SustainUS is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization of young people advancing sustainable development and youth empowerment in the United States. Through proactive education, research, and advocacy at the policy-making and grassroots levels, we are building a future in which all people recognize the inherent equality and interdependence of social, economic, and environmental sustainability.

Friday 9 May

It's a rainy Friday afternoon at the United Nations.  The first week of CSD-16 is coming to a close, but I'm already looking forward to the next five days.

 This is my first experience with CSD.  It's taken me some time to adjust to the language and culture of the UN meetings, but I've finally learned how to follow the dialogue and listen for subtle implications in delegates' speeches (I must at least look like I know what I'm doing, since some people have been asking me for directions recently). I particularly like the side events and panelists, since they give a practical view of problems and potential solutions.  Last night, for example, we learned about how Freshwater Action Network-Mexico supports comunities and civil society organizations as they implement water projects. (I'm very excited for next week because it's a review of water and sanitation policies from CSD-13). 

 Above all, I'm impressed with everyone's kindness and interest. We had a somewhat impromtu meeting with the Scientific and Technological representatives this morning about water supply and purification technologies, panelists are responsive to any sort of question, and nobody is afraid to laugh. 

 Have a good weekend! --Nora

last day thoughts

            As I sat listening to statements being made by countries this morning, I was also glancing through the Outreach Issues for today.  Flipping through, I was happy to see Youth and other major groups mentioned, YEY TO REPRESENTATION!!!  Then I came to a section titled “While We Were Talking…” an article that mentions numerous topics about what has happened internationally in the past two weeks.  Let me summarize:  two different natural disasters, shot rioters, dissatisfaction with international agencies, rise of oil prices, resignation of key environmental officials, and water shortages in the developed world.

            …

            A lot of thoughts ran thorough my head:  Why is this process so slow?  Why are we all not on the same page with making change to the world?  How do you get the participation of all people integrated into the process, and how to integrate outcries from a very local level?  How will the world look in 10, 15, 100 years?  How do different cultural norms integrate into international issues that DO NOT affect people differently by race, age, social and economic status or occupation?

 

            These issues, like so many things in life, come back to process.  Yes, process at the UN and the CSD can be (and are) slow, but working together we bring options, discussions and conclusions that could not have been made in a quick manner; that will be more beneficial for people who have been marginalized while looking at the long term effects and planning that need to be approached. 

            So, what does this all mean???

There is a reason why youth are here!!! 

We can complain about the process, but without it we would not collectively be able to say “we are youth, this is what we want to see, we are important to the process, we matter” or as Rachel wrote (and many others edited),

 “Consider our energy and fresh outlooks as assets.Your decisions will define our future.” 

5:30PM and the draft Chair's text is out!

After a round of meetings all day, the draft text finally came out at 5:30PM.  Three hours later, members of the Youth Caucus are gathered in the Delegate's hallway looking over the draft Chair's text and comparing it to the Youth Caucus' key priorities.  In reviewing the Chair's text, Youth Caucus members are identifying text to be changed, removed, fought for, and fought against.  After our review, the key areas to be changed will be presented to the Youth Caucus.  Since Major Groups under CSD, like the Children and Youth Caucus, are not allowed to directly influence the text, Caucus members will be lobbying government delegates on various items to impact the outcomes of the Chair's document.  More updates to come soon on how the lobbying process goes!

Join the Youth Caucus to start the CSD off right

Youth climate leaders from around the world will converge on the Youth Energy Blast on April 29, 2007 at Columbia University in New York with the mission of sharing their skills and preparing for the 15th Session UN Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD-15).

The purpose of the Youth Energy Blast is to empower our generation-wide movement to confront the energy crisis. The goals of the Blast are to provide information and training for leaders around the CSD and provide a space for youth to share experience and knowledge implementing climate solutions and participate in decision-making at the international level.

If you are going to attend CSD and participate in the Youth Caucus, we strongly encourage you attend!

DATE: APRIL 29, 2007

TIME: 11:00PM - 4:30PM [11:00-16:30]

PLACE: COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY TEACHERS COLLEGE
277 Grace Dodge Hall
Enter at 630 West 120th Street (between Broadway and Amsterdam)
You will need a photo ID to enter the building

DIRECTIONS:
Take the 1 train to 116th Street/Columbia University. Walk north four blocks on Broadway, and make the left onto 120th.