23 June 2014 ELEMENTS OF A ZERO DRAFT DECLARATION, 65 TH ANNUAL UN DPI/NGO CONF., AUGUST 2014

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1 June 2014 ELEMENTS OF A ZERO DRAFT DECLARATION, 65 TH ANNUAL UN DPI/NGO CONF., AUGUST 2014 We, the NGO representatives gathered at the 65 th Annual UN DPI/NGO Conference, on 29 August, 2014, adopt the following declaration: Supporting the principles, global ethics and universal values such as respect, justice, peace, dignity, freedom, responsibility and cooperation that underlie the work of the United Nations as reflected in the Charter of the UN, the Culture of Peace and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights; Helping to fulfill the promise of the United Nations to create a more peaceful, just and sustainable world, by supporting the recognition that adherence to universal values are key factors in providing solutions to global concerns; Aware that the United Nations, through many intergovernmental agreements and declarations, has committed governments to transformative change as mandated by the Millennium Declaration; Noting that the UN benchmarks such as the Rio+20 Outcome Document, The Future We Want, that calls for advancing toward a more ethical basis for the relationship between humanity and the earth; Guided by the contributions of civil society in promoting interfaith and interspiritual, ethical and values- based initiatives such as the Earth Charter, Interspirituality Declaration and the Charter for Compassion; Affirm the importance of an alternative measure of progress that includes social well- being, happiness and ecological integrity. Thus, a Post development agenda should center on the well- being of people and our planet, and reflect the values and ethics underlying the individual and collective choices and behavior necessary to achieve sustainable development; Affirm that the purpose of economic development is to provide opportunities and to cultivate capacities for full human development of all, within planetary boundaries, in a flourishing Earth community, now and for future generations; Noting that by drawing together the variety of alternative frameworks and indicators to measure transformative change, we can measure the levels of genuine progress, happiness, human development, life satisfaction, and personal and planetary well- being as a viable alternative to measures of GNP; Affirm that the development agenda should provide sustainable livelihoods for all; Aware that the discussion on ethics and values related to sustainable development must include integrating science and values for the global economy, and quality education that enhances human capacities that nurture our interconnectedness and interdependence with the whole living world, embracing diverse cultures and beings in the universe; 1

2 We present this declaration for adoption at the 65 th Annual UN DPI/NGO Conference, 29 August Affirm that quality education also ensure that all live an ways that all can live, consuming no more than one s fair share or Earth s bounty choosing products and services that are ecologically sound, socially just and part of the Hudson River Pageant. A RIGHTS- BASED APPROACH TO SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT A rights- based approach to sustainable development guarantees the achievement of the interlinked objectives of Rio+20: poverty eradication, transforming unsustainable consumption and production patterns; and protecting natural resources, by ensuring rights to local autonomy and rights to participation in natural resource management. To achieve this, it is necessary to transform systemic and structural imbalances of power to eradicate poverty and create a just, equitable, and inclusive world, through redistribution of wealth and resources from a foundation of equality and non- discrimination, particularly regarding the rights of women and the collective rights of indigenous peoples over natural resources including land. We therefore advocate policies that empower and motivate all people to contribute constructively to the well- being of their fellow human beings and nature as a whole. We suggest systems with incentives that enable all people to contribute to the care for common resources from local to global levels. These include incentives for nations, organizations and people individually to stay within their fair share of the global ecological, carbon and water footprint, with a shift from tax on labor to fees for the use of commons at all levels that would provide funding for restoration of nature and a basic income for all people. OVERARCHING PRINCIPLES OF THE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS (SDGs) The Sustainable Development Goals ( SDGs ) should: 1. eradicate practices that result in systemic human rights violations and environmental degradation; 2. guarantee peoples rights to participation, including access to information, freedom of expression and assembly, self- determination, and effective remedy for harms committed; 3. should create space for local and alternative models of development, grounded in human rights and community participation, to enable the achievement of the development objectives of poverty eradication and creation of a just, equitable, inclusive and sustainable world; POVERTY ERADICATION By 2030, guarantee the active and free participation of individuals, communities and groups representing them in poverty- eradication decision- making processes at all levels. 2

