CSD is in a review year and the conference is moving slowly.  As usual, the ambition and sense of urgency energizing youth and civil society far outpaces the constrained governing framework.  Nevertheless, youth have been making substantial contributions. 

I’ll give a few updates on what we’ve been working on, but as usual the real story and cause for optimism is how we’re working.

 * The chair’s text summarizing the meetings on the different thematic groups was released Monday.  The youth caucus divided itself into the different themes, read through the text and then submitted general critiques and specific amendment suggestions to the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs.

* A major group statement (on behalf of all of civil society groups – young and old) was approved and will be delivered by a representative from the youth caucus at the High Level Meeting today.  The statement emphasizes the unique role that civil society can play in developing and implementing solutions to sustainable development issues.

* The Chair of CSD 18, Luis Alberto Ferrate (also Guatemala’s Minister of the Environment), met with civil society Tuesday morning and took some questions.  His answers were encouragingly progressive and he emphasized the sinful 40+% of food wasted in the supply chain in the developed world and the undervalued role of women around the world.  He also called on civil society to always be ready to make interventions when sessions end early since views need to be on the record for the Chair to get them in the text.

This is my first conference with SustainUS since COP-14, and while the scale is smaller, the work ethic and model of cooperation and understanding amongst youth is just as refreshing.  The same respect for the gravity of the issues we are working on is ever-present - youth footsteps echo the empty hallways at 8AM when the gates open and their jackets are strawn across chairs in the cafeteria long after food has stopped being served.  And while at times it feels like our interventions in the official meetings are only symbolic, participation is not symbolic amongst each other – voices are listened to, concerns are taken serious, and suggestions are incorporated.

As Jeffrey Sachs calls for an end to the “pathetic deprivation of imagination in investment” of spending 10x Afghanistan’s GDP on our military operations there; as Jane Goodall’s beautiful smile is tainted by eyes filled with concern; and as a Nigerien shepherd relays the devastating effects of uranium mining on his village – despite stagnation at the conference, their messages are not lost on all; we still have our eyes on the prize and are holding fast to our values of how we will get there.