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Written by Kyle
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Saturday, 22 May 2010 19:35 |
As read by Agents of Change Delegate Michael Davidson at the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development's 18th Session (pictured below).
- Thank you, Mr. Co-Chair.
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- We appreciate the opportunity to address the delegates in this room on the important topic of sustainable transportation. Inadequate transportation infrastructure disproportionately affects youth and children. As the Chair's Summary highlighted, access to transport services is essential in providing basic services in developing countries -- and it vitally supports the health and education Millennium Development Goals.
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- We have heard from many delegates in these sessions, including today by the distinguished representative of the Scientific and Technological Community, that our current transport system is too heavily reliant on fossil fuel use. New ways forward must incorporate a holistic approach to improving access that is responsive to the needs of individual communities and all civil societies. Youth, as current innovators, and children, as future users, have a critical role to play in advancing sustainable transport.
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- We would like to address these issues in this roundtable discussion by asking delegates the following questions.
- QUESTIONS:
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- 1. The provision of affordable and attractive transport is especially important to youth, yet this is unfortunately lacking in many countries across the developing world. This is a problem of financing and education.
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- What are you doing to promote awareness and affordability of cleaner and more efficient modes of transportation, especially to the underrepresented youth and children?
- 2. Many delegations stressed the continuous need for public participation in all decision-making of transport policies and projects. The decisions that are taken today in terms of transport planning will frame how we travel in the future when children become the primary users.
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- We ask the Distinguished Delegates: What are the ways in which you are increasing youth participation in the planning and decision-making processes of the transport sector?
- The negative environmental, social and health consequences currently inherent in the infrastructure and energy usage of transportation systems will leave youth and children with a very different world than our parents'. Transportation policy, planning and engineering play a critical role in ensuring that the worst of the negative long-term effects are avoided. Furthermore, the UK Department for Transport stated in its 2004 Transport White Paper (quote) “the increasing demand for travel... [must be balanced with the]… goal of protecting the environment effectively and improving the quality of life for everyone".
- Lastly, we appreciate the Distinguished Representative of South Africa for raising the importance of transportation as a crucial bridge to education, especially in developing countries. Basic transport infrastructure and services are still inadequate or lacking in many rural areas, making it difficult for impoverished children to access basic services, including education.
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- If we are to achieve the second Millennium Development Goal of universal primary education, we need a reliable and sustainable transport infrastructure.
- CLOSING STATEMENT
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- In closing, we would like to further emphasize that central to every policy and decision-making process, is a holistic approach that takes into consideration the needs and aspirations of the people who will become an integral part of the system.
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- This requires sustained investment from public and private sectors.
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- And we, youth and children, stand ready to invest in our future prosperity.
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- Thank you very much.
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