Civil Society Organizations (CSO) raises voice prior to RIO+20

In partnership with the Asia Pacific Research Network (APRN), SRD co- hosted "Rio for People: Strengthening People's Capacity for Genuine Sustainable Development" in Hanoi from 5th – 7th June. The conference was attended by representatives from more than 100 CSOs across 30 countries. 

In the opening speech, SRD's Executive Director, Vu Thi Bich Hop, addressed delegates with observations of sustainable development in the region. "Development programs are now impacted by interest groups in the state sector and multi-national giants, while ignoring the voice of local people. This is the root cause of incompatibility and conflict in the program," she said

Delegates at the conference

The conference tackled concerns and arguments around the green economy and the neoliberal framework of Rio+20 that’s argued to be the cause of the multiple crises’ of today and the imbalance between local people and the business sector. At the conference, participants had the chance to discuss and share the current development situation at the grassroots level in their countries. The participants also drafted a united statement from the APRN that will be submitted to officials at Rio+20. The statement calls for government investment to prioritize sustainable development initiatives and ensure adequate participation of the poor in society's development. SRD will be an official delegate at the Rio+20 Summit from 20th – 22nd June 2012. Representing CSOs in Vietnam as wells as the recommendations from the "Rio for people" conference.

 The Rio+20 Conference will be held in Rio Di Janerio, Brazil, from 20-22 June 2012, and comes twenty years after the first Rio Earth Summit approved Agenda 21. There has been on-going debate over Rio+20's tendency towards The Green Economy, which is said to favour the interests of corporate sector. There is hope however that the outcomes of Rio+20 will be a safer, greener and wealthier world for the all of its people.

Presentations can be downloaded here

-SRD-