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Declaration of Rights & Responsibilities
Each school performed research on their respective issues and proposed six right and six responsibilities. These were supplied to each school via the Internet to be a vehicle for the beginning of the summit and a basis for discussion of solutions.

A Preamble Committee was formed, consisting of one representative from each country where they came together to share their ideas on the content of the Preamble. After exploring many ideas they decided on a preamble to the declaration of Environmental Rights and Responsibilities.

A Screening Committee was also formed consisting of two representatives from each country. They had the task of reviewing each country's proposed rights and responsibilities. In making sure there was no duplication in each research area (they did not check for duplication across issues because each research area was different, requiring different solutions). They also checked for grammar and addressed any concerns from the delegates. Another task of the Screening Committee was to decide on the format and titles of the declaration. The following format is the one of their choosing as are the section and sub-section headings.

To make the above decisions, and facilitate debate, a simplified version of parliamentary procedure was developed and used. This procedure is also being used in multinational committee to craft solutions. The following are key terms, a mock agenda and rules of etiquette.


Preamble

We, the future leaders of the world, in an effort to balance social equity, economic prosperity, and ecological integrity, establish that the environment has rights needing to be respected and that the citizens of the world have responsibilities toward the environment and the community that must be fulfilled. People of the world must have access to information, an active voice in government; private industry and the government must contribute to solutions for environmental problems and people need to employ effective measures to create sustainable life styles.We seek to combat the problems of land degradation,  deforestation, toxic waste disposal, energy and resource use, rapid urbanization, and corporate and social responsibility, for the benefit of the earth and all its inhabitants.


Rights and Responsibilities toward the environment
and our community, with respect to:


SECTION 1:  LAND DEGRADATION

a) RIGHTS

  1. All members of the community have the right of access and the opportunity to use their land in a sustainable manner by discussing environmental concerns and becoming empowered in formulating and implementing action programmes, that are symbiotic with their local environment and will help solve the issues.
  2. The community has a right to live on land which provides a sustainable lifestyle, free of risk.
  3. The community has the right to expect continuous research and monitoring of the land to enable best practice to be followed so that the land is conserved for future generations.
  4. The government has the right to co-ordinate and legislate against practices in the community that degrade the land / environment making it vulnerable for future generations.
  5. The rights of the land / environment should be considered before the community; and the community before that of individuals.
 b) RESPONSIBILITIES
  1. The community has the responsibility to use and care for their land in a manner that maintains its quality and value for future generations.
  2. The community has the responsibility to learn and help others understand how to live and work co-operatively with the land in a sustainable manner.
  3. The government has the responsibility to understand environmental issues and to co-ordinate regulate and fund programmes that research, monitor, educate and empower the community to solve their problems.
  4. Members of a community have the responsibility to recognise and take action to solve their local environmental, social and economic issues in a balanced manner.
  5. The community has the responsibility to respect the rights of the land / environment when making decisions about its use.

c)  SOLUTIONS





SECTION 2:  DEFORESTATION

a) RIGHTS

  1. Citizens have the right to ask the authorities to monitor activities concerning ecological reservations.
  2. Citizens have the right to participate in political decisions regarding environmental issues.
  3. The environment has the right to be preserved, especially in areas in danger of deforestation.
  4. Citizens have the right to be informed about their environment and their territorial limitations.
  5. Citizens have the right to participate in educational programs regarding the environment to gain knowledge about improving the land around them and ways to use the land without destroying it.
  6. The government has the right to interfere in any type of activities causing harm to the environment.
 

b) RESPONSIBILITIES

  1. The authorities have the responsibility to monitor activities in environmental reservations.
  2. The government has the responsibility to promote educational programmes about the environment that give the public a better understanding of the area that they live in.
  3. All the citizens have the responsibility to respect all preserved areas.
  4. The government has the responsibility of controlling the sale of chemical substances and products which may cause damage to the environment.
  5. The government has the responsibility of preserving forest areas which are in danger of deforestation.
  6. The government has the responsibility to provide the citizens with a way to maintain the environment to keep the physical and social integration.
c)  SOLUTIONS


SECTION 3: TOXIC WASTE DISPOSAL

a) RIGHTS

  1. Citizens in all areas of the world, and in every part of their country, have the right to live in an environmentally safe community.
  2. Citizens have the right of access to all information collected by governmental, environmental and commercial agencies concerning the effects of toxic waste and toxic waste disposal on the environment and existing populations.
  3. Citizens have the right to be an active part of any decision-making process involving the disposal of toxic waste in their community or surrounding areas.
  4. The government has the right to demand, enforce and monitor proven environmentally safe methods of treating toxic waste by industries and communities despite the costs involved.
  5. Citizens have the right to free quality health care which will both serve as a preventive factor against long-term effects caused by toxic waste disposal and treatment of immediate effects.

