OFFICIAL LAUNCH OF EARTH CHARTER IN THE HAGUE

UNCLAS THE HAGUE 001996

SIPDIS


E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM SENV NL UN
SUBJECT: OFFICIAL LAUNCH OF EARTH CHARTER IN THE HAGUE



1. ON JUNE 29, THE EARTH CHARTER COMMISSION HELD A
CONFERENCE IN THE HAGUE OFFICIALLY LAUNCHING THE EARTH
CHARTER CAMPAIGN. MIKHAIL GORBACHEV, A CO-CHAIR OF THE EARTH
CHARTER COMMISSION, ATTENDED THE LAUNCH AS DID HER MAJESTY
QUEEN BEATRIX OF THE NETHERLANDS, AND RUUD LUBBERS, FORMER
DUTCH PRIME MINISTER. MEMBERS OF THE DIPLOMATIC CORPS, THE
MEDIA, AND ACADEMIA ALSO ATTENDED.



2. THE EARTH CHARTER SETS FORTH PRINCIPLES CONCERNING
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION, DEMOCRACY BUILDING, RIGHTS OF
INDIGENOUS PERSONS, PROTECTION OF ENDANGERED SPECIES,
NONVIOLENCE, AND SOCIAL JUSTICE. AN EARTH CHARTER WAS FIRST
PROPOSED AT THE RIO EARTH SUMMIT IN 1992, BUT A DOCUMENT WAS
NOT UNVEILED FOR CIRCULATION UNTIL MARCH 2000.



3. WITH THE LAUNCH OF THE CAMPAIGN, THE COMMISSION INTENDS
TO CIRCULATE THE EARTH CHARTER WORLDWIDE AND LOBBY FOR ITS
ENDORSEMENT BY THE UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY IN 2002.
IT ALSO SEEKS THE USE OF THE EARTH CHARTER IN SCHOOLS AROUND
THE WORLD AS AN EDUCATIONAL RESOURCE.


TOKOLA