This document provides information about how youth can get involved in shaping decisions around sustainable development at the upcoming Rio+20 Conference in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil from June 20-22, 2012. It introduces the Major Group for Children and Youth (MGCY), the official voice for young people in UN sustainability negotiations. The MGCY develops policy recommendations and lobbies for their adoption. It is made up of task forces and working groups to facilitate youth participation. Examples are provided of successful youth-led sustainable development projects to inspire action. The document aims to empower youth to develop their own messages about sustainability and Rio+20 to spread awareness.

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

2. Get Started
IN THIS ISSUE Something big is happening….
 What is Sustainable From 20-22 June 2012, thousands of delegates and heads of state will meet in Rio
Development de Janeiro, Brazil, to discuss the world’s future*. This conference could be con-
pp. 2 - 3 sidered as the most important one in the history of the United Nations so far:
 Introduction to MGCY The Rio+20 Conference on Sustainable Development
pp. 4 - 5 In 1992, Rio was the stage for the first Earth Summit,
 Developing your where it was recognized that human actions and the
personal message pp. way humans had been organizing the world was caus-
ing severe inequality and harm to the planet. It be-
6-8
came urgent to make sustainable development a
 Success Stories priority to secure the survival of the planet.
p. 9
Twenty years on, a lot of positive changes have taken
The decisions taken in Rio
 Contacts place, but it’s not enough. A lot of things still need
this June will have an impact
p. 10 fixing. This means that strong decisions need to be
on how the world will be, and
taken at Rio in June. on the future of young
people across the world.
Everyone should participate in making those decisions happen.
*
Most of us will not be able to travel to Rio. However, the most important decision makers are us. Sustainable
development is not just for politicians to handle—as young people, we inherit the consequences of the deci-
sions taken now. This is why it is important for each of us to think globally, act locally and raise our voice.
Every action counts!
This toolkit series will help you to:
 Gain more practical knowledge about sustainable development
 Become informed about the background and happenings related to Rio+20
 Take local action by joining other young people to make
a real, lasting impact on shaping the brighter future we
all want!
Thank you for taking the step to learn more about sustainable
development, Rio+20, and you! Look out for webinars, videos
and other information. We look forward to keeping you in the
know!
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3. Understanding Sustainable Development
Sustainable Development
Sustainable development is more than just caring about the environment or
generating money through economic growth. It is the intersection of THREE
pillars: ENVIRONMENT, ECONOMY and SOCIETY.
Sustainable develop-
ment is about balance When we think of sustainable development, we must think of a system, where
and a holistic approach the decisions taken ensure that each component of the system—man, trees,
to development. This environment, society, wealth—is capable of flourishing without hindering the
means that some things capacity of the other component to do so, whether in the present or in the
need to be preserved future.
and sustained while oth-
Systems Approach
ers should be given the
incentive to be
Sustainability requires looking at everything as parts of a whole: the issues
developed.
which we face are multiple and complex. We need a vision which addresses the
wellbeing of people and the planet together.
What needs to be
sustained:
There is no clear definition of sustainable development. SD truly occurs
 People and Cultures when economy, environment and society are in perfect harmony.
 Natural Resources
 Biodiversity We should approach sustainable development by considering that everything
is interconnected across generations and across countries.
 Environment and
Ecosystems This may seem daunting— how do we keep track of everything? We all need to
understand the principles behind sustainable development; principles such as
What needs to be equality, green living and social justice. Then, it will be easier to reach some
developed. agreement about what sustainable development truly is, and what the conditions
necessary to achieve it are.
 Quality of Life
 Justice and Social
Equality
The most agreed upon definition of sustainable development comes from the
 Equal Opportunity Brundtland Report in 1987, a document which introduced the concept of
 Institutions sustainable development on the political agenda:
 Fair Income
“Sustainable development is development that meets
 Culture of Sustainability
the needs of the present without compromising the
ability of future generations to meet their own
needs.”
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4. Remember: What is my role in Sustainable Development (SD)?
