The ethical dimensions of the evolving security and sustainability agendas in the Mediterranean and the world at large. The most recent Earth Dialogues was held in Brisbane, Australia, in July 2006. The World Forum carried the theme "Resource Management and Sustainable Development" throughout its many seminars, workshops and sessions. The objectives of the dialogues included:
• Sustainable Natural Resources Management – an analysis of the global problem of natural resources depletion and exploring strategies and solutions for improved global management
• Ethics and values: the Earth Charter – examining how to combat current inequalities and injustices and balance the costs and benefits of globalization
• Conflict prevention and resolution – probing the profound connections between the management of our natural resources, world peace, climate change, and poverty
These goals placed a special focus on the Asia Pacific region, the growth of India and China, and the role of Australians – at home and globally. It went on to analyse the global challenge of natural resources depletion, and sustainable, ethical and practical development. More importantly, the dialogue was able to emphasize the profound connection between these global challenges, world peace and the fight against poverty. Co-Chairs Queensland Premier Peter Beattie and Mikhail Gorbachev were joined by other Nobel Peace Prize laureates, high level UN officials, renowned experts and activists from around the world at this lively, pragmatic event which attracted huge public interest.
At the end of the conference participants released an "Appeal for Sustainable Peace" and the "Brisbane Plan of Action" including the following commitments and outcomes: the endorsement of Green Cross International's Campaigns on Solar Energy and the Right to Water; the incorporation of the Earth Charter in Queensland Education's environmental curriculum; the creation of a Queensland Youth Council to enable young people to raise concerns; and the establishment of a Green Cross Australia headquarters in Brisbane.
