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Recommendations |
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Earth Charter as a tool |
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1. |
There is a need to initiate a decade of the Earth Charter (EC) so that it gets adequate importance and it’s principles can be imbibed in the formal systems of Education. |
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2. |
The Earth Charter principles can be taken as the base tool to develop practical courses at higher education (HE) level so that ethics could be taught practically rather than only theory. The EC Principles have been used by the University of Peace, Costa Rica to develop a course plan titled ‘Sustainability principles through the lenses of the Earth Charter’. It can be used by other Universities as a source course to develop similar courses at higher education level. |
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The EC principles have been used by the Banaras Hindu University, India to develop a Value Promotion Policy and an Environment Policy for the University. Similar policies may be developed by other higher education Institutions. |
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The EC is a good ethical framework for education for sustainable development (ESD) and it can be used as a fundamental critic of the capitalistic system. |
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EC-Assess is an ethics-based assessment tool developed based on Earth Charter by Earth Charter International. This can be adapted for developing similar tools by other institutions. |
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Vision for the next decade |
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The road map of EC to the next decade should be based on the experiences so far of the EC and the Decade of Education for Sustainable Development (DESD). |
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7. |
Conditioning of the minds of the higher education decision makers is important to implement the principles of EC. Thus, awareness and motivation of the decision makers should be emphasized. |
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8. |
The EC principles should be incorporated in the formal higher education system in the learning process of student, research and campus management. But, it should be left to the individual countries and institutions to adopt or adapt the relevant principles of EC. |
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9. |
EC and SD courses should especially be given to those students, who have the potential to be future leaders, who can shape the nations through the EC principles. |
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10. |
The EC principles should be taught through integrating them in existing curricula without introducing a separate subject and without increasing curricular load. |
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11. |
To achieve true sustainable development, it is important to understand and address the interconnectedness of development, environment, peace, conflict and other social dimensions simultaneously. Thus, there is a need of a paradigm shift from mono-cultural to trans-disciplinary approach in higher education. |
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12. |
Higher Education Institutions should validate and recognise the importance of local approaches based on local knowledge systems to incorporate them in higher education. |
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13. |
Higher Education Curricula should have good case studies and examples that exemplify EC principles. |
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14. |
In the next decade, there should be adequate focus on strengthening research on ESD, developing materials, teacher trainings and developing curricula for universities and colleges. |
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15. |
All professional courses should be designed so that it can guide the students on the limits of growth, profitability and profiteering. |
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There should be indicators to monitor the integration of EC principles in the Higher Education institutions. Indicators can be developed to assess values. EC-Assess is such an ethics-based assessment tool developed based on Earth Charter. |
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17. |
Higher Education institutions should engage in dialogue with teachers and students from both rural and urban background in deciding the future course of action. |
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18. |
Youth, being a major stakeholder in any decision in Higher Education should have a role in the decision making. |
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19. |
There is limited access to higher education in many parts of the world due to investment constraints. An Open University model might be effective in this regard. This would help in cost effectiveness and drawing in experiences and expertise and will increase accessibility and bring in greater equality. Open Universities using ICT should emphasize on EC principles. |
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20. |
Quality of education largely depends on the leadership and capacity of the teachers. Thus, a separate portal of EC for teacher training and capacity building should be developed. |
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21. |
Campuses of the Higher Education institutions should be so designed that they send out a message to all. Green campuses, environmental policy, value promotion policy may be included as the integral component of evaluation and accreditation of institutions. |
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22. |
Higher education, through peace education, sociology etc. should contribute towards establishing greater North-South, North-North and South-South cooperation. EC principles may be useful in this regard. |
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Strengthening Partnerships |
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23. |
Civil Society is a driving force to help Higher Education institutions move towards sustainability. Earth Charter as a civil society should play an important role in this in the next decade. |
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24. |
Higher Education institutions should partner with civil society to share experiences, expertise and resources. Partnership of civil society in the governance of such institutions should be encouraged. |
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25. |
It is important to find and get key decision makers as partners or participants in conferences like Ethical Framework for a Sustainable World. |
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26. |
Partnerships with the universities and colleges that are not fully affiliated by the government and having autonomy to decide their courses and management, may prove to be critical in promoting EC principles. |
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27. |
A forum should be created for universities and other HE institutions to promote EC and ESD |
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28. |
The following networks should be explored for strengthening partnership for promoting the EC principles: Global University Network for Innovation; Copernicus Alliance; European Network on Higher Education for Sustainable Development; Regional Centres of Expertise on ESD (RCE); ProsperNet of UNU
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EC in DESD and RIO +20 |
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29. |
EC getting a recognition in the UN-system is important. In Rio+20, Governments and UN agencies are going to participate. Thus, influencing the Rio+20 will be very crucial to get government endorsement for EC. |
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30. |
EC should engage in dialogue with the UN system to get formal entry in the Rio+20 event. |
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