We warmly welcome the new participants and extend our gratitude to the original participants who wish again to be part of the new dialogue. We are delighted that we have more than 100 participants from a number of countries around the world who represent different disciplines and cultures.

It is expected that our dialogue on global ethics can contribute to the current moral debate related to the UN Conference on Sustainable Development in 2002 and provide a shared platform for further discussions on the international rule of law, good governance, human rights, sustainable
development, peace, and security.

The key recommendations of the first dialogue were:

* We suggest that there should be a reconsideration of the conclusions of the first conference on the urgent need for a global ethics. Account should be taken of the major themes relating to the international rule of law; universality and multi-culturalism of human rights; the relationship between
rights, duties and responsibilities and the need to guide our interdependent world by a global ethics.
* the need for finding the norms and values for a shared ethics;
* strengthening the implementation of national and international law;
* consolidating the partnerships of the different actors at different levels,
and emphasising a multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural framework for global ethics.

In order to expand on these proposals the following list of items were selected:

* sustainable development; realisation of human rights and fundamental freedoms, care of the environment;
* intra-generational equity; inter-generational justice; human dignity; good governance leading to responsibility and solidarity; peace, and democracy.

It is suggested that participants should submit a contribution one of these issues including:

* an explanation of its meaning, an example from history, tradition or culture;
* an interpretation of the legal or political sources; a proposal for implementation.

Note:

The working languages are: English, French, Spanish and Dutch. The contributions of the participants will not be translated. However, in respect of those not in English, an English summary will be placed on the website. The contributions should not exceed the 250 words. They will be reproduced on
the website having regard to the subjects to which they deal. First time participants will find the rules of the conferences on the website for more information.

Each the morning (European time) of 14, 15 and 18 you will receive an email containing the programme of the day with major questions, and associated materials. The virtual dialogue is now open. You can submit your contribution to ahumaneworld@kub.nl

Please, note that the daily topics of the conference will remain open until the end of the conference. If you have a technical problem, you can fax your contribution to +32 2 657 7717.

Thursday 14 February

1. Why is a global ethics needed more than ever for guiding sustainable development?

2. Explain the meaning of one or more of the following concepts in this global ethics (you might mention an example from history, tradition or culture): the realisation of human rights and fundamental freedoms; environmental care; intra-generational equity; inter-generational justice; human
dignity; good governance leading to responsibility and solidarity; peace and democracy

We welcome your interest in participating in this dialogue on global ethics for a human world, and we look forward to “meeting” you soon via the Internet.

We wish you an interesting conference.