One Step, One World charter

Thursday 13 August 2009

The One Step, One World charter describes young people's vision of a sustainable future. It was created by young people who were new to sustainable lifestyles and offers a fresh perspective on the issues that matter to them.

The One Step, One World charter, part of NCB's Small Steps to a Sustainable Future project, was launched at the House of Commons on 21 July 2009. The project is part of the wider programme Young Activists, which is funded by the Department for Children, Schools and Families until March 2010. Its aim is to help young people become activists for sustainable development and climate change.

One Step, One World was developed over a weekend in the Peak District in February by seven young people aged between 13  and 16 from London and Leicester. Some of the young people had never visited a national park before and had little knowledge of sustainable development, so for them the weekend was about learning as well as having their say.

They took part in a nature walk around the Peak District, and worked in teams to design art structures from natural materials found in the woods to represent sustainable development.

Sustainable living
The charter aims to provide a starting point for discussions around sustainable living and the involvement of young people.  NCB ran an online survey to gather other young people's views on different aspects of the charter.

It will be used at five Regional Action Workshops, which will cover all nine government regions in October and November. NCB will also set up a One Step, One World online presence, where people can sign up to the charter and help to generate a movement.

The Climate Challenge is another aspect of the Small Steps to a Sustainable Future project, which will run in 12 settings across four local authorities. It will encourage children and young people to take up a challenge on the theme of sustainable living for four weeks.

The project will work with young people in pupil referral units or secure or public care settings. NCB will produce resources for the children taking part, as well as the supporting staff in these settings.

More from NCB:
Download the One Step, One World charter [PDF 4,083KB]

For a hard copy of the One Step, One World charter, contact lzachary@ncb.org.uk.