National Youth Forum on Green Solutions in Pakistan at NUST Islamabad from 5-6 November 2012

The National Youth Forum on Green Solutions in Pakistan was at the National University of Science and Technology (NUST) Islamabad, Pakistan from 5–6 November 2012. Under ICIMOD’s Youth for Sustainable Mountain Development (Y4SMD) initiative, the  event was organized by the  Asia Pacific Youth Task Force on Rio +20 (APYTF) with support from the Peace & Development Organization (PDO) and a network of ICIMOD trained youth forum alumni in Pakistan. The event saw participation of some 40 youth from all provinces of Pakistan, who were selected through a rigorous application process while maintaining a balance with respect to geography, gender and age.

The two day forum provided a local forum for Pakistani youth for interaction and networking while helping them identify locale specific green economy initiatives. The forum oversaw keynote addresses by notable scientists, plenary discussions, group exercises and field visits to sites with a focus on sustainability and green solutions suitable for mountain communities.

Dr Abdul Wahid Jasra, Country Representative for Pakistan provided inputs on how youth can benefit from the various endeavors currently underway at ICIMOD and in Pakistan in particular. Dr Jawad Ali Khan, DG. Environment & Climate Change, provided the keynote address and the Minister for State- Ministry of Education & Training, Mr Sardar Shahjehan Yousaf graced the closing ceremony of the event Other notable resource persons included Mr Pirzada Moshibber, Director, Pakistan Agriculture Research Council, Mr Ashiq Ahmad khan, Technical Advisor ICIMOD Pakistan and Dr. Wajid Pirzada, CEO Agricol Pakistan among others. Furthermore Mr Tek Jung Mahat of ICIMOD led various sessions at the forum providing an overview of youth activities currently being undertaken at ICIMOD and future opportunities for youth from the region. Mr Utsav Maden shared an overview of social media tools that are being used for advocacy, information sharing and collaboration.

The National Youth Forum also saw the development of two important outcome documents - the Post 2015 agenda - Poverty Literacy & Environment Sustainability and the Youth Appeal for COP18. These documents, drafted though group work and further refined post forum virtually, also formed the agenda of the Global Youth Forum on Green Solutions organized by the APYTF in Doha as part of the UNFCCC COP 18/CMP8 event in Doha. The Global Youth Appeal for COP18, thus generated was further fine-tuned and shared with policy makers and delegates at COP18.

Call for Papers - ECPR-Panel on Sustainable Development After Rio+20: Post-Mortem or Rebirth?; Bordeaux, 4-7 Sept 2013

7th ECPR General Conference
Sciences Po, Bordeaux
4th - 7th September 2013

Sustainable Development After Rio+20: Post-Mortem or Rebirth?

Panel Chair: Philipp PATTBERG (Philipp.pattberg@vu.nl), VU University Amsterdam

Co-Chair: Daniel Compagnon (d.compagnon@sciencespobordeaux.fr), Institut D'Etudes Politiques de Bordeaux

Panel Abstract

In stark contrast to the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (best known for promoting sustainable development as a global policy concept and producing an ambitious roadmap for sustainable development), the 2012 Rio+20 Summit is widely regarded as a failure. While expectations of civil society, scientists and parts of the business community have been high, the outcomes of Rio+20 are sobering. High hopes had been placed on the two main topics of the summit, the institutional reform agenda and the green economy, with little tangible effects. Instead of delivering a "transformational vision" or a "constitutional moment", the conference has resulted in a final document that restates old commitments without delivering convincing answers to new challenges. The ongoing economic crisis has deepened the perennial lack of financial resources, while the proposed green economy is less concerned with sustainability than with fostering the emergence of new products and markets, and all this at a time when the emerging powers in the South made clear that they had no intent to restrain their fast growing economies to accommodate environmental concerns. End of story?

 

This panel will assess the prospects of global environmental governance and the major trends in economics and politics that may affect it in the years to come. Papers may address the following questions:

·         What are the future prospects of multi-lateral environmental conferences?

·         What alternative models of deliberation and decision-making exist?

·         Could bottom-up, public-private and business-driven initiatives compensate for the lack of international leadership?

