Dear Alan,

Thanks for raising awareness about the important dialogues talking place on
the road to Rio+20.
 
Just a quick email to alert colleagues that the text you quote below from the
zero draft is no longer valid. The text has been the subject of much
negotiation this last week and sentences have been dropped and words have
changed. We will be able to see the latest version and assess the position of
education very shortly.
 
Perhaps worth highlighting is the following;
 
1) The decision has been made very recently to allow Universities to be
accredited, for the first time, in their own right and thus be allowed to
participate at the official Rio+20 UN conference.
 
2) Colleagues are busy lobbying for education to be one of the proposed
Sustainable Development Goals. 
 
3) The UN backed Higher Education Declaration on sustainable development is
gathering momentum
http://www.uncsd2012.org/rio20/index.php?page=view&nr=341&type=12&menu=35  .
It brings together the commitments of individual institutions which
acknowledge responsibility in this area.
 
3) The Rio+20 Higher Education Treaty for Sustainable Development, which is
being developed via a collaborative international processes, is worth keeping
an eye out for. It is seeking to leave a legacy particularly with regards to
the embedding of sustainability education within the curriculum of
Universities and colleges. Details can be found at:
http://www.copernicus-alliance.org
 
Momentum is gathering... details of the official Environmental Education and
Education for Sustainability side events to be held at Rio+20 will be coming
over the next few days.
 
all best
 
Daniella
 
 
 
 
Professor Daniella Tilbury
 
President, Copernicus Alliance
 
 
 
 
 
 

________________________________

From: Environmental Education Research on behalf of Alan Reid
Sent: Fri 04/05/2012 08:08
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Rio+20 and education?


Dear list members,


More signs of the public statements and responses by advocates through to
critics of work related to Rio+20 and education are appearing on the
internet.


Those of you interested in tracking this and/or participating may be
interested in a few recent online items and resources within the 'fold' of
Rio+20. Responses welcome.


Kind regards


Alan Reid
env-ed-research listowner






A. Rio+20 Document Library - http://www.uncsd2012.org/rio20/documents.html 
Contains SG Reports, Co-Chairs' summaries, Decisions/Resolutions, Background
papers, Special studies, and Minutes from UNCSD Bureau meetings as well other
pertinent documentation to the United Nations Conference on Sustainable
Development. 




B. The Future We Want - "Zero draft of the outcome document" -
http://www.uncsd2012.org/rio20/futurewewant.html#Va:
Extract of entry on Education in section V. Framework for action and
follow-up, A. Priority/key/thematic/cross-sectoral issues and areas. Example
responses below at *


"Education
98. We recognize that access by all people to quality education is an
essential condition for sustainable development and social inclusion. We
commit to strengthening the contribution of our education systems to the
pursuit of sustainable development, including through enhanced teacher
training and curricula development.

99. We call upon universities to become models of best practice and
transformation by setting an example of sustainability of facilities on their
campuses and teaching sustainable development as a module across all
disciplines. In this way sustainable practices will become embedded in
learning and action.

100. We encourage international education exchange activities on education
for sustainable development, including the creation of fellowships and
scholarships for international study in disciplines and inter-disciplinary
fields pertinent to the promotion of sustainable development.

101. We agree to promote education for sustainable development beyond the end
of the United Nations Decade of Education for Sustainable Development in
2014, to educate a new generation of students in the values, key disciplines
and holistic, cross-disciplinary approaches essential to promoting
sustainable development."



C. Rio+20 Education Group <http://rio20.net/en/autores/rio20-education-group>
: "The education we need for the world we want" -
http://rio20.net/en/propuestas/the-education-we-need-for-the-world-we-want
opening paragraph: 
"Rio+20 develops in a global situation of crisis. We are not only witnessing
the economic, social and environmental impacts of the crisis of financial
capitalism in its neoliberal phase, but a crisis of greater magnitude that
evidences the problems intrinsic to the current system and that affect key
areas of life and is expressed in various local, regional and global events.
Although the eyes of analysts and public opinion have focused on Europe and
the U.S., the situation shows signs of global exhaustion and demands for
alternatives for humanity and the planet are increasingly appearing." 
(Full text of proposals and abstracts, http://alainet.org/active/54387) 
[The Working Group on Education with a view to UN Conference on Sustainable
Development Rio+20 is formed by: The International Council for Adult
Education (ICAE), the World Education Forum (FME), the Latin American
Campaign for the Right to Education (CLADE), the Latin American Council of
Adult Education (CEAAL), the Journey on Environmental Education for
Sustainable Societies and Global Responsibility, the Latin American Faculty
of Social Sciences (FLACSO), the International of Education, the Popular
Education Network of Women from Latin America and the Caribbean (REPEM).]


