After ten weeks of reading, reflecting, discussing, evaluating, and experimenting, 21 young people from Latin America and Spain completed the Earth Charter International training in “Leadership, Sustainability and Ethics”. This online programme was designed for motivated, talented young people to build their skills and knowledge to effectively lead the transition to more sustainable, just, and peaceful societies.
Over the ten weeks, participants grappled with the concepts and practical implications of
- Leadership
- Ethics
- Sustainability
- The Earth Charter
- Eco-literacy
- Systemic thinking
- Facilitation
At the end of the training, participants worked together in small groups to design a workshop related to these central themes, and then went offline to organize and facilitate it in their own communities. For many, this was the most rewarding part of the programme since they could directly implement what they had learned and be agents of change in their communities.
Participant Dennis Perez from Costa Rica said: “[The workshop] was rewarding and let me see that every day we learn more; moreover, an ethical framework would serve as a tool for other institutions which can use the Earth Charter as a philosophy. ”
Upon successful completion of the programme, participants received a certificate of recognition from CTI. They were also invited to participate in the Earth Charter Young Leaders (ECYL) Programme, an opportunity to serve as active focal points within the Youth Network for one year. Young Leaders help organize and facilitate online seminars, workshops and courses and create and publish news and stories of the Youth Network. For example, Julián Arias Varela, alumni of the training programme and member of the ECYL, co-facilitated this training with the ECI Youth Projects Coordinator.
In reflecting on her experience in the programme, participant Paola Gonzalez shared “I’m very motivated; I loved the experience and would repeat it a thousand times. ¨
Earth Charter International aims to train at least 300 young leaders over the next three years. This training is part of ECI´s commitment to the UNESCO´s Global Programme of Action on Education for Sustainable Development, particularly in the area of empowerment and mobilization of young people. It was also established in direct recognition of Principles 12c and 14a of the Earth Charter to:
“Honor and support the young people of our communities, enabling them to fulfill their essential role in creating sustainable societies” and “Provide all, especially children and youth, with educational opportunities that empower them to actively development contribute sustainable.”
For information on the next training beginning in January 2017, please visit: https://earthcharter.org/events/leadership-sustainability-ethics.