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Dr. Crowell shares inspiring stories and projects behind a number of his publications. On systems thinking, he not only stresses on the interconnection reflected in the content of teaching and learning, but also draws attention to the interaction in the classroom, the connection among teachers, and the dynamics in the school. Seeing emergence as part of systems thinking, Dr. Crowell gives a lucid introduction to the process in emergent teaching. As for transformative learning, he sums up the essential aspects as participation, engagement, choice, and sharing. Dr. Crowell believes that sustainability should be the focus of education endeavours, and that the introduction of the Earth Charter to classrooms should go beyond reading and discussion. Educators should guide students to take the Earth Charter to their heart, their community, and ultimately, the world.

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The challenges of development in India have led Mr. Kartikeya Sarabhai to consider the role of education, especially in the aspect of communication. He attaches great importance to the invisible word “for” in the acronym “ESD,” and distinguishes “ESD” (Education for Sustainable Development) from “SDE” (Sustainable Development Education). When comparing Education for Sustainable Development with conventional education, Mr. Sarabhai highlights three features of the former: integration, critical thinking, and observation. In the same vein, the Earth Charter presents a holistic view, evokes consciousness, and calls for ethical thinking in addition to critical thinking. From an alternative perspective, the Earth Charter echoes Gandhian thinking as they both question human lifestyles and how societies are organised and managed. He comments on the linkages between Gandhi’s philosophy and the Earth Charter, drawing from the publication he was involved in putting together: Earth Charter & Gandhi – Towards a Sustainable World (2010).

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In this episode, Dr. Saraph shares his thought-provoking ideas on systems thinking and the interdependence of all parts in a system. Many decision-makers fail to recognize the interdependence and see the whole, as they focus on the parts or just the symptoms and become addicted to the three key tools, which only cover up the symptoms: technology, markets, and politics. The treatment of such addictions centers on systems literacy, which can be developed even from primary and secondary education. To be an individual systems thinker, Dr. Saraph’s advice is: be humble and work together with other parts of the systems in making the world a beautiful place.

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Dr. Lambooy explains how the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Earth Charter are complementary in three categories, and how these two documents provide the normative, ethical framework for every individual and group to play its part in overcoming the world’s fundamental challenges. Regarding the business sector, the Earth Charter in particular, can help shape the vision of companies large or small, so that they can contribute more towards sustainable development. In addition, the Earth Charter can be used to determine whether a business that claims to be a social enterprise truly serves a social purpose. Professor Lambooy also shares a story about how the Earth Charter was instrumental in addressing a trade conflict between The Netherlands and India, to find common ground and reach a resolution with lasting, positive outcomes.

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Confused by the competition culture in his early years, Mr. Motomura  drew inspiration from a poem and came to realise that the best  entrepreneurs are those who search for the common good. Mr. Motomura  considers opposite of common good to be selfishness and individualism,  and that these qualities have evolved to be collective egotism nowadays,  generating crises. The Earth Charter, in Mr. Motomura’s opinion,  defines what the common good is. He stresses the importance to convey  the essence of the Earth Charter in participatory dialogues and allow  people to adapt the essence to their local contexts rather than focus on  the letter (meaning the detailed of words). On leadership, Mr. Motomura  talks about being conscious about the reality in which society operates  today. Since systemic problems require systemic solutions, leaders are  advised to be courageous, to elicit participation of enlightened  citizens for the collective creativity, and be “three-fold strategic” in  the collective movement towards the common good.

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