D. Treaty on Environmental Education for Sustainable Societies and Global
Responsibility -
http://rio20.net/en/documentos/treaty-on-environmental-education-for-sustaina
ble-societies-and-global-responsibility
"This treaty, as in education, is a dynamic process and should therefore
promote reflection, debate and amendments.
1. We signatories, people from all parts of the globe, are devoted to
protecting life on earth and recognize the central role of education in
shaping values and social action. We commit ourselves to a process of
educational transformation aimed at involving ourselves, our communities and
nations in creating equitable and sustainable societies. In so doing we seek
to bring new hope to our small, troubled, but still beautiful planet." 
Continued at weblink above or
http://tratadoeducacaoambiental.net/Jornada/Home_in.html.


E.World Education Forum "Capitalist Crisis, Social and environmental justice"
<http://fmejsa.forummundialeducacao.org/?lang=en> -
http://fmejsa.forummundialeducacao.org/?page_id=15&lang=en
Held 24 January 2012-29 January 2012, at Porto Alegre, Brasil. 
"The Brazilian Civil Society Facilitating Committee for Rio+20, which
incorporates different non-governmental networks and organizations as well as
various Brazilian social movements, including environmentalists, rural and
urban workers, young people, popular movements and solidarity economy
entrepreneurs among others, has called on civil society organizations as well
as worldwide social and popular movements to take part in the process which
will lead to the autonomous and plural event which will take place in June
2012: People's Summit towards Sustainable Development - Rio+20, in parallel
with the UN Conference on Sustainable Development - UNCSD 2012, also called
Rio+20."





* Example responses to the zero draft:
1.  Indigenous Peoples' Submission to Zero Draft of the Rio+20 Outcome
Document  -
http://www.slideshare.net/uncsd2012/indigenous-peoples-submission-to-zero-dra
ft-of-the-rio20-outcome-document
From opening paragraphs: 
"Representatives of Indigenous Peoples' communities, organizations and
networks from Latin America and the Caribbean, Asia, Africa and North
America, gathered together in a Global Preparatory Meeting of Indigenous
Peoples on Rio+20 and Kari-Oca 2 last August 22-24, 2011 in Manaus, Amazonia,
Brazil. The key objective of this process was to discuss and agree on how
Indigenous Peoples will engage and contribute effectively in the preparatory
processes and the conference proper of the UN Conference onSustainable
Development/Rio+20. The participants united on the "Manaus
Declaration:Indigenous Peoples In Route To The Rio + 20 Conference" and most
of the conclusions and recommendations from this are integrated in this
submission ... 1st Key Message: The UN Declaration on the Rights of
Indigenous Peoples should be a key international standard and framework for
the realization of sustainable development."




2. INEE (Inter-Agency Network for Education in Emergencies) response -
"RIO+20 - but where's EDUCATION?" -
http://rayharris57.wordpress.com/2012/05/03/rio20-but-wheres-education/ 

From opening paragraphs: 
"In June 2012, the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio
+20) will be held in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil. This conference represents 20
years since member states created and adopted Agenda 21: A Programme of
Action for Sustainable Development. 


The Zero Draft for Rio +20 <http://en.support.wordpress.com/affiliate-links/>
was created in January, and includes very little on education, despite the
fact that education is often affected by natural hazards (floods, tsunami,
tornadoes, etc.), and education can be a critical factor in mitigating both
the impact of natural hazard and environmental degradation.

As a contribution to the sustainability agenda and the outcomes of the Rio
+20 conference, INEE has issued a statement (online here
<http://en.support.wordpress.com/affiliate-links/> ) advocating for the
inclusion of education in the final document. Please feel free to distribute
and use this statement for advocacy. Comments and discussion about this
statement can be shared on the INEE Blog
<http://en.support.wordpress.com/affiliate-links/> ." 
	




