We had hoped that the Rio+20 summit would result in ...



Personal Reflections on Rio+ 20

“We had hoped that the Rio+20 summit would result in decisions by the governments assembled in Rio which would trigger the development of an inclusive, green economy and establish a global institutional architecture endowed with competencies and powers that would ensure the safeguarding of human living conditions and ecosystems services.

We now see that all the good will, energy, brain capacity and money that went into the Rio+20 process have resulted in dozens of pages of paper, which contain hardly any commitment by governments. Instead, national governments reaffirm what they had already resolved long ago, list non-binding intentions, and acknowledge the activities by other actors such as local governments.”

- Taken from the Evaluation of Rio +20 by ICLEI, representing the Local Authorities Major Group

This quote gives you some idea of the reaction to the UN Conference on Sustainable Development held in Rio de Janeiro in June. Returning home to Peru after 10 days in Rio, where we spent from 4-5 hours a day on buses to get to and from the Conference, I have tried to think of how to communicate this experience. . The presence of 20 Sisters of St. Joseph from Mexico, Canada, Argentina and Brazil marked this time, although they only got together for a short time on June 19th, at the very center of the Rio Centro, where the UN Conference was going on. As they sat in a circle and shared who they were, where we were from, and their expectations and hopes for this Conference, they saw a lot of people gather around them, taking pictures!

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They didn’t know who they were, but they drew attention as they wove a symbolic tapestry with the earth ball at the center. Through the efforts of our UN Representative Sr. Griselda, the Sisters of St. Joseph issued a clear statement of our vision and expectations to those preparing this Conference.

The official UN Conference was at the far end of the city of Rio, and only those with official credentials could enter. There were lots of police and military security, as this area was officially UN territory during the Conference. All over Rio other events were taking place. I was able to attend the “People’s Summit” during several days, held in an immense area in a beautiful park that overlooked the ocean, with a great view of Sugar Loaf Mountain and Christ the Redeemer statue.

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Maureen at the entrance to Bishop with 3 speakers Spectacular views in every

The People´s Summit from Conf. of Brazilian direction

Bishops

There were hundreds of groups presenting topics every day, under tents that were well structured with chairs, microphones, projectors and translators.

A wonderful panel on Youth and the Earth Charter (speakers included a famous Brazilian actress; Severn Suzuki, who spoke as a 12 year old at the Rio 92 conference. Twenty years later she said to us:

As a 12 year old I was fighting for my future; now I am fighting for my children’s future. ….In 20 years the shift in the planet’s biosphere has such pressure that it may be at a tipping point like 12,000 years ago. It will be caused by humans and be much more rapid. We have not gotten close to a Sustainable world in 20 years… Politicians won’t change things for us. We have to change ourselves, make changes in our communities - It is citizen involvement. This is what I learned over these years.

But citizen engagement is not enough… Canada left the Kyoto agreement, has moved to the right and this reflects our world.

The Earth Charter is about a new definition of progress, of human wealth and well being; I believe in the power of intergenerational love, because people love their children we will connect and change the global situation.

For me it is hopeful that a child committed at age 12 continues as a woman and mother 20 years later, with even greater commitment.

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Prime Minister of Australia

The formal Conference opened on June 20th with Secretary General Ban Ki Moon and a short video that ended with: “we can shape our future, as we grow to 9 billion.” The opening talk was given by a 17 year old girl from New Zealand who called on the world’s leaders to “boldly do the right thing. Why are you here? To save face or to save us?” Procedural items were dealt with and the president of the Conference was elected – Dilma Rousseff, President of Brazil.

The 9 Major Groups of the United Nations presented 5-7 minutes each: Women, Children and youth, Indigenous peoples, Local authorities, Farmers, Workers and trade unions, Business and industry, Science and Technology and NGO’s. . The Climate Action Network spoke for the NGO Major Group (of which the SSJ are a part). In this brief presentation, which I felt was the best of the 9, we heard a call to eliminate all fossil fuel subsidies, to have a clear mandate regarding the high seas, and to end nuclear energy and armed conflicts.

After the 9 major groups spoke, every Nation’s President or Prime Minister had 5-7 minutes to speak to the Conference. It began with the Presidents of the Republic of Tadjiquistan, Republic of Zimbabwe, Republic of Maldives (one of the smallest nations on the planet), Sri Lanka; the vice President of Sudan, the Presidents of Algeria and Barbados. Then I went for lunch!

At the afternoon session I heard the President of Costa Rica, Iran, Guinea, and Korea; Ecuador and Bolivia. At 4:30 there as a Ceremonial opening with President Dilma and a video from space with 3 astronauts who expressed hope for “a bright future for our one and only planet”. Dilma thanked all the global civil society and stated that the leaders have a responsibility to make firm commitments to the well being of the inhabitants on planet earth. “Time is our most scarce resource” She reaffirmed the UN commitment that “States have common but differentiated responsibilities” and said that this principle is often rejected in practice. She said that there is a transfer of polluted industries from the North to the South, funds for adaptation and mitigation have not materialized and the Kyoto accord has not been fulfilled. She stated that there is a tendency to give priority to national interests and “we can’t let this happen. We need a new vision and new sustainable goals. Brazil has a commitment to reduce CO² gases from 36-39% by 2020. The cost of inaction is higher than action, but action may prove politically difficult.” Dilma called the conference to “act with a sense of urgency”.

This sense of urgency and the need to be mindful of future generations seemed to me to be what most world leaders said as they spoke.

After Dilma´s speech Ban Ki Moon spoke:

“Our efforts have not lived up to the challenge. Today we recognize that the old order for economic advancement is broken, we have a unique chance to set a new course…. We brought the world to Rio, thank you to 1000 civil society groups; we need your contribution…. We see a planet under stress; 20 years ago there were 5.5 billion people, and now we are 7 billion. By 2030 we will need 30% more water and 30% more food. …. I have made Sustainable Development my number one priority. We are here to build a global movement for change; we are running out of time. I am full of hope because we are here together.

There is so much more that I could share of what I saw and heard. But, the hardest question I am asked after returning from the Rio +20 Conference is – Was it worth it? Did it make a difference? It was disappointing but not surprising to see that more than 100 nations have trouble reaching consensus on concrete actions, even when the stakes are so high. The level of citizen involvement and concern, worldwide, gives me hope that change will come. The need to put persistent pressure on governments, especially in the USA, is clear. From what I have heard you received very little information through the press and TV, which may indicate the level of importance that the US gave to this Conference. It was constantly on the news in Brazil, but in part because the Conference took place in Brazil. For me it was a gift to be able to participate and to share this with you!

“It’s necessary to burn indifference

and not the living forests”

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“The thing is instead of saying ‘Yes we can”, being able to get old and say: Yes, we did”

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A Wall with children’s art

Twenty Sisters of St. Joseph :

11 from Brazil

3 from Canada

1 from Peru

2 from Mexico

3 fromArgentina

We reject the greed economy!

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20 SSJ´s met together at Rio Centro on June 19th

Sr. Griselda, center, with a sister from Ecuador and Sr. Isabel Argentina

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Seeds not genetically manipulated – so farmers can plant them another year

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