa to mark the 10th anniversary
of the first Earth Summit in Rio de Janiero.
Dear Editor:
It was just a couple of months ago, in early September, that leaders of many nations and representatives from a variety of organizations gathered in South Africa to mark the 10th anniversary of the first Earth Summit in Rio de Janiero. The framework at these summits was for a collaboration to occur, amongst all the diverse opinions and ideas, in the hope of establishing and implementing guiding principles for the sustainable development of our world.
While many of the news reports focused on the disagreements between rich and poor countries and the many tensions and conflicts still plaguing our societies, an Earth Charter was endorsed with words of hope serving as “the way forward.”
The Charter states that “as never before in history, does our common destiny call us to commit to a renewal of values and morals for the peoples of the world. A change of heart and mind are required to foster a new sense of global interdependence and universal responsibility. The global dialogue must be deepened and expanded to integrate cultural diversity and heritage that will promote our search for harmony among peoples, a reverence for life, a resolve to work for justice and peace, and achieve an ethic of sustainability for the Earth.”
With the U.N. inspectors now going into Iraq and the holidays approaching, let us catch our breath and reflect on how we can help make our world a safe and healthy home for all our brothers and sisters. There are 16 guiding principles contained in the Earth Charter and I encourage everyone to review the document on the Web.
The final two principles sum up the Charter, the words are simple and unambiguous:
• We must treat all living beings with respect and consideration;
• We need to promote a culture of tolerance, nonviolence, and peace. Let us all hope, pray, and work for these guiding principles to be fully accepted and applied – they are “the way forward.”
Mike Monroe, Gilroy
Submitted Tuesday, Nov. 19 to [email protected]
