This is Big News. The Australian Senate has endorsed the Earth
Charter. It will be interesting to see whether or not they do use it
as a guide for legislation in the future, which is part of what the
Earth Charter is designed for.
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1. The Australian Senate endorses the Earth Charter
Australia, 21 June 2005. The important endorsement of the Earth
Charter by the Australian Senate follows the Charters recent
endorsement by the IUCN (The World Conservation Union). It is
encouraging to see Australia again showing international leadership
in the area of education for sustainable development. The motion says
that the Senate:
1. Recognizes and supports the Earth Charter as an important civil
society contribution to our understanding of sustainable development
and the ethics and principles needed to promote a more just,
sustainable and peaceful world;
2. Notes the endorsement of the Earth Charter by the United Nations
Education, Scientific and Cultural Organisation;
3. Encourages the use of the Earth Charter by Federal and state
educational authorities during the UN Decade of Education for
Sustainable Development and;
4. Encourages the further endorsement and use by state and local
government authorities of the Earth Charter as an ethical framework
for more sustainable ways of living."