Sustainable development requires the active involvement of all stakeholders:
Sustainable governments, NGOs, private sector but also civil society. It is not just politicians, or policy
Development is makers, who decide what SD should be like. The most important stakeholder in SD is YOU!
about you.
You can push policy-makers to make decisions that protect your future. You can
Previously we
demand better jobs, cleaner cities, more equal sharing of resources. Above all, you can
mentioned what
push policy-makers to guarantee a secure future full of opportunities, a pleasant world
needs to be
to live in and a healthy planet.
sustained and
what needs to be Sustainable development is especially important for young
developed. people. The sustainable development policies
implemented today determine the future we will inherit !
What items do By advocating for sustainable development and adopting
you think should sustainable practices, you are actively participating in
be sustained ? shaping your own future.
Making sustainable decisions….
What items do
you think should The challenge is to devise policies which balance economic growth, environmental
be developed? protection, and social equality. We can measure the progress of sustainable
development policies using established indicators to evaluate if more needs to be done!
Make a list and We need to think about others and view our contributions as part of a system, to shape
discuss it with SD policies achieve goals that are beneficial to each of us and our planet.
friends.
Elements needed
for Sustainable
Development
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5. Youth have an official voice on sustainable development at
the United Nations.
The Major Group for Children and Youth (MGCY) is the official voice for
young people in the UN sustainability negotiations, specifically the Commis-
sion on Sustainable Development (CSD) and the Rio+20 Earth Summit.
The MGCY is made up of organisations and individuals who care about the
sustainability of our planet and actively want to participate in shaping the
future. Through networking and collaborating with young people around the
world, we develop policy recommendations for the official sustainable devel-
opment process and participate in the negotiations to lobby for their adop-
tion. In addition, the MGCY is a platform for youth involved in sustainability
at a local level to share their ideas, tell their stories and voice their opinions.
The MGCY operates on the above principles. The MGCY is open to every young person and the more people involved, the
These principles guide our work in terms of stronger our influence will be to inspire change. At the United Nations, we
design the way the world works. We design the future.
policy and what we advocate for, and also
how we work together. The MGCY is your voice. Let it be heard.
How does the MGCY work?
The work of the MGCY is done entirely by volunteers: Rio+20 process. Members of the FT are energetic and result
international young people who are committed to making a oriented people with a common interest in advancing the
difference. There are different layers of organisation within role of young people, and working with the MGCY.
the MGCY to help facilitate the inclusion of youth voices in the
Task Forces
sustainability process.
Three Task Forces (TFs) have been established in line with
Organising partners the thematic discussions for Rio+20. The TFs are focused on
The Organising Partners (OP) are the main liaison between the policy contributions and work with youth internationally to
MGCY and UNDESA, the UN Department of Economic and So- develop and lobby for policy that reflects the voices, aspira-
cial Affairs, under which the CSD and Rio+20 fall. Their main tions and concerns, of youth.
role is to disseminate relevant data and information for the Working Groups
MGCY to help facilitate activities that maximise youth
Youth activism with the MGCY is facilitated through the
participation.
Working Groups (WGs). Different WGs have been estab-
Facilitation Team lished to enable young people with different interests to get
involved in their own capacity. The WGs have a primary
The Facilitation Team (FT) is the MGCY's decision-making
focus of inspiring local action to help build the strength of
body with the mandate to facilitate children and youth
the youth voices in the process.
participation and activities within the MGCY and
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6. Task Forces: Facilitating youth involvement for the creation and
advocacy of policy amendments.
There are three MGCY Task Forces aligned with the objectives of Rio+20
who work towards creating policy. The Task Forces are:
 Green Economy in the context of Sustainable Development and
Poverty Eradication.
 Institutional Framework (Governance)
 Objectives
These Task Forces developed the MGCY contribution to the ‘Zero Draft’,
which will become the primary negotiating text at Rio+20. Since then, we
have been attending formal and informal negotiations to advocate for our
points and influence policy. Here’s an overview of the groups:
Green Economy
The Green Economy aims to create an economic model that fully integrates
sustainable development and poverty eradication. MGCY believes it is a
system that can improve human wellbeing and social equality within the
carrying capacity of the planet. We have developed youth-specific policy
recommendations, such as youth employment through green jobs for
youth , and lobby for these to be adopted.
