Global Ethic | parliamentofreligions.org

"Towards a Global Ethic: An Initial Declaration," also known as The Global Ethic expressed a shared set of core values found in the teachings of the world's religious, spiritual, and ethical traditions. The Ethic, mostly drafted by Professor Hans Küng in consultation with several hundred leaders and scholars, became an official document of the Parliament of World's Religions in 1993. For the first time in history, representatives of all the world's major religions agreed that there are common ethical commitments foundational to each of their traditions. These include:

  1. Commitment to a Culture of Non-violence and Respect for Life.
  2. Commitment to a Culture of Solidarity and a Just Economic Order.
  3. Commitment to a Culture of Tolerance and a Life of Truthfulness.
  4. Commitment to a Culture of Equal Rights and Partnership Between Men and Women.
  5. Commitment to a Culture of Sustainability and Care for the Earth.

Since it was ratified, The Global Ethic has given rise to several organizations. These include the Global Ethic Foundation, the Institute for Global Ethics, and the United Religions Initiative. Themes advanced in the Global Ethic have inspired documents including the Universal Declaration of Human Responsibilities, the Earth Charter, and the Charter of Compassion.

On the 25th Anniversary of The Global Ethic, at a meeting of the Parliament in July, 2018, the fifth directive – a commitment to a culture of sustainability and care for the earth – was added after a broad, months-long consultative process and the approval of the Parliament of the World’s Religions’ Board of Trustees.

Today, the Global Ethic continues to supply the moral foundation for a better individual and a better world. The Parliament of the World’s Religions encourages all people to commit themselves to living according to the values and principles of this common global ethic. The Parliament also calls for people all over the world to signal their support by signing it.

The Principles of a Global Ethic

We are persons who have committed ourselves to the precepts and practices of the world’s religions. We confirm that there is already a consensus among the religions which can be the basis for a global ethic—a minimal fundamental consensus concerning binding values, irrevocable standards, and fundamental moral attitudes.

Directive I

Commitment to a Culture of Non-violence and Respect for Life.

Directive II

Commitment to a Culture of Solidarity and a Just Economic Order.

Directive III

Commitment to a Culture of Tolerance and a Life of Truthfulness.

Directive IV

Commitment to a Culture of Equal Rights and Partnership Between Men and Women.

Directive V

Commitment to a Culture of Sustainability and Care for the Earth.

Explore the Global Ethic

Global Ethic & Guiding Institutions (2015 Edition)
Towards A Global Ethic (An Initial Declaration & The Fifth Directive)
The Fifth Directive: Commitment to a Culture of Sustainability and Care for the Environment