2008 he round table for people and the planet the and people for he table round t Promoting tors global solutions C An overview of 2008 WorldConne Sustainable development & Connection of civilisations New scarcities The EU as a global player climate change content page How it started ‘Being a worldconnector is a lifestyle’ by sylvia Borren 2 The initiative for the Worldconnectors On October 24, 2006, the Round scope of interest. Global and topical The earth charter the Round Table for People and the Table was officially launched. Members issues are the focus of attention. With Introduction of the worldconnectors 3 Planet was taken by Ruud Lubbers, SID of the Round Table are Worldconnectors. regard to the Netherlands, the World- The Earth Charter is an important HAIRS NL, NCDO and DPRN. They opinion- They are committed to connect know- connectors agreed at the launch that source of inspiration for the World- c what was on the agenda 4 ated that a more positive and active role ledge and views in order to advance Dutch society is influenced too much by connectors. It is a declaration of - of the Netherlands in international global thinking, to critically analyse fear. Worldconnectors strive to over- fundamental principles for building connecting worlds, how we do it 5 cooperation and global sustainable devel- current trends and propose alternative come the paralysis in society, through a just, sustainable, and peaceful opment was needed. views, strategies and inclusive solutions. introducing new and innovative views global society for the 21st century. CO theme: sustainable development and climate change 6 The starting point was the insight that The Round Table was not set up to on global issues, and through emphasis- The Earth Charter is created by in this era of globalisation, inclusive become a new institution in itself, but to ing interdependence; the connections global civil society, endorsed by F theme: connection of civilisations 8 development and solutions to global create a dynamic network with an added between all members of the national and thousands of organizations and problems can only be brought about in value to the many organisations and global society. The Worldconnectors are institutions. The Charter is not only o theme: new scarcities 10 the spirit of ‘complementary govern- initiatives that already exist. inspired by the UN Millennium Declara- a call to action, but a motivating ance’ between key actors in society and tion and the Earth Charter, a declaration force inspiring change in the world. F Meet the worldconnectors 12 across borders. Therefore they brought Global issues of fundamental principles for building a See what you can do on l together women and men in influential The themes of interest of the World- just, sustainable, and peaceful global www.earthcharterinaction.org. Youth and Young Professional worldconnectors 14 positions, from different sectors of connectors move beyond development society for the 21st century. society, including youth. cooperation to encompass a broader HA Behind the scenes 15 e In the media 16 B themes for 2009 18 looking forward 20 RS on o T d R Sylvia Borren o Being a worldconnector is a lifestyle W Who we are What we do e The Worldconnectors are an inspiring group of diverse people. We do not only movements – in most countries in the world. The voices we hear elsewhere, enter analyse, discuss and advise, but we are also emotionally involved in trying to shape our debates. For me, these are the voices of women unable to feed their children, of The Worldconnectors are a group of to contribute to this ambition by The Worldconnectors meet four times Another goal is to reinforce a global R a sustainable future. teachers with more than 100 pupils and of the 116.9 million people of the Global prominent and engaged people from all speaking out on matters related to a year at a Round Table Meeting to mindset among the Dutch public. Every Worldconnectors has his or her own responsibilities and networks, and Call to Action against Poverty last October who work to change that. walks of life. They have backgrounds in international solidarity, global sustain- engage in cross-sector dialogue on Following and sometimes preceding the o ‘connects’ different spheres of influence. We are in touch with universities, policy The global crisis is urgent. There is a lack of food, energy, water, financial- and business, government, trade unions, the able development and universal respon- relevant themes. The meetings are closed Round Table Meetings, public events and F makers, media, the corporate sector, faith-based organisations, civil society, social environmental stability, gender-justice, peace…What is our responsibility in the NGO sector, politics, knowledge centres, sibility