Mission

The mission of Association Pour la Terre (French non-profit association) is to motivate and to act for the purpose of safeguarding the environment through the production and organization of cultural events and resources (concerts, CD, DVD, etc.), to help raise the collective awareness of the urgency that exists to protect the environment and to encourage the installation and use of clean energy. We are locally active in the protection of the environment of the Alpes-Maritimes, nationally and internationally.

Please contact us at info@pourlaterre.org for any information, including membership applications.

Stephen J. Redner, President

Martin Gray, Honorary President

Concept and Purpose of Sustainable Development and Education for Sustainable Development CD/DVD School Kits and Concerts

In 1945, upon the creation of the United Nations, three priorities were identified: Peace, Human Rights, and Social-Economic Development.  In the three decades that followed, peoples and nations came to realize that the environment must also be a priority.  The first international summit took place in 1972 in Stockholm. As a result, it became clear that the concepts of environment and development could not be treated separately and the idea of sustainable development arose.  This idea is most often defined as "a development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs." (Brundtland, 1987)

The Earth Summit of Rio (1992) and the World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg (2002) were major steps, but every day more and more initiatives appear, both locally and globally, on the part of individuals or governments.  Conscious awareness of the problem grows, and globally people are turning in the right direction, but what most experts don't know is:  Are we changing quickly enough? This is why, for some years, it has become more and more clear that Education for Sustainable Development is one of the keys to success.  The General Assembly of the United Nations has, moreover, dedicated one Decade for Education for Sustainable Development (2005-2014).

The Earth Charter

Following the recommendations of the Brundtland report, M. Strong, Secretary-General of the Summits of Stockholm and Rio, hoped at Rio to be able to develop two major documents to help peoples and nations to move toward a sustainable future, two texts which would support one another, one for the indispensable values (The Earth Charter), the other for the projects that it would be necessary to put into action (Agenda 21).  Agenda 21 was adopted, and M. Strong worked next with other organizations to bring about the adoption of The Earth Charter.

The Earth Charter is a declaration of fundamental principles for the creation of a just, sustainable, and peaceful world society.  It is the result of a decade of intercultural and international discussions founded on common objectives and on shared values. (www.earthcharter.org).

The 32nd General Conference of UNESCO (Oct. 2003) supported a resolution affirming the intention of the member states "to utilize the Earth Charter as an educational instrument, particularly in the framework of the United Nations Decade for Education for Sustainable Development" which began 2005.

Principal Stages of Project and Sources of inspiration

Sustainable development is more and more at the heart of the concerns of our local and national governments, of our organizations, and of our businesses. In order that sustainable development becomes a reality, a change must take place in everyone's thinking, and this change must be both progressive and profound.  Music touches both hearts and minds, motivating people on both the emotional and intellectual levels.

The Concept

UNESCO (United Nations Education, Science and Cultural Organization) was assigned the task by the United Nations of coordinating efforts to implement the U.N. Decade of Education for Sustainable Development. They believe that CDs/DVDs, concerts, and School Kits are potent methods of delivering the various messages to children and young people. UNESCO has been given the task by the United Nations of coordinating efforts to implement the U.N.  Decade of Education for Sustainable Development throughout UNESCO's network of 7500 learning institutions and schools in143 countries. The roster of artists and songs representing artists from 5 continents, can be found on our Artists page.

Each song is selected for its artistic and musical quality, the message that it transmits, and the interest it has for young and older listeners.  Each one will be linked to a principle or a key message relevant to Sustainable Development that will be explored in the school kits.

Each CD and School Kit is a valuable tool for teaching children the concepts related to Sustainable Development as amplified in the Earth Charter.  It can be used alone or in combination with other activities such as tree plantings, concerts, etc. Our school kits serve as a bridge between the songs, Sustainable Development principles, and suggest practical exercises, web sites, and applications by the children in their schools.

Principal Stages of the Project

April, 2005: Production of the EARTH CHARTER/UNESCO CD and School Kit,

April, 2006: Official launch by UNESCO of the International EARTH CHARTER/UNESCO CD and School Kit on UNESCO Education for Sustainable Development web site.

December, 2005: Production of the San Francisco Earth Charter/UNESCO CDs. March 2006:distribution of the CDs.

June 11,12 2006: Harmony Festival in Sonoma County, near San Francisco, with a special UNESCO stage, and performances by our participating artists and others.

October, 2006: Distribution to Monaco school children of the Monaco Lions Club H20 mini CD and School Kit

December 2006: Concert for the launch of Agora Energie’ s “Planète Art Energie” department.

February 2007: “ Renewable Energy” mini concert with Planète Art Energie for the students of the Lycée de l’ Annonciade, Monaco

March 2007: Peace and Sustainable Development mini concert at the UNESCO College Andre Chavanne in Geneva, in honor of the Kogis.

September2007: Commence production of the UNEP “ Plant for the Planet, a Billion Trees” CD and School Kit.

November 2007: Commence production of A Tree for Peace; A Tree for the Earth CD and School Kit.

April 2008: Luceram – Planting of 4000 tree saplings and free distribution of CDs and School Kits to school children located in the various participating towns and villages.