. . .“to be transformed and to transform our world. . .for the sake of the mission of Jesus Christ THAT ALL CREATION MAY BE ONE IN THE FULLNESS OF GOD'S LOVE."
(The Call to Transformation)

School Sisters of Notre Dame are keenly aware that fundamental changes are needed to restore Earth’s vitality. This means changing not only our values and ways of living but our institutions, systems and structures as well.

At a time when major changes in how we think and live are urgently needed, and out of our reverence for creation, School Sisters of Notre Dame throughout the world have chosen to study and reflect on the values and principles of the Earth Charter. It challenges us to examine our values and invites us to choose a better way to live our daily lives.

What is the Earth Charter?

The Earth Charter is a declaration of fundamental principles for building a just, sustainable and peaceful global society in the 21st century.

Thousands of people from diverse cultures and regions and hundreds of organizations worldwide participated in shaping this inspiring document. It seeks to inspire in all peoples a new sense of global interdependence and shared responsibility for the well-being of the human family and the larger living world. It is an expression of hope and a call to help create a global partnership at a critical juncture in history.

The 4 broad principles on which the Earth Charter is based are:

• Respect and Care for the Community of Life
• Ecological Integrity
• Social and Economic justice
• Democracy, Nonviolence, Peace

Study Guides to the Earth Charter prepared by School Sisters of Notre Dame are available on request from the Mission Effectiveness Office.

Sister Paulette Zimmerman, SSND 
Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation Coordinator and
SHALOM North America Contact
School Sisters of Notre Dame, St. Louis
Phone: 314-633-7009
Fax: 314-633-7057
pzimmerman@ssnd-sl.org