June 22, a major side event took place with the presence of
UN Secretary General on sustainable futures: accelerating progress on the MDG's
through youth innovations. The UN has recognized the need to harness the
energy, imagination and initiative of the world, youth in overcoming the
challenges facing humankind, from enhancing peace to boosting economic
development and dealing with Climate Change. This event will focus on youth as
agents of change and catalysts in achieving the MDGs and beyond, with a focus
on innovations that are youth driven dealing with sustainable development.
It will:
a) Present some powerful examples of youth-led initiatives
which impact local decision-making processes
b) Showcase tech and social business solutions which empower
communities and
c) provide recommendations for ensuring stronger linkages
between the youth and MDG agenda 2015+.
"Young people
can and must play a central role in bringing dynamic new ideas, fresh thinking
and energy to the Rio+20 process." Ban
Ki-moon, UN Secretary General
Professor Yunus on Social business, YY tour, micro finance,
and will demonstrate how he is bringing young people of the world together,
with the massive power of technology and support of social business, to ensure
that Millennium Development Goals (MDG) are achieved in all countries.Professor Jeffrey Sachs can focus on Sustainable and rural
development in the context of youth.
Key Questions/Issues to be explored:
Why engage youth in Rio+20
1) The economy and green jobs. Unemployment and underemployment
are major concerns for youth around the world. The global economic downturn has
hit youth disproportionately hard compared to their presence in the labor
market. However, growth in the Green Economy has the potential to benefit
youth, simultaneously providing career opportunities and the environmental
benefits of a more sustainable economy.
2) Young people have to opportunity to influence policy.
Both the Arab Spring and Occupy Wall Street movements are fueled in part by
lack of economic opportunities for youth. Young people can ride this wave of
youth activism and assert their influence by demanding that world leaders
commit to concrete actions for sustainable development at Rio + 20.
3) Youth are demanding accountability. Diplomats have been making
pledges to act on environmental problems for many years. Yet today, we Are
facing a potentially disastrous environmental future. One of the main themes of
the Earth Summit will be improving international governance on environmental
issues. One idea on the table, proposed by NRDC, is an international registry
of environmental commitments and pledges. This would be a way of tracking
progress, forging partnerships, and holding leaders accountable for their
promises. Youth are key agents for promoting this change and holding leaders
accountable.
4) Rio + Twenty-somethings. Just as the first Earth Summit
was a pivotal moment in the lives and careers of an earlier generation of
environmentalists, Rio + 20 is an opportunity to make their voices heard. And
people are listening. The world is looking to this new generation for
innovation and action.
5) Future We Want. Young people will be living with the
decisions made at Rio, successes and failures of the environmental movement for
the rest of their lives. Now is the time to assert their influence and it's the
UN?s responsibility to give them agency to advocate on their behalf. The Earth
Summit is an opportunity to prove that international environmental action is
possible, and that commitments will bring action. #FutureWeWant is the official
hash-tag for Rio + 20. Youth will be tweeting, posting, and talking to their
communities about the results you want from Rio + 20.
High Level segment on "Youth and Development"
Indigenous People Raise Their Voice
Presenting the "UN World Youth Conference" book let to Hon. Minister P.C. Ranawaka - Ministry of Power and Energy - Sri Lanka
Protest erupted in the Rio+20 conference organized by the
some of the major groups as civil rights groups carried out a "ritual
rip-up" of a negotiating text that they condemn as a betrayal of future
generations. Youth Activists, indigenous groups and environmental NGOs in the
raucous demonstration, which included speeches and songs in the walkway outside
the plenary pavilion.
"We were promised leaps and bounds but this agreement
barely moves us forward by inches”, “Zero Draft is a Blank paper” as protesters
ripped up a giant mock text that they called "The Future We Bought".
The police presence was much higher outside the conference
venue than in previous days. Ranks of riot police lined up outside the main
entrance. Around 4.00 pm some of the Youth representatives removed their badges
and joined the people’s summit.
June 21, the second day of the highlevel segment, where
world leaders made their interventions at the high level plenary.
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