| Sustainable Business Event |
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ECUS is the national office for the Earth Charter in the United States and is an NGO Delegate to the United Nations’ Commission on Sustainable Development. The ECUS mission is to inspire, educate and engage people in making the Earth Charter’s vision and principles for sustainability a reality through policy initiatives, community actions, and lifestyle changes. The Earth Charter is a global declaration and commitment for a sustainable future that was written by thousands of people in 78 countries over the course of ten years and launched at The Hague Peace Palace in 2000. The Earth Charter’s 16 principles provide an ethical framework for sustainability that include environmental, economic and social factors, participatory democracy and a culture of peace. The Earth Charter has been endorsed by over 14,000 organizations including the US Conference of Mayors, Calvert Fund Ltd., World Federation of Engineering Organizations, International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives, UN Parliament of World Religions and the International Academy of Science. Sustainable DevelopmentThe United Nations, national governments, corporations and non-governmental organizations are partners in the sustainable development movement, which was inspired by the iconic image of the earth from space during the Apollo 1969 moon mission. At the heart of sustainable development is the interconnection of economic, social, environmental, and human issues. This has led to global, national and community policies to address the wellbeing of people and the planet as well as the generation of profits. Indicative of the growth of the sustainable development movement are initiatives like the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (a CEO-led global association of 200 companies) and the United Nations Environmental Program’s Sustainable Buildings and Construction Initiative. Sustainable Business Awards EventThe purpose of the Sustainable Business Awards is to build interest in and commitment to sustainable business by companies and the general public. It will also be the initial step to forming a Tampa Bay Sustainable Business Coalition. Earth Charter U.S. is forming a steering committee for the Sustainable Business Awards event being planned for Friday, October 10th in conjunction with the Global Climate Change Community Summits being hosted by University of Tampa on October 11, 2008 and webcast to 58 cities. The awards’ event will provide a prototype for members of the Earth Charter Community Alliance to use in their locales around the country. Sustainable Business Awards go to small, medium and large sized companies/businesses following the Tampa Chamber of Commerce categories; Companies can be nominated or nominate themselves for recognition according to the different sections of the Earth Charter principles--environmental practices, employee wellbeing/diversity, community involvement; Participants tell the company’s story through videotape and written applications. ECUS will upload each winners’ name, business type, award and video story to the ECUS website. The judges will include business CEOs, community members, business experts/consultants/educators and members of ECUS Board of Directors. Steering CommitteeChair of Sustainable Business Awards’ Event, Guy King—CEO ME Wilson Steering Committee members include Duncan Broyd ( Managing Principal HOK), Mark House, (Beck Construction), Fred Bennett, (VP Lykes), Charlotte Starfire (Dir. Global Solutions SunTrust), George Sherman, (Professor Ethics, St. Pete College), Judy Ryan, (VP TECO retired). |