Sustainable Communities

The United Church of Canada formally endorsed the Earth Charter in 2006 and recommended its study in United Church congregations.

The Earth Charter is the product of nearly a decade of worldwide, cross-cultural conversations aimed at finding some common principles to create a truly sustainable human society. For peoples of different faiths and cultures, the charter can serve as a wonderful starting point to reflect together on the ethical vision needed to renew the sacred balance of our planet.

A wide number of resources exist to animate work and reflection on the Earth Charter. They can be used in a congregation or community to learn how to be a true One Earth or Creation Community.

The Earth Charter is also an excellent tool for interfaith dialogue on the values and principles needed to renew the Earth's sacred balance. People of different faiths can share how their religious traditions reinforce, complement, and deepen the values needed to create a truly just and sustainable human society in harmony with the Earth.

For more information on using the Earth Charter, see:

• The Earth Charter Initiative Website
  The initiative's website includes an extensive resource section as well as the text of the charter in 31 languages.
• The Earth Charter: A Common Framework for Renewing the Sacred Balance
  An article on the Greening Sacred Spaces website giving a summary of the Earth Charter and a reflection on its significance for faith communities.

For more information, contact:

• Joy Kennedy
  Program Coordinator, Poverty, Wealth, and Ecological Justice
  Tel: 416-231-7680 ext. 4069
  Toll-free: 1-800-268-3781 ext. 4069
  E-mail: Joy Kennedy