The final installment of the Rio+20 toolkit series that focuses on the concept of the Institutional Framework for Sustainable Development and how to use the Arts to spread the word!

1. A Rio+20
Toolkit Series :
Part IV
Our Future is Worth It:
How YOUth can take ACTION
for Sustainable Development
In partnership with:

2. It Does Not Stop With Rio+20
In this issue For Sustainable Development (SD) to become a reality, we need to
implement strong government structures that will benefit
 Institutional everyone. Sustainable Development requires careful consideration.
Framework for All of us should take the lead to implement changes throughout our
Sustainable societies.
Development It starts from a basic level of engagement. Each person can start to
pp. 2 - 3 reduce his or her carbon footprint and influence the creation of
better community policies.
 What is at Stake?
pp. 4
 Using The Arts
pp. 5 - 6
 Some Useful Links
p. 7
 Where Do we Go From
here?
p. 8
 Contacts
p.9
Decisions that our governments make must be held accountable by
organizations, people and institutions. Whereas these entities
facilitate, regulate and ensure that processes go smoothly, it is
imperative that community members practice them.
At Rio+20, new decisions about global Sustainable Development will
be made, including how the Institutional Framework for Sustainable
Development (IFSD) will function.
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3. Institutional Framework for Sustainable Development (IFSD)
In part 3 of our toolkit, we focused on the Green Economy: http://scr.bi/ToolkitPart3
IFSD should consider
Now, let us take a look at the other theme for Rio+20, the Institutional
that individual countries
Framework for Sustainable Development (IFSD).
will need to implement
SD depending on their The concept of IFSD is expected to guide how regional, national and international
needs and capacity. governments implement Sustainable Development. These action guidelines should
IFSD should also be applicable to institutions, policy and laws on each level.
encourage cooperation
between nations to IFSD should incorporate and strengthen the principles of the Green Economy. If
achieve greater goals IFSD and the Green Economy are well balanced, this will create incentives for
for SD world-wide. continuous cooperation of all sectors of society toward sustainability.
Global governance institutions National governing bodies
include the United Nations include: parliament, congress,
departments and affiliates ministries, national courts,
(like the World Bank). prime ministerial offices.
HOT TOPIC!
One idea to
co-ordinate
effective global
governance for SD is
to strengthen the
jurisdiction of the
United Nations
Environment
Programme (UNEP).
There are many types of regional governing
bodies. These include: regional planning
commissions, council of governments, and
special purpose regional agencies.
IFSD is just as much about people, public and private entities as well as governments. For example, other
entities can take part in decision making, such as businesses or corporations, scientists and citizen-led
organisations.
You can build momentum toward effective solutions in your community by lobbying . Even if you do not lobby,
you should always be informed. Look for local meetings and events which you can attend to gain a deeper under-
standing of your community and build relationships.
Things to keep in mind:
 Relationship building is not a chore. Approach people with a willingness to connect.
 Listen to understand what people are saying instead of trying to get them to agree with your points.
 Do not discriminate! Keep an open mind and treat everyone with equal respect.
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4. International Perspectives on IFSD
Here are some IFSD proposals that have been suggested in the lead up to Rio+20:
Major Group for African
Ministerial
Indigenous Peoples
Conference
on the
Environment
Major
Group for
Children & Earth
Youth
Systems
Governance
Earth Systems Governance proposals (March 2011): http://bit.ly/ESGproposals
Major Group for Children and Youth proposals (November 2011): http://bit.ly/mgcyzerodraft
African Ministerial Conference on the Environment (September 2011): http://bit.ly/AMCproposals
Major Group for Indigenous Peoples comments on the Zero Draft (January 2012): http://bit.ly/MGIPproposals
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5. What is at Stake?
Taken from the report
of the African
Ministerial Conference
on the Environment ,
Fourth special session,
Meeting of the expert
group, Bamako, 13 and
14 September 2011—
AMCEN/SS/IV/EG/6
Where does the power lie?
There are power disparities which affect how decisions are made about our different systems. Collective decisions
must be made to achieve Sustainable Development. Governments can set laws but it is up to the people to follow
them.
