INFORM-ACTION
Issue
Number 46 - October
2002
Johannesburg
Kaleidoscope
by Pauline Coll sgs
As
I reflect on my time at the World Summit on Sustainable Development
(WSSD) in Johannesburg I am reminded of a kaleidoscope. That
wonderful cylindrical 'toy' through which you can look and
see an amazing variety of colour and shape as you turn it around.
In these post-Jo'burg days (everyone refers to it as Jo'burg)
I have tried to recapture some of the most vivid impressions
and the major highlights of my time there last month. So what
were some of the pieces of colour and shape that stood out
for me?
The
Location
The WSSD was held
in Sandton Square which speaks of wealth. It was within the
Square that the United Nations (UN) territory was located.
It was from here that hawkers, who usually ply their trade,
were removed for the occasion. We had to pass through two security
checks to enter the UN territory. The police and army presence
was significant - not only heavily-armed personnel but also
the dog squad, the water cannon and the armoured vehicles.
However, it was also here on the first day, in the NGO briefing
room, that it was announced that 'three pockets had already
been picked'! So much for security!
This was one of the
places where demonstrations were held. One was organised by
the conservation groups which included the Australian Religious!
It was about 'waking up' world leaders at the summit and it
was here that we experienced the 'pincer movement' that was
used by the security forces to remove such groups from UN territory.
Also here the Falun Gong members staged silent meditation protests
against the torture of their members by Chinese Government
officials. The Tibetan group, gagged with black material and
protesting the UN refusal to accredit three Tibetan groups,
were 'escorted' out of public view and kept in the car park
for an hour.
The
People
Some of the people
that most impressed me with their unfailing courtesy, smiles
and desire to help were the volunteers. These were mostly young
black African women and men who, by and large, were unemployed
and would return to the ranks of the millions of unemployed
in Jo'burg once the WSSD was over. Another was Chris, a Jo'burg
taxi driver who lives in Soweto and drives a 'proper' taxi
- not the 'combis' that most local people use. Chris was a
great tour guide and, on the second occasion I used his taxi,
he shared with me much of the pain and horror of living under
the apartheid system. The other significant aspect about the
people was their ability, in the face of violence, extreme
poverty and landlessness, to find hope and joy that gives voice
to movement, music and dance. The South African people also
had the opportunity to show-case their many gifts of art and
craft.
Achievements
At the official level
the main achievement was that a planning document was negotiated
to which all Heads of Government agreed. Much will depend on
the political will of governments to implement the official
plan. Many participants, both at official delegation and NGO
levels, are doubtful that this will be forthcoming. What was
important at an unofficial level was that world attention was
focused on the needs of the people of South Africa. Whether
this will bring about change to alleviate poverty and provide
energy, water and sanitation for the millions of people there
and in Africa as a whole is a question that can only be answered
in the future. We can only hope that it will and that sustainable
development principles and practices will be adopted across
the world - which we must learn to hold in trust for the children
of all species!
Click
here for a more detailed report on my participation in
the WSSD.
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