GLOBAL STRATEGY January-June 2012 v2
INTRODUCING ROAD TO RIO+20
The document is not supposed to be a dynamic one. With 4 months to go to Rio+20, this big picture, which we have been working on for more than a year, is going to act as a stable reference point for specific initiatives we’ll be implementing together. After Rio, it’ll become a useful starting point for our planning of follow up activities. This document is both meant as guidance to current coalition partners and as an overview of our work for other stakeholders. Please feel free to share it and get others on board of our mobilization efforts!
Nicolò Wojewoda Director, Road to Rio+20
FOREWORD
The following pages are meant to provide the big picture of our work together and a sketch of our plans for the future. More detailed planning is meant to be developed within the framework of each specific initiative and is therefore out of the scope of this Global Strategy.
WHO ARE WE?
HOW DO WE WORK TOGETHER? Coalition members (also referred to as ‘Road to Rio+20 partners’) collectively contribute to the achievement of a shared vision, through agreed initiatives. The coalition is based on consensus around its higher-level vision and strategy, but on the other hand it relies on a critical mass of engagement for every initiative it conceptualizes, develops and implements. Coalition members have common, but differentiated responsibilities for the fulfillment of agreed strategy, and are accountable to each other in the process.
WHAT DO WE WANT? 1. 2. 3.
Heads of State/Government at the summit. Resources for the global youth mobilization towards the summit and its follow up. Youth participation in official delegations and in the summit’s decision making process.
THE BASICS
Road to Rio+20 is a coalition of organizations, weaving together a global youth-led movement to realize the potential of the Earth Summit 2012.
WHAT IS OUR VISION FOR RIO+20?
We see Rio+20 as a turning point in global awareness of our dependence on our planet. It is where individuals, communities and the world wake up to the reality of the finite resources we all share and how they shape our livelihoods and well-being. To achieve that, Rio+20 must require governments to educate their citizens – from primary school to university – about sustainable lifestyles, the green economy and living in harmony with the earth. As citizens we must also hold ourselves accountable for the creation and distribution of informal education and peer-to-peer learning opportunities in our communities. Our media must also support this movement, not defend current unsustainable practices, by bringing this message to every global citizen. Above all, Rio+20 must build a sense of optimism that, by transitioning rapidly to sustainable communities of responsible governance and engaged citizenry for people and the planet, we will come together to eliminate poverty and provide opportunities for all. Vision statement – 2nd partners’ meeting, November 2011
THE SUMMIT
Success at Rio+20 will see the creation of a people’s movement that goes where Rio +20 doesn’t go – beyond UN negotiations and into our living rooms and reaching our streets. This movement will create a global sense of responsibility for current and future generations to enjoy sufficient resources to meet their needs, while generating a new social contract that places the planet at its center. Success at Rio+20 will build a global community that ensures equity between generations, enforces that polluters pay, goes beyond GDP to assess progress, and that supports industries, which use resources efficiently and creates ethical, re-distributive frameworks in the production and consumption of goods and services.
The coalition will focus on these flagship initiatives initiated by partner organizations, in the lead up to the Earth Summit 2012. Other initiatives will be adopted on an ad-hoc basis, when there is a critical mass of partners interested in contributing.
A campaign to raise awareness about the importance of the summit and the issues behind it, encouraging people around the world to take action in their own lives and in the lives of their communities. The campaign will climax with a Global Day of Action on April 22nd (Earth Day).
MYCITY+20 A series of Model Earth Summits organized in high schools, universities and cities around the world under the banner MyCity+20 (e.g Paris+20, Amsterdam+20, Rome+20, etc.). Simulations of the Earth Summit under realistic conditions, but with room for innovation, followed by a day of reflection and planning local actions based on the information and lessons learned in the experience.
OUR WORK
RIO+YOU
ONLINE COMMUNICATIONS
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Presenting stories of youth involvement and impact in sustainable development Highlighting partners’ efforts in the field, in order to inspire and provide examples of good practice Coordinating targeted campaigns (e.g. email submissions to the UN, social media blasts) towards the achievement of our vision Communicating our work to other stakeholders in the Rio+20 community and to the media
OUR WORK
In addition to the implementation of agreed initiatives (Rio+YOU and MyCity+20), the coalition adopts a unified communications strategy, revolving around:
TO RIO, AND BEYOND!
roadtorioplus20.org facebook.com/road2rio20 twitter.com/road2rio20 rio@peacechild.org