Betsey Rivard, UNA

(Above)

Bruce Morton, WAWA

 

(Below)

David Keehn, David Pearl Foundation

(Above): A Dance

Mandara performer

(Left): Michael Chang

Ga. Tech Professor

(Above): Weston Mays of Nashville

 

(Left): Youths taking in the Art Exhibit

Earth Charter Atlanta

Community Initiatives — One Person Can Make a Difference!

(Left): Participants of the 2003 Earth Charter Summit held at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Atlanta

Who Are We?

Earth Charter Atlanta – Community Initiatives is a grassroots organization of diverse individuals who seeks to integrate the Earth Charter’s (www.earthcharter.org) holistic principles into all aspects of their community. Initially conceived in 1987 at the UN Environment & Development Conference the Earth Charter (EC) took on a new life,

and a “second” breath, when in 1994 EC committees were formed to oversee grassroots input into an unprecedented open drafting process by thousands of everyday people in over 78 countries. An international people’s treaty of hope, the EC recognizes humanity’s environmental, economic, social, cultural, ethical and spiritual problems and aspirations are interconnected and can be effectively address with holistic thinking and inclusive global solutions.

 

The Earth Charter Summits initiative were launched in 2001 and is recognized as the United State's major effort to mainstream the Earth Charter document.  In October 2003, Atlanta hosted its first Earth Charter Community Summit and became a part of growing communities that’s now known as Earth Charter Communities, USA Initiatives, Inc. (www.eccommunities.org ). Each year around the 2^nd weekend in October these communities, through-out the United States (and several countries and cities around the world), host inclusive public gatherings that provides opportunities for people to hear optimistic voices, and learn about new initiatives based on the Earth Charter.  Planners in each city/community/country determine their Summit’s program (e.g. festivals, local and/or national speakers, children programs) and at times participants get to see other cities/communities via live or downloaded webcast on that day.

One person can make a difference and by hosting Earth Charter summits or cafés to introduce family, friends and neighbors to the EC’s principles, we are also able to reach people who may not belong to an organization but are aligned with the EC.  This alliance helps us to expand the awareness of the Earth Charter, educate     for a sustainable way of life and engage endorsement of this document by the UN. In metro-Atlanta, we plan to increase activities in Earth Charter curriculum development, promote and support Earth Scouts groups (www.earthscouts.org) and work with colleges (see one of our models - University of Wisconsin Oshkosh – www.uwosh.edu) at the very least to form a EC group.

To contact us: info@EarthCharterAtlanta.org   Voice Mail: (404)256-7585