Call For Contributions: CIVICUS: Rio+20: Make Your Contribution To Document Zero

From CIVICUS

In less than a year now, Brazil will be hosting the UN Conference on Sustainable Development, commemorating the 20th Anniversary of the 1992 Rio Earth Summit...CIVICUS is assisting the UN Division for Sustainable Development to engage with civil society organisations and to facilitate their participation in the agenda setting. Your input is needed! Deadline for contributions: September 8, 2011.

Global economies have increased by roughly 60 per cent since 1992 (measured in domestic product) which has put heavy stress on fragile ecosystems. Meanwhile extreme poverty and inequality persists in many parts of the world. Genuine development requires balance among the three pillars of sustainable development (environmental sustainability, economic growth and social justice), especially for the impoverished. Critical thinking emphasises the importance of the social dimension of development, including social empowerment, social justice and inclusion in decision making. However, gains made in acknowledging the need for active participation of all sectors of society and all types of people – consumers, workers, business persons, farmers, students, teachers, researchers, activists, indigenous communities, and other communities of interest to achieve sustainable development – seem to be eroding. It is now apparent that a global economy based on current patterns of consumption and production is not leading to sustainable development.

We believe that Rio+20 represents an opportunity for civil society to advocate for a green economy that pursues social justice. Civil society organisations and citizens have an opportunity to define how the social pillar of sustainable development should be redefined to yield sustainable development for all. Please send us your comments on these questions before 8 September 2011:

What key aspect should be included in the Rio+20 Agenda to ensure the social aspect of sustainable development is reinforced?
What key aspects should the Rio+20 outcome document include to put in place a new paradigm of development?
How should civil society be involved in the Rio+20 Summit and in the implementation of the agreements reached in Rio?
How can we ensure accountability of governments to act upon the agreements reached in Rio?
What should be the role of the private sector in advancing sustainable development?

Your input will be included in a compilation document that will gather elements to be included in the Zero draft of Rio+20 Outcome document. This document will be negotiated between February and April 2012 in New York by all UN Member States. All stakeholders are invited to submit their input by 1 November 2011. Let your government and the international community know how Rio+20 can set our world on a sustainable development path.

Deadline for inclusion in CIVICUS input: 8 September 2011. Contact Person: natalie.akstein@civicus.org

Background documents and other consultation efforts are available at http://www.uncsd2012.org/rio20/index.php?page=view&type=12&nr=219&menu=32