Welcome to the
Open Science Justice Lab
Championing public participation in shaping a draft Global Constitution through norms, principles, arguments, and art—fostering inclusive and interdisciplinary local to global governance.
Global Constitution
We welcome your ideas, arguments, and artwork; we welcome you to become
a contributing author of our Global Constitution.
About Us
The Open Science Justice Lab, based at the University of Amsterdam, is dedicated to collaborative research, public engagement, and open-access knowledge sharing to promote research to develop a Global Constitution.
It is funded by the Dutch Research Council (NWO) under the Spinoza Price awarded to Prof. Joyeeta Gupta. It explores how a 21st-century Global Constitution could address today’s global challenges without marginalizing local issues. By inviting diverse perspectives, we aim to shape a framework for a more just and sustainable world.
project team
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).
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.
Share your vision.
Challenge existing structures.
Make a cartoon/painting/poem
Draft your own proposal for a Global Constitution.
0
+
Number of Essays Submitted
0
Published Essays
0
Nationalities of authors
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 environmental constitutionalism, against which the diverse institutions can be tested.
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.
📧 Subscribe to our newsletter (sign-up available on the homepage).
🌍 Follow us on social media for announcements and discussions.
📖 Check our Published Essays Page for newly featured essays.