The Earth Charter Highlighted at UNEP Youth Leadership Training in Shanghai

 

The Earth Charter was highlighted at the 2007 Asia-Pacific Young Leaders Programme on Environment for Sustainable Development that took place in Shanghai. The ten-day programme was organized by the UNEP-Tongji Institute of Environment for Sustainable Development (IESD), which UNEP and Tongji University of Shanghai opened in 2002 for the purpose of strengthening scientific research and providing educational programs in environment and sustainable development. Thirty-one young environmental professionals from the Asia-Pacific region were selected for their leadership potential and prospects of positions of influence.

 

Now in its fourth year, the ten-day programme is designed to provide young professionals an opportunity to broaden their knowledge on environment for sustainable development, and to establish a network of young environmental leaders in the Asia-Pacific region. For the first time, the training included a module on ethics and values for sustainable development based on the Earth Charter, which was very well received. Several young leaders indicated their interest in learning more about the Earth Charter Youth Initiative and ECI Program Coordinator Michael Slaby was asked to also present the Charter to the students of the IESD International Masters Programme in Environmental Management and Sustainable Development.

 

ECI’s involvement in the programme can be seen as a major step in strengthening the Earth Charter’s presence in the Asia-Pacific region, and constitutes a first action-oriented collaboration and engagement with UNEP. For more info on the course, see http://www.rrcap.unep.org/leadership/index.cfm