Concept of Social and Economic Justice in the Earth Charter
Social and Economic justice
The Earth Charter appears on the international scenario at a time when there is a wide spectrum of conditions prevailing in various parts of the globe. From a war ridden country like Afghanistan to a peaceful country like Switzerland, we have a wide variation in conditions that prevail throughout the globe. The advent of modern media and communication has led to the concept of a Global Village. So it becomes impossible that a person living on any part of the globe “protects” or “prevents” himself from a major change that occurs in another part of the globe. Life on one part of the earth is definitely affected by the changes going on around the earth. Positively or negatively is another matter!
“In a real sense, all life is interrelated. The agony of the poor impoverishes the rich; the betterment of the poor enriches the rich. We are inevitably our brother’s keepers because we are our brother’s brother. Whatever affects one directly affects all indirectly” (Martin Luther King)
Problems like poverty, gender inequality, illiteracy and discrimination in all its forms, are widespread throughout the world, and so are the effects of these problems. Exploitation of the poor by the rich is a commonly observed problem. Low income, illiteracy and poor health conditions throw the poor population in a viscous cycle, the escape from which is almost impossible. In such times, The Earth Charter appears to be a “hope for dawn”, for the humanity in all its entirety. It clearly mentions a complete list of nearly all the problems that need to be solved. Focus is on the essential needs of a common human. Clean air, food security, and shelter fall in this category. But clearly there are other requirements that need to be addressed. Education, social security and equitable distribution of wealth are equally emphasized in the Earth Charter. Women have the right to live with a sense of worth and in freedom from want and from fear.
The Earth Charter appears on the international scenario at a time when there is a wide spectrum of conditions prevailing in various parts of the globe. From a war ridden country like Afghanistan to a peaceful country like Switzerland, we have a wide variation in conditions that prevail throughout the globe. The advent of modern media and communication has led to the concept of a Global Village. So it becomes impossible that a person living on any part of the globe “protects” or “prevents” himself from a major change that occurs in another part of the globe. Life on one part of the earth is definitely affected by the changes going on around the earth. Positively or negatively is another matter!
“In a real sense, all life is interrelated. The agony of the poor impoverishes the rich; the betterment of the poor enriches the rich. We are inevitably our brother’s keepers because we are our brother’s brother. Whatever affects one directly affects all indirectly” (Martin Luther King)
Problems like poverty, gender inequality, illiteracy and discrimination in all its forms, are widespread throughout the world, and so are the effects of these problems. Exploitation of the poor by the rich is a commonly observed problem. Low income, illiteracy and poor health conditions throw the poor population in a viscous cycle, the escape from which is almost impossible. In such times, The Earth Charter appears to be a “hope for dawn”, for the humanity in all its entirety. It clearly mentions a complete list of nearly all the problems that need to be solved. Focus is on the essential needs of a common human. Clean air, food security, and shelter fall in this category. But clearly there are other requirements that need to be addressed. Education, social security and equitable distribution of wealth are equally emphasized in the Earth Charter. Women have the right to live with a sense of worth and in freedom from want and from fear.
Cited: Page Earth Charter International Secretariat. The Earth Charter. San José, Costa Rica: Earth Charter Secretariat, Earth Council, 2000s. Corcoran, Peter Blaze, Mirian Vilela, and Alide Roerink. The Earth Charter in Action Toward a Sustainable World. Amsterdam: KIT Publishers, 2005. <http://earthcharterinaction.org/eci_book.shtml> Promoting Gender Equality. 2006. March 18, 2008 <http://www.unfpa.org/gender/index.htm>.