CSJP UN Update September 2012

UN Update

Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace

2012 UN Conference on Sustainable Development: Rio+20 by Suzanne Golas, CSJP

WHAT HAPPENED IN RIO?

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io de Janeiro is a beautiful city tucked in a magnificent natural setting of mountain peaks jutting out of the Atlantic Ocean, a curved coast line and numerous scenic bays. On one of the surrounding mountains a statue of Christ the Redeemer (seen above) looms so high in the Rio sky that it can be seen in most of the city. However, travel but a small distance outside of central city and you will see the shabby streets and rambling line of shacks that bespeak the poverty of a developing country.

One would think that Rio was the perfect setting for the nations of the world to make the big decisions that would really address poverty and the healing of the environment. Unfortunately, that did not happen at Rio+20 to the disappointment of the over 40,000 people in attendance.

A number of governments themselves expressed this disappointment with the closing statement, “It’s the best we could do.”

The final document of the conference, entitled “The Future We Want,” is lacking urgency, ambition and the strong concrete commitments which the enormity of the problems requires. All agreed that climate change, diminishment of resources on which all life de-

September 2012

pends such as water and food, and the devastating effects these are having, especially on the poor, have reached crisis proportions. All know that these crises can be alleviated only through a united international effort. However, when the moment of decision-making came, leaders were not able to transcend their own country’s national self-interest to make the necessary decisions and commitments.

SEEDS OF HOPE Despite the lack of bold breakthrough decisions, “The Future We Want” does include seeds that could be nurtured into commitments leading to significant changes. NGOs are determined to bring these seeds to fruition. Opportunities for progress include the following: • The General Assembly has been commissioned to develop concrete, universal Sustainable Development Goals which will complement the Millennium Development Goals. The high level process for this task, which will include working closely with recommendations from Secretary General Ban Ki-moon , is already being developed at the UN. • The UN will develop new and more accurate ways of measuring progress of countries toward sustainability and a fair global economy. These indicators will include alternatives to Gross Domestic

Product (GDP) for measuring a society’s wellbeing. Research shows that once a people have the basics of life, food, water, housing, education and health care, they are not necessarily happier in acquiring more “stuff.” Other factors, such as meaningful family and friend relationships, a sense of community and sufficient leisure time contribute to human well-being.

• “The Future We Want” strongly emphasizes the need, at every level, for the involvement of civil society (non-government, non-profit groups including, for example, NGOs, youth, women and indigenous people) in moving the Rio+20 processes forward.

This provides a mandate ensuring that all such deliberations and strategies will involve NGOs. HOPE EMBODIED Running simultaneously with the official UN Conference, was the People’s Summit, funded by Brazil and acknowledged by the UN. Over 18,000 people representing grassroots organizations including environmentalists, women, youth, artists and a large number of indigenous people especially from Latin America, gathered in Rio’s Indigenous people shared their sprawling Flaculture and their wisdom at the mingo Park. They People’s Summit. participated in discussions on issues such as environmental rights, food security and energy. In addition, artists and performers enlivened activities throughout park, further raising awareness of the environment and social concerns.

In tented areas, there were many passionate and serious discussions emphasizing the need for a new world vision and the important role the people have in developing and implementing that vision. In a “People’s Sustainability Manifesto,” which they presented to Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, they declared that another world is possible after Rio+20 and pledged their commitment to a transition toward an increasingly sustainable future on Earth. Their energy and determination inspired hope.

WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE? A strongly emerging conviction among many NGOs at Rio+20 and certainly at the People’s Summit was the importance of local efforts to address environmental and poverty issues. Many of these problems must eventually be resolved on the international level since they are global issues. However, key Participants holding up the world together at the entrance to in moving the interRio+20. national community toward the hard decisions is the growing awareness, organizing and action of “grassroots” people and groups who understand their local problems, know the key players and act to change an unsustainable situation.

NGOs are determined to press for effective follow through to Rio+20 in the halls and meeting rooms of the UN. As important are the local efforts to, in collaboration with others, influence thinking through political and personal action on issues like renewable energy, preservation of resources like water, changing our patterns of consumption, and protecting the rights of the poor who are the first to suffer from environmental degradation. A global movement of bottom – up pressure can move the decision makers at the national and international levels.

It has been said that such actions are counter cultural.

In the past few weeks, women religious have been called “counter cultural.” Let’s celebrate that identity and intensify our efforts to change the world.

Isn’t that the Gospel call?

Weary NGOs at the end of a long day of work at Rio+20. L to R: Suzanne Golas, CSJP; Caroljean Willie, SC; Margaret Mace, OP; Kevin Dance, CP