What about us?

Earth Song - lyrics

World Consciousness

MAJOR GROUPS

   Business and Industry
   Children and Youth
   Farmers
   Indigenous Peoples
   Local Authorities
   NGOs
   Scientific and Technological Community
   Women
   Workers and Trade Unions

Business and Industry

Business Action for Sustainable Development 2012 (BASD 2012) is the official United Nations coordinator of business and industry. BASD 2012 is a comprehensive network of business organizations that have come together under one banner in the interests of sustainable development. BASD 2012 aims to represent the constructive business voice in the United Nations RIO+20 process, with the ultimate objective of enhancing the conference contribution to sustainable and inclusive markets. BASD is a joint initiative of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) and the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC). For more information regarding the conveners please contact 
Peter Paul van de Wijs, WBCSD, vandewijs@wbcsd.org; +41 (0) 22 839 3141 
Andrea Bacher, ICC; andrea.bacher@iccwbo.org; +33 (0) 149 53 2848 
Lila Karbassi, UN Global Compact, karbassi@un.org; +1 917 367 3648 - See more at: unpuf.

Children and Youth

Rio+20: an introduction for children and youth from Rio+twenties on Vimeo.

"Youth comprise nearly 30 per cent of the world's population. The involvement of today's youth in environment and development decision-making and in the implementation of programmes is critical to the long-term success of Agenda 21." More information on Agenda 21, Chapter 25

Twenty years on, young people are actively involved in preparations for Rio+20.The UN Conference on Sustainable Development - Rio+20 – aims to secure a renewed political commitment to sustainable development, while addressing new and emerging challenges. Balancing the needs of the current generation with those of future is a matter of urgency and all young people are encouraged to join us in contributing to the process.The Major Group for Children and Youth (MGCY) is the official voice for young people in the sustainability negotiations and we are engaging with young people from across the world to share our voices at Rio+20. Through networking and collaborating, the MGCY has strong teams that contribute to the policy negotiations. The MGCY also works to inspire and platform youth activism through a series of working groups, aimed at bringing people together to help build the global youth voice.Get involved – join the MGCY and help design the future. 
www.uncsdchildrenyouth.org MGCY Youth Blast: Conference of Youth for Rio+20 (7-12 June 2012) The MGCY will be hosting the official young people’s event in Rio de Janeiro, in preparation for Rio+20. This is a space in which young people can meet to create a unified youth vision for the future of sustainable development and inclusive policy. There will be workshops on thematic areas relevant to Rio+20, capacity building, networking and much more. For more information and to register, visit 
http://uncsdchildrenyouth.org/rio20/youth-blast/ If you have more questions about the Youth Blast, please email coyrio@gmail.com

For more information please contact 
Louise Kantrow, ICC, lkantrow@uscib.org; +1 (212) 703 5042 
Birgit Engelhardt, ICCA; engelhardt@vci.de ; + 49 (69) 2556 1425 

Mr. Peter Paul van de Wijs 
World Business Council for Sustainable Development 
E-mail: vandewijs@wbcsd.org 
Tel: +41 (0) 22 839 3141 
Switzerland 

Ms. Lila Karbassi 
UN Global Compact 
E-mail: karbassi@un.org 
United States

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Farmers

Agenda 21: Chapter 32 STRENGTHENING THE ROLE OF FARMERS 32.1. Agriculture occupies one third of the land surface of the Earth, and is the central activity for much of the world's population. Rural activities take place in close contact with nature, adding value to it by producing renewable resources, while at the same time becoming vulnerable to overexploitation and improper management.

Ms. Robynne Anderson 
World Farmers Organisation 
Canada 
+1 204 853 7989 
robynne@robynneanderson.com 
http://worldfarmersorganisation.com/ 

Carlos Marentes 
Equipo Técnico de la Región Norte América / North American Region Technical Team 
LA VIA CAMPESINA - International Peasant Movement 
North America Region Secreteriat / Ciudad de México, D.F. 
Mobile: +1 413 345 1137 (USA) 
E-mail: cm2lvc@gmail.com 
Skype Name: lazarus9206 
Website: http://viacampesina.org/en/ 

Ms. Jessica L. Roe 
La Via Campesina - International Peasant Movement 
United States 
+52 55 5584 3471 
+1 303 9159 492 (usa mobile) 
jroelvc@gmail.com 
http://viacampesina.org/en/

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Indigenous Peoples

Agenda 21: Chapter 26

RECOGNIZING AND STRENGTHENING THE ROLE OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLE AND THEIR COMMUNITIES

26.1. Indigenous people and their communities have an historical relationship with their lands and are generally descendants of the original inhabitants of such lands. In the context of this chapter the term "lands" is understood to include the environment of the areas which the people concerned traditionally occupy. Indigenous people and their communities represent a significant percentage of the global population. 

