In the 21st century, our survival depends on saving the environment and achieving the Millennium Development Goals of ending extreme poverty by 2015, getting every child into school, helping communities obtain clean water, fighting AIDS and malaria, and taking other steps toward a more livable and just world. WHY International will continue to participate in and report on UN partnerships with civil society around the rights to food, water, land, credit, employment and gender equality. In conjunction with the Food and Agriculture Organization, WHY International was a founding civil society partner in the Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development (SARD) Initiative on land management, poverty, food security and sustainable agricultural production.

WHY makes Statement on Industrial Agrofuels at ECOSOC Meetings

The 16th Session of the UN Commission on Sustainable Development New York City 5-16 May 2008

Reports from the UN

What is the Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD)?

The United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD) was established by the UN General Assembly in late 1992 to ensure effective follow-up of the UN Conference on Environment and Development, popularly known as the Earth Summit, held in Rio de Janeiro in June 1992.

The CSD meets annually in New York, in two-year cycles, with each cycle focusing on clusters of specific thematic and cross-sectoral issues. 2008 is the first year of a two-year cycle in which agriculture is one of the major themes, along with rural development, land, drought, desertification and Africa.

What is the CSD 16-17 doing about agriculture?

Organizers worldwide are making sure that regional efforts to reclaim diversity and integrity in food and farming systems are at the forefront of CSD 16-17.

Most poor people worldwide depend on agriculture for their livelihoods and food security, but the capacity of resources and technologies to satisfy the demands of growing populations for food and other agricultural commodities remains uncertain. Agriculture has to meet this challenge, mainly by increasing production on land already in use and by avoiding further encroachment on land that is only marginally suitable for cultivation.

Major adjustments are needed in agricultural, environmental and macroeconomic policy, at both national and international levels, in developed as well as developing countries, to increase food production and enhance food security in an environmentally sound way so as to contribute to sustainable natural resource management

Why is CSD important to WHY?

The CSD is one of very few international forums in which civil society is recognized as a real partner in achieving sustainability with governments. The CSD recognizes 9 different constituencies in an attempt to make sure that all stakeholders in sustainability have a voice:

• Women
• Children and Youth
• Indigenous People
• NGOs
• Local Authorities
• Workers and Trade Unions
• Business and Industry
• Scientific and Technological Communities
• Farmers

In the US, the representatives of many of these interest groups including WHY have been working on successful models of sustainable agriculture and rural development, many of which are examples of positive collaboration between government and civil society.

What will come out of CSD’s work?

Linking good practice to supportive policies and identifying areas for collaborative action through:.

• UN policy decisions that shape events and policy outcomes on federal, state, and local levels here in North America, in addition to events and policies in developing countries.
• Major groups contribution to the CSD with case studies and lessons learned, and presenting challenges that enrich the inter-governmental debate.
• Civil society stakeholders actively engaging with governments and UN agencies to identify examples of progress towards and constraints to achieving sustainable agriculture and rural development.

How is WHY involved in CSD?

Through our participation in CSD, WHY aims to influence the dialogue around food and agriculture to reflect the need for food sovereignty, the right of people to determine their own food and agricultural systems. Among our key issues are the current world food crisis, the food vs. fuel debate, and the building/strengthening of local and regional food systems. In addition to taking part in dialogues and debates within the UN, WHY has been working to connect the international delegates of CSD with our partners in New York City’s thriving urban agriculture community through tours and other exchanges comprising a “City and Farm Linkages CSD Showcase” on the weekend of May 10-11. Stay tuned for updates and reports on CSD by WHY staff.

How can I find out more?

60th Annual DPI/NGO Conference 2007
Climate Change: How It Impacts Us All

From September 5th to 7th, more than 2,000 non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and other civil society partners from 90 countries are expected to attend "Climate Change: How It Impacts Us All." This is the 60th annual Department of Public Information/Non-Governmental Organization Conference to be held at the United Nations Headquarters in New York.

The Conference will review the latest scientific evidence on climate change, including its impact on vulnerable populations, water security, land use, and the politics of energy. Additionally, the conference will highlight the interconnection between climate change and other Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

This year’s DPI/NGO Conference will focus on individual action plans that address the growing concerns of climate change and its profound and decisive impact on human well-being. The conference will address solutions by helping NGOs to develop concrete practices that can be implemented and shared. There will be a focus on educating communities of the importance of reducing carbon emissions, the necessity of conservation, and the search for energy-efficient alternative fuel sources.

By the conference end, it is hoped that participants will not only be inspired to take action but will have the necessary tools to form partnerships and create effective action plans to counter the climate change crisis.

For further information:
UN Climate Change Conference Website
Gateway to the UN System's Work on Climate Change

UN Reports

59th Annual DPI/NGO Conference 2006
Unfinished Business: Effective Partnerships for Human Security and Development
Conference report by Molly Norton, International Intern.

Millenium Development Goals

Cooperation with Civil Society
The effectiveness and quality of FAO's work in agriculture and the fight against hunger is enhanced by working with Civil Society Organizations (CSOs).

Global Policy Forum
Information about NGOs and global policy-making at the UN.

The Special Programme for Food Security (SPFS)
FAO's initiative to achieve food security.

Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development
SARD supports people-centered sustainable agriculture and rural development.

The United Nations and Civil Society
Links to UN Partnerships, to Learning, to UN Documents and Events.

UN News Service
Latest news and events at the UN.