Joan Anderson of SGI (left) shares reflections on how SGI groups worldwide are putting sustainability into action.
The Earth Charter was launched 25 years ago in a ceremony held at the Peace Palace in The Hague, the Netherlands. To celebrate its twenty-fifth anniversary and all that has been accomplished since, an event titled “Planetary Consciousness, Ethics of Care, and Intergenerational Justice” was organized by the Earth Charter International (ECI) in The Hague from 1–3 July 2025. The event also looked ahead at what more can be done to raise awareness of the Charter and addressed common global challenges. Over 340 participants from 35 countries across the world gathered. In addition to speeches and panel discussions, participants heard musical performances on the theme of caring for the community of life on each of the three days.
On the first day, Earth Charter International Executive Director Mirian Vilela, Council Members, former Commissioners and a youth representative offered an overview of the Earth Charter’s 25-year journey.
Nobuyuki Asai of SGI delivered a presentation at the session titled “Sharing Experiences: Expanding Horizons for Intergenerational Justice.”
Parallel sessions then explored the Earth Charter network’s key areas of impact: education, global governance, environmental law and intergenerational justice. Nobuyuki Asai of SGI delivered a presentation at the session titled “Sharing Experiences: Expanding Horizons for Intergenerational Justice.” He firstly described Shakyamuni’s life work as a path of dialogue and explained that this tradition is continued today within SGI. He also explained SGI’s exhibit initiative, which aims to promote dialogue among viewers. Particularly in India, young students often serve as guides for the exhibit showings, and intergenerational dialogue often takes place.
On the second day, held at the Peace Palace, several sessions were held to explore the role of the Earth Charter in today’s world. During “Transformative Agendas, Positive Action and the Earth Charter,” Joan Anderson of SGI shared reflections on how SGI groups around the world are putting sustainability into action and stressed the importance of the consistently positive vision that the Earth Charter offers.
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Participants view the exhibition Seeds of Hope and Action, coproduced by SGI and ECI, which was displayed at the venue as an example of an educational tool conveying the values of the Earth Charter.
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Nobuyuki Asai presents Green Generation Initiative Founder Elizabeth Wathuti with a book in front of the panel featuring her mentor Wangari Maathai from the SGI exhibition Seeds of Hope
The third day was held at the Landgoed Zonheuvel hotel, situated in a beautiful natural environment in Doorn that encapsulated the spirit of the Earth Charter. Conference participants were joined by 50 young people who had joined the We Grow Together summer camp.
Throughout the conference, a group of young leaders was invited to listen to the presentations and engage in dialogue with a special focus on the perspectives of future generations, nature and voices that are often overlooked. Their closing reflections helped amplify these viewpoints.
The Peace Palace in The Hague, venue of the ceremony marking the twenty-fifth anniversary of the Earth Charter.
SGI representatives from several countries including India and Italy joined the event, and the exhibition “Seeds of Hope and Action,” coproduced by SGI and ECI, was displayed at the venues as an example of an educational tool that conveys the values of the Earth Charter and a message of hope and empowerment.
All the participants enjoyed deep dialogue, reconfirmed the significance of the Earth Charter in today’s fragmented world and renewed their determination to promote it in their respective communities.
