|
|
    |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| The
world forum of the International Research Foundation for Development will
focus on the Implemention of Agenda 21 adopted during the Rio Conference
on Environment. We are inviting researchers, policy makers, members of
governments and advocacy groups, and all civil society members who are
interested and concerned about sustainable development issues to participate
in the World Forum. The main objective of this Forum is to contribute
to the United Nations effort of ensuring the implementation of the Agenda
21. |
|||||
| The
International Research Foundation for Development is engaged in mobilizing
civil society through policy oriented research, education and advocacy
on sustainable development. With this general objective, the world forum
would like to draw the attention to implementation gaps outlined in the
report of the Secretary-General issued on 20 December 2001 (E/CN.17/2002/PC.2/7). |
|||||
| The reports have outlined four major gaps: | |||||
| 1. | A Fragmented Approach Towards Sustainable Development; | ||||
| 2. | Unsustainable Consumption and Production Patterns; | ||||
| 3. | A Lack of mutually coherent policies or approaches in the areas of finance, trade, Investment, technology and sustainable development; | ||||
| 4. | Insufficient Financial Resources, Inadequate Transfer of Technology, and Uneven and Volatile Capital Flows. | ||||
| The
Secretary General’s report further emphasizes the WTO’s focus
of the development in trade negotiations, need for promoting coherence
and consistency in the global financial system which will be the subject
of the Conference on Finance and Development, the political will within
a framework of partnerships combined with a renewed spirit of global cooperation
and solidarity. |
|||||
| In
line with the United Nations apprehension, the International Research
Foundation for Development would like to mobilize its affiliates and interested
parties to engage in a dialogue, research tasks, and participate in the
upcoming events. |
|||||
| Special Invitation to the Scientific Community | |||||
| “Towards
a Sustainable Future” Five Areas of Action (WEHAB) – UN Secretary General |
|||||
The
UN Secretary General has emphasized the need of research and development
and more focused studies in the areas of Water and Sanitation, Energy,
Agricultural Productivity, Biodiversity and Ecosystem Management, and
Health. “No longer, it was hoped, would environmental protection
be regarded as luxury or afterthought. Rather, environmental factors would
be integrated with economic and social issues and become a central part
of the policy making process” (UN SG,14 May, 2002, New York Times).
The International Research Foundation for Development, through its project
“Economy, Environment and Society” promotes the Secretary General’s
view of integration and would like to mobilize the scientific community
to share their research findings and engage in a dialogue with policy
makers and the civil society at large to contribute to the Johannesburg
Summit on Sustainable Development. |
|||||
| 1. | Water
and Sanitation Scientific research to improve access, efficiency of water use, watershed management, reduce leakage, sustainable catchments, mining ground water, tropical land and water management, water needs for food production in developing countries. |
||||
| 2. | Energy Clean energy supplies and improve energy efficiency. Improve sustainable practices, develop alternative energy technology. Exploitation and wider use of renewable energies. Energy diversification and rational use in industrial, agricultural, and transportation sectors. Development of bioclimatic architecture and building materials. Dissemination of information regarding energy sources and sustainable energy practices. Development of a stable international energy trade. |
||||
| 3. |
Agricultural
Productivity Develop ideas to combat desertification, land degradation, human encroachment on forests, grasslands and wetlands. Challenge the adverse effects of pest control and fertilization while maintaining high-yield production. |
||||
| 4. | Biodiversity
and Ecosystem Management Combat the destruction of ecosystems, loss of species, and loss of genetic varieties. Protect forests, wetlands and coastal waters. Persevere on clamping down on illegal and unsustainable fishing and logging practices. |
||||
| 5. | Health Research links between the environment and human health. Toxic chemicals and other hazardous materials, air pollution, indoor pollution caused by burning wood and dung, emissions from industry and automobiles, tropical diseases such as malaria and African Guinea Worm and its link to polluted water sources and poor sanitation. |
||||
| |
|||||
| IRFD Contact Information | |
| International Research Foundation for Development, Inc. | |
| 2830 South Holly Street | |
| Cambridge, MN 55008 - USA | |
| Ph: 763 689-2963; Fax: 763 689-0560 | |
| e-mail: info@irfd.org |