December 30, 2003

Call for CitNet attendees: UN Commission on Social Development
The UN Commission on Social Development will hold its 42nd session (CSD42) on February 4-13, 2004 in New York City. The thematic focus this year is "Improving public sector effectiveness". If you are interested in attending as a CitNet member, please contact our office before January 2nd.
(submitted by Gary Pupurs)

December 29, 2003

India workshop papers offer ideas for rural knowledge/IT centers

Recommendations for policy makers at WSIS [DOC] and Recommendations for policy makers in India [DOC] offer a sophisticated exposition of where Community Informatics might go in the next several years towards harnessing local knowledge via interactive media. The papers were developed at a Policy Makers Workshop on ICT-enabled development held at M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation in early October.
(submitted by Robert Pollard)

November 6, 2003

Call for sustainable cities papers for student conference
The World Student Community for Sustainable Development (WSC-SD) is seeking academic quality papers for the 2004 Annual Meeting at Chalmers University in Goteborg, Sweden on March 16-20, 2004. This year's theme is "New Solutions for Sustainable Cities." The annual meeting will provide a forum for students to discuss solution-oriented methods for implementing sustainable development in the cities of the world. The annual meeting will allow students to understand and explore opportunities for their involvement in sustainable development within the context of urbanization and urban development. Papers are due by November 30th; submission details are online.
(submitted by Richard Rich)

November 4, 2003

2004 EPA Watershed Initiative grant proposals wanted
The 2004 Request For Proposals (RFP) for EPA's Watershed Initiative will be published in the Federal Register on Thursday, October 9. Nominees have until January 15, 2004 to submit proposals to EPA for consideration.
(submitted by Lyn Billman-Golemme)

Call for CitNet attendees: UN Commission on the Status of Women
The UN Commission on the Status of Women will hold its 48th session (CSW48) on March 1-12, 2004 in New York City. The thematic foci this year is: (1) The role of men and boys in achieving gender equality; and (2) Women's equal participation in conflight prevention, management and
conflict resolution and in-post-conflict peace building. If you are interested in attending as a CitNet member, please contact our office before December 15th.
(submitted by Gary Pupurs)

October 29, 2003

Attorneys report on voluntary corporate climate change initatives
The October 2003 issue of the American Bar Association's Sustainable Development, Ecosystems and Climate Change Committee Newsletter is now available. This issue focuses on corporate climate change issues and provides useful information on numerous climate change efforts.
(submitted by Richard Rich)

October 20, 2003

Mayors call for federal assistance on global warming
155 U.S. mayors issued a bi-partisan "Mayors' Statement on Global Warming." In the Statement, the Mayors call on the federal government to join their cities' efforts to reduce the threat of global warming. Read the ICLEI press release for more.

(submitted by Gail Karlsson)

World Town Planning Day is November 8!
This year will mark the 54th annual celebration of World Town Planning Day (WTPD), a special day to recognize and promote the role of planning in creating livable communities. It is not too early to start thinking about celebrating WTPD. The American Planning Association (APA) has developed a tool-kit for organizing a WTPD event. Visit the World Town Planning Day website for a copy of the tool kit, the WTPD press release, WTPD proclamation, and other materials.
(submitted by Lyn Billman-Gollemme)

Conference: Ecological Engineering for Integrated Water Management, Oct. 30–Nov. 2
Harvard Design School will host a conference in Cambridge, MA to feature practical integrated recycling solutions to water supply, wastewater and stormwater management. The conference will bring together federal, state, municipal, and corporate decision makers with water recycling and ecological innovators to discuss ways to use water more efficiently—and more than once—in cities, industry and rural areas. It will also provide a forum for collaborative, sustainable water management by industry, academia, regulatory agencies, water authorities and NGOs from around the world to discuss challenges and solutions to the ever-growing demand for water in a context of dwindling supply and ecological degradation. For more information, visit www.ecological-engineering.org.

