Declaration and celebration: That sums up the closing ceremony for the 64th Department of Public Information NGO Conference in Bonn. After three days of intense negotiations, NGOs and volunteer organizations agreed on a draft declaration as a roadmap to Rio+20.

They called on stakeholders to become involved in Rio+20 and set their own commitments within the framework  of the Sustainable Development Goals. They called on governments to:

come to Rio + 20 represented by Heads of State or Government, with concrete commitments to take individual and collective actions towards sustainable development and address the gaps and emerging issues,
based on the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities; 

But more than just attending the conference with their own Sustainable Development Goals, they also called on governments to

produce a politically-binding outcome document that recommits governments
to achieve sustainabledevelopment;

It won’t be easy. Even the NGOs and Volunteers had difficulty agreeing on the wording of the draft proposal, which outlines how countries should transition to green economic models to ensure civil sustainability, develop an institutional a framework for sustainable development, and included a draft of their own sustainable development goals.

But despite some backroom bickering, the closing ceremony was celebratory. Delegates, participants and volunteers listened to Deutsche Welle’s international choir, who came dressed in costumes representing their countries of origin, harmonize to songs from around the globe.

And our final film – well, it knocked their socks off.

We all agreed it was a weekend well spent and are looking forward to the next UN conference.

Goodbye Bonn – hello Rio+20!

–Kateri Jochum, AV Trainer and Webmaster

(c) Mariya Ruettinger

by Guilherme Correia da Silva

Dr. Judy Kuriansky doesn’t sleep very much. In fact, during the last three days of this conference, she has only slept about three hours a night. “I think that sleep is a waste of time,” she said. Walking through the Media Room, stopping to talk to people along the way, she doesn’t seem very tired, though.

With a long blue coat, black and blue striped scarf and black pumps, the clinical psychologist, author and professor then stops to sit with young journalists, giving them feedback on their stories and answering questions.

Because in this room, Dr. Judy Kuriansky is just “Dr. Judy” – and she’s more like Dr. Mom. She co-founded the DPI/ NGO Student Journalism Program, which has been inviting young students from all the over the world to cover the group’s annual conferences. This year, here are the stats: 18 student journalists arrived from all five continents to cover the four round tables and the dozens of workshops and side events for three days.

Dr. Judy says since she started the project seven years ago, things have changed a lot. The students used to print a daily paper. Now it’s a blog. Dr. Judy says even the students themselves have changed.

And she’s not just at this conference. She has organized young journalists to write about other UN topics like Disarmament, Human Rights or Climate Change. Helping to keep the issues in the DPI/ NGO discussions “realistic”, she talks about what everyone can do in their daily lives: simple things like turning off the computer at the end of the day or taking shorter showers. “That’s why I get excited. I like to take these concepts and make them real and applicable”.

(c) Mariya Ruettinger

Dr. Judy doesn’t sleep very much because, as she puts it, “there are many things to do”.

Aside from running this program, Dr. Judy has a real job as a psychologist and an instructor of psychology at Columbia University in New York. She has authored books like “Terror in the Holy Land” or “Generation Sex”. She gave a hand empowering young girls infected with HIV in Sub-Saharan Africa.

But she is most well known in her own country as a voice of the terror attacks on 9/11. They affected billions of people worldwide. For Dr. Judy it was personal. She is a New Yorker. Her husband was put in a bunker and she couldn’t reach him for days. Dr. Judy volunteered for the Red Cross after the 9/11 attacks in New York. She was assigned to Ground Zero, as part of a mental health team comforting firemen, policemen and electricians that were searching through the Twin Towers debris. Being there for anybody that wanted to talk.

Ten years later, Dr. Judy is worried. On the anniversaries of traumatic experiences like 9/11, the anxieties, fears and memories of the lost return, she says. She is specifically concerned about children’s fears after the attacks.

Before the 10th anniversary celebration this weekend, Dr. Judy still has a lot to do. Her next big volunteering effort: bringing traumatized New York children dolls made by other kids from earthquake-damaged Haiti and Japan and by helping them make dolls to send in return as part of the 9/11 commemoration.

But first she has to see off all DPI/ NGO students, who have worked hard blogging for the conference – another big check off Dr. Judy’s to-do list. And then, for a few days in between, maybe Dr. Mom will have time to take a deep breath.

By André Leslie

Of the 37 workshops to take place so far at this conference, only two have specifically tackled the issue of gender inequality and it’s place within sustainable development. This, despite the fact that women are undoubtedly the hardest hit by the effects of poverty and hunger.

Felix Dodds, the Chair of the conference, says that the main reason for the lack of gender-based workshops is due to the late registration of participants interested in that topic.

“We had a lot of interest from groups after the closing date,” says Dodds. “My guess is that if you did the registrations now, you would have a huge amount of workshops on this issue. The groups dealing with this problem are definitely here at the conference”.

Women’s projects on the rise

Anusha Santhirasthipam from Soromptimist International – an organisation that runs projects empowering women in some of the world’s poorest countries – thinks that one of the main round table discussions in Bonn should have addressed the issue of gender.

