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City of Seattle
Seattle City Council
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NEWS ADVISORY
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| SUBJECT: City of Seattle Becomes the Second Large City in the United States to Endorse the Earth Charter
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
9/20/2002 11:57:00 AM |
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Phyllis Shulman 684-8805
Kat Gjovik 842-0223
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City of Seattle Becomes the Second Large City in the United States to Endorse the Earth Charter
Seattle: The City of Seattle has become the second large City in the U.S. (joining Philadelphia), to endorse the Earth Charter. On Monday, September 23, the Seattle City Council and Mayor Greg Nickels will formally proclaim that September 28, 2002 is Earth Charter Day and that the City of Seattle commits itself to embracing the principles of the Earth Charter by "assertively working towards the realization of its aims so that we can assure a healthy future for our community and for our earth."
The Earth Charter was initiated at the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio and is a Declaration of Interdependence that sets forth an integrated and ethical approach to community development based on respect and care for the community of life, ecological integrity, social and economic justice, nonviolence, democracy and peace. The Earth Charter's decade-long drafting has involved the most open and participatory process ever conducted in connection with an international document. It has been shaped by thousands of distinguished people globally, both experts and representatives of grassroots communities, and has been endorsed by governments, organizations and thousands of individuals around the world.
Councilmember Richard Conlin, sponsor of the proclamation, comments, "The Earth Charter helps us locally by connecting our local policies to global objectives. It is a guide for creating achievable sustainable development policies and plans. Seattle has been a leader in making government a model of resource-efficient and environmentally responsible business practices. It is our goal to continue to be aggressive in our actions." As stated in the proclamation, Seattle's Comprehensive Plan is guided by a commitment similar to the Earth Charter, recognizing that "a sustainable culture thrives without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs". Councilmember Conlin adds that the endorsement of the Earth Charter reflects the City's core values expressed in our Comprehensive Plan, "Community, Environmental Stewardship, Economic Opportunity and Security, and Social Equity."
Seattle is one of 24 cities in the United States gathering in Earth Charter Community Summits on September 28 to explore ways to promote the Charter and make its principles a more integral part of their communities. "This bold leadership from the City of Seattle adds great strength to the world wide movement to declare humankind's responsibility to the greater community of life and to future generations," says Fritz Hull, Founding Director of Whidbey Institute, and Northwest Coordinator for the Earth Charter. "It will help set the tone for our Community Summit on September 28."
The local Summit will be held at Bastyr University, 14500 Juanita Drive NE in Kenmore. This free, daylong event will feature a speech by David Korten, author and co-founder of Positive Futures Network. The day will also include discussions, children's activities and celebrations through music and art. Seattle's events will be connected via live Internet webcast to the other participating cities. Information and registration for the Summit can be accessed at
www.earthchartersummits.org.
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Seattle City Council
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