3 Ensure full- scale investment in diversified, local, and sustainable economies, with local community governance, cooperation and management. GENDER FILL IN Multidimensional inequality in work; gender gaps among entrepreneurs; pay gap with men. Identify and address gender- smart job strategies addressing constraints that underlie inequality. WATER AND SANITATION By 2020, ensure the human right to water and sanitation by providing universal access to sufficient, safe and affordable potable water, sanitation and hygiene, including in households, schools, health facilities, workplaces and refugee camps, progressively eliminating inequalities in access including inequality based on gender, age and disability. Ensure that the Secretary- General s Call to Action on Sanitation deliver lasting and community- based solutions to long- standing sanitation isues. Preserve uncontaminated global watersheds for future generations. Climate change is a direct threat to the implementation of CEDAW and the Beijing Platform for Action. Commemorating Intl. Low- Carbon Lifestyle Day will help to promote dedicated and decisive leadership among leaders and the broad public alike. REGIONAL COMMISSIONS AND UN DEVELOPMENT BANKS Examine a closer relationship between UN Regional Commissions and Regional Development Banks. ECOSYSTEMS AND BIODIVERSITY Ensure zero harm done by extractive industries on vital ecosystems and biodiverse rich areas, with full legal and financial accountability and remedy for transgressions. Guarantee free, prior, and informed consent to indigenous communities in accordance with international law. Recognize biodiversity hotspots in mountain regions, and prevent loss and degradation of mountain ecosystems by % by. RULE OF LAW AND CAPABLE INSTITUTIONS(see end of document) A Capacity 2030 program is needed to support all countries and communities in carrying out all of these agreements and commitments in a fully integrated manner. 3

4 Parliamentarians at all levels should be required to take online, distance learning courses once a year to understand the current state implementation in their nation and region of the three dimensions of sustainable development.. SPECIAL CASE OF AFRICA, LEAST DEVELOPED COUNTRIES AND SMALL STATES, INCLUDING SIDS The Millennium Villages in some twenty African countries and thousands of Ecovillage communities have shown repeatedly how effective and productive an integrated, multi- sectoral community based approach to sustainable rural development is and can be. Implement the Almaty Declaration and Programme of Action Ensure that the Istanbul Programme of Action is implemented. INNOVATIVE PROPOSALS FOR THE FUTURE We call on the UN Member States to include a target on the need for the development of an integrated, multi- sectoral community based approach to sustainable rural as well as impoverished urban development to ensure that all people s basic human needs can be met. Use the Trusteeship Council to set up a global resource agency to collectively manage our Global Commons as discussed in the UN Task Team Report on the Global Commons. Create Ombudspersons and a High Commissioner for Future Generations, Corporate Social Responsibility and Extended Producer Responsibility, living within the carrying capacity of the earth and planetary boundaries. Goals should build on existing UN declarations, agreements and conventions, and bring renewed energy in their implementation and close existing gaps. The targets, indicators and review processes should look into the extent to which both the SDGs and all existing agreements are being met. The SDGs could provide a way to tell the world s people what has been agreed to and what is expected of governments and the world s people at all levels. This could be achieved in collaboration with the Global Network of National Councils for Sustainable Development. HIGH- LEVEL POLITICAL FORUM The High- level Political Forum (HLPF) should primarily be a convening, stocktaking and enabling body. The HLPF should be media friendly, the premier event drawing attention to what is being done around the world in each focus area. The HLPF should set aside a day to invite representatives of all stakeholder communities from all over the world. Science and the Global Sustainable Development Report should inform and drive the HLPF processes. 4

5 Establish an Annual International Day of Women in Science to emphasize support to women and girls who are interested in STEM Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics and should offer local and national initiatives, such as scholarships, to women and girls who will obtain degrees in these areas. CLIMATE CHANGE, ADAPTATION AND MITIGATION Serious related issues that undermine development efforts are: Communities that are subject to impacts from changing climate may also experience an acceleration and/or intensification of impacts due to a lack of preparedness in project design and management that do not integrate and anticipate climate change risks. Strengthen women s role in decision- making processes on climate adaptation, mitigation strategies and disaster risk reduction, and ensure the review of the Hyogo Framework in 2016 includes women on every Member State delegation. CULTURAL ENTERPRISE ECONOMY Ensure that culture is a recognized driver of the economy and that culture contributes through industries such as heritage tourism, eco- tourism, to the conservation of biodiversity, establishment of an economy with green aspects, and to poverty eradication. Set standards in cultural competency for a wide variety of sectors, such as education, medicine, law, banking and finance, accounting, public relations and sports. Standard- setting bodies can verify compliance and extend certification. SPORTS FOR PEACE AND DEVELOPMENT Believing in cultural diversity, the values of indigenous languages, physical sport and traditional games, arts, dance, song and ceremony, and connecting human relationships to Mother Earth, and Desiring to continue indigenous contributions to human society, events such as the World Indigenous Nations Games and Indigenous Nations sports congresses are useful vehicles for promoting the values of sustainable development through culture. Sports values should be seen as an integral part of the discourse about development. In fragile societies, both sports and development must be about going beyond seeking income equality but also be concerned with acknowledging principles such as pride, enjoyment, beauty and fun. Sports values are a powerful force for good in Afghanistan, where football is having a transformative role through the Afghan Premier League. SOUTH- SOUTH DEVELOPMENT 5

