| JOHANNESBURG--In
recent years, UN conferences have boosted morale
with a celebration of commitments at the end of
their deliberations. At this summit, partnerships
such as the Global Partnership on Chemical Classification
should be applauded for giving stakeholders equal
decision-making roles. Announcements like the ones
made by Japan and Switzerland to increase financial
contributions were particularly welcome. However,
after this summit is over, financial shortfalls,
unexpected political turmoil, or just plain forgetfulness
will undoubtedly mean promises will be broken.
To their credit, NGOs have devised innovative methods
to monitor progress with shadow reports and Commitment
Scoreboards. But publicizing repeated failures
can be downright depressing. It is time to reconsider
what kinds of commitments are made and who makes
them. For starters, governments aren't the only
ones whose feet need to be held to the fire. Here
are goals for all delegates-NGOs, businesses, governments
and other members of civil society-to consider. First,
the delegates from the poorest countries who have
doubts about their bargaining power should promise
to define their own terms when dealing with donors.
It is dangerous to internalize repeated messages
put forth by development analysts that Third World
countries, particularly in Africa, are helplessly
trapped in the vortex called "globalization." Feelings
of inadequacy and dependency undermine all hopes
for empowerment. Take a lesson from the women's movement-self-confidence
is the first step toward shattering a glass ceiling
from below.
Second, delegates from rich countries,
including international development NGOs,
need to work harder on making sustainable
development a reality in their own countries.
By solving serious problems of gender
inequality, poverty, technological incompetence,
and environmental mismanagement at home,
they solve a large proportion of the
world's environmental problems and set
good examples about how to succeed.
Third, we should not overestimate the
influence of the IMF, WTO, the World
Bank and multinational corporations.
Most of them are accountable to governing
bodies, often made up of ministers of
finance, government representatives or
boards of directors. Delegates need to
commit themselves to mobilizing citizens
to use their power as voters, consumers
and stockholders.
Finally,
delegates should commit themselves
to upholding the same standards that
they demand of their partners. Take,
for example, the summit's Plan of Action.
The vague language of the document should
not get in the way of support for the
consensus. Ambiguity is often a useful
diplomatic tool that allows adaptation
to differing cultural, economic and political
circumstances. We can always hope commitments
mean "full intention." But
giving all partners leeway with a "will
do at every possible opportunity" or "would
be nice if" attitude is more fair.
NGOs also need to monitor each other
and make sure they are accountable for
their commitments to sustainable development.
The key is to build up mutual respect
in small increments over a long period
of time. In politics-as in love--a trusting
relationship can go a long way in smoothing
over crises that may lie ahead.
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