Statement by Franciscans International, an NGO in
General Consultative Status with
ECOSOC and by VIVAT International, an NGO accredited
to the WSSD process.
World Summit on Sustainable Development
Johannesburg, South Africa August 26-September 4, 2002
“Poverty
eradication, changing unsustainable patterns of production and consumption,
and protecting and managing the natural resource base of economic and social development are overarching objectives of and essential requirements for, sustainable development.”
(para. 2, Draft Plan of Implementation)
Franciscans International and VIVAT International commend the World Summit on Sustainable Development for putting poverty eradication at the center of its Plan of Implementation. We support a holistic approach to development that is people centered, gender-sensitive and sustainable, as well as the Rio Principle of common but differential responsibility.
I. Poverty Eradication: We urge the development of a world solidarity fund devoted to poverty eradication, which would reflect the priorities of people living in poverty, involve women in decision-making, address the needs and aspirations of indigenous people, and promote income-generating opportunities that provide a living wage.
II. Changing unsustainable patterns of consumption and production: While the document recognizes that “Peace, security and stability are essential for achieving sustainable development,” (para 5) we are disappointed that the adverse effects of military production and consumption on sustainable development were not highlighted. We urge governments in their national plans to take a close look at how military production and consumption take crucial resources from sustainable development and hinder efforts at poverty eradication. While military production and consumption damage the environment and undermine human security, militarization also contributes to a culture in which problems are solved by violence, with women and children often the first victims. Human, economic and natural resources, rather than being consumed by the military, should be put to more productive uses.
III. Protecting
and managing the natural resource base of economic and social development: We believe that costs for purification,
transportation and management of water delivery systems are legitimate, but not
costs for the commodity itself, since water is a global public good. Water should not be privatized, and it
should be subsidized for the poor. We
welcome your initiatives regarding climate change, and we call on our members
throughout the world to encourage their governments to ratify and implement
the Kyoto Protocol.
IV. Sustainable Development in a globalizing world: In order to ensure that the benefits of globalization are enjoyed by all, transnational corporations must be held accountable to international human rights, labor, and environmental standards. We are concerned about the accountability of governments, corporations and other partners, and we are ready to help create criteria to ensure corporate responsibility and accountability in the sustainable development process.
V. Health and Sustainable Development: We support the plan of action regarding HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria. While we are happy that a Global fund to combat these diseases is being put in place, we ask that the process be speeded up on an emergency basis and that the aid be sent to deserving people in time. We urge developed countries to give more funds to intensive international research in order to discover effective medicines to prevent and cure these deadly diseases.
VI. Africa: We acknowledge the importance of land tenure as a tool for economic and social empowerment and poverty eradication in the African continent, and call on governments to enact laws to enable women to inherit land and become decision-makers regarding its use.
VII. Implementation: Gender balance must be given serious consideration at all levels of policy making, decision making and implementation, including budget allocations for sustainable development. Increased ODA, debt cancellation for the poorest countries, market access, and a neutral debt work-out mechanism are necessary so that sufficient funds will be available for sustainable development. We recommend the adoption of a currency transaction tax to help provide additional funds.
“Poverty eradication, changing unsustainable patterns of production and consumption,
and protecting and managing the natural resource base of economic and social development” will require enormous political will. We commit ourselves and our networks to raise awareness of the WSSD process, to support concrete steps by governments and the UN system, and to monitor both as you carry out this Plan of Implementation.
Franciscans International is a General Category ECOSOC NGO consultant to the UN in the areas of peace-making, care for the poor and concern for creation. http://www.FranciscansInternational.org - 211 East 43d Street, New York, NY 10017-4707, USA, Tel. 1.212.490 4624 - Fax 1.866.283.0134 - Email: franintl@FranciscansInternational.org. VIVAT International is an organized network of all members of the Sisters Servants of the Holy Spirit (SSpS) and of the Society of the Divine Word (SVD) present in 58 countries, whose work, expertise, or experience has direct bearing on issues related to social justice, development, peace and ecology. http://www.vivatinternational.org - 211 East, 43rd Street, Suite 706,7th Floor, New York, NY 10017-4707, USA, Tel. 646-487-0003 - Fax 646-487-0004 - Email:viny@vivatinternational.org