The United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development, also known as the Rio+20, will be held next week in Brazil. This conference will bring together world leaders as well as thousands of individuals from governments, the private sector, NGOs and other groups. These people will come together with one purpose in mind: how we can reduce poverty, advance social equity and ensure environmental protection for the future.
Pre-meetings are already taking place in Rio de Janeiro but just because you can’t make it down to Brazil doesn’t mean you can’t be part of the action. Here are seven different ways of how our ONE members can get involved with the Rio+20:
1. Follow the Rio+20 on Twitter! Here you can find up-to-date information about all of the happenings next week. The official twitter for the conference is @UN_Rioplus20 but also check out #rioplus20 to see what everyone is saying about it!
2. Take a look at The Guardian’s Rio+20 photo challenge. They are asking for your photos – what kind of message do you want to send to the conference? Add your photos and let your voice be heard!
3. Listen to this global development podcast. It discusses development that dates back to 20 years ago and asks what this year’s Rio+20 conference can achieve.
4. Share your own story! What have you done to foster sustainable development? Submit your own story to The Road to Rio to show the advances you have made.
5. Join in on the buzz – you can share your views on the World Bank website. What do you think needs to happen at the upcoming conference to make our world more sustainable?
6. Write your own message to the world. The United Nations is compiling your messages for the rest of the world to see in light of the Rio+20 next week. Add your thoughts on this topic today!
7. Submit to ONE’s Energy Poverty Challenge. It’s not too late to vote on the solution that you think will help provide electricity to the world’s poorest people.
For more information about the Rio+20, please check out: http://www.uncsd2012.org/ and check back to the ONE blog where will update up Rio+20 discussions on energy access are progressing and the result of our Energy Poverty Challenge.
Bonus point: Listen to Ban Ki-moon’s message on Rio+20: