A Social Worker's Report from the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio + 20)

In June 2012, heads of state convened to finalize a policy framework on sustainable development called “The Future We Want” at the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development in Rio de Janeiro (Rio + 20). To date, this is the largest United Nations gathering ever held, with over 12,000 government officials and over 10,000 representatives of major groups (United Nations Department of Public Information, 2012). The two main themes of the conference were (1) “a green economy in the context of sustainable development and poverty eradication and (2) the institutional framework for sustainable development” (United Nations, 2011c). The conference attendees presented ways to redefine economic growth as inclusive and how the green economy can provide decent jobs. This document will guide international sustainable development for the next 10 years. I joined this conference as part of the Ecocity Builders delegation, which convened the cities track for nongovernmental organization (NGO) major groups. Social workers and community organizers around the world would find this conference of interest because it emphasized the relationship between sustainable development and poverty eradication. The role of the United Nations Environmental Program will also be strengthened. Despite these achievements, the NGO major group issued a statement rejecting the outcome document. The United Nations will track progress using sustainable development goals (SDGs) after 2015. Social workers should take the opportunity to engage the United Nations to shape the SDGs.