Thanks Chair,
There are many reasons why there is still a gap between words and practice. Felix
Dodds; Director of Stakeholder Forum already stated several of these reasons. In many
NGO statements we have repeatedly complained about the lack of political will, the lack
of leadership, the lack of sense of urgency and so on. Although the social and
environmental conflicts are growing, sustainable development is still not a priority for
most countries, international institutions, and to be honest; they are also not a priority
for most of civil society organisations either. Mainstream thinking in economy is still the
dominant discourse.
?Our economic system is the main driver for socialising the costs and privatising the
profit?, as the Chair of the bureau stated it this morning in our NGO-meeting at 9.00.
The concepts of SD, as we discuss them are not internalised in overall policy. And we can
sow thousands of flowers, but if they do not fall in fertile soil, they will never bloom.
SD is still not a priority in national governance and is often not the responsibility of the
ministries with real influence. There is a clear need to institutionalise SD within all
ministries and administrations. And, of course, with a strong mandate and a significant
budget as well.
National Strategies, councils for SD and capacity building for public officers and civil
society is a strong tool to start with. There is a strong need for visionary people, who are
able and willing to think in long term strategies that goes beyond the short term
strategies which governments usually choose. Because this will give SD, at all levels, the
continuity that SD really urgently needs. Only then the work at the CSD will have any
effect at home.
Ladies and gentlemen,
We talk about greening the economy, because such an economy is to be based on sound
principles of resource management, on renewable resources and innovation.
Yesterday at a side event, the British economist Tim Jackson, said we live in a world with
finite resources and finite limits and we all want to create a world where all people can
have a decent life. To make this happen, we also need to understand that we need equity
and social and environmental justice.
We all seem to be in agreement in this room, about making this world into a sustainable
world. So maybe the structures, that block us from accomplishing this, are outside this
room, outside this building. Maybe we also need to talk about greening our financial
systems, greening investments, greening stock exchanges, greening insurance
companies, greening world trade. If we do not do this as well and have clear
acknowledge of the limits of the carrying capacity of people and planet, I am afraid we
only will be 'greening greed'.
We can keep on changing the deck chairs on the Titanic, but we would be better off to try
to take over the wheel and change direction in our economy. Towards a sustainable,
equitable and fair economy.
Thank you.