·         What is the role of emerging economies in global environmental governance?

·         Is the concept of sustainable development outdated?

·         If so, what will be the new paradigm?

Paper proposals  are highly welcome and can now be submitted (deadline of 1 February) through the ECPR website:

http://new.ecprnet.eu/Conferences/General/2013_Bordeaux/Default.aspx

Regards,

 

Dr Philipp Pattberg, Associate Professor

Deputy Department Head, Department of Environmental Policy Analysis (EPA)

Institute for Environmental Studies - Instituut voor Milieuvraagstukken (IVM)

VU University Amsterdam

De Boelelaan 1085 (visiting address)

De Boelelaan 1087 (postal address)

1081 HV Amsterdam

The Netherlands

 

Telephone: ++31 (0)20 5989542

Telefax: ++31 (0)20 5089553

Homepage: http://www.ivm.vu.nl/en/index.asp

w www.ivm.vu.nl
w www.agci.vu.nl

w www.environmentalstudies.nl

Interesting opportunity: Apply for Global Power Shift with 350.org by 4th January 2013

Hello,

I’m writing to let you know about Global PowerShift, an international gathering that will take place in Istanbul, Turkey from June 10-17, 2013. This gathering will bring together 600 young organizers from around the world to skill share, trade tactics and connect on how we will be the generation that turns the tide on the climate crisis. Organizers who attend Global PowerShift will then return to their own countries and help to organize a regional gathering, developing regional campaigns, goals, actions and networks. As co2 levels and sea levels rise exponentially - so must our movement.

We know that the ecological crisis is merely a symptom of an unjust system and unsustainable culture. To accomplish the deep systemic change needed to avert complete catastrophe we will need to bring together a wide diversity of movements and thus we strongly encourage young organizers from a diverse backgrounds and struggles to apply. You can apply here, and please share this email with anyone you think might bring unique skills to this historic gathering. Application deadline is December 16th, and all expenses will be covered for participants.
______

Hola,

Te escribo para compartir información sobre Global Powershift, un encuentro y conferencia internacional que pasará en en Estambul (Turquía) el 10-17 de Junio. En este conferencia se juntaran unos 600 activistas joven de todo el mundo para compartir ideas, tácticas y conocerse en cómo podemos ser el generación que da la vuelta al cambio climático. Organizadores que participan en Global PowerShift después se volverán a sus comunidades y organizarán encuentros regionales, desarrollando campañas, objetivos comunes, y acciones. Los niveles de co2 y los niveles del mar están creciendo exponencialmente. Nosotros también.

Sabemos que el crisis es solo una síntoma de una sistema injusto y una cultura insostenible. Para llegar a los profundos cambios sistemáticos que son necesarios para prevenir un catástrofe inimaginable necesitaremos participantes de un gran diversidad de movimientos y luchas, no sólo de movimientos ecológicas. Manda tu solicitude aquí, o por favor comparta el página de ArtShift por tus redes y con los que piensas tendrá interes. La fecha límite es el 16 Diciembre, 2012, y todos gastos incluidos.
___

Salut!

Je vous écris pour vous informer sur Global PowerShift, une rencontre internationale qui se tiendra à Istanbul, en Turquie, 10-17 Juin 2013. Cette rencontre réunira 600 jeunes organisateurs du monde entier pour partager les compétences, tactiques et pour discuter sur la façon dont nous allons être la génération qui tournera la marée sur la crise climatique. Les participants à Global PowerShift retourneront ensuite dans leurs pays et lanceront une réunion locale, pour développer des campagnes des objectifs, des actions et des réseaux régionales. Comme les niveaux de CO2 et des niveaux de la mer augmente de façon exponentielle - il doit en être de notre mouvement!

Nous savons que la crise écologique n'est qu'un symptôme d'un système injuste et d'une culture non durable. Pour réaliser le profond changement systémique nécessaire pour éviter une catastrophe complète, nous aurons besoin de rassembler une grande diversité de mouvements et donc nous encourageons fortement les jeunes organisateurs des horizons et des luttes divers. Vous pouvez vous inscrire ici, et partager ce message avec quelqu'un que vous pensez pouvoir apporter des compétences uniques pour cette rencontre historique. La date limite d'inscription est 16 Décembre et tous les frais seront couverts pour les participants.

