One Week 'til Rio!

After two long years - it is time for my next international adventure (finally)!   Next Monday, I will board a plane in Pittsburgh, make my way through Charlotte, and land in Rio de Janeiro to join thousands of people from around the world for the United Nations Conference for Sustainable Development, or Rio+20.

But before I go, I wanted to fill everyone in on what I'll be doing in Rio with a little Q&A!


What is Rio+20?

Twenty years after the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, the UN is again bringing together governments, international institutions, and major groups to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil to define pathways to a sustainable future and to look ahead to the world we want in 20 years.  Official discussions will focus around two main themes of the conference: (1) how to build a green economy to achieve sustainable development and lift people out of poverty; and (2) how to improve international coordination for sustainable development. Therefore, this conference will not only allow these groups to agree on a range of smart measures that can reduce poverty while promoting decent jobs, clean energy and a more equitable use of resources, but more broadly, give international actors the chance to rethink economic growth, advance social equity and ensure environmental protection.


What Will I Be Doing in Rio? 

As many of you know, I was recently accepted to take part in an exciting Youth Delegation that is attending this conference.  As an "Agent of Change," through an organization called SustainUS, I will be part of a 28- person team of dedicated college students and recent graduates that are passionate for promoting international sustainable development.

The SustainUS Agents of Change program is the only non-profit program of its kind in the country that has successfully increased youth stakeholder involvement at the United Nations for the past ten years.  As an accredited non-governmental organization, SustainUS will effectively engage government policymakers at the international, regiona, national, and sub-national levels, concerning sustainable development policies.  In preparation for the conference, the delegation is currently developing policy recommendations, collaborating with other U.S. and international youth activists, and working tirelessly to ensure that nations respond to the urgency and severity of the crises facing our planet today. We will join dozens of international youth in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on June 20-22, 2012, to ensure that all countries understand that the world demands action and progress right now.



Lauren's Schedule in Rio:

June 12:  Lauren's Arrival to Rio
June 13-15:  3rd Prep Comm
June 16-19:  Sustainable Development Dialogues
June 20-22:   Rio+20
June 23-27:  Travel
June 27:  Lauren's Departure back to the U.S.


I am truly and incredibly blessed to have the opportunity to attend this conference, and I want to thank everyone who has supported me throughout this process.  It is my goal to blog frequently during my trip to Rio - but if you have any specific questions about the Conference itself or SustainUS - please feel free to email me at lauren.borsa@gmail.com. I will respond as soon as I can.


For more information on Rio+20 or SustainUS:

Rio+20 website
SustainUS website
Rio+US:  A Live US Youth Video Conversation on Rio+20