The Earth Charter Community Summits are a grassroots effort to bring people together in cities around the world to be inspired to make the Earth Charter's principles a reality in their lives and communities. Earth Charter US, a volunteer community building organization based in Tampa, Florida, is the international organizer for the annual summits held in the Fall. 2002 summits were held in 24 cities around the US and Canada, and were connected by web cast. In 2003 the summits included cities in other countries and were held on Saturday, October 11.

Summit organizers are simply people who have fallen in love with the Earth Charter and want to bring it to their hometowns. They come from a diverse background and have included a graduate student, a former mayoral candidate, a single mom, a printer, a Buddhist, a high school teacher and an environmental activist. The organizers custom design the festivities and the program for their local communities. Time is put aside at the summits for a round-robin viewing of each participating city via the web cast that allows each of them 5 minutes to share their enthusiasm for the Earth Charter. This generates an exciting connection that lets us all know that we are not alone in our efforts to make the Earth Charter's principles come true.

The Earth Charter Community Summits are an important way for us to learn that we are not alone in wanting to live in a world that reflects the values and principles of the Earth Charter. They also serve as a kickoff for local initiatives based on the Earth Charter. Sociologist Paul Ray, Ph.D. studied 100,000 Americans and their values over 14 years and found that one in four value the same things the Earth Charter is about--relationships, sustainability, the oneness of life. However, people who share these values often work for the greater good on their own or with a few friends. It's time to connect and become a catalyst for positive change.

Some ways the Earth Charter is being used include:

International

• International Baccalaureate Organization (1200 schools around the world) endorsed the Earth Charter and is studying ways to integrate the Earth Charter into their curriculum.
• World Federation of Engineering organizations (8 million members in 80 countries) developed a professional code of ethics based on the Earth Charter.

United States

• US Conference of Mayors in June 2001 adopted the Earth Charter and committed mayors to review it in relationship to their work.
• Florida League of Cities adopted Earth Charter in August 2001.
• University of Wisconsin at Oshkosh and the Prescott College have endorsed the Earth Charter to eventually integrate it into all departments.
• Seattle, Washington plus 21 towns in Vermont endorsed the Earth Charter
• Earth Scouts was formed to develop a national program for boys and girls based on the principles of the Earth Charter.
• League of Earth Charter Voters was launched to provide a visible political presence of voters who support the Earth Charter.

Australia

• Teachers' manual developed for primary and secondary classes using the Earth Charter.

Costa Rica

• City of San Jose integrated the principles of the Earth Charter into the everyday work activities of 1800 municipal employees.
  Italy
• One of eight countries that has introduced the Earth Charter into public schools since 1995.

Latin America

• Over 550 radio stations carried weekly radio programs designed to address a particular value of the Earth Charter

Please visit our Earth Charter U.S. website for more information about the summits, and Earth Charter International for more information about international activities.