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1. Where is this exhibition from? |
This exhibition is created by SGI and the Earth Charter Initiative. Based on the principles of the Earth Charter, it has travelled the world before coming to Dubai. Some countries to have hosted this exhibition are US, UK, India, Canada, France, etc. It is being hosted for the first time ever in the Middle East. Also, it is for the first time that the panels have been translated in Arabic for the local population. |
2. How recent / updated are the statistics mentioned in the panels? |
The statistics on these panels are regularly researched and updated. These figures are as of June 2005. |
3. Why is it called the ‘Seeds of Change’? |
The focus of this exhibition is on positive and constructive things you can do in your home, at work, around you at an individual level. Activities and choices that help sustain our health, spirit, and the planet earth as a whole. The implementation of the Earth Charter in our life thus making our contribution to humanity and a better future is of vital importance and the exhibition aims at ‘awakening’ people to their responsibility as global citizens with a shared and common destiny – thus planting the ‘seeds of change’. |
4. What is Earth Charter? |
Earth Charter is both a document and a global movement to promote the ethical values and principles needed to form the basis for a just, sustainable and peaceful global society in the 21st century. It is a ‘people’s document’ with no patents – it is free for people to read, use and disseminate as they wish.
The Earth Charter was produced through consultations over a period of several years involving thousands of people of virtually every nationality, race, religion, and ethic grouping on the planet. It calls on humanity to unite behind the creation of a new human civilization based on the principles of an Earth Community dedicated to peace, justice, and the love of life. |
5. What is ‘sustainable development’? |
It is addressing the needs of the present without jeopardizing the ability of future generations to meet their needs. It is not development in one area at the cost of the other. It indicates a ‘holistic’ approach to development – economic, political, environmental, social and human. It stresses on the need to reintroduce what we use, to allow time for regeneration and to understand and maintain the ‘balance’ of life. |
6. When was the Earth Charter formed? |
The Earth Charter Initiative was launched in 1994 by former Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev and Maurice Strong, secretary General of the UNCED (UN Conference on Environment and Development.) An Earth Charter Commission was formed in 1997 to oversee the project and an Earth Charter Secretariat was established at the Earth Council in Costa Rica. Meeting at the UNESCO Headquarters in Paris in March 2000, the Commission approved the final version of the Earth Charter and it has been widely disseminated since. It received widespread support at the 2002 Johannesburg World Summit on Sustainable Development. |
7. Why is the Earth Charter important? |
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 danger 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.
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What are the principles of Earth Charter? |
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Respect and care for the community of life |
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Ecological integrity |
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Social and economic justice |
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Democracy, non-violence and Peace |
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9. What is the meaning of ‘democracy’ in this context? |
In the context of the earth charter, democracy is defined in various aspects. It calls for transparency and accountability of governments in the context of the main elements of the charter (the promotion of culture, non-violence and peace). It calls for the integration of the principles of sustainable development in the education system. It speaks of the spirit of tolerance – not only of all cultures, communities and religions but to treat all living beings with respect and consideration. It is also defined as the active participation of all individuals to understand the charter in the context of their respective countries’ policies and practices. It also means the freedom of individuals to join and pledge their support to organizations working hard to realize the objectives of the charter. A shining example is Dubai. ‘Democracy’ in the context of the charter in no way implies a political structure or the active participation of people in politics as is the general perception. |
10. Where can I find more information about the Earth Charter initiatives? |
Website address www.earthcharter.org provides news, resources and conduct information about the earth Charter movements worldwide. |
11. What is the purpose of bringing this exhibition to Dubai? |
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To promote the concept of sustainable living |
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To preserve our cultural diversity |
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To illustrate the view that one person can make a difference in tackling even the most seemingly complex problems |
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12. Many exhibitions on environmental protection have been held before – how is this one different? |
The Earth Charter is not just about the environment. It is a broad, encompassing respect for all living beings and eradication of poverty, the need for justice, and building a culture of peace. The Earth Charter is actually about values, the kind of values we as human beings need to cultivate in order to make our continued existence sustainable. It may be considered a guideline for humanity in the 21st century |
13. Has the Earth Charter passed through this region before? |
Yes, the Earth Charter has passed though this region before but it is being introduced through the medium of the ‘Seeds of Change’ Exhibition for the first time in Dubai. The charter has been endorsed by Egypt and Jordan as well. In Jordan, all 93 city government constituencies have accepted the charter and have introduced it as part of local governance under the leadership of Her Royal Highness Princess Basma Bint Talal, Earth Charter Commission Member. |
14. What activities does SGI undertake to promote the Earth Charter? |
Dr. Ikeda, President of SGI, has supported the Earth Charter Initiative in his annual peace proposal to the UN since 1997. Around 20 SGI organizations in different countries have been supporting the Earth Charted movement since 1997 through exhibitions, lectures and discussion groups.