October 16, 2003

US Government to discuss CSD 12 preparations with civil society

On October 23 in Washington, DC, US government representatives will meet with US civil society groups to discuss government activities related to the upcoming CSD 12, and to learn about US NGO goals and activities planned for CSD 12. See meeting flyer for more details. (RSVP required.)
[Update: Meeting notes [PDF] are now available.]
(submitted by Gary Pupurs)

October 1, 2003

SPAC Strategy meeting at UNEP RONA

The Sustainable Production and Consumption Working Group held an informal strategy meeting at the Washington DC office of UNEP. The participants discussed coordination needed for several upcoming events: the UN Commission on Sustainable Development and UNEP's Global Ministerial Environment Forum. The UN International Expert Meeting on Sustainable Production and Consumption, and the North American Sustainable Consumption Alliance were also covered. See the CitNet SPAC Working Group pages for a meeting report.
(submitted by Veena Ramani)

August 11, 2003

New CitNet updates to sustainable community pages
Check out our recent additions: citnet.org/communities/ and citnet.org/wg/communities/ Send us your sustainable community news and events to add to this!
(submitted by Gary Pupurs)

New book: Rivers for Life: Managing Water for People and Nature
When: Wed., September 3, 2003, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, Washington, DC
Book launch and discussion, featuring co-authors Sandra Postel and Brian Richer. For more info, visit: www.wilsoncenter.org
(submitted by Gary Pupurs)

Contribute to CitNet publication on sustainability in NYC
CitNet is currently soliciting articles, essays, photos, drawings, and other submissions for a publication on sustainability in New York City. Contributions should offer concrete suggestions and recommendations or highlight a current project or initiative. For more details, view the publication proposal and the draft introduction. Contact Gail Karlsson (g.karlsson@att.net or 212-267-4239) with any submissions or questions.
(submitted by Gail Karlsson)

Ecology body warns of dangers from fish farms
www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?
type=scienceNews&storyID=3257866
(submitted by Doug Hunt)

August 8, 2003

Climate Institute launches major website on the impacts of climate change
Responds to attacks by Competitive Enterprise Institute on public access to information on climate
change. www.climate.org/CI/
(submitted by Richard Rich)

Growing the Green Business Movement conference
When: November 4-7, 2003
Where: San Francisco
Sponsored by Co-op America. More info at www.coopamerica.biz.
(submitted by Gary Pupurs)

August 6, 2003

Green Ground Zero to launch sustainable design competition for Lower Manhattan Sept. 4
The competition encourages applicants to elaborate their visions of and innovative proposals for a sustainable Lower Manhattan. The group aims to capture the public's imagination and initiate a lively debate on Manhattan's future.
www.greengroundzero.org/Press%20Releases/
Press%20Release.pdf
(submitted by Gail Karlsson)

Karl Rove's water policy
New York Times, White House politics and water rights at the Klamath River
www.nytimes.com/2003/08/06/opinion/06WED3.html?
ex=1061181238&ei=1&en=47e632e9c9bc860e
(submitted by Jeffrey Barber)

August 5, 2003

Stakeholders back global review of future agriculture
by David Dickson, Source: SciDev.Net
www.scidev.net/News/index.cfm?
fuseaction=readNews&itemid=945&language=1
(submitted by Doug Hunt)

Green Festival – Austin
When: October 11-12, 2003
Where: Austin, TX
Sponsored by Global Exchange. More info at www.greenfestivals.com.
(submitted by Gary Pupurs)

Green Festival – San Francisco
When: November 8-9, 2003
Where: San Francisco, CA
Sponsored by Global Exchange. More info at www.greenfestivals.com.
(submitted by Gary Pupurs)

International Energy Agency (IEA) launches two new web sites:
"Dealing with Climate Change," and "Renewable Energy Policies and
Measures in IEA Countries"  www.iea.org/envissu/pamsdb/index.html
and library.iea.org/renewables/index.asp
(submitted by Richard Rich)

August 4, 2003

Sustainable Resources 2003 conference
October 1-4, 2003
University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado
Co-organized by, the University of Colorado, The Sustainable Village, the Marpa Center for Business and Economics at Naropa University www.sustainableresources.org/s r2003/index.html
(submitted by Rob Wheeler)

Natural Building Colloquium -- 2003
October 5 through 11, 2003
The Black Range Lodge, Star Rt. 2, Box 119, Kingston, NM 88042
Phone: (505) 895-5652 Fax: (505) 895-3326 Email: blackrange@zianet.com
www.blackrangelodge.com , www.strawbalecentral.com
(submitted by Rob Wheeler)

