-Caveat Lector- <A HREF="http://www.ctrl.org/"> </A> -Cui Bono?- March 15 2000 EUROPE Charter urges moral recovery FROM REUTERS IN PARIS ENVIRONMENT activists unveiled an "Earth Charter" yesterday that is designed as a code of conduct for governments, businesses and individuals in the globalised age. The supporters of the charter, who include Mikhail Gorbachev, the former Soviet President, and Ruud Lubbers, the former Dutch Prime Minister, said that the charter's 16 principles reflected a global demand for moral and ethical values in business and public affairs. The Earth Charter will be presented to the United Nations, governments, businesses, schools and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) as the basis for new laws and codes of conduct. "We need a moral and ethical recovery, not just an economic recovery," Maurice Strong, the co-chairman of the Earth Charter Commission, said. The activists said that many of the principles of the charter had already been adopted by NGOs and used to put pressure on corporations. Mr Lubbers said that company directors were beginning to understand the need to change and to adopt new principles. He noted how Shell responded to criticism of its plan to sink the Brent Spar oil storage buoyand how Nike, the American sportswear manufacturer, was criticised for allegedly using child labour in its Asian shoe factories. Mr Strong said groups including the World Federation of Engineering Associations and the World Tourism and Travel Council had added the Earth Charter to their policies. The principles of the Earth Charter are broadly worded guidelines such as "respect Earth and life in all its diversity" and "build democratic societies that are just, sustainable, participatory and peaceful". "The Earth Charter is a vehicle for changing the mentality of generations to come," said Alexander Likhotal who represented Mr Gorbachev at the meeting. <A HREF="http://www.ctrl.org/">www.ctrl.org</A> DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER ========== CTRL is a discussion & informational exchange list. Proselytizing propagandic screeds are not allowed. Substance—not soap-boxing! These are sordid matters and 'conspiracy theory'—with its many half-truths, misdirections and outright frauds—is used politically by different groups with major and minor effects spread throughout the spectrum of time and thought. That being said, CTRL gives no endorsement to the validity of posts, and always suggests to readers; be wary of what you read. CTRL gives no credence to Holocaust denial and nazi's need not apply. Let us please be civil and as always, Caveat Lector. ======================================================================== Archives Available at: http://home.ease.lsoft.com/archives/CTRL.html http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/ ======================================================================== To subscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SUBSCRIBE CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] To UNsubscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SIGNOFF CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] Om
