Ensuring Sustainable Livelihoods: Challenges for Governments, Corporates and Civil Society at Rio + 10: Proceedings of the Conference Held From 8 to 11 February 2002 in New Delhi, India

The developing world's sole forum on global sustainability issues, the annual DSDS (Delhi Sustainable Development Summit), assembles the world’s most astute thinkers to discuss issues pertinent to global sustainable development. DSDS 2002 (8-11 February 2002) holds enhanced relevance, as it was perhaps the most significant related event organized outside official preparations for the WSSD (Word Summit on Sustainable Development). It focused on Ensuring sustainable livelihoods: challenges for governments, corporates, and civil society at Rio+10. Despite the emphatic plea of the Rio Earth Summit to integrate economic growth, social justice, and environmental concerns with a view to fulfilling the needs of the world without ravaging the earth, action on the scale required to achieve true sustainability has not asserted itself. It is time global stakeholders made a concerted endeavour to realize the vision of a safe, just world that fulfils the needs of present and future generations. DSDS 2002 attempted to rekindle this awareness and enthusiasm. Inaugurated by Mr. Atal Bihari Vajpayee, the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India, the deliberations at DSDS 2002 provided intellectual stimulus and attracted considerable media attention. The ministerial panel, chaired by Dr. Jan P Pronk (Special Envoy for the Secretary-General [UN] to the WSSD; President, CoP-6 and Cop-6.5; and Minister of Housing, Spatial Planning, and the Environment, The Netherlands), addressed concerns on international diplomacy, development assistance, and inter-sectoral coordination. It indicated national commitments and expectations from the WSSD. The addresses by Sir Mark Moody-Stuart KCMG (former Chairman and Member of the Board, Royal Dutch/Shell, UK), Prof. Gus Speth (Dean, School of Forestry and Environmental Studies, Yale University, USA), Prof. Hans van Ginkel (Rector, United Nations University, Tokyo), Mr. Lester Brown (President, Earth Policy Institute, USA), and Mr. M.S. Verma (Chairman, Telecom Regulatory Authority of India) were inspiring and thought-provoking. This document contains a detailed chronological account of the Summit proceedings, including keynote addresses, inaugural, plenary, and valedictory sessions, and lunch and dinner speeches. A comprehensive and informative background paper and synopsis of the event, along with the Summit recommendations feeding into the WSSD process, add value.