Global Charter of Conscience

Brief summary of principles

Abstract

The Global Charter of Conscience is a declaration reaffirming and supporting Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. It sets out a vision of “freedom of thought, conscience and religion” for people of all faiths and none, and calls for the cultivation of civility and the construction of a civil public square that maximizes freedom for everyone. The Charter has been drafted and published by a group of followers of many faiths and none, politicians of many persuasions, academics and NGOs who are committed to a partnership on behalf of “freedom of thought, conscience and religion” for people of all faiths and none. The Charter was launched publicly at the European Parliament on 21 June 2012, at the Global Media Forum in Bonn on 27 June and at a prestigious lecture in London on 28 June. The text documented below is a brief summary. The full text of the Charter, additional responses to frequently asked questions, endorsements, and news can be found on a dedicated website: www.charterofconscience.org.