In his role as Earth Charter Commissioner, Rabbi Soetendorp spoke at the Eco Schools National Operator meeting held in Krakow, Poland that was organized by the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) and signed a Memorandum of Understanding and Collaboration between Earth Charter International and FEE. In this meeting, which took place from 27-30 October, representatives from over 47 countries heard about the Earth Charter and how compassion can be the driver for working together to ensure a sustainable world for the coming generations. 

Rabbi Soetendorp spoke passionately about the Earth Charter background and purpose; about what we have in common and how our shared values, as expressed in the Earth Charter's 16 ethical principles, can underpin any organizations vision and planning. He then shared about the diverse educational projects he is involved in, especially the Day of Respect that is celebrated annually in over 3.000 primary schools all over the Netherlands, as well as the intergenerational Feather Project. 

The main purpose of the MoU signed by ECI and FEE is to spread information and knowledge about the Earth Charter across the Eco-Schools network, providing Eco-Schools with another theme or project through which they can implement their activities. 

To find out more about the eco schools network please visit their website here.

           The Jacob Soetendorp Institute for Human Values gladly presents the second, revised edition of the Earth Charter Guide to Religion and Climate Change that has been produced by Earth Charter Program Coordinator Michael Slaby in a two-year process of research and consultation with scientists and experts in the Earth Charter Initative and the larger interfaith community. 

The Guide presents some core facts about climate change and its interrelated social, environmental, political, economic and ethical challenges; provides an overview of good practice examples of religious engagement on global warming, and suggests a methodology for integrated ethical reflection on climate change.

The Earth Charter is a declaration of fundamental principles for building a just, sustainable and peaceful global society in the 21st century. It was drafted in an unprecedented international consultation process involving thousands of experts and citizens from all walks of life.

Rabbi Awraham Soetendorp was part of the Earth Charter Commission that was formed in 1997 to oversee the drafting process. In the year 2000, the final version of the Earth Charter was launched at the Peace Palace in The Hague. Since then, the Charter and its integrated ethical framework for sustainable development has been endorsed by around 5.000 NGOs, educational institutions, religious communities, businesses and governments including UNESCO and the World Conservation Union IUCN. Rabbi Soetendorp promotes the Earth Charter wherever he can. All activities of the Institute are geared to putting the Earth Charter into action and make its inspiring vision a felt reality in the Netherlands and throughout the world.

Since January 2009, Rabbi Soetendorp co-chairs the Earth Charter Task Force on Religion, Spirituality, and Ethics that engages a broad range of individuals, institutions, and organizations concerned with religion, spirituality, ethics, to use the Earth Charter in their efforts toward creating a just, peaceful, and sustainable future and coordinates a network of around 600 religious and spiritual communities that have endorsed the Earth Charter.

Read more about the Global Earth Charter Initiative and its programs: www.earthcharter.org