Written over a 10-year period by thousands of people in 77 countries, and initiated at the Hague Peace Palace in 2000, the Earth Charter is an international agreement to encourage a sustainable global society that's founded on respect for nature, universal human rights, economic justice and a culture of peace.
"My Backyard is Your Backyard: Building a Spirit of Community" is the theme of this year's Earth Charter Community Summit, which takes place on the HCC-Dale Mabry Campus. Three distinguished guests are scheduled to appear and each share professional insight on the importance of building supportive, connected communities. When Corporations Rule the World author David Korten speaks on the topic, "Are We on Common Ground? How Far Apart Are We?"; Dr. Kathleen Kline, the principal investigator for the Children at Risk: Hardwired to Connect study, presents, "Hardwired to Connect: Liberals & Conservatives on the Same Page"; and John Holton, former site director for Harvard University's School of Public Health neighborhood study, addresses the topic, "Get To Know Your Neighbors for Your Kid's Sake."
An Earth Scouts Festival runs simultaneously with the Summit, and features creative, Earth Charter-related activities for children and youths. For more information, visit www.earthcharter.org.
Earth Charter Summit, 1-5:30 p.m. Sat., Oct. 8. 4001 Tampa Bay Blvd., Tampa, 813-253-7911.
This article appears in Oct 5-11, 2005.