In 1992, a Rio Declaration on Environment and Development was announced, this aimed to increase sustainable development in the present to benefit the future. This declaration played a key role in the 2012 UN Conference on Sustainable Development and their focus on gaining support for sustainable development from higher education institutions worldwide. The link is the full article: http://www.uncsd2012.org/index.php?page=view&nr=341&type=12&men.... Along with the information on the conference here is a link listing all of the universities worldwide who have signed a commitment form: http://rio20.euromed-management.com/roll-of-commitments-2/.
Will these efforts be successful in increasing sustainable development? It is a step in the right direction, colleges and universities around the world educate and prepare young adults to become the next generation of world leaders. If change is to occur these are the places to start. However the universities who choose to commit to this initiative have to be prepared to act on and implement the declaration they sign. As of July 10, 2012 there were 30 colleges in the United States and 719 worldwide that signed the Rio +20 declaration. This is a start, however how many of the students know/knew about their school's commitment to Rio +20? The Presidents and Deans of these schools are taking it upon themselves to sign the declaration; it is great that they want to involve their respective universities however student involvement needs to become a bigger priority. Having support from the student body will make the transition in implementing the changes demanded by the declaration easier.
In conclusion, increasing student involvement in the Rio +20 initiative will dramatically increase the success of the movement. I plan on helping the Environmental Action Committee persuade my university to sign and commit to further increasing sustainable development.
I welcome any comments.
- NP
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