Also called the "Johannesburg Earth Summit," the World Summit on Sustainable Development took place in South Africa in late August - early September 2002, a decade after the famous Rio Earth Summit. The United Nations was the conference's main organizer; the UN invited heads of state as well representatives from world businesses and NGOs to discuss sustainable development. However, NGO representatives had a difficult time gaining access and being listened to during conference events. Overall, the NGO community was disappointed with the procedure and outcome of the Earth Summit. On a positive note, NGOs were able to network during the week of the conference, and forged new cooperations to continue their work on social and economic justice.
WSSD Success or Failure? (October 2002)
At the WSSD, NGOs either dealt with difficult accreditation paperwork, restricted access and closed-door sessions, or were relegated to distant parallel conferences and other side events. In addition, the UN consensus process involves only governments and leaves no formal way for NGOs to block UN agreements. (Bond)
The Battle for WSSD's Endorsement of the Need for Corporate Accountability (October 2, 2002)
The WSSD's commitment to making corporations accountable for their actions marked one of the few NGO victories at the conference. However, NGOs accuse the US of attempting to "neutralize" the agreement on corporate accountability. (Third World Network)
Earth Summit Calls for Action, Not Just Rhetoric (September 13, 2002)
Critics consider the Johannesburg Summit a failure, but the South China Morning Post
argues that it may "empower civil society, galvanize public will and mobilize public action to defend the cause of sustainable development."
argues that it may "empower civil society, galvanize public will and mobilize public action to defend the cause of sustainable development."
A Failed Summit, Let's Look Forward (September 9, 2002)
After monitoring negotiations at the Johannesburg Summit, the coordinator of Eurodad says, "the summit overall is a failure," but NGO alliances forged at the conference give hope for the future of sustainable development. (Eurodad/OneWorld Online Forum on WSSD)
Earth Summit Audit (September 5, 2002)
David Loyn traces the strong and weak points of the Johannesburg Summit, examining globalization supporters and protesters as well as the implications for the future of global civil society. (Open Democracy)
NGOs: Global People's Forum Meeting in Johannesburg a Success (September 4, 2002)
The Global People's Forum final documents differ substantially from those that emerged from the Johannesburg Summit, proposing clear and direct resolutions, as opposed to "the diplomatically worded WSSD document." (Earth Times)
Johannesburg Summit Focuses On Civil Society Role (September 4, 2002)
The Johannesburg Summit highlights the importance of civil society in achieving the Millennium Development Goals. Discussions include mobilizing local community groups, cooperation between civil society and the UN, and the validity of development paradigms. (United Nations Development Programme)
NGOs Decry the Puff Pastry Summit (September 3, 2002)
NGOs criticize the final draft of the action plan of the Johannesburg Summit, saying it did not "come up with anything substantial" and that "governments have yet to show their commitment to deliver." (Inter Press Service)
Protest for Poor at UN Forum in South Africa (August 31, 2002)
While protesters shout for access to water and expressed other concerns, government negotiators remain deadlocked on important issues such as agricultural subsidies. (New York Times)
US Announces Partnership Initiatives in Earth Summit (August 29, 2002)
The US calls for governments, civil society and the private sector to create partnerships to avoid committing to the "specific timetable advocated by the European Union." (Xinhua News Agency)
FOE Condemns EU/US Bully-Boy Tactics in Jo'burg (August 28, 2002)
NGOs at the World Summit "obtained secret joint EU/US negotiating document which advocates using the Earth Summit process to promote trade liberalization and corporate-led globalization while completely failing to propose legally binding mechanisms to protect the environment or vulnerable communities." (ATTAC)
Walk Out Averted! (August 28, 2002)
Civil society groups reach an agreement with the UN after threatening to protest their lack of access to the World Summit. (Inter Press Service)
Closed Door Sessions Vex NGOs - Negotiations Shift to Backdoor Deals (August 27, 2002)
As delegates decide to resolve finance, trade, globalization and good governance issues informally and in contact groups, NGOs and other civil society groups find themselves shut out of the negotiation process. (Inter Press Service)
A World Without Water (August 27, 2002)
Anti-globalization activists will try to illustrate the dangers of privatizing water this week, in conjunction with the Johannesburg Summit. Ever since the UN redefined water as a "human need" rather than a "human right," companies have been rapidly buying and leasing water systems to sell for profit, often at prices the poor just cannot pay. (Village Voice)
Civil Society Occupies the Center Stage at the World Summit on Sustainable Development (August 27, 2002)
This article addresses "the need for civil society and governments to work together to reform the UN so that future global policy making initiatives become more democratic and where civil society's role is respected by governments and other global leaders." (Civicus)
