World Leadership Conference 2011 - Update Day 02

Day 02.

The second day was dedicated towards negotiation of the proposed amendments on the first day. Task forces were established under the three themes to re-structure the content of the policy paper and the delegates were working in small groups to make the process more efficient. Several amendments were made and approved by the house and some of the amendments were not negotiated and are still open for further discussion.

I was able to present the Action Based Change Declaration of South Asian Youth Conference. The presentation was focused on Importance of Peace under the following sections of peace within us, peace with others and peace with the environment. I believe that peace is the solution for most of the burning problems in our society including Sustainable development challenges and Climate Change. Ms. Clara M. Nobbel, the associate programme officer of United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP) was also present and gave a presentation that highlighted the importance of Sustainable Governance, emphasizing mainly on the governing aspect.

Day-03

The first day of the Knowledge Track was dedicated for “Green Economy for Poverty Eradication” with the Keynote Address presented by Dr. Stefanos Fotiou, Regional Coordinator of UNEP Resource Efficiency Programme. He emphasized how Green Economy will eradicate poverty, and added that “investing just 2% of global GDP in key sectors can kick start a transition from Brown Economy to Green Economy”. The Opening Sharing by Mr. Nicolo Wojewoda, the Director of Road to Rio+20, Peace Child International, focused on how youths can engage with Rio+20 Campaign and how youths can make an impact on their community and government on sustainable development initiatives. An interesting panel discussion was carried by Dr. Chris Margules, Senior Scientist, Conservation International; Dr. Jung Tae-Yong, Deputy Executive Director, Global Growth Initiatives; Mr. Maran Gopalakrishnan, Communication Manaer, VESTAS; and Mr. Stevan Tan, Executive Secretary, Young NTUC. The panel addressed on the emerging challenges, benefits and implementation of Green Economy followed by several workshops on thematic sessions. As the previous day evening time was dedicated for policy delegates for amendments and discussion followed by networking sessions.

The World Leadership Conference 2011 is an Asia Pacific youth regional meeting for the Earth summit/Rio+20 due to be held in July 2012 on which the whole global community is focused on at the moment. Yet major climate change negotiations are still pending. The WLC have brought together over 21 countries in Asia and the Pacific to do a consultation towards the UN Rio 2012 summit. This will be a part of a buildup consultation for the region, targeting young people. It is also being endorsed by UNEP with its regional director attending the event amongst many other UN and regional Governmental officials. More details online at http://www.worldleadershipconference.org

The position paper will be brought to UNEP RIM process as the Asia Pacific position paper under Major Group for Children and Youth (MGCY). The WLC identified three key themes namely, Green Economy to Eradicate Poverty, Energy for a Low Carbon Future, and Institutional Framework on Sustainable Development, which co-relates with the UNCSD Rio+20’s major two themes.

Regards

Sri Lankan Delegation (Green Lanka Youth Platform)

South Asian Youth Conference Delegation

World Leadership Conference 2011

World Leadership Conference 2011

Day-01

The World Leadership Conference 2011 is an Asia Pacific youth regional meeting for the Earth summit/Rio+20 due to be held in July 2012 on which the whole global community is focused on at the moment. Yet major climate change negotiations are still pending. The WLC will be bringing together over 21 countries in Asia and the Pacific to do a consultation towards the UN Rio 2012 summit. This will be a part of a buildup consultation for the region, targeting young people. It is also being endorsed by UNEP with its regional director attending the event amongst many other UN and regional Governmental officials. More details online at http://www.worldleadershipconference.org

The position paper will brought to UNEP RIM process as the Asia Pacific position paper under Major Group for Children and Youth (MGCY). The WLC identified three key themes namely, Green Economy to Eradicate Poverty, Energy for a Low Carbon Future, and Institutional Framework on Sustainable Development, which co-relates with the UNCSD Rio+20’s major two themes.

Today, delegates from approximately 10 nations sat for round table negotiations. The combined paper was made by the WLC organizers using the Consultation Papers submitted by each country and it was circulated among delegates prior to the 1^st reading. The opening session of the policy track begun with an energetic activity called “World Café”. All the delegates were given the opportunity to get to know each other and this activity emphasized on the importance of this summit.

The 1^st reading of the combined paper involved 'amendments' from each delegation from each country was added to the text. All amendments were allowed and no decision to finalize the amendments took place in this 1st reading. The discussion of the policy paper amendments will take place on the second day, which will involve discussion among the concerned parties. Apart from proposing amendments, delegates gave brief reasons for the amendments which was added as a 'comment' to text. Delegates can elaborate further on the reasons in 2^nd reading. The first day was ended with a colorful cultural show.

Sri Lankan Delegation.

Green Lanka Youth Platform