Written by Anam Gill
Originated in 1968 the idea of sustainable
development to be incorporated in a charter by Maurice Strong and Mikhail
Gorbachev led to a lot of organisations stepping forward and try to make it a
reality. The charter was created by a global consultation process endorsed by
various organisations, representing the hope of millions to work towards a
sustainable future which focuses on the well- being of human family at large.
It comprised not only of global
connectivity which we as a human race have been sharing for a long time rather
it also obligated to keep in mind the future of mother earth along in it's
struggle for a better world for future generations.
On this road to forming a sustainable
global community Nektarina founded in 2009, wanted to carry this message
forward. The message was simple which is to create a sustainable global
community respecting nature, human rights, economic justice that promotes a
culture of peace. The only hindrance now was making it a reality not letting
the message get distorted on the way like the Chinese whisper.
Mustering up courage along with other
organisations Nektarina wanted to implement the four basic principles of Earth
Charter in all it's projects since it’s inception. Enthusiastic to make a
difference and ardent to make a positive contribution it developed projects
that aimed at engaging people from all over the word, declaring responsibility
to one another, the greater community of human existence and to future
generations.
Projects like Nektarina Connect through
Art, My Planet and Me and Nektarina Visual Essays invited people from all over
the globe to participate using non formal, participatory methods like the
medium of arts to express themselves focusing on caring for community with
love, understanding and compassion. Young people, women and children
participated wholeheartedly in all these projects. Using sustainable art that
comprise the use of various mediums like photography, painting etc to engage people, raise awareness, helping
them to improve their lives and communities with a better understanding of
living in a global community that disseminates the message of protecting the
environment .
21st century is a century of
peaceful coexistence. We must acknowledge the fact that we live in a
pluralistic, diverse world. We stand at a moment in Earth’s history where we
must choose our future. The future holds great perils and promises
simultaneously as the world becomes increasingly interdependent. To move
forward we must keep in mind that as a human family and earth community we must
move forward with a common destiny. Bringing forth a sustainable global society
that is founded on the values of universal human rights, respect for nature ,
economic security and justice and a culture of peace we must join together.
Keeping in mind the first principle of the
charter that is respecting and caring for the community of life, Nektarina
engaged various communities in all it’s projects focusing especially on the
Roma rights. The Roma people have been
segregated since a long time and integrating them into the mainstream is a
challenge in Europe. The campaigns and projects of Nektarina rejects the
isolation of communities based on ethnicity, cast, creed and religion. Moving
on with empathy, compassion and love to build just societies has been an
essential objective of Nektarina. Projects like Connecting Through Art and
Nektarina Web Magazine invites people encouraged everyone to voice their
opinion. Connect through Art was a space especially for women from conflict areas
to express themselves using art forms. Moreover the Visual Essay competition
especially invited young people engaging them to learn more about issues
relevant to their communities. To express their thoughts in creative visual
styles invitations were sent to around 300 educational institutions from all
over the world. Young people were asked to contribute on the issues of human
rights, minorities, environment and integration.
Nektarina’s various educational campaigns
centre on recycling, reducing carbon footprint and development of sustainable
cities keeping in mind the ecological integrity principle of Earth Charter. The
campaigns focused on protecting Earth ecological systems preventing harm as the
best method to protect the environment.
To advance the study of ecological sustainability promoting open
exchange and application of acquired knowledge Nektarina has dedicated a space
for the publication of researches, articles, and other publications that
stresses on the need to adopt patterns of production, utilization and
reproduction that safeguards the ecological system. All Nektarina’s publications including the
web magazine are for everyone under creative commons licensing. The essential
aspect behind these various projects and publications is to connect people from
across the globe to share ideas, educating and inspiring them to work for a
peaceful global community.
To promote social and economic justice
strengthening democratic institutions and promoting a culture of peace and
non-violence Nektarina came up with an initiative Education for Sustainability.
The aim of this initiative is to make sustainability part of the educational
institution’s curriculum. To inculcate in children the importance of a
sustainable world that safeguards their future. Education plays a vital role in
human development. Educating young people which will enable them to gain an
understanding, knowledge, values and skills and address environmental and
social changes issues. Education for sustainability is a step forward to include
sustainable education in the “official” curriculum with the help of education
ministries and departments, institutions and councils and boards relevant to
the field of education around the world.
