Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University Joins Normandy Chair for Peace for Historic Global Launch of the Good Stories Movement Aiming to Inspire Climate Action

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On October 25, 2022, the Normandy Chair for Peace hosted a global launch of the Good Stories Movement at the Kalayaan (Freedom) Hall of the Philippine Consulate in New York City, in collaboration with the Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University and others. The historic event was attended by faculty, diplomats, members of the media, the academe, judiciary, civil society, and international eco-advocates.

"Maybe you and I cannot do great things. We may not change the world. But we can change the story of the world if we change the storyline,” said Filipino Tony Oposa, one of Asia’s leading voices in the global arena of Environmental Law. “Good stories have the power to inspire and set hearts on friendly fire,” he added.

The Good Stories Movement aims to change the world’s narrative from negative to positive, from bad to good, and from sad to happy. To be highlighted are stories of people around the world who are taking care of the Life-Sources of Land, Air, and Water – the LAW of Life, also known as the 'Environment.'

The memorable moment was a cooperative effort of the top-ranked Elisabeth Haub Environmental Law School of Pace University, the International Council for Environmental Law (ICEL), the Indigenous Lenape People, the University of Peace, the Normandy Chair for Peace, the Filipino community, and other international organizations.

Together, they are looking for stories of people and communities who dare to care for the LAW of Life, stories of humans living in harmony with Nature. The stories will be submitted to international organizations for inspiration, appreciation and global gratitude.

To secure well-recorded and legit good stories, the global Eco-Advocates are planning an innovative, non-adversarial, and happy legal action. Instead of always focusing to fight and right the wrong, this legal action creatively uses the Rules of Court to preserve the evidence of the good, the right, and the strong. They plan for a simultaneous filing of the Petitions to Preserve the Evidence (PPE) around the world and in International Courts and Tribunals on June 5, 2023, UN World Environment Day.

“Recording the evidence of good stories to heal the Earth in courts worldwide will demonstrate how people everywhere are making a difference. Grass roots activists are effectively making peace with nature. Their stories will inspire others to emulate their accomplishments,” said Professor Nicholas A. Robinson, Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Environmental Law of the Haub Law School of Pace University.

Concerned people from around the world also filed a Petition to the United Nations for nations to unite. They plead for a sea of controversy in Asia to be transformed into the ASIA MARINE PEACE PARK.

“This is a real-life example of the truth that we will have peace on Earth, when we have peace with the Earth,” said Oposa.

To join the movement, share your stories!

About Normandy Chair for Peace

Normandy D-Day was once a symbol of war. Enlightened leaders of Normandy changed the narrative to become a symbol of Peace. They created the Normandy Chair for Peace … with the Earth. The Chair seeks to nurture and share novel ideas, to spread happy energy, and to spark positive action to contribute to the UN Sustainable Development Goals. The Chair does this through research, scientific diplomacy, and advocacy on the topics of Peace, Environment, and Rights of Future Generations at the local and international levels.