Indigenous people have developed over many generations a holistic traditional scientific knowledge of their lands, natural resources and environment. Indigenous people and their communities shall enjoy the full measure of human rights and fundamental freedoms without hindrance or discrimination. Their ability to participate fully in sustainable development practices on their lands has tended to be limited as a result of factors of an economic, social and historical nature. In view of the interrelationship between the natural environment and its sustainable development and the cultural, social, economic and physical well-being of indigenous people, national and international efforts to implement environmentally sound and sustainable development should recognize, accommodate, promote and strengthen the role of indigenous people and their communities.

Ms. Vicky Tauli Corpuz 
CSD Indigenous Peoples? Caucus Tebtebba - Indigenous Peoples' International Centre for Policy Research and Education 
1 Roman Ayson Road, Baguio City, Philippines, 2600 
Tel: +63-74-4447703; 
Fax:+ 63-74-4439459 
E-mail: vicky@tebtebba.org 
E-mail: vtcorpuz@yahoo.com 
Website: http://www.tebtebba.org/ 

Ms. Jocelyn Carino Nettleton 
Tebtebba - Indigenous Peoples' International Centre for Policy Research and Education European Office 
111 Faringdon Road, Stanford-in-the-Vale, Oxon SN7 8LD, UK 
Tel (work/home): +44-1367-718889 
Tel (work): +44-207-326-0363 
E-mail: tebtebba@gn.apc.org 
E-mail: tongtong@gn.apc.org 
E-mail: joji(at)tebtebba.org 
Website: http://www.tebtebba.org/ 

Mr. Tom Goldtooth 
Indigenous Environmental Network 
P.O. Box 485, Bemidji, MN 56619-0485,USA 
Tel: +1-218-751-4967; 
Fax: +1-218-751-0561 
E-mail: ien@igc.org 
Website: http://www.ienearth.org/

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Local Authorities

Agenda 21: Chapter 28 Local Authorities' Initiatives in Support of Agenda 21Because so many of the problems and solutions being addressed by Agenda 21 have their roots in local activities, the participation and cooperation of local authorities will be a determining factor in fulfilling its objectives. Local authorities construct, operate and maintain economic, social and environmental infrastructure, oversee planning processes, establish local environmental policies and regulations, and assist in implementing national and subnational environmental policies. As the level of governance closest to the people, they play a vital role in educating, mobilizing and responding to the public to promote sustainable development.More information: http://local2012.iclei.org/ 

Yunus Arikan 
Manager, Cities Climate Center 
ICLEI-Local Governments for Sustainability 
Address: Kaiser Friedrich Str. No:7 53113 Bonn Germany 
Tel: + 49 228 976 299 20 
Mobile: +49 151 507 50 004 
Fax:+49 228 976 299 01 
e-mail: yunus.arikan@iclei.org 
www.iclei.org 
Skype: Yunus ARIKAN-ICLEI 

Natalène Poisson 
Policy officer 
United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG) 
World Secretariat 
Carrer Avinyò, 15 
08002 Barcelona, Spain 
e-mail: n.poisson@uclg.org / e.saiz@uclg.org 
Tel.:0034 933428750 
Fax: 0034 933 42 87 75 
website: www.cities-localgovernments.org 

Ms. Maruxa Diaz Cardama Garcia 
Secretary General 
nrg4SD 
Network of Regional Governments for Sustainable Development 
www.nrg4sd.org 
227, Rue de la Loi/Wetstraat | B-1040 Brussels | Belgium 
Mobile: +32 (0) 475 844 339 
Skype: maruxacardamanrg4sd 
Email: mcardama@nrg4sd.org

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NGOs

Agenda 21: Chapter 27

STRENGTHENING THE ROLE OF NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS: PARTNERS FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

27.1. Non-governmental organizations play a vital role in the shaping and implementation of participatory democracy. Their credibility lies in the responsible and constructive role they play in society. Formal and informal organizations, as well as grass-roots movements, should be recognized as partners in the implementation of Agenda 21. 