International proposals sought for 2004 American Planning Association conference
Anyone can submit a proposal for consideration, either online, by mail or fax.
Deadline: September 1, 2003. For more information, visit
www.planning.org/2004conference/sessionproposal.htm
(submitted by Lyn Billman-Golemme)

Support the Climate Stewardship Act
The Climate Stewardship Act is a bipartisan bill in Congress to stop global
warming. Environmental Defense is calling for 1 million people to sign an online
petition in support of this bill. It's easy to do, just use the link below:
actionnetwork.org/campaign/globalwarming_petition?
rk=Q7qmxKp1EcJTW
(submitted by Gail Karlsson)

July 29, 2003

Environmental Leadership Program
ELP Fellowship, Class of 2004-2005
Application deadline: October 1, 2003
www.elpnet.org
(submitted by Angela Park)

SolFest conference
When: August 23-24, 2003
Where: Hopland, CA
Sponsored by Solar Living Institute. More info at www.solfest.org.
(submitted by Gary Pupurs)

July 21, 2003

Holding civic groups accountable
New York Times
query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?
res=F3091FF73D5B0C728EDDAE0894DB404482
(submitted by Jeffrey Barber)

May 17, 2003

Appalachia Citizens Joining, Forming Sustainable Communities Network
This Mountain Times article [PDF] highlights the synergies possible between local community organizations and national participation in the CitNet network. (Two members from the Appalachian Coalition for Just and Sustainable Communities, a CitNet partner, recently participated in the UN's CSD 11 conference as CitNet delegates).
Also available at: http://www.mountaintimes.com/mtweekly/2003/0515/
hc_network.php3
(submitted by Jeff Boyer)

 

Apr. 16, 2003:

CitNet invites you to discuss and share your ideas on "The Ten Year Framework on Sustainable Production & Consumption", at a review and discussion on April 21 in Washington, DC. RSVP requested.

Apr. 15:

"The Right to Water: The Kyoto Agenda and Beyond", a speakers panel and open discussion on the World Water Forum, will be hosted April 21 in Washington, DC by AAAS and CEDHA. An RSVP to AAAS is requested.

We had overlapping problems printing the CSD 11 Programme of Work schedule from the UN website; we have reformatted the Organization of Work schedule[PDF] for your printing convenience.

Stakeholder Forum has created a discussion paper for major groups comment and consideration, titled "Follow-up to Johannesburg and the Future Role of the CSD"[PDF]. (Send comments and suggestions to David Hales at Stakeholder Forum, or we can forward them to SF for you.)

Apr. 11:

"A Vision for Sustainable Development: Stakeholder Participation in Governance, Partnerships and the Program of Work", is an afternoon discussion on April 15 which will examine CSD's role in the UN system and how meaningful stakeholder participation can best be achieved in the CSD Work Programme and followup to WSSD. Organized by the Embassy of South Africa and the Heinrich Boell Foundation, Stakeholder Forum, and IUCN.

Apr. 7:

This Friday afternoon, join us for a "A Citizens' Consultation on CSD 11 and Leadership on Sustainability". Members of the US delegation, GLOBE USA, and others will be speaking. See announcement for details. (Conference call-in available.)

Mar. 20:

CitNet announces an introduction and discussion on the upcoming Citizens Campaign for Leadership on Sustainbility, in Washington DC (and via conference call), on March 25, from 2-4 pm. See event announcement for more details and RSVP info.

Feb. 12:

The UN has written a quick reference to the major outcomes of the World Summit for Sustainable Development [PDF] (just seven pages of bulleted text). Highly recommended if you want to know what happened at WSSD in September and how it affects your work, but can't make it through the official 173 page Report of the WSSD [PDF] without snoozing!

Plans for the Citizens Campaign for Leadership on Sustainability (a working title) are continuing behind the scenes; more details on the campaign and how to get involved will be posted in a Campaign section when the plans are public!

Jan. 28, 2003:

The CitNet website is undergoing a complete redesign to be more useful, interactive, and easier to use; we apologize for the lack of news updates. We expect to launch the new site soon. To hear about current sustainability news and to be notified of the relaunch, you can subscribe to the citnet-list email listserve.

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Current Citnet news can be found on the CitNet News page.