Institutional Framework—Governance
The MGCY believes there is a need for reform in the governance for sustain-
able development. We believe that the establishment of ombudspersons for
future generations and the greater participation of all stakeholders provide
concrete solutions to shift the focus of our decision-making from short-term
benefits to the long-term interests of younger and future generations.
Objectives
The MGCY objective for Rio+20 is commitment to the implementation of
sustainable development, guided by a number of goals. The MGCY are
creating a vision of these goals that integrate existing arrangements, in-
clude the 7 critical issues and have an action oriented approach. The MGCY
also advocates for improved monitoring and evaluation mechanisms.
the working groups
Join us now. Get involved! The MGCY is your platform—the platform for all youth!
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7. How to talk about Sustainable Development and
The first step in
Rio+20 : Develop your own message.
influencing
Rio+20 is to talk
about it!
Talking about sustainability can feel intimidating at first, but once you get the hang
of it, it becomes easier.
You do not have to be an expert to spread the word. Sustainability affects all of us,
so relating your cause to that of others is already easier than you may first think!
First, know some quick facts about sustainable development and Rio+20!
1. People participate in Rio+20 through the 9 Major Groups. The UNCSD Major
Group of Children and Youth (MGCY) focuses on engaging young people in
the Rio+20 process and tangible sustainable actions after Rio.
2. Sustainability includes a protected environment, prevents climate change,
respects all living beings and creates positive social change for us now and
in the future.
3. There are seven critical issues that are going to centre discussions at the
conference. These are: Jobs, Oceans, Energy, Water, Food, Cities and
Disasters. (Note: see the 7 issues explanation graphic on the next page
which explains the importance of each issue. You can even use it as a hand-
out!)
Getting the message
across—Remember: Next, know where to direct people for more information.
 Do your homework— Everyone processes information differently, and having a clear way to access re-
learn a bit more about sources is always helpful. The best place to direct people with internet access is
the topic so that you the Rio +20 official website for Children and Youth: uncsdchildrenyouth.org.
feel more confident If internet access is not available, share the country overview drafted by outreach
team leaders about the issues instead. After you are familiar with quick facts and
 Know WHO your
you know where to directs
audience is
The next installment of our toolkit will tell
 Know WHERE your you all you need to know about Rio+20!
audience is located
The Rio+20 conference is focused on na-
(find out their back-
tions renewing their commitments to sus-
ground)
tainable development. Two main themes
 Know WHAT does your will be discussed—how to have a "green"
audience already economy and how to create a good
know? framework for sustainable develop-
ment. You can do some background
 Make it interesting! checks yourself on:
Sustainability does not http://www.uncsd2012.org/rio20/index.html
have to be formal or
boring!
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8. A graphic created by youth designer Dario Calonaci
7 critical issues for Rio+20.

9. After you are familiar with quick facts and you know where to direct people for further information,
you can start developing a strategy for how to talk to people about sustainability and Rio.
Key elements you should think about are:
WHO WHERE WHAT
Who is your audience? Where is your audience What does your audience already
located? know?
Be ready to give more, or less, It may not be necessary to talk One way to open up a
information, depending on about consuming less in a place conversation is to start by
who you are talking to (this is where there is not enough for talking about what information
where knowing where to direct people to consume. you find interesting as
people for additional information.
information comes in handy!)
Instead, it may be more
appropriate to speak about how Talking about sustainable
You do not have to be an to deal with waste in ways that development does not have to
expert. Just talk about what are easier on the earth. be discussed formally, just
you know. speak as you would with
friends, comfortably, in a lan-
You decide the information you guage which you all understand.
People become interested in want to use to open up the
what you believe in, so speak dialogue; you know best what
about sustainable develop- makes the most sense in your
ment from your own area of the world.
experience and perspective.
This will make you more
comfortable speaking about it.