Children of today are our future, our hope
for a better world. Letting them learn to think ecologically and developing a
capacity to apply this understanding effectively to develop better communities
is an essential measure in today’s age and time. A true sustainable community is diverse,
dynamic and continuously evolving. Starting off by educating children
encourages us to dream and hope for thriving, sustainable human communities. We
can learn this from the nature’s ecosystems which are sustainable communities
of animals, microorganisms and plants. Education itself centres on
environmental or sustainable education where students are taught that they are
a part of natural world, now they should also be taught to protect the natural
world.
In Pakistan the local education ministry
at provincial level tried to incorporate value education which was related to
sustainable education in the public schools. With limited resources they
developed curriculum and trained the teachers to pass on the knowledge of how
children can take small steps that will make a big difference. Those small
steps starts from saving energy my switching of unwanted lights, closing the
water taps while brushing, keeping a litter free environment to the importance
of recycling to name a few.
A curriculum especially designed to impart
knowledge on waste management, protecting the forests, looking after each other
and thinking about a greater community, a global community will equip the
children with a better understanding of the world. The project Education for
Sustainability is in line with the fundamental principle of Earth Charter that
talks about Integration
of knowledge, values and skills needed for sustainable living into formal
education. The importance of educating children to understand and act on the
issues of sustainable world was seconded at Earth Summit. Keeping in mind that
today’s students will be tomorrow’s leaders and decision makers helping them
engage in debates , letting them acquire a better understanding of the world
and global community will be a positive step for the future.
We live in
a unique time in history where the technological advancements are prodigious.
These advancements added both to the progress and recession of world
communities. Keeping in mind this juxtaposition we need to work towards an
impact that only contributes positively. Living in a globalized world where the
distances are becoming less with each passing year, globalization is bringing
people and cultures together. We have transcended the geographical and national
boundaries in communication. This
definitely proves the point that we are at stage where the problems associated
with the Earth are no longer affecting one region or group of people rather we
all are affected equally by the problems that affects the marginalised groups
more. This is an important time in history where we have to take each other
with us on our struggle to build a better world.
The Earth
Charter is based on intercultural dialogue fostering the need for unified
responsibility. Nektarina has been acting on this principle of integration.
Nektarina comprises of a multicultural
team from all over the world including Pakistan, Croatia, France, India, Fiji,
Trinidad & Tobago, Spain and people working in Nektarina have travelled
extensively getting to know various cultures, equipping themselves with a
better understanding of the world communities. Nektarina in upholding the Earth
Charter principle of mutual respect and understanding by giving equal
opportunity to everyone involved in it’s mission.
The principles and values in the Earth Charter reflect the
influence of a rich diversity. The vision of shared values in the Earth Charter
is especially focused on environment.
However, the inclusion of ethical vision reflecting the realization that
political, socio-economic and cultural challenges are interrelated. Nektarina
is trying it’s best to take everything together keeping in mind all the
principles. Nektarina recognizes the interconnections between human rights and
protection of ecosystems promoting a culture of justice and peace. This
holistic understanding is reflected through Nektarina’s various projects and
campaigns that do constitute sustainable development in it’s core.
At the heart of the
Earth Charter is a tenet of respect for life on the recognition that all beings
are inter-reliant and all life forms have value irrespective of their worth to individuals.
Beginning with an attitude of respect for others and finding expression in caring,
preventing harm and promoting well-being these tenets inculcate a sense of ethical
responsibility. Earth Charter encourages everyone to identify with the global community
as well as their local communities and to be compassionate towards the entire
human family.
The ethics of Earth
Charter and Nektarina are grounded in a shared vision of widely shared
responsibility for the planet Earth and it’s inhabitants. Nektarina does
believe that human existence is about being more not having more. The shared
values between Nektarina and Earth Charter do focus special attention on the
environment. The vision is inclusive
realizing that all global challenges facing the world today are interrelated.
Nektarina asserts that the spirit of human solidarity lies in the kinship with
all life, mutual understanding and gratitude. Keeping in mind the Earth Charter
principles Nektarina believes in the vision of a peaceful and just world
celebrating life joyfully.
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