The Soetendorp Institute supports the Call on Governments issued by members of the Forum of Ethics & Responsibilities to start up a process toward the creation of a Charter of Universal Responsibilities as a complement to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The Call on Governments has been initiated by Earth Charter Commissioner Pierre Calamé and offers striking convergences with the interreligious statement towards Rio + 20.

Peoples all around the globe expect governments to respond to the current crises by overcoming national interests and creating an international reference text pertaining to the obligation to assume responsibility to the human family, forthcoming generations and the environment, to evaluate the impacts of far-reaching decisions and to account for the consequences of actions.

Please find the Call on Governments and a draft Charter of Universal Responsibilities here.