“59 percent of the world’s farmers are women, yet 70 percent of the world’s hungry are also women,” explains the Malaysian-born lawyer. “When you hear that, you realise there is something wrong with the world’s mechanisms.”

One of her organisation’s most successful projects was a chicken breeding programme in East Timor. It focussed on improving the lives of farmers, through education and practical funding.

Some of the participants at the conference think climate change discussions have dominated proceedings, to the exclusion of social issues, such as gender inequality.  Others, like Janet Momsen, a lecturer on gender issues at the University of Oxford, say that there are international differences.

“In the US, gender issues are discussed a lot. That’s because environmental problems there aren’t really being addressed by the government there.”

 Women losing in the numbers game

Part of the reason why women are often forgotten in discussions on sustainability is because the problem is hard to quantify, says Martin Caraher from the International Federation for Home Economics.

“A lot of agricultural production in the world is still done by the woman of the household. Economists can put a value on women’s work but I think a lot of the ignorance of their role is still to do with discrimination.”

Constanza Martinez from the International Union for Conservation of Nature, an organisation which also run grassroots women’s projects, agrees. “Women involved in this level of industry are not given an opportunity to make decisions, they are not in a position of power.”

The road to Rio

Certainly, the close interrelation between the various aspects of sustainability – social, environmental and economic – makes singling out a particular issue such as gender inequality problematic. Still, the occasional blank looks from participants over the last few days when questioned on this topic, suggest that gender issues seem to have lost relevance for some.

A number of women’s groups argued up until Monday afternoon for a fairer, gender-friendlier wording of the Declaration, which was due to be adopted at the conference.

Conference chairman Felix Dodds says that the trend for the future is positive. “I’m amazed by the ideas at this conference. As long as organisations here keep talking to each other, then we will be able to develop all aspects of sustainability ahead of the Rio+20 conference.”

Hopefully gender issues won’t be forgotten in that process.

Civil societies, volunteering,  environment and consumption: These were the main foci of workshops during the UN Conference. Education did not feature in any of them.

Bärbel Vogel, one of the participants, pleaded for an inclusion of the concept of “sustainable education” into the final declaration of the UN Conference.

But what does “sustainable education” mean? Just like a lot of terms at UN conferences, they are often vague and full of multiple meanings. Bärbel Vogel tries a definition using a very personal example:

1. Track about her daughter by 10000stories

She says that is why we need to reform the education system.

2.Track about school system maths by 10000stories

Bärbel Vogel says sustainable education also means teaching children to be responsible citizens in other domains as well – like the environment.

3. Track Kinder environment by 10000stories

Kathy Kaaf, European president of the women’s organization Soroptimist, agrees. But she says sustainable education is not just for children. NGOs use their projects to build adult knowledge, especially in technical fields.

4. Track NGO action around the world by 10000stories

Kaaf says it is not enough to give trainings and courses, but to revisit the curriculum from time to time.

5. Track NGO Evalaution by 10000stories

For adults, the term also means ensuring that effective projects keep track of participants – and help them take the next step.

6. Track NGO evaluates its action by 10000stories

Eric Segueda

It is easy to be sustainable in countries like Germany. But how is the “green economy” movement affecting people in the developing world? Surveyor Efik gave the audience an African perspective during the round table discussion “Green Economy and Poverty Eradication”. He currently is serving on Nigeria’s National Inter-Ministerial Committee on Climate Change, helping the government better understand the social projects taking place in the country. We sat down with him to get some more details:

What kind of projects are there and how are they funded?

You are talking about the REDD projects, a UN strategy for Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation. Is this the main environmental problem Nigeria is facing – or are there others?

Are you trying to solve these issues on your own – or are you working with other stakeholders for financing?

André Leslie, Mariya Ruettinger

By Chiponda Chimbelu

When you walk into the Weltladen in Bonn, the first thing you see is a table full of vibrant colors – various shades of pink, blue, and green. And the real eye-catcher isn’t the colors, but the rather the product – and the unusual brand name. “Pants to Poverty” is an underwear collection from India – and the label in the back certifies them Fairtrade.

Sustainable underwear? Are you kidding me? At around 17 euros a pair, they are not exactly fair to my pocketbook. But maybe this is what you do when you are into sustainability. When I asked participants at the 2011 UN DPI NGO conference, no one admitted to wearing them – but most people thought it was a funny and a good idea.

“At the end of the day, you are gonna have to beat poverty one way, and if it’s through pants and it works what’s the problem?” one said, noting that making the distinction between fairtrade underwear and ordinary underwear clear would help consumers like these.

But are the undies really fair trade?

It is hard to tell the difference between fair trade and regular underwear just by looking at it. If it wasn’t for that label from Fairtrade International and the rather unusual name, Pants to Poverty would be just like any other pair of knickers: Solid colors, white waistband, brief cut.

“You will see on the (underwear’s) label for textiles made with fair-trade cotton. You’ll see on the label that it is fair trade, and underneath it says cotton,” said Jennifer Stapper, the Head of Communications at Fairtrade International.

