NEWSLETTERFEBRUARY 2017
10 YEARS WORLD FUTURE COUNCIL
In times of political and social challenges across the globe, learning about effective policy solutions that can help combat climate change, eradicate poverty and achieve sustainable development is more important than ever. This year, the WFC celebrates its 10th anniversary.
Thank you for supporting us in our strive for a sustainable, just and peaceful world for today’s and future generations.
Stefan Schurig, Alexandra Wandel & Jakob von Uexkull
The Management Board
ZERO PROJECT CONFERENCE 2017 IN VIENNA
The conference will take place from 22 – 24 February at the United Nations Office/Vienna, AustriaWhat are the best policies and practices to advance disability-inclusive employment and vocational education? From February 22-24, the sixth Zero Project Conference will celebrate and highlight such innovative policies and practices from around the world at the UN Office in Vienna, Austria. The conference is organised together with the Essl Foundation and the European Foundation Centre.
LESSONS FROM ARGENTINA’S DISARMAMENT PLAN
Left: WFC Disarmament coordinator Rob van Riet meeting with local government in Buenos Aires.
The production and trafficking of small arms and light weapons heightens tensions, undermines peace processes and fuels armed violence. Argentina’s Firearm Surrender Programme, which won our Future Policy Award in 2013, aims to reduce the number of firearms in circulation, while at the same time promoting a culture of non-violence and peaceful conflict resolution. In January, our Peace & Disarmament Coordinator Rob van Riet held several meetings in Buenos Aires to discuss how to best share the experience of Argentina’s Plan De Desarme with other countries.
HOW ZANZIBAR PROTECTS CHILDREN’S RIGHTS
Left: The WFC RoC-Team at meetings with experts |Right: Zanzibari children playing in the streets.
There is a lot of talk about the need to include children in decisions that affect them. In Zanzibar, such words have been put into action: its innovative Children’s Act (2011) enables children and youth to participate in decision-making processes concerning their own rights. Our Rights of Children team has just returned from a week long field trip to these semi-autonomous Tanzanian islands off Africa’s east coast to see the effects of the implementation of the law in action and to find out how other countries can follow Zanzibar’s example.
DATABASE OF SUSTAINABLE POLICIES
In times of political upheaval and global crises, learning about policy solutions that can help achieve sustainable development is more important than ever. Check out our database of tried and tested solutions from around the world !
KEHKASHAN BASU WINS TURNER PRIZE
Kehkashan at the 16th World Summit of Nobel Peace Laureates.|dubaiprnetwork.comCongratulations to our Youth Ambassador Kehkashan Basu who was just awarded the Turner Prize for her work on environmental protection, biodiversity conservation and fighting climate change.
HAPPY VALENTINE’S: TLATLETLOCO TREATY TURNS 50
Above: Alfonso García Robles signing the Treaty of Tlatelolco on behalf of Mexico on 14th February 1967, Mexico City. Image: OPANAL
February 14th marked the 50th anniversary of the Treaty of Tlatelolco. Perhaps not widely known, this unprecedented initiative created a Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone in Latin America and the Caribbean. But while the Treaty denuclearised a continent, the whole world has benefited.
RE-CONNECTING EUROPE: HOW RENEWABLES CAN UNITE THE CONTINENT
Above: Policy Debate at the European Parliament in BrusselsEnergy has always been a strategic element for national governments, which they had to control in order to signal strength and power. In the new energy world, national borders will not have the same meaning anymore. In late January, we co-hosted a cross-party policy debate at the European Parliament with three MEPs and the Heinrich Boell Foundation, to discuss regional cooperation in the energy transition and how to upscale renewable energy. Examples from across Europe highlight how renewable energy technology has the power to unite the continent during critical times of Euroscepticism and nationalism.