6 Governing bodies of UN agencies, programmes, and funds should allocate not less than 1% of core budget resources for the promotion of South- South Cooperation, in consultation with programme countries and with NGOs/CSOs in programme countries. SOCIAL SAFETY NET End poverty and provide decent jobs Education and life- long learning Women and girls health Continued achievement of the MDGs HIV/AIDS Strengthen, develop and implement, in all settings, effective national strategies aimed at eradicating poverty, building inclusive growth and economic development, that target marginalized groups, especially women, older persons, youth, people living with HIV/AIDS and persons with disabilities. DISASTER AND CLIMATE RESILIENT CITIES AND HUMAN SETTLEMENTS Sustainable Cities and Human Settlements The cross- cutting role of safe, affordable, accessible and sustainable transportation in achieving the SDGs, specifically, road safety, fuel economy and reduction of CO2 emissions are vital issues to consider in the Post 2015 Development Agenda. ROLE OF INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES AND BROADBAND IN DEVELOPMENT MIGRATION SUSTAINABLE CONSUMPTION AND PRODUCTION Sustainable Consumption and Production Citizens Sustainability Treaties Strengthened Global Partnership for Development THE COMMONS Oceans/Forests/Mountains Freshwater/Sustainable Energy for All/Food Security and Nutrition 183 6

7 Reduce unsustainable production methods by corporations and the supply chain by 30% by 2030 The SDGs Maximize the sustainable yield from the oceans for human nutrition. The business community at all levels should be an active partner in order to further promote improved integrated resource management, more effective multi- sector collaborations, more equitable pricing structures, and more inclusive business models. Implementation of the Global Compact s Womens Empowerment Principles should be adopted by all companies who are members of the Compact.] The scientific community must undertake and deliver interdisciplinary and trans- disciplinary research that identifies new policy approaches and grounds them in robust science, defining what is and is not a cross- cutting issue, and providing policy markers with evidence and tools that match their needs. Investment in sustainable agriculture intensification, with particular attention to achieving sustainable management of soils, water, energy and biodiversity. Governments should eliminate distorting agricultural subsidies. PARTNERSHIPS WITH THE PRIVATE SECTOR AND FINANCING FOR DEVELOPMENT FINANCIAL EDUCATION Create strategic partnerships within one region to create training courses online for financial education for the individual and micro- entrepreneur. COOPERATIVES Replicate the model of cooperatives and credit unions in countries by SOUTH- SOUTH FUNDS Align development projects around the IBSA (India- Brazil- South Africa) Fund for greater synergy STRATEGIES FOR PARTNERSHIPS, ACCOUNTABILITY FRAMEWORKS AND BUSINESS STRATEGIES Embed in civil society a new economic and business model of high- value leveraged partnerships of private industry, government, philanthropy and higher education. Build social networks of knowledge to focus on what works. Gradually increase the level of communities involved in multigenerational solutions to problems. Successful development programs that put people and the planet over unjust profits depend on good governance, mutual accountability, transparency, reformed and inclusive international financial 7

8 architecture, good regulatory structures, and fairness and cooperation in international tax matters, among other things. There is an ecosystem to help micro- entrepreneurs develop businesses, and micro- entrepreneurship can be a powerful tool to bring youth out of poverty. YOUTH Youth from all nations and faith traditions have the responsibility and duty to embrace their own culture with great depth and sophistication, and to share the task with future generations and throughout the world. There is a need to highlight the importance of music and the arts as an advocacy tool and means of social good. Music should be used to promote awareness of the Post 2015 Development Agenda with positive messages and should be used and promoted as an alternative to negative and even violent ways of expressing grievances. The World Fashion Forum and other initiatives in the UN system such as Fashion For Development aim to identify how the Fashion Industry s economic, social, environmental and cultural powers can be best positioned. RELATION OF NGOs WITH ECOSOC Establish a one- day civil society forum before all meetings of the Quadrennial Comprehensive Policy Review for Development to ascertain civil society s perspectives of the development agenda. Establish a post- briefing for civil society representatives after all meetings of the UN Chief Executives Board (CEB). INDIGENOUS PEOPLES FILL IN WATER, ENERGY AND FOOD SECURITY The way we manage water in urban areas needs to change where an integrated approach that promotes a holistic approach to water, wastewater and urban drainage management is adopted. Water should be managed across institutions, with good governance critical to operationalize water management. At least 50% of mountain communities to have adequate access to safe water for domestic consumption, irrigation and sanitation by The UN, international organizations and national governments should create a global water quality framework to define appropriate water qualities for different water uses water fit for purpose. 8