The nature of the independent role played by non-governmental organizations within a society calls for real participation; therefore, independence is a major attribute of non-governmental organizations and is the precondition of real participation.

Jeffery Huffines 
CIVICUS: World Alliance for Citizen Participation 
Email: jeffery.huffines@civicus.org 
New York, New York 
www.civicus.org 

Leida Rijnhout 
Executive Director 
ANPED - Northern Alliance for Sustainability 
Chaussee St. Pierre 123 - 1040 Brussel 
www.anped.org 
Email: leida@anped.org 
mob: +32 494 89 30 52 
http://rioplus20ngo.ning.com/ 

Leonardo Rocha 
Communication & Project officer 
ANPED - Northern Alliance for Sustainability 
Chaussee St. Pierre 123, 1040 - Brussels 
www.anped.org 
leonardo@anped.org 

Mr. Jan-Gustav Strandenaes 
Northern Alliance for Sustainability (ANPED) 
Email: jg_str946@hotmail.com 
Chaussee St. Pierre 123 - 1040 Brussels 
www.anped.org 

Mr. Luis Flores 
Consumers International 
E-mail: lflores at consumidoresint.org 
Tel: +56 26 322084 Ext: 13 
Chile 

Natalie Akstein 
CIVICUS: World Alliance for Citizen Participation 
Email: natalie.akstein at civicus.org 
PO BOX 933, 2135, Johannesburg, South Africa 
www.civicus.org 
Tel: + 27 11 833 59 59 

Mr. Henri Valot 
CIVICUS: World Alliance for Citizen Participation 
E-mail: henri.valot at civicus.org 
Tel: +27 11 833 5959 
South Africa - See more at: http://www.uncsd2012.org/index.php?menu=102#sthash.BG2L6HR1.dpuf

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Scientific and Technological Community

Agenda 21: Chapter 31 

SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNOLOGICAL COMMUNITY INTRODUCTION 

31.1. The present chapter focuses on how to enable the scientific and technological community, which includes, among others, engineers, architects, industrial designers, urban planners and other professionals and policy makers, to make a more open and effective contribution to the decision-making processes concerning environment and development. It is important that the role of science and technology in human affairs be more widely known and better understood, both by decision makers who help determine public policy and by the general public. 

The cooperative relationship existing between the scientific and technological community and the general public should be extended and deepened into a full partnership. Improved communication and cooperation between the scientific and technological community and decision makers will facilitate greater use of scientific and technical information and knowledge in policies and programme implementation. Decision makers should create more favourable conditions for improving training and independent research in sustainable development. Existing multidisciplinary approaches will have to be strengthened and more interdisciplinary studies developed between the scientific and technological community and policy makers and with the general public to provide leadership and practical know-how to the concept of sustainable development. 

The public should be assisted in communicating their sentiments to the scientific and technological community concerning how science and technology might be better managed to affect their lives in a beneficial way. By the same token, the independence of the scientific and technological community to investigate and publish without restriction and to exchange their findings freely must be assured. The adoption and implementation of ethical principles and codes of practice for the scientific and technological community that are internationally accepted could enhance professionalism and may improve and hasten recognition of the value of its contributions to environment and development, recognizing the continuing evolution and uncertainty of scientific knowledge.

