Welcome to the Open Science Justice Lab
Contribute to a Global Constitution
Through arguments and art you can become a contributing author and make your unique perspective and voice heard
What is a Global Constitution?
We aim to develop a shared set of principles, rights and responsibilities to help address the world’s most pressing issues
Principal Investigator
Prof. Dr. Joyeeta Gupta
Distinguished Professor at the University of Amsterdam & Spinoza Award Winner (2023)
Prof. Joyeeta Gupta leads the Global Constitution Project, an initiative to define global rights and responsibilities in response to pressing environmental and social challenges. Her work bridges governance, law, and sustainability to create a foundation for future global cooperation.
Joyeeta Gupta is Distinguished Professor of Climate Justice, Sustainability and Global Justice, and Professor of Environment and Development in the Global South at the University of Amsterdam and holds a water professorship at IHE-Delft Institute for Water Education. She is the co-chair (2024-2025) of the UN Secretary General Appointed Group of Ten High-level Representatives of Civil Society, Private Sector and Scientific Community to Promote Science, Technology and Innovation for the SDGs (10-Member-Group) – a component of the UN Technology Facilitation Mechanism. She is a Commissioner in the Global Commission on the Economics of Water and was Co-chair of the first phase of the Earth Commission (2019-2024), convened by Future Earth and the Global Commons Alliance. She was co-chair of UNEP’s Global Environment Outlook – 6 between 2017- 2021. She was awarded the 2023 Spinoza Prize – the highest distinction in Dutch science – and was lead author of the Nobel Peace Prize winning reports on climate change of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).
Why Do We Need a Global Constitution?
We believe we need a Global Constitution because global institutions are failing; because we need to address global inequality and ecological disasters; because we marginalize people and countries; because our economic system may lead to ecosystem collapse; because our technologies may be taking us in an inappropriate direction; because global substantive rule of law is needed; because in 2025 our global politicians appear to be countering all understanding of constitutional behavior nationally and internationally—and there may be many other reasons.
Institutions at the global level are fragmented and contradictory. Based on the hypothesis that it is impossible to create a comprehensive economic, social, and environmental system for all, this project promotes the idea of global constitutionalism, against which the diverse institutions can be tested.
Contribute to the Global Constitution Project
We welcome essay submissions from anyone above the age of 10 interested in shaping the future of global governance and becoming a contributing author of the draft Global Constitution.
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FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions
The Open Science Justice Lab is an interdisciplinary platform at the University of Amsterdam, funded by the Dutch Research Council (NWO). It fosters collaborative research, knowledge sharing, and public engagement on justice, governance, and sustainability. The Lab provides a space for scholars, policymakers, and the public to exchange ideas, submit essays, and contribute to shaping the future of global governance.
The Global Constitution Project is a major research initiative within the Open Science Justice Lab. Led by Prof. Joyeeta Gupta, it aims to draft a Global Constitution that defines rights and responsibilities for an equitable and sustainable world. The project brings together experts from various disciplines to rethink governance structures, environmental justice, and human rights.
You can participate by:
✅ Submitting an essay about the Global Constitution.
✅ Engaging in discussions and workshops.
✅ Following our research and updates on governance and sustainability.
✅ Collaborating as a researcher, artist, or policymaker.
Anyone aged 10 years or older is welcome to contribute! You don’t need any formal background in law or governance—just your ideas and willingness to participate.
If you want to submit an essay, please visit our Essay Submission Page where you’ll find all the necessary details, guidelines, and the submission form.
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📖 Check our Published Essays Page for newly featured essays.