Summary: Plenary Session Monday 15 July

Opening Session

People are our most valuable resources. Each speaker in the Opening Plenary Session emphasized the importance of coming together to discuss problems and share ideas and solutions. 

Ambassador Walter Fust makes his point with the aid of an interpreter for the hearing impaired.

The theme that resonated throughout the morning was that people within civil society form the strongest resource to build links between local and global levels, as we strive towards solutions to the many problems facing our world today.

The message from UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, delivered by HE Sergei Ordzhonikidze, was that people within civil society are indispensable allies: "If people are not at the centre of everything we do, then how can we work together?" The number of people suffering today is too great for governments alone to address and solve the causes of this suffering. Partnership between sectors and fields of activity are essential.

HE Boutros Boutros-Ghali, former UN Secretary-General and Secretary-General of the International Organization of the Francophonie, underlined that the role of civil society has become crucial, in that today it is necessary to "re-think the links" between local levels and national ones. According to Boutros-Ghali, there has to be a "re-direction of globalization". He stressed that the people are "the only ones who know how to do this" and, at present, "are the most innovative members of non-government".

HE Rubens Ricupero, Secretary-General of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, said that although we are living in "gloomy times", it is possible to reverse the problems of countries in financial crisis by recognizing that some countries are not ready to compete, and thus giving them time to reform. Ricupero concluded that people are losing faith in the current political systems and as a result are not voting and are not getting involved in the issues. He underscored the need to influence the political process at home through participation and called for decisive political leaders.

Ambassador Walter Fust, Director-General of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, pointed out that in order for sustainable development to continue, it is necessary to have open debates and to make room for controversial dialogues. He underlined that civil society must play a stronger role in future policy-making.

Guy-Olivier Segond, Special Ambassador of the World Summit of the Information Society, talked about the "new environment of information flow", and how information technology has affected lives around the globe, in many areas causing a "digital divide". He continued by saying that providing information access to individuals can begin to close the rift, and this can happen through the strength of local and global partnerships. He highlighted the phrase "We the people", found in the Forum's slogan.

Maintaining biodiversity, said Mililani Trask, indigenous leader of Na Koa OKaika O Ka Lahuis Hawaii, is something indigenous peoples can offer to civil society, due to their superior knowledge of the Earth and its resources. Although indigenous peoples occupy only 20% of the Earth's land, they grow and develop 60% of it. Yet, they are still marginalized and suffer from human rights and civil rights abuses. On behalf of indigenous peoples, Trask called for:

1. The right to participate in development decisions and manage their own land;
2. The opportunity to share their knowledge of the earth's natural resources.

"Make a place for us at the table", she asked of political leaders and policy makers, while encouraging indigenous leaders to "invite U.N. leaders to your meetings" as a way of completing the participation circle.

Renate Bloem, President of the Conference of NGOs, stated that the "social human glue" is key to connect the local to the global. She emphasized that only by involving all stakeholders will sustainable development be achieved.

"Civil society has gained status. However, we also have increased responsibility," emphasized Kumi Naidoo, Secretary-General of CIVICUS, saying that it is critical to perform with the highest level of ethics. He also pointed out that it was important to look at who participates in global decision-making. Women, for example, hold only 20% of leadership positions, yet the world's population has more women than men.

Like other speakers, Sirpa Pietikainen, Chair of the Executive Committee of the World Federation of United Nations Associations, encouraged the strengthening of local and global links. However, she said that NGOs and CSOs must not undermine the roles of national governments, but instead be good mediators and support systems for those governments. She concluded by summing up the tasks ahead for Forum delegates: said there were several tasks ahead of us:

1. Examine ways in which the UN might change to include greater civil society involvement;
2. Talk about what NGOs can do to be more responsible;
3. Create effective links between government, UN and civil society organizations at all levels.

Finally she encouraged grassroots communities and minority organizations to "make this organization YOUR organization".

Conclusion:
The speakers represented widely varying organizations and institutions, from the local to the global and from governments to civil society. All agreed, however, that in order to move forward, effective partnerships for dialogue and action need to be formed between global partners, governments, and civil society.

Presenters' Documents Available

15.01_annan_kofi_pre_by_ordzhonikidze.doc (100 K)
15.01_bloem_renate.doc (32 K)
15.01_fust_walter_ddc.doc (37 K)
15.01_ghali_boutros_boutros.doc (45 K)
15.01_rubens_ricupero.doc (29 K)
15.01_rubens_ricupero_2.doc (26 K)

Click here for all available presenters' documents
Click here for all available summaries

Please read about the summaries