New York! New York

Today, I have arrive in the glorious NYC for my annual holidays. British Airways upgraded me due to oversales but damaged my luggage terribly. But I am back in NYC! The air tastes drier, freerer and once more....I feel the surge of confidence, the feeling that I can tackle the world and change it.

I am here to be the Policy Advocacy Coordinator for the UN CSD-19. Completely different from my day job. But it is where my interest lies. It plays to my strengths--I hope. I do not know what to expect. But tonight I will meet my host (once my taxi finally arrives in Manhattan) for the first time and my two week adventure will begin!

I am so excited. The sun is shining and beating down on the shiny cars. I can hear sound again, the city is in 3D and I feel so alive! It is scary how much I missed this place.

The Preparations....UN CSD-19

It is almost time for the UN CSD-19. So what CSD is and how does it work???

To briefly explain at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro in 1992, it was agreed that the UN Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD), would be the central body within the UN to monitor the results of this event- including Agenda 21. 

The Action Agenda 21 contains 40 chapters divided into four sections: social and economic dimensions, conservation and management of resources, strengthen key social groups, and resources for implementation.

CSD's work is based on various themes identified in the two-year cycles. During even-numbered years, the so-called review the years, CSD will focus on progress and challenges in implementing the commitments of Rio and Johannesburg. 

Odd numbered years, the so-called policy years, there are negotiations of policy recommendations to accelerate implementation of Agenda 21 and the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation. This year it is therefore a policy and to the themes of this two-year cycle are:

•  Transportation
•  Chemicals
•  Waste management
•  Mining
•  Sustainable consumption and production

Agenda 21 states that civil society participation in the process is of utmost importance to achieve sustainable development, and therefore, so established Major Groups system. There are 9 Major Groups  that will represent different interests in society. The nine groups are women, indigenous people, NGOs, local authorities, workers and trade unions, industry, science and technology, farmers and children and youth.

I will be the Policy Advocacy Coordinator for the Major Group of Children and Youth. This is essentially a fancy title that says that I will facilitate the work of our thematic teams work tracking, lobbying, and meeting with governments. So, it means that I am a mix of big sister, mom, boss and friend. I am slightly worried about what this will actually involve...

Berlin

I arrived at the European Youth's coordination meeting in Berlin on the early afternoon of Saturday. We began the real work reviewing the Chair Person's Draft Negotiating Document to highlight what we felt were the key points to protect, change, amend or add to. It is around this document, this year's Commission on Sustainable Development, CSD-19's policy advocacy, will revolve.

During negotiations over the coming weeks will countries be able to add, modify and delete items and contents of paragraphs in the text. Through discussions, it is then intended that a consensus be reached and a final policy is adopted. It was really interesting to meet with Youth from all over Europe--most official youth delegates to discuss Environmental policy.

It was really worthwhile for us to go through the entire document, section by section to see if we wanted to protect (ie lobbying for the point to be retained), delete , modify or add items. 

In practical terms, this involved creating a matrix to facilitate our tracking of what we consulted on. Ben and I discussed how this could potentially form the concrete basis for our policy tracking during CSD-19. It was great that I went to Berlin as it really clarified what I would be doing at the CSD for me.

p.s Just incase you are interested in seeing what our matrix looks like....look at the pretty picture.

It was also great to reflect with the team in person about what thematic areas they were interested in and to meet the new youth delegates. I really feel that I will miss Florian (german) and Yves & Aurore (Belgium). But Johanna (Sweden), Felix (German) and Alice (Belgium) seem really nice. 

It was Lena's birthday that night and we all went to the Cabaret and explored Berlin by moonlight. It was fun. The German Youth Council had funded the entire weekend and so the youth hostel and our food was covered by them. This was really generous of them and I really had fun.

On Sunday, we strategised about the CSD, discussed things practically and then it was over. We had a bittersweet lunch and then I went to report my camera as stolen. I also met my friend Luise who I had not seen since secondary school. She took me to an amazing flea market, we sat on the grass near an outdoor karaoki drinking cups of the "best coffee in Berlin" which we had gotten from this room that was dominated by a coffee roaster / grinder and a tiny counter and eating currywurst.It was totally random how much we had reversed roles. We both had our same core personalities. But I had always expected her to grow up to be the radical political person but she seems to have mellowed. But she still has her amazing mind, curiosity and friendly spirit. Berlin was a really worthwhile trip.

Green Economy

The newest emerging buzz word in the international sustainable development scene appears to be "Green Economies". It makes me wonder...is a green economy the best solution. Is it humanities last chance? Is it necessary? 

A green economy can be defined as any theory of economics by which an economy is considered to be component of the ecosystem in which it resides. UNEP defines a green economy "as one that results in improved human well-being and social equity, while significantly reducing environmental risks and ecological scarcities. In its simplest expression, a green economy can be thought of as one which is low carbon, resource efficient and socially inclusive."

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon notes that “The world is still reeling from the financial and economic crisis. The path to recovery has been slow, fragile and uneven. Rising debt levels, growing inequality and social exclusion are real concerns.” Everyone can agree with this statement of the obvious. Especially if you are living in Ireland.

According to Sha Zukang "Rio+20 is humanity’s chance to commit to a transition to a green economy, to lift people out of poverty. We cannot wait another 20 years”.  A “green economy as a pathway to sustainable development” stressed Sha Zukang, Secretary-General of the 2012 UN Conference on Sustainable Development and Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs and he should know. I can understand what he means when he said that “if we continue on our current path, 

we will bequeath material and environmental poverty, not prosperity, to our children and grandchildren”.

But is it possible to create a “tool kit” for implementation of agreed principles? Hasn't experience shown that it isn't that simple? Hasn't time shown that political agreement is never that simple. But is it our last chance? Are humanity taking a gamble with our collective futures? 

These are the questions that I constantly ask myself. We know the problems. We have the solutions. Now is a time for action. But most of us are talkers and not doers. How can we create a systematic pattern on action and reflection? How can we create a sustainable future? How can we stop killing our planet? 

Video: http://www.unmultimedia.org/tv/webcast/2011/03/press-conference-rio-2012.html

Green Economy UNEP: http://www.unep.org/greeneconomy/Portals/88/documents/ger/GER_synthesis_en.pdf

Statement: http://www.un.org/en/development/desa/usg/statements/2nd-prepcom-rio2012.shtml

UN Conference on Sustainable Development: http://www.uncsd2012.org/rio20/