ECYI at UN Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD-15)
It is my great pleasure and honor to post my first entry in the ECYI blog. As you may aware, my name is Joel Vengo from Democratic Republic of Congo and I am the one of the young people who has the special privilege to represent the ECYI at the 15th session of the UN Commission on Sustainable Development here in United Nations Headquarters, New York from 30 April to 11 May 2007.
The CSD is the UN’s annual discussion on sustainable development issues that take place each year between governments, civil society leaders, UN agencies and others stakeholders. This year, different delegates are reviewing progress made in the following areas: Energy for Sustainable Development, Industrial Development, Air pollution/ Atmosphere and Climate Change. I am very excited about the opportunity to obtain a global perspective and represent those of us who are actively involved in this area.
CSD is a wonderful venue for many who normally don’t have a voice in policy to speak up and be heard. It’s an even better way to educate governments and delegates, as those of us who are doing lobbying can attest to. It can also be seen as a crucial part of soft policy, which can help many countries in implementing changes.
It is really an amazing privilege to meet so many high profile personalities and inspiring people so concerned with global issues of sustainable development and finding ways to take action. I saw confident young people who were active and productive members of their communities demanding more action from government delegates in the favor of youth. This major group demonstrated that they have experience and knowledge to bring to the table.
CSD has created the way for effective youth leadership of the entire process. The Youth Caucus activities at all levels of the Conference are remarkable and youth are represented in an unprecedented manner. This is worth celebrating and I believe too that youth voices are really of great importance to the cause of sustainable development. And it is an important opportunity to mobilize for effective youth participation in grassroots action to move interventions around sustainable development forward.
As part of the CSD Partnerships Fair, I staffed the ECYI Information Desk, which allowed us to create the visibility of our network, expand awareness of Earth Charter among many delegates attending the CSD, launch new partnerships, and network with existing youth organizations and potential partners.
I greatly expect that CSD-15 will give me an opportunity to build facilitation, negotiation, public speaking and lobbying techniques, as well as share best practices with other young inspiring leaders and gain a vast network of friends who share an interest in sustainable development.
Many things to tell you, but we will take special time to draft a final report documenting experiences and lessons learned and at the end of this meeting, which we will share with all of you. Hopefully each of you will love the CSD-15 and then next year, we will increase the presence of ECYI at CSD.
Comments
Joel - good to read this. Looking back on it now, what do you see of the achievements, significance of the meeting? Those of us who do not go and only read what little is reported of it in the press, find it difficult to assess - and, of course, there was huge criticism of the appointment of President Mugabe as chair.
Jeffrey Newman
Earth Charter United Kingdom
Posted by: Jeffrey Newman | May 26, 2007 7:19 AM
I am more than inspired to read about your experience at the last CSD meeting in New York. I believe more developing country participants should be motivated and allowed to take part in such future development talks. Its great to hear that vibrant youth have the chance to express our views on the future of our own welfare. I am hoping to partake in the next meeting, knowing very well the importance of this to Ghana.
Martin Gyabaah
Visionary Youth Ghana
Earth Charter Youth Group
Posted by: Martin Hinneh Gyabaah | December 17, 2007 2:47 PM