in their own networks and in to the public to allow all Worldconnec- media activities are organised in which ldconnec crises, in the Netherlands, in Europe? How do our choices impact on others else- media, religion, youth networks and public. tors to engage freely in open dialogue the wider public is engaged in the where, on future generations? Our mission as Worldconnectors commits us to try to international organisations. Together and to exchange ideas. The central aim is dialogue. The statement that is discussed R involve others to create just, sustainable and democratic communities. And how do they form a dynamic network of opinion Visit: to influence the political agenda and the at the Round Table Meeting is published, we ourselves ‘live’ our convictions? This debate is on-going: about eating less meat, leaders. Whatever their background or www.worldconnectors.nl policy debate in the Netherlands from a accompanied by media coverage on the using public transport, being gender-just and respecting diverse cultures, beliefs and age, they all share the ambition for the www.sid.nl global perspective. theme to stimulate the debate. choices. We demand transparency and coherence of the Dutch government and of Netherlands to play a proactive role in www.dprn.nl ourselves. In this sense being a Worldconnector is a lifestyle. the global community. They are willing www.ncdo.nl e Wo Sylvia Borren Co-chair Worldconnectors Round Table Themes TH o 2006 First Round Table Meeting on New Leadership and Global Governance Ruud Lubbers: ‘The name T worldconnector zijn is een levensstijl Worldconnectors was chosen 2007 1. Migration and Development because of the fundamental De Worldconnectors is een inspirerende en diverse groep mensen. We analyseren, De mondiale crisis is dringend. Er is een gebrek aan voedsel, energie, water, 2. Global Human Security obligation of Dutch society to on discussiëren en adviseren niet alleen, maar zijn ook emotioneel betrokken bij het economische en ecologische stabiliteit, gelijke rechten, vrede... Wat is onze verant- 3. Millennium Development Goals look beyond borders. This is vormen van een meer duurzame toekomst. woordelijkheid in de crises, in Nederland, in Europa? Hoe beïnvloeden onze keuzes 4. Policy Coherence on Aid, Trade & Investments why we consciously chose in TI Iedere Worldconnector heeft zijn of haar eigen verantwoordelijkheden en netwerken, anderen elders, of toekomstige generaties? Onze missie als Worldconnector commit- favour of a mixed composition en ‘verbindt’ verschillende invloedssferen. We staan in contact met universiteiten, teert ons om anderen te betrekken in het bouwen van rechtvaardige, duurzame en beleidsmakers, media, het zakenleven, geloofsorganisaties, civil society, sociale democratische gemeenschappen. 2008 1. Sustainable Development & Climate Change of the group. After all, – as the bewegingen – in de meeste landen ter wereld. Die stemmen die we elders horen En hoe ‘leven’ we zelf naar onze overtuigingen? Het debat gaat door: over het eten van 2. Connection of Civilisations Earth Charter reminds us – in maken deel uit van ons debat. Voor mij zijn dat de stemmen van vrouwen die hun minder vlees, gebruik van openbaar vervoer, gender-just zijn en diverse culturen, 3. New Scarcities order to achieve effective kinderen niet kunnen voeden, van leerkrachten met meer dan 100 kinderen in de geloven en keuzes respecteren. Wij eisen transparantie en coherentie van de Neder- governance, a partnership oduc klas en van de 116.9 miljoen mensen van de Global Call to Action against Poverty landse overheid, en van onszelf. In die zin is Worldconnector zijn een levensstijl. 2009 1. The European Union as a Global Player between government, citizens afgelopen oktober die zich inzetten om dat te veranderen. 2. Sustainable World Citizenship and the corporate sector is TR Sylvia Borren Co-voorzitter Worldconnectors 3. Gender and Diversity 4. Sustainable Financial Markets essential.’ In 2 worldconnectors 2008 worldconnectors 2008 3 A What was on the end agenda in 2008 20 February Worldconnectors Kick off meeting at Nieuwspoort, combined with the public ag launch of ‘Van Natuurlandschap tot Risico maatschappij’, edited by World- connector Ton Dietz with a foreword by Worldconnector Ruud Lubbers. 27 March connecting connecting Round Table Meeting on Sustainable Development and Climate Change. 14 May Worldconnectors Sayida Vanenburg, Hans Eenhoorn and Gabi Spitz Worlds: Worlds presented their views in reaction to Erasmus lecture on Sustainable Devel- opment by Alexander Rinnooy Kan (chairperson Social Economic Council). how we do it Jos van Gennip 27 June president of SId netherlands and ncdo: Round Table Meeting on the Connection of Civilisations. ‘I operate on the frontier between the academic