GET INSPIRED:
Take a look at this video that
communicates why Rio+20 is
important.
http://vimeo.com/37579437
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10. Youth-led successes in Sustainable Development
“One person can make a difference and everyone should try.” These words from J.F.Kennedy will always ring
true. Changing the world is a daunting task and you will be faced with doubt. Young people across the world are
trying to make the world better in their own way.
One of the main issues affecting the environment is
Prem’s story: deforestation. Read about Prem Bahadur Boharas’s
Educate the reforestation project in Nepal:
Children, “I believe that every child has potential capacity to make
a difference in his/her own life, school and community
Reforesting Nepal
where they live” - Prem Bahadur Bohara, Earth Child
 Everyone has the Institute Nepal
potential to make a
Prem heads the NGO Earth Child International (ECI)
difference.
Nepal, that works with the community and local schools to
restore the environment. In 2012, ECI Nepal launched the
 People can be taught
“Green School Campaign”. The campaign aims to educate
about complex issues
and inspire young people to plant 100, 000 trees before
like sustainable
June.
development by
connecting them to According to Prem, the key is to empower young people
their own experience. through practical education and skills toward green and
healthy lives. Informing youth in a way that relates to their personal experience, allows
 You can address Prem to be successful in his work. “Here, climate change is considered as a global issue but
global issues with we know we need to tackle it locally”, says Prem.
simple local actions. Here is an example of how to heard. I am afraid to go out in the sun now because of the holes in
deliver a strong message for the ozone. I am afraid to breathe the air because I don’t know
sustainable development. This is an
A Strong Message... extract from the powerful speech what chemicals are in it. I used to go fishing in Vancouver with my
dad until just a few years ago we found the fish full of cancers.
given by Severn Suzuki Cullis, who
And now we hear about animals and plants going exinct every
raised her voice about her future 20 years ago at the plenary of the
first Earth Summit: day — vanishing forever. In my life, I have dreamt of seeing the
great herds of wild animals, jungles and rainforests full of birds
“(…) Coming here today, and butterflies, but now I wonder if they will even exist for my
I have no hidden agenda. children to see. Did you have to worry about these little things
I am fighting for my fu- when you were my age? All this is happening before our eyes and
ture. Losing my future is yet we act as if we have all the time we want and all the solutions.
not like losing an election I’m only a child and I don’t have all the solutions, but I want you to
or a few points on the realise, neither do you!
stock market. I am here
to speak for all genera- * You don’t know how to fix the holes in our ozone layer.
tions to come. I am here * You don’t know how to bring salmon back up a dead stream.
to speak on behalf of the * You don’t know how to bring back an animal now extinct.
starving children around * And you can’t bring back forests that once grew where there is
“The girl who silenced the world” - at the world whose cries go now desert.
the age of 12, Severn Suzuki Cullis ad-
unheard. I am here to If you don’t know how to fix it, please stop breaking it!
dressed the plenary of the first Earth
speak for the countless I’m only a child yet I know we are all part of a family, five billion
Summit (1992) with a powerful message.
You can see her whole speech here: animals dying across this strong, in fact, 30 million species strong and we all share the same
http://www.youtube.com/watch? planet because they have air, water and soil — borders and governments will never change
v=uZsDliXzyAY nowhere left to go. We that. I’m only a child yet I know we are all in this together and
cannot afford to be not should act as one single world towards one single goal.
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11. THANK YOU
This completes the first section of our Rio+20 toolkit series.
Learn more about Rio+20 and gather more resources in Part 2 of our series.
Part 2 will tell you all about Rio+20 , tips and tricks for lobbying and more!
CONTACT US
If you are interested in getting involved, taking action, or simply knowing more about
what we’re 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) .
Contributors for Part 1: Aanas Ali (Thailand), Kiara Worth (S.Africa), Saba
Loftus (Ireland), Sini Illmonen (Finland), Prem Bohara (Nepal) and every-
one who gave their valuable input and feedback.
Photo Credits: Oliver Rieche, Cynthia Keza, and Vietnam Jump , Radomir
Dolejsi, and Kyle Kaianaupuni Robertson.
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