Towards a Global Ethic: An Initial Declaration is an interfaith declaration (full title: Declaration Toward a Global Ethic), drafted initially by Hans Küng, President of the Foundation for a Global Ethic (Stiftung Weltethos), in cooperation with the Council for a Parliament of the World's Religions staff and Trustees and experts. Drawing on many of the world's religious, spiritual, and cultural traditions, the declaration identifies the Golden Rule: What you wish done to yourself, do to others! as "unconditional norm for all areas of life" and four principles "which can be affirmed by all persons with ethical convictions, whether religiously grounded or not":
- Commitment to a culture of non-violence and respect for life
- Commitment to a culture of solidarity and a just economic order
- Commitment to a culture of tolerance and a life of truthfulness
- Commitment to a culture of equal rights and partnership between men and women
This Declaration was signed at the Parliament of the World's Religions gathering in 1993 by more than 200 leaders from 40+ different faith traditions and spiritual communities. Since 1993 it has been signed by thousands more leaders and individuals around the world. As such, it established a common ground for people to agree and to cooperate for the good of all.