Thursday, May 8, 2008

What is a Well-Prepared Society?

When one paints the picture of the future for sustainable living, what does that picture look like? Who are the people that can turn that image into reality?

By: Alex Coe, UN CSD Education Caucus

In preparation for our roundtable, “A Well-Prepared Society: Progress on Eco-efficiency and Sustainability”, members of the CSD Education Caucus surveyed CSD-16 delegates asking what needs to be done to prepare for a sustainable future. We considered the themes of CSD 16/17 and asked, "What is a well-prepared society?" and "What will it take to lead us to this society?

The responses we received were varied, but several key themes emerged.

Some advocated youth involvement:

"[A well-prepared society]...gives youth the knowledge and the skills to proceed (to move Agenda 21 forward)."

Many spoke of a society where civil societies were the key players:

"...where mechanisms are in place for community members to meet with decision makers to review public constraints and how to address them."

"[One that]…utilizes accessibility of recognizable rulers to direct and guide a community to manage its own land, resources and human capital."

Others brought up the role of the individual and the importance of foresight:

"... [It] is aware of the issues and knows what the goal is in the long run and what is most viable."

"...[Where] people are able to sacrifice certain privileges for the sake of the future."

"...a just society where a person can live to their greatest potential, where the system is supportive not destructive.”

Many emphasized the importance of information for all sectors:

"[Should be led by] countries that are adapting successful sustainable practices."

"[Where leaders and civil societies have access to] CSD-16 information that is relevant and looks at the obstacles and progress being made in each individual situation. This relevance must be found on all levels from government and policy makers to civil society."

"The public must be made aware and the public must take action and also lobby government. The public should be true major stakeholders and part of the process of decision making."

"Resources should be restructured so "owners" are equity stakeholders in the progress, solutions and outcomes."

"[Lead by] a shift towards long term thinking.”

"We must put our self interest aside, for our future is up to everyone. We are living as individuals but we share one planet."

"Instead of pointing the finger at who isn't doing something we should  look at who is successfully achieving goals as set out by CSD-16.

NGOs should formulate for themselves long term strategies of development."

Most impressive was that everyone could answer these questions quickly. The vision is there. Through these insights, the process and the optimal outcome take shape. The question remains, are we ready to take the lead towards a well-prepared society?

Alex Coe is an anthropologist and the creative director of Gentle Storm Productions, a cultural media video production company focusing on food, agriculture and sustainability.