The ad hoc US Citizens Preparatory Committee
If government won't take the lead, it's up to the citizens...
In its announcement of the World Summit on Sustainable Development, the United
Nations called on each member government to organize National Preparatory
Committees to engage citizens and other stakeholders in the process. While
many countries willingly responded, the United States declined.
In the absence of government leadership, the Citizens Network and several
other civil society organizations have formed an ad hoc US Citizens Preparatory
Committee (USCPC) to encourage public participation, collaboration and sharing
of information about the Summit. In past months, the Committee has organized
a series of public meetings, including consultations with government delegates
and strategy meetings of US NGOs to foster informed citizen preparations for
the Summit, highlighted the efforts various US organizations are undertaking
for the Summit, and set up listserves for announcements and discussion.
In the UN Secretary-General's review of progress in WSSD preparatory activities,
CitNet and the US CPC was highlighted on page 3 (General
Assembly document A/56/379).
To find out more about US Citizens Preparatory Committee activities, contact
info@citnet.org or call 301-770-6375.
For more information about the World Summit, visit the Citizens
Guide to the World Summit, a handy reference and action guide developed
by CitNet.
