Inspired by Rio+20

Greetings from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil!  It has been a crazy few days, but I am inspired more than ever to promote the ideals of sustainable development.   So I apologize if this is a long post, but I just want to fill everyone in on what has been going on here in Rio!

So….

I arrived on the morning of Tuesday, June 11, and was instantly greeted to a beautiful morning in Rio.  After getting picked up by our hostel, another delegate and I made our way through the streets of Rio de Janeiro to the area of Copacabana – the section of the city that we have been staying in.   I met two or three of the other delegates upon arrival and we set off to explore a part of the city.  After running some errands, we ended up at the beach – and it really set in that I was in Rio! 

During the days of June 10-12, youth from all over the world attending the UN Conference in Rio were invited to attend the Youth Blast, a five day event specifically held for youth held by the Major Group for Children and Youth. The purpose of this was to empower children and youth present at Rio+20 by sharing best practices for implementing solutions and participating in decision making at the international level.   I was lucky enough to make it to the last day of this event, and when I walked into the facility – I met the creator of Captain Planet, one of my favorite childhood cartoons.  I instantly knew that this conference was the place I needed to be.   From there, I participated in a group session where youth facilitators held a simulation mimicking multi-lateral negotiations on issues that would be discussed in the upcoming conference.  Youth representatives took on the roles of lead negotiators and after the simulation, we had the opportunity to discuss the process, and reflect on what we had just experienced.  It was great to see youth from around the world completely engaged on these issues and it was inspiring to see how these youth participants worked together to solve issues that our government representatives will discuss in the negotiations to come.

 The past three days are a part of what is called the 3rd PrepCom, which is where national governments come together before the conference to discuss and negotiate the text that has been drafted thus far for the outcome document. Government negotiators are discussing issues such as the development of sustainable development goals, the strengthening UNEP, the creation of an institutional framework for sustainable development, information sharing surrounding the ideas of the green economy, and action-oriented outcomes in areas such as: water, energy, oceans, food security, cities, women’s empowerment, education, health, and more.  Although no one seems overly optimistic that much will come out of Rio+20 or that the conference itself will be a success – I am still hopeful and there is still time to develop new commitments to create a more sustainable future.  

While negotiations are being held,  there have been side events offered by different governments, think tanks, NGO groups and other stakeholders to provide a forum to discuss issues surrounding Rio+20 negotiation points.  Ranging on issues from Energy for Sustainable Development in Brazil to Sustainable Lifestyles to the Legacy of Rio – these side events facilitate discussion among those that are not a part of official negotiations.  I have had the opportunity to participate in many of these side events, and I have to admit, participating in these events was probably the best way to start my UN Conference experience.  Surrounded by inspiring and passionate people, there is no way I could not feel inspired myself. 

More specifically, I participated in a session yesterday focused around the legacy of Rio+20 and how we as participants can carry on the ideals of sustainable development after the conference.   One of the panelists posed a series of questions that really left me thinking of my own position in the world.  She asked:

Who do we think we are?

What do we think we are doing? 

At first, I have to admit that I thought these questions were a bit sassy - but the more I started thinking about it and the more it resonated in my mind the more I was perplexed by my own thoughts.  Like the first question - who DO I think I am?  And second - what DO I think I am doing?  While these thoughts were rather humbling, they also gave me a sense of empowerment.  

Yes, I could say I am Lauren Borsa, a recent graduate and a youth representative of sustainable development on behalf of US youth with SustainUS.  I could say I am daughter, a sister, a friend.  But being in this environment, I again realize how small I am in the midst of this big, big world.   I am just one of the 7 billion people on this earth, but again, this environment reinforces the idea that the gathering and assembling of a group of individuals can inspire great change.  I am now a part of a network of people that have gathered together who understand that we have a future worth working toward and that in order to do so, there needs to be change.  Especially within this youth network, I am continually inspired by the dedicated and passionate young people that are advocating for the future we want.

But what do I think I am doing?  How am I trying to achieve this?  What is it that I cherish and hold dear?  This is the question I keep asking myself.  What are things I/we can do to promote sustainability?

From this conference so far, I feel inspired to make change.  Therefore, it has become my personal goal to take this opportunity to learn as much as I can from policymakers, researchers, think tanks, NGOs, and young people that are knowledgeable on many subjects related to sustainable development.  Again, I am reminded that there is a critical need for a change of current world systems, and all it takes is the engagement and mobilization of people around the world to start making more sustainable choices in their everyday lives.  Rio +20 provides a platform for major groups to come together and discuss important global issues, but the things we have learned should not be contained to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.  The process of creating a more sustainable future should not stop here.   It is time for our voices to be heard and motivate ourselves to act.