SAVE THE DATE Fourteenth Global Major Groups and Stakeholders Forum (GMGSF-14) preceding the 27th Session of the UNEP Governing Council/Global Ministerial Environment Forum (GC27/GMEF). 16-17 February 2013, Nairobi, Kenya

SAVE THE DATE

Fourteenth Global Major Groups and Stakeholders Forum (GMGSF-14) preceding the 27th Session of the UNEP Governing Council/Global Ministerial Environment Forum (GC27/GMEF)

16-17 February 2013, Nairobi, Kenya

In conjunction with its upcoming twenty-seventh session of the Governing Council/Global Ministerial Environment Forum (GC/GMEF) to be held from 18th - 22nd February 2013 in Nairobi, Kenya, UNEP is organizing the fourteenth Global Major Groups and Stakeholders Forum (GMGSF-14) from 16th -17th February 2013 in Nairobi.
The objective of the Forum will be to facilitate preparations of major groups and stakeholders towards the GC27/GMEF which will hold ministerial-level consultations on emerging policy issues under the following themes: “Implementing Rio+20: A strengthened environmental pillar of sustainable development”, and “Implementing a green economy as an important tool for achieving sustainable development”. Among other issues, the Forum will provide an opportunity for a multi-stakeholders dialogue, as part of the implementation of the Rio+20 Outcome document, on new models and mechanisms to promote transparency and effective engagement of civil society in the work of UNEP; the role and opportunities for involvement of civil society in the post-Rio+20 processes and the post-2015 development agenda.
Registration is now open for all interested representatives of major groups and stakeholders of civil society at: http://www.unep.org/cso-sgb3/Login.aspx.
Please note that registration will close on 15th January 2013!
Kindly also note that organizations which are not accredited to UNEP will be requested to apply for one-time accreditation upon registration. The deadline for processing one time accreditations is 20 of January 2013.
For regular updates regarding the background and preparations towards the 14th GMGSF please visit: http://www.unep.org/civil-society/
For more information please contact us at: civil.society@unep.org.
Kind regards,
Alexander Juras
Chief, Major Groups and Stakeholders Branch
United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
P.O. 30552 Nairobi, Kenya
http://www.unep.org/civil_society/

If your organisation is engaged in the work of UNEP, please register its profile at  http://www.unep.org/cso-sgb3/Register.aspx

International Symposium on Society & Resource Management (ISSRM): Call for Abstracts and Student Paper Competition

Call for Abstracts

International Symposium on Society & Resource Management

Estes Park, Colorado, USA

June 4-8, 2013

A Time for Integration

We invite you to submit abstracts for the upcoming International Symposium on Society and Resource Management in Estes Park, Colorado, USA , June 4-8, 2013. ISSRM is the premier scientific meeting for academic and government researchers, students, agency scientists, land managers, NGO representatives, and others who are broadly interested in the human dimensions of natural resource management issues. We welcome participation from around the world. In addition to a diverse array of paper, panel, and poster sessions, the program includes the 6th Annual Student Forum on June 4th and fantastic keynote and featured speakers though out the week. We hope you will join us in the spectacular Estes Valley surrounded by the majestic peaks of Rocky Mountain National Park for what promises to be an outstanding conference!

Please submit abstracts to present an individual paper, poster, or to lead an organized session. More information about the symposium and online submission of abstracts can be found at http://www.issrm2013.iasnr.org. Additional inquiries should be directed to conference@warnercnr.colostate.edu. 

Abstract submission deadline for an individual paper, poster, or organized session is February 4th 2013

Attention Students: Consider Entering the Student Paper Competition

Doctoral, Master’s, and undergraduate students are invited to submit a paper for consideration in the “Best Student Paper Awards” to be presented at the International Symposium on Society and Resource Management (ISSRM) in Estes Park, Colorado. The author of the best paper written by a Ph.D. student, and the author of the best paper written by a Master’s or undergraduate student, will win cash awards. For competition details see website at: http://www.issrm2013.iasnr.org/?page_id=1270