Global Citizenship

Curricular Initiatives
Global Citizenship

What does it look like when we put the idea of a world lived in common at the center of our work as educators? This question led to the theme of Washington Center's 2005 conference, Education for a World Lived in Common: Environmental, Economic and Social Justice and to the organizing of a pre-conference symposium, Globalizing the Curriculum: Where We Need to Work Now.

At the symposium, Bellevue Community College's 2005 Fulbright scholar-in-residence, Dr. Eduardo Gomes, a political scientist from Brazil, addressed the question "What do students-in particular US students-need to understand as we go forward in the 21st century and what are the implications for globalizing the curriculum?" During the day's conversations and workshop sessions, we realized that this new area of work for the Washington Center is vitally important and difficult to navigate.

One document that helps us find our way is The Earth Charter. Imagine a decade-long, worldwide, cross-cultural conversation involving thousands upon thousands of individuals and hundreds of organizations on the fundamental principles for building a just, sustainable, and peaceful global society in the 21st century. The product of this extensive collaborative process is a document founded on four cornerstones:

respect and care for the community of life
ecological integrity
social and economic justice
democracy, nonviolence and peace

Throughout the world, national and local organizations are part of The Earth Charter Initiative. This international network invites the arts, sciences, religions, educational institutions, media, businesses, nongovernmental organizations, and governments to offer creative leadership to realize The Earth Charter's values and principles.

We believe The Earth Charter will prove to be as powerful an agent for social change as its predecessor, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

The Earth Charter Initiative
The Earth Charter is written as a call to action. Its principles embrace the ideas and values found in the teachings of indigenous peoples and the wisdom of the world's great philosophical traditions and religions. It also draws on contemporary science, international law, reports from United Nations summit conferences, the global ethics movement, and nongovernmental declarations and treaties.

University Leaders for a Sustainable Future
University Leaders for a Sustainable Future (ULSF) assists colleges and universities in making sustainability an integral part of curriculum, research, operations and outreach.

More Resources

washcenterevergreen.edu
(360) 867-6611