A Syllabus of Hope
The Earth Summit, held in June 1992 in Rio de Janeiro, was the largest meeting of world leaders ever. Together these leaders created Agenda 21, a voluntary blueprint for saving Planet Earth.
Immediately after the Summit thousands of young people from nearly 100 countries worked together in an extraordinary effort to find out exactly what was agreed. They published their version as an international syllabus of hope on Earth Day 1994. It is a unique effort, designed, and written by children, for children, illustrated with their pictures and poems. Their idea was to create a flexible theme-based syllabus for individualised lifelong learning that would inspire young people all over the world help save our planet, our only home. Although Agenda 21 has been augmented by Agenda 2030 with its 17 sustainability targets, Rescue Mission tells a comparatively simple story that every student can start from to build their own personal body of knowledge to live peacefully, equitably and sustainably.
•''I sincerely hope that this book will help children from all countries better to understand and appreciate the fragile world in which we live and to dedicate themselves to do everything possible to protect and enhance this Earth."
Boutros Boutros-Ghali,
Secretary General, United Nations
The syllabus has four themes that can be cross referenced online to the book from where they can be expanded locally or nationally.
Theme 1: NATURAL WORLD
Topics and Concepts
ATMOSPHERE
ATMOSPHERE ALERT
ATMOSPHERE CLEANUP
MOUNTAINS AND DESERTS
VANISHING MOUNTAINS
EXPANDING DESERTS
BRING BACK THE EARTH
FORESTS
CHAINSAW MASSACRE
THE SEEDS OF CHANGE
OCEANS & SEAS
SEA OF TROUBLES
LIFE IN THE OCEAN WAVES
FRESHWATER
RIVERS OF SHAME
SOME FOR ALL
BIODIVERSITY
PROBLEM FAMILY
THE GOOD STEWARD
Topics and Concepts
POPULATION
BABY BOMB
INDIVIDUAL CHOICE
HEALTH
SICK TO DEATH
FIRST AID
POVERTY
FORGOTTEN PEOPLE
POVERTY ROCKS
CONSUMPTION
SHOP 'TIL YOU DROP
CHILL OUT
WASTE
DANGEROUS GARBAGE
OCCUPATION CLEANUP
LAND USE & AGRICULTURE
SOIL RUNNING OUT
HAPPY FARMERS
CITIES
LIVING ON THE EDGE
MY HOUSE
WAR
KILL 'EM ALL
PEACE IS A STATE OF MIND
Topics and Concepts
ROLE OF GOVERNMENTS
WHO'S THE BOSS
ROLE OF THE UNITED NATIONS
UN-STOPPABLE
MAJOR SOCIAL GROUPS
WE'RE IN IT TOGTHER
LOCAL GOVERNMENT
LOCAL POLITICS
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
APPLIANCE OF SCIENCE
MONEY
WHAT PRICE?
TRADE & ENVIRONMENT
MONEY DOESN'T GROW ON TREES
EDUCATION
TO KNOW + TO WANT = TOACT
Topics and Concepts
IDEAS AND ENERGY
THE EDITORS
CHILDREN AT RIO
YOUTH GAGGED
BLACK HOLES
GAPS IN AGENDA 21
RIGHT TO BE HEARD
CHILDRENS RIGHTS
DAY OF ACCESS
GETTING IT TOGETHER
GLOBAL DEMOCRACY OF CHILDREN
GET CONNECTED
GLOBAL LINKS
IN THEIR OPINION
INTERVIEWS
MAKING WAVES