3. World Vision's response to Zero Draft outcome document -
http://www.uncsd2012.org/rio20/index.php?page=view&nr=786&type=230&menu=39
From opening paragraphs:
"The draft Outcome Document for Rio+20 identifies the major issues and
priority areas concerning sustainable development, particularly with regards
to the progress to date and new and emerging challenges. 
The Zero Draft, however, misses the opportunity created by the legacy of the
Rio Summits to call for significant action or inspire bold steps. The
document demonstrates a considerable lack of urgency in tackling these
fundamental issues, and the effort to secure renewed political commitment for
sustainable development is vague and abstract. Commitment and urgent action
will require significantly greater detail on concrete deliverables for
governments. The outcomes of Rio+20 must also address the means of
implementing actions with tangible commitments concerning the provision of
resources."





4. Earth Charter response -
http://www.earthcharterinaction.org/content/articles/802/1/The-UNCSD-Rio20-Ze
ro-Draft-process/Page1.html:


"The Earth Charter International and the EC Initiative have been actively
contributing to the outcome document (or Zero Draft) for the UNCSD Rio+20
Conference. 

Based on the suggestions of many from the Earth Charter network, Earth
Charter International submitted the "Recommendations for the Zero Draft of
the UNCSD (Rio+20) Outcome Document.
<http://www.earthcharterinaction.org/invent/details.php?id=896> " 

Almost 500 NGOs sent in recommendations for the outcomes of Rio+20. Thirty
submissions to the Compilation Document included the Earth Charter in their
recommendations, among them four Member States
<http://www.earthcharterinaction.org/content/articles/772/1/Earth-Charter-sub
mits-recommendations-to-Rio20-Zero-Draft/Page1.html> (i.e. national
governments): Armenia, Bolivia, Mexico and the Russian Federation.

These recommendations were put into a Compilation Document
<http://www.uncsd2012.org/rio20/index.php?menu=115%20>  that was released on
January 10th.  The initial discussions of this compilation document have
started and the delegations of the UN Member States met from 25-27 of January
to discuss this draft.  

In this link
<http://www.uncsd2012.org/rio20/index.php?page=view&nr=333&type=12&menu=23&te
mplate=435%20> you can see the statements for this first draft.  It's
important to mention that two Member States (Jordan and Russia Federation)
included the Earth Charter in their statements made in January. In addition
to those countries that had already mentioned the EC in their first submition
to the Zero Draft back in October. 

Jordan
<http://www.uncsd2012.org/rio20/index.php?page=view&type=6&nr=182&menu=32>
proposed to incorporate a "common ethical framework to inspire and guide
actions towards sustainable development by building upon existing principles
of sustainability as those found in the Rio Declaration, the Johannesburg
Declaration and the Earth Charter." (Full text here
<http://www.uncsd2012.org/rio20/content/documents/699jordan2.pdf> )

The Russian Federation
<http://www.uncsd2012.org/rio20/index.php?page=view&type=6&nr=224&menu=32>
statement reads:   
"Convinced that a holistic approach to sustainable development requires a
comprehensive and universal code of ethics, we welcome the thrust of the
Earth Charter recognized by UNESCO as an important ethical framework for
sustainable development. In this regard we request the Secretary-General to
use the capacity and expertise of the UN System to elaborate in close and
regular consultations with the Member States a voluntary document comprising
in an integral and comprehensive manner the globally shared values,
principles and ethics of economical, social and environmental sustainability.
"

Earth Charter International has made the following recommendations to the
Compilation document and invites organizations and governments to consider
these in their statements. 

1.The Zero Draft should affirm the need for a shared vision and common
ethical framework to inspire and guide actions towards sustainable
development among all stakeholders across sectors. The current draft
appropriately emphasizes the need to integrate the three pillars of
sustainable development, and to make this integrated framework central to the
many structures and activities of the United Nations. It should also affirm a
strong definition of sustainable development with a fourth (first) pillar
that is a shared vision of ethical and spiritual values that inspires and
guides cooperative action for change.

2.The Zero Draft recommends Ombudspersons for future generations and
sustainable development goals, and new measures of GDP. It should also
include implementing the Precautionary Principle, a Corporate Sustainability
Responsibility Convention, Millennium Consumption Goals, and a mandate of
trusteeship for global common goods on behalf all peoples, the greater
community of life, and future generations."



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