Civil Society and Knowledge Institutions Uniting Forces for Sustainable Development: Rio Side Event on Inclusive Institutional Frameworks

Brasilia, 14 June 2012 - Heads of States and Government, civil society organizations, NGOs, representatives from the private sector, knowledge institutions, international organizations and various individuals will gather for the Rio+20 Conference, from on 13-22 June 2012, in the city of Rio de Janeiro, working together to define a roadmap for a more sustainable, green and inclusive future for humankind. In recognition of the importance of the participation of civil society and knowledge institutions for more inclusive processes and outcomes, the International Policy Centre for Inclusive Growth (IPC-IG/UNDP) will host a Rio +20 side event on the Civil Society and Knowledge Community: Dialogues around Institutional Framework for Sustainable Development (IFSD), co-organized with The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) from India, and UNDP’s Democratic Governance Group.

Taking place on 19 June 2012, the IPC-IG side event will be organized in the form of a panel and will include time for an open discussion. The outcome of this dialogue will contribute to civil society and media capacity building activities being undertaken by IPC-IG, its broadening work on socio-economic governance frameworks of green and equitable growth as well as contribute to the trans-disciplinary knowledge activities undertaken by TERI.

The broadening of public participation in decision-making and accountability and the empowerment of the poor and marginalized are fundamental prerequisites for achieving sustainable development. This implies a multidimensional process, in which civil society must be a full partner. Expanding the space for civil society and knowledge institutions to contribute to the design and implementation of Institutional Frameworks for Sustainable Development (IFSD) and related activities has already delivered positive results in a number of areas: the expansion of social guidelines and safeguards for REDD+, the expansion of debate on social dimensions of climate change,  UN Conventions on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and Indigenous Peoples and the expansion of access to care and treatment for PLHIV.

While the civil society has been active in effective program execution and in ensuring transparency as watchdogs for the community, knowledge institutions have engaged in in-depth research activities contributing to the identification and adaptation of policy innovations within a trans-disciplinary and collaborative framework. Both play a key role in making and influencing policy locally and globally.

Humankind is building a mutual interest in the process, the results and the importance of clearly defining the changes that need to be achieved to ensure sustainable development. Defining such a future must be done with as diverse a membership as possible. It is usually in a complex multi-stakeholder, multi-tier and multi-sectoral sphere that CSOs and Knowledge Institutions can be most effective, and therefore, efforts must not shy away from this dialogue.

The IPC-IG side event will provide new thinking, highlight emerging tools and provide space for productive

brainstorming by stimulating discussion and identifying lessons from previous experiences.  Clear elements for further research will be identified from the discussions, and an expanded partnership on research and dialogue on this theme will be formed. The outcomes of the event will inform IPC-IG’s research sub-theme on socio-political innovations for sustainable developments, giving support not only to further the discussions on the theme, but mainly to nurture substantial and practical projects to ensure a more inclusive sustainable development.

Presentations will be made on the following topics:

• Economic and ecological justice frameworks for sustainable development

• Effective governance for improved social inclusion

• Enhancing the role of CSOs and knowledge community for democratic participation in decision-making

• Role of CSOs in monitoring and ensuring the effectiveness of climate finance

• Governance of Biofuels: Lessons for the collective role of CSOs

“Finding sustainable solutions, which Rio+20 is about, requires a conscious effort of empowering and galvanizing civil society and knowledge communities, and tapping scientific as well as traditional knowledge, to identify, disseminate, and scale up `what works`. For this to happen, governments must ensure all members of society are able to exercise their rights and obligations, and uphold democratic values and principles.’’

Geraldine Fraser-Moleketi, Director of the Democratic Governance Group at UNDP’s Bureau for Development Policy (BDP)

INFORMATION

Rio+20 side event on “Civil Society and Knowledge Community: Dialogues around Institutional Framework for Sustainable Development”
Date:  June 19, 2012

Time: 17:30-19:00 hrs

Location: P3-F Rio Centro

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Following the issues on the Rio+20 agenda? Refer to the following IPC-IG publications:

Green Equity: Environmental Justice for more Inclusive Growth

Dimensions of Inclusive Development

Mitigation of What and by What? Adaptation by Whom and for Whom? Dilemmas in Delivering for the Poor and the Vulnerable in International Climate Policy

Benefits Sharing: Blending Climate Change and Development in National Policy Efforts

Inclusive and Sustainable Development: For Whom?

Understanding the Socio-Environmental Policy Space

Climate Change in Brazil: Economic, Social and Regulatory Aspects

Cost–benefit Analyses of Climate Change