NGOs Divided on How Best to Alleviate World Poverty (August 22, 2002)
At the Global Forum, an alternative summit designed to submit a declaration to the WSSD, like-minded organizations have set up camp in separate spaces to advance their specific interests. The various groups must find a way to compromise so that they can present a united and supported declaration. (Inter Press Service)
Trade Unions Call on Summit to Refocus Global Environmental Facility Funds (August 20, 2002)
Trade unions express concern that the $3 billion provided to replenish the GEF will not be used to "integrate the agency's programs with the social and economic pillars of sustainable development." A delegation of trade unions calls for an "integrated approach to ecosystems management" at the Johannesburg Summit. (ATTAC)
Most African NGOs Lack Funds to Attend World Development Summit in Jo'burg (August 20, 2002)
Many African civil society groups are still waiting for a promised 3 million euros that would enable them to attend the Johannesburg Summit. Otherwise, most will lack the resources to pay for their accommodations and other costs. (BBC)
NGOs in Botswana Call For Earth Summit to Link Poverty and AIDS (August 18, 2002)
With nearly 40% of adults HIV positive or suffering from AIDS, Botswana NGOs call for a link between AIDS and poverty issues at the Johannesburg Summit. (Agence France Presse)
Big Business Plans To Hijack Johannesburg Earth Summit (August 16, 2002)
NGOs fear that big businesses will overtake the Johannesburg Summit, "determined to block any progress." Some of the official delegations include leaders of companies that have purportedly caused environmental damage. (Independent)
Experts Call for Firm Political and Financial Commitment to Solve Water Problems (August 15, 2002)
International water organizations hope water and sanitation discussions at the World Summit on Sustainable Development are followed with action. Several organizations called for "concrete targets, time bound measures and action plans to change the way the world manages water." (Associated Press)
Challenges of Development: The Expanding Reach of Nongovernment Aid (August 14, 2002)
NGOs will participate in the World Summit for Sustainable Development to advocate for critical global issues. Sometimes criticized for cultural insensitivity, NGOs are often influential and will play an important role in the conference. (International Herald Tribune)
NGOs Urged to Participate at UN Summit (July 27, 2002)
A coalition of civil society organizations pushed for greater NGO participation in Johannesburg at a forum held in Taiwan to support and publicize the environmental coalition's goal of taking part in the UN Summit. (Taiwan News)
South African NGO Faults NEPAD Over Sustainable Development (July 31, 2002)
The Wildlife and Environment Society of South Africa has accused NEPAD of failing to highlight the environmental aspect of Sustainable Development. The NGO plans to send a delegation to the upcoming World Summit on Sustainable Development to lobby for "a greater level of commitment to long-term environmental stability on the continent.(allAfrica)
INTGLIM Comments & Recommendations on Sustainable Development and International Environmental Governance, the CSD, the Rio Principles & the Role of NGOs (May 22, 2002)
The International NGO Task Group On Legal And Institutional Matters (INTGLIM) calls for a legal framework protecting NGO participation in the Johannesburg Summit. It strongly supports empowering UN bodies to ensure more democratic decision-making and a balance between economic and environmental concerns.
'We The Peoples Believe Another World Is Possible' (March-April 2002)
"The corporate person has become more important than the human person", particularly in relation to environmental preservation. However, civil society groups continue to speak out against a global corporate takeover in the lead up to the World Summit on Sustainable Development. (Third World Network)
NGO Forum for Johannesburg Back on Track, Say Organizers (April 11, 2002)
Infighting between civil society groups in South Africa threatens to undermine the success of the NGO Forum at the World Summit on Sustainable Development. Although not a part of the official conference, any problems at the Forum will reflect badly on the summit as a whole. (United Nations)
Letter to Under Secretary General Desai Concerning NGOs at the World Summit on Sustainable Development (April 1, 2002)
A letter from the International NGO Task Group on Legal and Institutional Matters (INTGLIM) expressing concern over the accreditation of businesses and individuals as non-governmental organizations to the World Summit on Sustainable Development. INTGLIM asserts that the move "sets a very controversial and dangerous precedent."
A United Voice for Sustainable Development (March 28, 2002)
The Stakeholder Forum for Our Common Future aims to unite NGOs in preparation for the World Summit on Sustainable Development. Representatives promote the Forum as a "stepping stone to attaining stakeholder participation in [summit-level discussions on] sustainable development." (Earth Times)
Parallel Event to UN World Summit to Give Voice to Ordinary People (February 12, 2002)
Over 40 NGOs have already committed to support the World Sustainability Hearing, an event to take place parallel to the 2002 World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) in South Africa. Civil society activists hope bringing new voices to the discussions will give voice to those harmed by corporate-led globalization.(World Sustainability Hearings Project)