Conversely, if governments do not set laws, the people can influence the making of them. What is needed is for us
to shift our patterns of behaviour towards greater sustainability. If enough people are able to change , we can
create pressure to have those values codified and integrated within our ecological, social and economic systems.
To affect long-term, comprehensive change, member states at Rio+20 must secure renewed political commitment,
assess progress and remaining gaps as well as address new challenges.
Global leaders must reaffirm commitments to move negotiations beyond
talk and into action .
The international community must evaluate current progress and identify
obstacles to achieving sustainability.
The outcome of Rio+20 should establish a mechanism to evaluate, identify
and resolve new challenges to SD.
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6. Be Creative : The Arts for Sustainable Development
The Arts are a subdivision of culture, which include visual, literary and
performing arts.
 Visual Arts: Includes a wide range of traditional and modern disciplines.
Examples: ceramics, drawing, painting, sculpture, printmaking, design, crafts,
often modern visual arts (photography, video, filmmaking) and architecture.
 Literary Arts: Includes written work, but is not confined to published sources.
Examples: poetry, prose, fiction, and non-fiction.
 Performing Arts: Art forms in which artists use their body or voice to convey
artistic expression. Examples include but are not limited to: music, theatre,
dance and film.
You can use the Arts as a unique tool to express the kind of future you want.
What you create can be an easy and fun way to have a profound message reach
a wide audience.
FILM-MAKING AND VIDEOS
Grab a digital or video camera, identify images you want to capture and film
away! Ask friends to participate in your video.
If you are good with animations, use it to enhance your message for
Sustainable Development on video.
Not sure where to start? Try out some of these suggestions:
1) Film success stories of young people working towards Sustainable
Development issues , 2) interview politicians to hold them accountable to
their promises or 3) record your own change-making journey for Sustainable
Development.
PHOTOS/PAINTINGS/DRAWINGS
A picture is worth a thousand words. Use photos, paintings and drawings to
illustrate your ideas.
Organise a photo contest or an exhibition to represent goals that you want
to see achieved for Sustainable Development. Send these pieces of art to
your politicians with a list of asks. For a reminder on how to make effective
asks, see part 2 of this toolkit series: http://scr.bi/ToolkitPart2.
Try out installation art! You can temporarily transform an environment that
people are used to (like a park, government building, or plaza) into an art
gallery. Make sure to always abide by your local laws when planning
installation art. You can create sculptures or get people to stand still and
pose as characters from a scene that reinforces your overall message.
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7. MUSIC
Here are some tips on using music to build
enthusiasm around Sustainable Development:
 Organize a concert. Get in contact with local
musicians. Live music can make people more
interested to attend your event.
 Dance performances are another way to impress and influence people.
You can choose a performance spot depending on what issue you would
like to present. Take inspiration from Project Hip Hop: http://
www.projecthiphop.org/
 Write your own song. Check out these examples from the Rio+20 Global
Youth Music Contest! http://www.global-rockstar.net/
Hundreds of young people from around the world used music to share
their messages towards Rio+20!
THEATRICAL PERFORMANCES
Theatrical performances do not have to be professional productions. You
can direct, act in, or support theatre performances to help people see
Sustainable Development in a different way.
Impromptu Theatre/Role-playing
Involve the public as
participants in your show to let
them experience role-playing as
decision makers. What would be
some consequences for our
communities if we fail to move
towards a more sustainable
future?
This form of art especially can
also be applied in lobbying.
Invite politicians to watch your
performance, and get youth to
propose ideas !
