International Conference, 1 – 3 November 2010, CEE, Ahmedabad, India
 
  Plenary-1  
  Inauguration Plenary  
   
  The Conference was inaugurated by the Governor of Gujarat Dr. Shrimati Kamla. Kartikeya Sarabhai, Director CEE welcomed the audience on behalf of the Conference organizers and expressed his hope that the conference would generate a range of positive outcomes in taking the Earth Charter forward. Citing the example of the one time barren and now lush CEE campus he spoke of how with a little support and protection, nature's regenerative capacity is powerful enough to transform once barren land into a thriving and verdant ecosystem teeming with life. Mirian Vilela (Executive Director, Earth Charter International) informed the gathering about the various  Earth Charter +10 events which were held in different regions of the world prior to the Conference. She expressed hope that there would be a good exchange of ideas during the three days of the conference that would help develop the vision and the roadmap for the next decade. Shri Amit Khare, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Human Resource Development( MHRD) addressed the audience on behalf of MHRD and said that sustainable development for India meant taking a development path that included making the right choices towards sustainability.

He spoke about the principles of Government of India in taking the sustainable development path and the Government’s focus on a multi-pronged strategy for ensuring the overall growth and well-being of the people by focusing on sustained livelihood, right to food and work as well as access to basic health, nutrition and education

Policy initiatives and programmes such as the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA), National Rural Health Mission (NHRM), Total Sanitation Campaign (TSC) and other  poverty alleviation programmes. Professor Steven Rockefeller addressed the audience on behalf of the Earth Charter International. The DG UNESCO, Ms Irina Bokova’s address was read out by A. Parsuramen, Director UNESCO, Delhi who also addressed the audience independentally.