In support of the mission of the Earth Ethics Institute at Miami Dade College to foster Earth Literacy in the course objectives of each discipline, GSELS draws on several international documents, including the four pillars of life-long learning detailed by UNESCO, The Earth Charter, and Thomas Berry’s “12 Principles of Understanding the Universe and the Role of the Human in the Universe Process.” In addition, it is grounded in principles of ecology, and environmental, sustainable and global education concepts.  GSELS course criteria provide the basics to acquire the knowledge and skills needed to cope and constructively engage with the 21st century, including these eight guiding principles of global citizenship.
 

Characteristics of a 21st Century Engaged Citizen
 

GSELS course criteria provide the basics to acquire the knowledge and skills needed
to cope and constructively engage with the 21st century,
including these eight characteristics of a 21st century citizen:

1.     looking at problems in a global context

2.     working cooperatively and responsibly

3.     accepting cultural differences
4.     thinking in a critical and systemic way

5.     solving conflicts non-violently

6.     changing lifestyles to protect the environment

7.     defending human rights

8.     participating in the political process

(From a consensus of experts in nine countries, East and West, as cited in
Sustainable Education by Stephen Sterling, part of the Schumacher Briefings series, published by Green Books for the Schumacher Society, 2001)
 

 Global Sustainability and Earth Literacy Studies - Guiding Philosophy

The Earth Charter

Thomas Berry's -Nature of Universe
 and  12 Principles
of Understanding the Universe,
 

Life Long Learning,
Environmental, Global and
Sustainable Education