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8. Some Useful Links
INSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT:
IFSD on the UNCSD website: http://www.uncsd2012.org/rio20/isfd.html
Documents on IFSD: http://www.uncsd2012.org/rio20/ifsd_publications.html
Issues: http://www.earthsummit2012.org/conference/themes/institutional-framework-for-sd/243-ifsd-issues
UNEP documents on IFSD: http://www.unep.org/environmentalgovernance/
IssuesBriefsontheInstitutionalFramework/tabid/54126/Default.aspx
Article on Ecocide (crimes against the environment): http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2010/apr/09/
ecocide-crime-genocide-un-environmental-damage
Children and Youth article on IFSD: http://rioplustwenties.org/?p=1036
FILM-MAKING
How to Make a Short Film: http://www.ehow.com/how_2068638_produce-short-film.html
THEATRICAL ARTS
Stage Art for Sustainable Development: http://www.swedesd.se/stage-art-for-sustainable-development
An article on invisible theatre: http://www.guardian.co.uk/stage/theatreblog/2009/mar/30/invisible-theatre-boal-
acconci
Invisible theatre: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Invisible_theater
Forum Theatre: http://www.peopleandparticipation.net/display/Methods/Forum+Theatre
HOW TO ORGANISE A CONCERT:
http://www.dosomething.org/actnow/actionguide/how-organize-a-benefit-concert
http://www.ticketboss.com.au/articles/how-to-organize-a-fundraising-concert
STARTING A YOUTH MOVEMENT:
How to start a movement: http://socialmediatoday.com/index.php?q=SMC/45510
An article on movements: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/kari-henley/starting-a-movement_b_828381.html
Social media: http://www.hispanicbusiness.com/news/newsbyid.asp?idx=279923
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9. Where Do We Go From Here?
Throughout our toolkit series we have stressed the importance of
personal and collective action. Now that we have discussed many ways
that you can address SD in your community, let us examine how to put
this toolkit series into good use..
Below is a brief personal checklist. The numbers beside each item
suggest an issue(s) of the toolkit series to refer to:
☐ Use your strengths. Are you good with people (e.g. raising awareness
face-to-face)? Do you feel more comfortable with hands-on activities
(e.g. tree-planting)? Do you prefer organising, (e.g. lobbying,
advocating for structural changes)? Toolkit parts: 1,2.
☐ It is important to treat people with respect throughout your journey.
Maintain integrity, professionalism and empathy. Be inclusive in your
dealings with others. Toolkit parts: 1,2,3,4.
☐ Start small to have a definite impact and then branch out to larger
challenges. Toolkit parts: 1,2.
Links to previous parts of this ☐ It starts with you. Be sustainable even in the midst of organising. For
Toolkit series: example: avoid using plastic, use alternative forms of transportation
and use recycled paper in low quantities. Every little thing counts!
Part 1
Toolkit parts: 1,2,3,4.
http://scr.bi/ToolkitPart1
Part 2: ☐ Maintain a wide perspective– your issue is likely to intersect and/or
http://scr.bi/ToolkitPart2 overlap with other areas. Think about how the issues overlap and
how you can build partnerships with others who work in those
Part 3: areas. Always try to find ways to bring new people into your
http://scr.bi/ToolkitPart3 movement. Toolkit parts: 1,2,3,4
☐ Keep a positive attitude and stay focussed. Remember, SD is not just
about you. Push aside ego and work in harmony with others to
achieve the future we need! Toolkit parts: 1,2,3,4
☐ Set timelines and realistic, achievable goals! Toolkit parts: 2.
☐ Use your discretion. What do you want to advocate for; is your issue
something another organisation is already doing? Be strategic in your
actions to make the best impact possible. Toolkit parts: 2,3.
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10. THANK YOU!
This completes the fourth and final section of our Rio+20 toolkit series.
CONTACT US
If you are interested in getting involved, taking action, or simply knowing more
about what we are doing, feel free to contact any of us for more information:
MAJOR GROUP FOR CHILDREN AND YOUTH
Website: http://uncsdchildrenyouth.org/
Facebook: www.facebook.com/UNCSDYouthCaucus
Twitter: @MGCY_UNCSD
EARTH CHARTER INTERNATIONAL
Website: http://www.earthcharterinaction.org/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/EarthCharter
Twitter: @earthcharter
EOTO WORLD
Website: http://www.eotoworld.org/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/EOTOWorld
Twitter: @EOTOWorld
Thanks and Acknowledgements
Authors : Barkha Mossae (Mauritius), Sasha Pratt (UK), Neringa
Miliauskaite (Lithuania), Elischia Fludd (USA), Nora Mahmoud
(Costa Rica/USA) .
Photo Credits: Sara Svensson, Oliver Rieche, Cynthia Keza and
Vietnam Jump, Radomir Dolejsi, and Kyle Kaianaupuni Robertson.
Toolkit Series Editors: Sasha Pratt (UK) and Elischia Fludd (USA)
Thank you for making Sustainable Development your cause and
believing that a better world is possible!
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