Glen T. Martin

The World Constitution and Parliament Association (WCPA)

The Constitution for the Federation of Earth

www.earthconstitution.world

1. Dialogue. A World Citizen develops the capacity for dialogue directed toward mutual understanding. A World Citizen has the ability to listen carefully to others, to thoughtfully understand their point of view, and to respectfully dialogue in a process of increasing mutual understanding and learning.
2. Nonviolence.A World Citizen affirms the principle of solving conflicts nonviolently.  As Mahatma Gandhi stated, there are dozens of ways to solve conflicts creatively and intelligently, respecting everyone involved.  World Citizens promote creative, nonviolent problem-solving.
3. Human Rights. World Citizens affirm universal human rights and dignity. All people have dignity because all people participate in the miracle that is human life.  We human beings are self-aware beings capable of freedom, creativity, compassion, and justice. We have dignity that must not be violated. World Citizens stand by the rights enumerated by UN Universal Declaration and the Earth Constitution, Articles 12 and 13.
4. Democratic Laws. World Citizens affirm the rule of just, democratic laws based on protection of civil liberties and human rights.  They support equality, freedom, and equal due process for everyone before the law.
5. Compassion and Kindness. World Citizens understand that reason and dialogue must be complemented by compassion and kindness.  World Citizens are sensitive to the suffering of other people and animals. They act toward others out of kindness and compassion. In Buddhism this is called karuna. In Christianity, it is often called agape.
6. Unity in Diversity. World Citizens understand that the world is a wonderful manifestation of unity in diversity that must be respected and encouraged. We are all one as human beings and as children of the divine, and we are all different from one another in races, cultures, beliefs, nations, and religions. World Citizens affirm this principle of unity in diversity for the entire Earth.
7. Justice–making. World Citizens insist on promoting equal treatment and due process of justice for all persons before the law. If laws are unjust, World Citizens work to change them to protect everyone equally. Where people are being marginalized, hurt, or discriminated against, World Citizens side with the victims.
8. Sustainability. World Citizens are committed to transforming the process of living on the Earth to sustainable, ecologically friendly forms of economics, production, consumption, and patterns of living.  World Citizens are committed to making the Earth a decent place for future generations through protecting and restoring our planetary environment.
9. Global Education. World Citizens are committed to promoting global education with respect to all these ten principles. People everywhere should be developing global consciousness and a sense of global responsibility.
10. The Earth Constitution. World Citizens understand that none of these 10 principles can be successful for the Earth without the rule of democratically legislated, enforceable law for everyone under the Constitution for the Federation of Earth:   http://www.radford.edu/~gmartin/CEF.pdf

Key Provisions of the

CONSTITUTION FOR THE FEDERATION OF EARTH

The Constitution for the Federation of Earth was developed and adopted as a global social contract for all humanity by 4 sessions of World Constituent Assembly meeting around the world in 1968, 1977, 1979 & 1991, all organized by WCPA.  It has been translated into 23 languages. The process of ratification by the peoples and nations of Earth under Article 17 is currently under way.

From the Preamble:

Conscious that Humanity is One despite the existence of diverse nations, races, creeds, ideologies and cultures and that the principle of unity in diversity is the basis for a new age when war shall be outlawed and peace prevail; when the earth’s total resources shall be equitably used for human welfare; and when basic human rights and responsibilities shall be shared by all without discrimination;

Conscious of the inescapable reality that the greatest hope for the survival of life on earth is the establishment of a democratic world government;

We, citizens of the world, hereby resolve to establish a world federation to be governed in accordance with this constitution for the Federation of Earth.

From the Constitution:

Article 1.Broad functions of Earth Federation are the following:
1.1. to prevent war; 1.2. to protect universal human rights; 1.3. to end poverty; 1.4. to regulate international processes; 1.5. to protect the environment and ecological fabric of life, that is, the biosphere; and 1.6. to devise solutions to world problems beyond the capacity of national governments.

Article 2. Basic structure of Earth Federation is the following:
2.1. People and nations organize as a universal federation, to include all people, all nations, and all oceans, seas and lands of Earth, including atmosphere and space. 2.2. Earth Federation is non-military and democratic, with ultimate sovereignty of the people of Earth.

Other key articles: World Parliament composes of three legislative houses, to consider, adopt, amend and repeal World Legislation.
        * People of Earth directly elect House of Peoples.

* Nations appoint or elect House of Nations.

* University students and faculty of World Regions nominate regional candidates from anywhere for House of Counselors.       People of Earth may launch initiatives for world legislation, and may vote on referenda submitted from World Parliament.

The Enforcement System.  World Parliament elects an Office of World Attorneys General with 5 World Attorneys General and commission of 20 Regional World Attorneys, to head non-military Enforcement System. World Police apprehend individual suspected lawbreakers. World Parliament regulates World Police, which shall follow due process, and obtain warrants for search & arrests.

World Ombudsmus. House of Counselors nominates and World Parliament elects a World Ombudsmus Council of 5 World Ombudsen and Commission of 20 Regional World Advocates to protect human rights and ensure proper government functioning.

Bill of Rights guarantees inalienable human rights, including all those customarily guaranteed by civil nations: equal rights, equal protection, freedom of expression, association & religion, habeas corpus rights, universal suffrage, property, privacy, & other prohibitions against government intrusions.

Directive Principles of 19 sections list additional human rights and benefits to be guaranteed and implemented over time for all people. Includes the rights to world peace and a healthy planetary environment.

People may initiate amendment procedures of the Earth Constitution.

Provisional World Parliament may adopt world legislation prior to first operative stage, subject to re-confirmation by World Parliament.  Provisional World Government may begin.         The people of Earth may begin any of the functions of the Earth Federation government under the authority of Article 19 of the Earth Constitution. (Note: Both the Parliament and the World Court System have already been initiated.)