9 Aquaponic food production systems could be built on school campuses with STEM curriculum developed around the system. ACCESS TO SUSTAINABLE ENERGY BY 2030 FOR ALL PEOPLE By 2030, increase the share of sustainable energy in the energy mix by %. Ensure consistent supplies of energy for all healthcare facilities and schools, worldwide. Minimize risks that women take due to energy- related activities, including collection of energy resources, through solar equipment such as the LUCIE Lantern. EDUCATION Governments should increase the percentage of national investment in all levels and sectors of education, and commit to comprehensively monitoring school enrollment, retention and completion for vulnerable groups. Early childhood education, the foundation of human capital, must be prioritized to address boys and girls developmental delays and gaps in knowledge. Education for girls and the end of gender disparity in education must be a primary goal in the Post 2015 Development Agenda. Education must give students the skills and training to live in a globally interconnected world on a finite planet. At every level, principles of sustainability, human rights and peace education must be integrated into the curriculum. STRENGTHENING THE SOCIAL PILLAR OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT Governance structures for sustainable development must be created as learning systems leading to understanding, is evolving to meet these challenges but the gap between government priorities and what society urgently needs from the UN and the anticipated outcomes from stakeholders, the confidence building processes must be crossed more quickly. Engage people living in poverty in the design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of all poverty eradication programmes, and promote inclusive, non- discriminatory participatory decision- making at all levels, with particular attention paid to the most marginalized. Eliminate educational disparities in primary and secondary education by 2030 by paying particular attention to marginalized groups utilizing disaggregated data and monitoring. By 2030, increase by % the share of companies reporting on corporate social and environmental responsibility, including integrated reporting

10 OLDER PERSONS We call on all governments to ensure that sustainable development is for all people of all ages and abilities; Implement social protection mechanisms to reduce poverty and inequalities across generations. THE FAMILY It is important to encourage the stability, ethics, and capacities of the family in order to create stability and sustainability in society. PSYCHOLOGY AND MENTAL HEALTH Mental and Physical Health Mental and physical health are inextricably connected and cut across and impact all aspects of sustainable development. The human right of all to the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health is a necessary foundation for sustainable development, without which significant progress cannot take place. As such, mental and physical health should be a separate SDG that encompasses the broad range of health- related issues. Benchmarks for achieving the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health should be included in the Post Development Agenda. Mental health, psychological well- being, empowerment and resilience as well as a low incidence of stress- related conditions are essential for all peoples, and for all societies, to achieve the three dimensions of sustainable development, as well as the Future We Want with human dignity for all. Governments will provide by universal coverage and services for mental health, stress- related conditions and psychosocial well- being, empowerment and resilience, integrated throughout all health systems, including through adequate financing, development and training of the health and mental health workforce and access to safe, affordable, effective and quality treatments. DISARMAMENT AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT Citizens demand open information on research with geo- engineering and with current global nuclear weapons research, testing, and production activities, and their impacts on international security. We insist on making public information on the trillions of dollars used for maintaining nuclear arsenals and on other high technology weapons programs, and efforts to further militarize outer space, which threaten international stability and make the elimination of nuclear arsenals more difficult to achieve. SUSTAINABLE TOURISM Reduce net carbon emissions 50% in five years and then become net carbon zero and reduce waste to landfills 50% in six years. 10

11 Require that each future development demonstrate a net positive impact on ecosystems. Green building techniques such as Monolithic Domes demonstrate that we now have the capability to build to reduce energy consumption 75% and become disaster resistant at no extra cost. RULE OF LAW By 2030, develop access to independent and responsive justice systems, improved access to information, procurement at all levels of government, access to distance and online training courses on public administration, and a decrease of corruption at all levels by % 11