outreach informal 2 day 1

Yesterday’s 42nd Earth Day, marked yet another milestone as we approach Rio+20, write Georgie Macdonald and Amy Cutter, Stakeholder Forum. With over 120 Heads of State and governments now expected to attend the Summit – more than in 1992 – the pressure is now mounting for Rio to deliver. The next two weeks of negotiations serve as one final opportunity for us to ensure that we enter the Summit on a sure footing and produce a successful outcome… More

As negotiations on the Rio+20 Conference outcome enter a critical phase, UN Human Rights chief Navi Pillay has urged all United Nations Member States to ensure that human rights are thoroughly integrated in the discussions and in any final outcome… More

I think the best way to appreciate the need for a People’s Summit in Rio is to look at what happened at the last round of discussions in March, writes Paul L. Quintos, Ibon International. There we witnessed a systematic attempt by some powerful states to weaken, ‘bracket’, or outright eliminate nearly all references to human rights obligations and equity principles in the Outcome Document for Rio+20…. More

Common but Differentiated Responsibility at Rio+20

Action on climate change has been weakened by disagreements on sharing responsibility between countries, writes Robert Gibson, University of Hong Kong. Rio+20 should provide an equitable basis for future agreements by defining how the principle of Common but Differentiated Responsibility (CBDR) applies to individuals and agreeing that the responsibility of each country should be the aggregate of the responsibilities of its residents… More

Since the first international conference on environment in Stockholm, forty years ago, it has become clear that the two pillars of the international community – the UN Charter and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights – are no longer sufficient to deal with the growing interdependence of humanity and the biosphere, writes Sudha Reddy, International Forum of Ethics and Responsibilities. With the present incapacity of our societies to curb development, and the failure of the international intergovernmental community to make the decisions most needed to protect our future, the adoption of a third pillar has become urgent… More

Population is a sensitive topic; but anyone genuinely concerned for the planet their children will inherit cannot ignore it, writes Roger Martin, Population Matters. Everyone has a right to take control of their own fertility, and have as many children as they wish. But they also have a responsibility to take account of how their choices affect everyone else. .. More

Name: Christine Loh
Nationality: Chinese
Country of Residence: China, Hong Kong
Current Position: CEO of non-profit think tank Civic Exchange More

All humans and other beings are part of Planet Earth, an indivisible, living community of interrelated forms, writes Doris Ragettli, Rights of Mother Earth. However, nature is treated as property under current law around the world. The economic wellbeing and income generation of society can no longer be dependent on the destruction of nature. There are alternative ways, which call forth a quantum shift in thinking and acting on a global level… More

20 years ago, on the threshold of a new millennium and in hopes of creating a brave new world, a momentous summit took place in Brazil, writes Gita Prihar, Friends of the Earth. The legal frameworks and principles adopted then have set the stage for all environmental progress since. Amongst these were the visionary principles of the Rio declaration… More

Quote of the day

The call for a radical paradigm shift has been made once again. Our challenge now will be to follow up words and recommendations with action.

Professor Sir Partha Dasgupta Chair of the Scientific Committee, IHDP and Professor Anantha Duraiappah, Executive Director, IHDP

Outreach is a multi-stakeholder magazine which is published daily at Rio+20 Intersessional and Preparatory Meetings. The articles written are intended to reflect those of the authors alone or where indicated a coalition’s opinion. An individual’s article is the opinion of that author alone, and does not reflect the opinions of all stakeholders.

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