TERI Home


hda.jpg (11658 bytes)

Delhi Sustainable Development Summit 2002
Ensuring sustainable livelihoods:

challenges for governments, corporates, and civil society at Rio+10
8 - 11 February 2002, New Delhi

hdx.jpg (5704 bytes)
Home Themes Speakers Papers Bulletin Media coverage
8 Feb. 2002 9 Feb. 2002 10 Feb. 2002 11 Feb. 2002
                                   
    10 February 2002: Dinner session
  
                            
Chairperson

Real video video.gif (290 bytes)

Mr Raj Chengappa
Executive Editor, India Today

"Did making environment a global issue kill all local initiatives?"

 

 

          
Speaker

Real video video.gif (290 bytes)

Mr Jairam Ramesh
Secretary (Economic Cell), All India Congress Committee, India

"If there is one community that actually believes in globalization, it is the anti-globalization community."

Session summary

Mr Chengappa observed that ‘not much has happened since Rio. The degradation of environment continues as before.’ The growing global concern for the environment is good; globalization of environmental issues kills local initiatives. Care needs to be taken to spread the benefits.

Mr Ramesh was very vocal about his fears on the link between trade and sustainable development, the ‘democratic deficit’ in international organizations like the WTO and the ‘locus standi of civil society in dispute’. He stressed that the shift of incorporating sustainable development concerns into trade may impede the economic growth of many developing countries though its objectives are well placed. How to globalize them is a matter of concern as giving NGOs a ‘voice in governance’ may open Pandora’s box.

Mr Ramesh emphasized the importance of distinguishing between genuine concern and neo-protectionism to bring in adequate safeguards in the agreements. He concluded on an optimistic note, saying that it is essential to make ‘sustainable development the most potent anti-poverty move’.