Mr. Peter Bates 
International Council for Science 
E-mail: peter.bates@icsu.org 
Tel: +33 1 45 25 5321 
France 

Mr. Gisbert Glaser 
International Council for Science (ICSU) 
5 rue Auguste Vacquerie, 75016 Paris, France 
Tel: +33 1 45 25 03 29; 
Fax: +33 1 42 88 94 31 
E-mail: gisbert.glaser(at)icsu.org 
Website: http://www.icsu.org/index.php4 

Mr. Jorge Spitalnik 
World Federation of Engineering Organisations (WFEO) 
1 rue Miollis - Maison de 1?UNESCO, 
75015 Paris, France 
Tel: +55 21 2267 4050; 
Fax: +55 21 2522 2760 
E-mail: jspitalnik(at)alternex.com.br 
Website: http://www.wfeo.net/ - See more at: http://www.uncsd2012.org/index.php?menu=103#sthash.fO2NxTru.dpuf

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Women

The Women?s Rio 2012 steering committee is the coordination and decision making body of the women?s major group for Rio 2012. The steering committee includes international women?s networks working on sustainable development issues;

• ENERGIA International Network on Gender on Sustainable Energy
• IUCN Gender Department
• GFC Global Forest Coalition
• VAM Voices of African Mothers
• WEDO Women Environment Development Organisation
• WECF Women in Europe for a Common Future
• WOCAN Women Organizing for Change in Agriculture and NRM
• Earth Day Networks, Earth Care Africa, Eco-Forum Kazakhstan, UNISON Kyrgyzstan, Commonweal, Black Sea Women Club, as well as many other regional and national women and sustainable development organisations.
  
  

GLOBAL ACTION FOR WOMEN TOWARDS SUSTAINABLE AND EQUITABLE DEVELOPMENT 24.1. The international community has endorsed several plans of action and conventions for the full, equal and beneficial integration of women in all development activities, in particular the Nairobi Forward-looking Strategies for the Advancement of Women, 1/ which emphasize women's participation in national and international ecosystem management and control of environment degradation. Several conventions, including the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (General Assembly resolution 34/180, annex) and conventions of ILO and UNESCO have also been adopted to end gender-based discrimination and ensure women access to land and other resources, education and safe and equal employment. Also relevant are the 1990 World Declaration on the Survival, Protection and Development of Children and the Plan of Action for implementing the Declaration (A/45/625, annex). Effective implementation of these programmes will depend on the active involvement of women in economic and political decision-making and will be critical to the successful implementation of Agenda 21.

Ms. Sascha Gabizon 
Women in Europe for a Common Future - WECF 
St.-Jakobs-Platz 10, D - 80331 Munich, Germany 
Tel: +49 89 23239380 / Fax: +49 89 232393811 
Biltstraat 445, NL - 3572 AW Utrecht, Netherlands 
Tel: +31 30 2310300 / Fax: +31 30 2340878 
E-mail: sascha.gabizon@wecf.eu 

Ms. Sabina Anokye-Mensah 
Voices of African Mothers 
P.O. Box AN12982, Accra North, Ghana, West Africa 
E-mail: sabinamensah@hotmail.com 
Tel: +233 244 379 974 

Ms. Nana-Fosu Randall 
Voices of African Mothers 
E-mail: nanamo2000@hotmail.com 
Tel: +233 277 725 378

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Workers and Trade Unions

Agenda 21: Chapter 29 

STRENGTHENING THE ROLE OF WORKERS AND THEIR TRADE UNIONS PROGRAMME AREA 

29.1. Efforts to implement sustainable development will involve adjustments and opportunities at the national and enterprise levels, with workers foremost among those concerned. As their representatives, trade unions are vital actors in facilitating the achievement of sustainable development in view of their experience in addressing industrial change, the extremely high priority they give to protection of the working environment and the related natural environment, and their promotion of socially responsible and economic development. The existing network of collaboration among trade unions and their extensive membership provide important channels through which the concepts and practices of sustainable development can be supported. The established principles of tripartism provide a basis for strengthened collaboration between workers and their representatives, Governments and employers in the implementation of sustainable development.

Ms. Anabella Rosemberg 
International Trade Unions Confederation (ITUC) 
Trade Union Advisory Committee to the OECD (TUAC) 
15 rue La Perouse, 75016 Paris, France 
Tel: +33 155 373 735; 
Fax: +33 147 549 828 
E-mail Rosemberg@TUAC.org 
Website: http://www.ituc-csi.org/ 

Ms. Laura Martin 
Sustainlabour 
E-mail: lmartin@sustainlabour.org - See more at: http://www.uncsd2012.org/index.php?menu=105#sthash.NZ21HPfQ.dpuf

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