b) RESPONSIBILITIES

  1. Industry and individuals have the responsibility to produce, use, and dispose of toxic materials in an environmentally safe manner.
  2. Industries and government have the responsibility to inform the public of all information pertaining to the treatment and disposal of toxic waste which directly affects their well-being and the environment.
  3. The government has the responsibility of involving its citizens in all decision-making processes concerning the treatment and disposal of toxic waste.
  4. Governments and its citizens have the responsibility of treating and disposing of their own toxic waste without negatively affecting the environment and well-being of the citizens of other nations.
  5. Industries dealing with toxic waste have the responsibility of creating a safe working environment for their workers.
  6. Citizens have the responsibility to work together in recognizing the dangers of toxic waste and find the best possible solutions to this danger; taking into account the needs of the community.
c)  SOLUTIONS


SECTION 4: SUSTAINABLE USE OF ENERGY AND RESOURCES

a) RIGHTS

  1. We have the right to live a safe and healthy life surrounded by clean water and air, and to live free of harmful chemical substances and radioactivity.
  2. We have the right to live with a supply of products and energy necessary for life, and not be forced to use any more than that.
  3. We have the right to request Government to restrict industry by setting standards for a clean and safe environment, and for the conservation of resources and energy.
  4. We have the right to request Government to inform us about the current condition of environmental pollution including water and air pollution, and about the state of consumption of resources and energy.
  5. We have the right to request Government and industry to set up an international co-operation system to solve environmental problems and save resources and energy across the border.
b) RESPONSIBILITIES
  1. We have the responsibility to leave the earth full of abundant resources and energy, free of harmful chemical substances and radioactivity, for the next generation.
  2. We have the responsibility to educate ourselves about the current condition of environmental pollution, the current use of resources and energy, and the desirable and sustainable use of resources and energy.
  3. We are obliged to alter our lifestyle to refrain from polluting the environment and consuming more resources and energy than we need, and we have the responsibility to participate actively in recycling and other environmental conservation activities.
  4. Government, municipal corporations and industries have the responsibility to enforce effective measures regarding recycling resources and the protection of the environment and ecosystem, such as water conservation.
  5. Government and industries have the responsibility to develop energy-saving products, such as automobiles, which are less harmful to the environment, and to promote the safer use of nuclear power and the effective use of natural energy, such as solar and wind power.
  6. Government and industries have the responsibility to set up an international cooperative system for the creation of environmental standards and the prevention of environmental pollution across the borders.
c)  SOLUTIONS


SECTION 5: RAPID URBANIZATION

a) RIGHTS

  1. Citizens have the right to an environment that is not harmful to their health.
  2. Citizens have the right to an environment protected for the benefit of present and future generations.
  3. Citizens have the right to basic civil services including adequate shelter, health services, electricity, water supplies and food.
  4. Citizens have the right to a basic education, including adult basic education.
  5. Citizens have the right to gainful employment.
  6. Citizens have the right to environmentally safe and cost-effective technologies, such as alternative enrgy resources.
b) RESPONSIBILITES
  1. Government and  individuals have  the responsibility to control population growth and the spread of disease through effective health education and family planning.
  2. Government and local authorities have the responsibility to upgrade basic civil services to ensure sustainable housing, better health services, sanitation, electricity and water supplies.
  3. Government and local authorities have the responsibility to improve public transportation so that the use of private motor vehicles is minimized thus reducing congestion, air and noise pollution.
  4. Government and local authorities have the responsibility to encourage higher urban densities and promote rural development so that there may be greater conservation of natural environments.
  5. Government and local authorities have the responsibility to improve communication systems to relay environmental information.
  6. Government, local authorities and individuals have the responsibility to promote capacity building and community involvement through environmental programmes that will make citizens more environmentally responsible.
c)  SOLUTIONS


SECTION 6: CORPORATE AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

a) RIGHTS

  1. Citizens have the right to question industry regarding human health; environmental and economic impact of the methods of manufacture and service on the products available for consumption.
  2. Citizens have the right to live and work in a clean and safe environment, free from hazardous materials that may harm their health, productivity, or the environment.
  3. Government has the right to regualte industry in order to ensure a sustainable environment for future generations.
  4. Citizens have the right to be provided with safe food products produced using environmentally sustainable methods.
  5. Citizens have the right to be provided with energy alternatives and products that are environmentally, socially and economically sound.
  6. Citizens have the right to quality health care based on an international standard.
b) RESPONSIBILITIES
  1. Industries and individuals have the responsibility to produce, use, and dispose of products, including energy, in an environmentally safe manner.
  2. Industries and individuals have the responsibility to extract and use natural resources in a way that sustains ecosystems.
  3. Industries have the responsibility to keep the public aware of the materials used in their products, especially those that have the potential to endanger human and environmental health.
  4. Industries and individuals have the responsibility to provide and sustain a clean and safe living and working environment.
  5. Government has the responsibility to take into consideration the wants and needs of industry, the individual, the community, and the environment in order to make well-rounded decisions in promoting a sustainable future.
  6. Citizens have the responsibility to sustain their health to the best of their ability.
c)  SOLUTIONS


Schoolhouse Home Page Search the Schoolhouse site About the Schoolhouse Contact Us Staff Room Classroom Summits Schoolhouse 2000