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ASPEN DECLARATION ON CHARACTER EDUCATION

In the summer of 1992 a diverse group of youth leaders and educators gathered in Aspen, CO to discuss how they could work together to further character education. After two days of discussion, the 29 participants decided that what they needed was a common language to describe the values they sought to uphold.


After much negotiation, the participants came up with six core ethical values: trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring and citizenship, sometimes referred to as the "Six Pillars of Character." These words were chosen because they fulfilled certain criteria: to develop a comprehensive (but brief) list of values with no cultural, political or religious biases; to create a common language that could be used to gauge ethical standards and to find words that could be used consistently by teachers, parents, coaches or anyone who interacts with youth.


In the years since the Aspen Conference, hundreds of schools, youth and civic organizations, cities and businesses have used the "Six Pillars" to raise ethical awareness and appreciation.

  1. The next generation will be the stewards of our communities, nation and planet in extraordinarily critical times.
  2. In such times, the well-being of our society requires an involved, caring citizenry with good moral character.
  3. People do not automatically develop good moral character; therefore, conscientious efforts must be made to help young people develop the values and abilities necessary for moral decision making and conduct.
  4. Effective character education is based on core ethical values rooted in democratic society, in particular, respect, responsibility, trustworthiness, justice and fairness, caring, and civic virtue and citizenship.
  5. These core ethical values transcend cultural, religious and socioeconomic differences.
  6. Character education is, first and foremost, an obligation of families and faith communities, but schools and youth-service organizations also have a responsibility to help develop the character of young people.
  7. These responsibilities are best achieved when these groups work in concert.
  8. The character and conduct of our youth reflect the character and conduct of society; therefore, every adult has the responsibility to teach and model the core ethical values and every social institution has the responsibility to promote the development of good character.

 

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