Justice and Aid Network, supporting Oxfam’s ‘Grow’ campaign:

it’s time to build a future where everyone always has enough to eat

Rio +20 : the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development

20^th – 22^nd June 2012

WHAT IS RIO +20…?          Twenty years on from the ‘Earth Summit’ held atRio in 1992, the governments of the world are again looking at progress on sustainability – our use of food, energy and resources.

WHY DOES IT MATTER…?           Tonight, an average of one in seven of the world’s population will go to bed hungry. The global summit in June 2012 presents a rare opportunity for world leaders to unite and achieve a global commitment to make a difference and address this injustice.

WHAT’S THE RISK…?        Global summits do not in themselves deliver success (the G20 atSeoul in 2010 didn’t) but they can, and sometimes do, secure the collective commitment needed to drive action (Kyoto was the reason many countries have made an effort to reduce carbon emissions and Gleneagles was critical in securing spending on development).

However, global summits don’t make big promises unless civil society demands it; this is where we can make a difference.

WHAT NEEDS DOING…?   We need to say loudly and clearly what we want. The Brazilian hosts of the conference are keen to secure meaningful input; food security and agriculture is already being suggested by many as a key sector on which the summit could focus. Oxfam agrees, asking for action on investment in smallholder farming, promotion of sustainable agriculture and the reversing of damaging economic policies.

Caroline Spelman MP (the UKSecretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) has already complained^† that the initial proposal from the UN “lacks focus and ambition” and described the need for Rio +20 “to be a workshop, not a talking shop”. In a speech on 9th February^†, she noted that the UK “will be pushing for a clear commitment to sustainable development . . . from politicians around the world”. She emphasised the “need to make clear that long term, sustainable growth can only be achieved with efficient use of resources; reduction of carbon emissions; and the eradication of poverty”.

WHAT SHOULD WE DO…?           Oxfam and The Co-operative Group are already asking the UK Government to champion small-scale farmers and co-operatives at the summit. Both Nick Clegg and Caroline Spelman will be attending the Rio summit – please contact them* let them know that we share their desire for change and ask them to please stand up for small-scale farmers at Rio +20 by championing:

• fair and sustainable methods of increasing global food production;
• the crucial role of small-scale farmers and co-operatives;
• increased investment in sustainable small-scale agriculture, to lift farmers (many of whom are women) out of poverty.

*write to:        Rt Hon Nick Clegg MP, Deputy Prime Minister, 70Whitehall,London SW1A 2AS

            &         Rt Hon Caroline Spelman MP, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs,

                        DEFRA, Nobel House,17 Smith Square,LondonSW1P 3JR

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT…?            Starting 22^nd April (with the visit of the Malawian rice farmers) and continuing over the coming weeks, the Justice and Aid Network at St Mary’s hope to offer a chance to involve local politicians in this process and also to raise awareness within the community beyond the Cathedral.

References and further information… [& keep checking the Justice & Aid sections on the Noticeboard & Website]

Oxfam Grow Campaign:          http://www.oxfam.org/en/grow/what-is-grow
The official Rio +20 website:  http://www.uncsd2012.org/rio20/index.html
^†Caroline Spelman on 9^th Feb: http://sd.defra.gov.uk/2012/02/caroline-spelman-sets-out-uk-ambitions-for-rio20/

by the Rev Akma Adam

Details of externally organised events will be available on this page from time to time.

Details of relevent events not arranged by St Mary’s Justice and Aid Network may be poted here.

GROW

 Members of the Justice and Aid network seek to make a difference – to bring about a more just world.  The network seeks to create a vibrant environment where the big issues are faced and action taken to make structural changes within the world. 

 For this reason, the network is linking to the Oxfam GROW campaign:  we need you to achieve a world without poverty and without injustice. www.oxfam.org/en/grow 

This is an international campaign fighting inequity and poverty.  Aligning with this ambitious campaign gives the opportunity for education and debate, a focus for taking personal and corporate action and a chance to lobby politically.

2012  -  It’s time to build a future where everyone always had enough to eat.

This will be a year of learning and taking action to create a more just world.

St. Mary’s is linking with the global GROW campaign run by Oxfam.  This is an ambitious campaign which challenges head on the political and practical injustice of the world.  With a focus on food, and the urgent need to end starvation, it will be a unifying theme throughout the work of the year. 

The possibility of  strengthening links with St. Matthews in Possilpark is currently being explored.

Calendar:

Sunday 27th May 2012

Jo Swinson MP will be speaking at St. Mary’s after the service at 12.15 and all are welcome to come and listen and ask questions.  Next month from 20^th to 22^nd June sees theRio + 20 United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development.  20 years on from theRio ‘Earth Summit’, what has been achieved and what commitments do we want to see from the world’s governments who gather there?  Jo is a strong advocate of fair trade (she organised a debate in Westminster Hall on the subject not long after she was elected for the first time) and will take our views back to Nick Clegg and Caroline Spellman who are attending Rio.  With all else that’s in the news,Rio + 20 is not getting much coverage.  All the more reason to get a good turn-out for this meeting to show that people really do care about these issues.  If you want to find out more, ask the stewards for the J&A leaflet aboutRio + 20 which highlights some of the key issues, not least the importance of fair and sustainable methods of increasing global food production, support for smallholder farmers and cooperatives and increased investment in sustainable small-scale agriculture.

The purpose of the Justice and Aid network is to become aware of how individuals seek to do God’s work in the world and to find out how together the congregation of St. Mary’s Cathedral will contribute to creating a just and equitable world. 

 As well as celebrating the work of individuals, consultation with a large group from St. Mary’s leads to a programme of events which engage them in:

•  learning
• praying
• taking action to bring about change

The Fellowship Group is an open group welcoming people of all ages who enjoy discussion, prayer and fellowship. It meets twice a month on Wednesdays 7.30pm-9pm in the Synod Hall. The convener is Neil Parker. Ideas and queries can be forwarded to Neil on office@thecathedral.org.uk

The next meeting is on Wednesday 8th February 2012 with a discussion on the theme ‘Who is my Neighbour?’   All are welcome.

With Ash Wednesday being on 22nd February, the following meeting is on 7th March. Come and join the fun!

The Fellowship Group is for people of all ages who would like to meet others for discussion, prayer and fellowship. It meets normally on first and third Wednesday in the Synod Hall 7.30pm – 9pm. People are very welcome to attend any meeting without booking. The convener is Peil Parker and any ideas or queries can be forwarded to him via office@thecathedral.org.uk

The Next meeting is on Wednesday 8th February 7.30pm with the theme ‘Who is my Neighbour?’. A warm welcome will be extended to anyone interested.

by Kelvin Holdsworth