I see. So it’s the cotton used to make the underwear that’s fair trade and not the pants. Stapper noted that it was important to make the distinction.

It’s hard to say whether consumers will read the fine print, but Fairtrade International is working on a fairtrade textile chain. That would mean that every part of the supply chain is sustainable and environmentally friendly. So there is a chance that such underwear could be certified Fairtrade in the future.

Tips for consumers

Fairtrade or not? Hard to tell...

But that’s really tough to do. Supply chains are really complicated, Stapper admits.For example, products may have a lower carbon footprint, but other drawbacks like the treatment of workers. Jennifer Stapper:

My tip? Well, do what I do. Be mindful of where the produce comes from. For example, because I live in Germany, I buy Spanish apples rather than the ones from New Zealand because I want to support produce with a lower carbon footprint whenever I can. I also do my homework. I keep track of the producers and retailers of the products I buy so that I can be a responsible consumer. And maybe even a sustainable one.

Do I wear Pants to Poverty? You’ll never find out.

By Rim Najmi & Amine Bendrif

Copyright: Mariya Ruettinger

By Mehrnoosh Entezari
The 64th UN DPI-NGO Conference aims at combining sustainability and civil engagement. On the second day of the conference, participants from diverse backgrounds gathered at a round table to discuss strategies to enhance civic engagement in their countries. A participant from Madagascar presented a project that recruits locals to teach people how to read and write. After a year, 75 percent of the participants in the program were literate.

Would a similar program work in my home country, Afghanistan? Would people give their time for a common good? Since the fall of the Taliban in 2001, many NGOs have been engaged in improving the human rights situation and strengthening the economy. Others are trying to acquaint the Afghans with democratic structures.

What would happen if the numerous international non-governmental organizations left Afghanistan? Would people get together to defend their own interests? To be honest, I don’t think so.

There are about 1600 foreign and Afghan non-governmental organizations in Afghanistan. More than 300 of them are run by foreigners. The fact is that Afghan NGOs get their subsidies from abroad. Afghanistan still doesn’t have the resources.

Many of the Afghan NGOs are tied to high-ranking officials: They are run by their family members. In fact, many of the Afghan NGOs are basically family firms.

The problem is that in Afghanistan you are at first committed to your family. Your relatives have expectations from you. So the family is your first priority and not the development projects.

Experts report that the results of 70 – 80% of the completed development projects in Afghanistan are of low or bad quality – be they governmental or non-governmental.

The government of Afghanistan is in its infancy, and individuals are left fending for themselves. They can only survive in family networks and patron-client relations. Often people are only able to reach their goals through personal connections.

In Afghanistan, if you get a job in an institution, you are responsible for your family. They will expect money or an appointment from you.

I can still remember when I heard that the brother of the former German chancellor Gerhard Schröder worked as a pool attendant. I could not understand it. I thought: what a brother and chancellor is this? He is obliged to help his brother. He should do something for him! That’s what I thought then.

You are also committed to the person who helps you to get the job. This person is often a patron, a ground landlord or a warlord. You are obliged to him, because he protects you and your family and he is the person who represents your interests.

People are very loyal to their patrons. Even if he is a warlord.

Some years ago, the warlord Rashid Dostum in the north of Afghanistan had some problems with Hamed Karzai, Afghan president and he lived  in Turkey while in exile. Dostum represents the interests of Uzbeks, one of the major ethnic minorities in Afghanistan. The consecution of Dostums banishment the almost insurgence of the Uzbek minority and Karzai asked Dostum back to return.

So Afghan society and civil interests are very fragmentary. You can’t reconcile or balance these interests. Every group, be it an ethnic group or an extended family, works in own interests.

On such background, it would be unheard  for people to gather and represent their own interests. They don’t feel the need to do that. In the hierarchical system, the leader, your patron, the oldest do that for you.

People in Afghanistan are used to asking a mediator when they have a problem. Never, almost never they would start an initative by themselves. In the hierarchy, there is always someone higher-ranking to whom you have to tell about your problems. This has been a tradition in Afghanistan for hundred of years.

I don’t believe that the people of Afghanistan are ready to give back without wanting in return – to develop a culture of civic engagement that is voluntary and without vested interests.

I think it will take a long time to change the minds and the hearts of the people. But time and patience is something Western politicians and international donors do not have. They have invested millions into Afghanistan and they now have a vested interest in what is still an archaic system.

I think the only way this can change is if NGOs invest in education. Only through education will Afghans learn about how other civil societies utilize volunteerism and civic engagement – and learn from them. It’s the only way that you can slowly sand down the pillars of this old system. Otherwise you can only pumping money back into a system that is immovable, impenetrable – like concrete.

Bonn – our home town. It’s a UN city, which is the main reason the 64th UN DPI NGO Conference was held here. But Bonn is also pretty sustainable. We buy at local green markets, ride bikes and use an energy flush on our toilets – among other things.

By Amine Bendrif & Chiponda Chimbelu

Copyright:
Dr. Judy Kuriansky, Co-founder of the UN NGO International Student Journalism Program
Nejeed Kassan, Canadian Student Activist, Conversations for Change