The Earth Charter movement is a good partner for SGI, because it is aligned with its view that education and a shift in underlying human values are vital if humanity is to make the changes necessary to ensure its survival.
If people are to take environmental issues as their personal concern, and to harmonize their efforts for our common future, education is vital. For this reason, SGI put forward the idea of an international decade of education for sustainable development to follow the UN decade for Human Rights Education from the year 2005.
The proposed event by SGI is part of its efforts to promote international understanding for sustainable future and peace awareness with the support of the Dubai Humanitarian City (DHC), Earth Charter and UNESCO. |
15. What can I do to support this exhibition and cause? |
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Express your support for the Earth Charter |
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Bring it into your workplace and local community |
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Use it as a basis for discussions about our common future |
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Bring it to life through your actions |
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Show solidarity with vulnerable people |
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Watch what you buy and its impact on the environment and people’s lives |
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Learn about non violence |
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Heal a rift with a friend or within your family |
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Plant a tree |
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Do not waste resources |
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Democracy, non-violence and Peace |
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16. What is the meaning of ‘endorsing the charter’? |
Endorsement of the Earth Charter by individuals or organizations signifies a commitment to the spirit and aims of the document. It also means a commitment to work for the implementation of the values and principles of the Earth Charter and a readiness to cooperate with others in this endeavour.
The Earth Charter Initiative is seeking to develop a world wide base of support for the Earth Charter. The Initiative is promoting the endorsement, dissemination, implementation and formal and non-formal educational use of the Earth Charter by individuals and organizations in all sectors of society. Nevertheless, organizations are asked to send an official letter of support as stated in the Statement of Endorsement.
Endorsement of the document by individuals and groups in civil society and by businesses and governments builds support for environmental protection and development of a just, sustainable, and peaceful world. It also helps to advance the effort to obtain the endorsement of the Earth Charter by the United Nations.
We encourage you and/or your organization to endorse the Earth Charter! |
17. How do I endorse the earth charter? |
You can sign on the register here stating your pledge to endorse the charter. You can also visit the following website http://www.earthcharter.org/endorse/ and pledge your support there.
Possible Endorsement Statements can be:
We, the undersigned, endorse the Earth Charter.
We embrace the spirit and aims of the document.
We pledge to join the global partnership for a just, sustainable, and peaceful world and to work for the realization of the values and principles of the Earth Charter.
We pledge to join the Global Partnership in Support of the Earth Charter Initiative for a sustainable way of life AND urge all governments to endorse the Earth Charter. |
18. What do you expect from School / College students? |
We hope that by viewing the exhibition and reading the Earth Charter, students and educationists will be inspired to ‘take action’. Taking up the responsibility as ‘ambassadors’ of the charter, we hope that the values of sustainable development are deeply ingrained in their lives so that they can transmit the message to their friends, colleagues, class mates and the larger society. As the charter states, every single individual has the power to make a change – in themselves and society at large. The focus on youth is critical because they have the vitality to take this forward. |
