Paving The Way For The First Sustainable Generation

Young people want to be a force for change and create their own vision of sustainable development, according to a major study released one year ago by the United Nations Environment Programme. The study shows that young adults from Australia to Vietnam, and Ethiopia to Egypt, consider poverty and environmental degradation to be the world's two biggest challenges, but they want more information on what they can do to be part of the solution. How can we empower young people with the confidence, skills and knowledge they need to build a smarter and more sustainable world? Some tools and networks as well as a policy perspective on these questions will be presented at this seminar.

House of Sweden
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
4:00 – 6:00 pm, registration from 3:30 pm
Followed by a network reception including demonstrations of Young Masters Programme on Sustainable Development.

Speakers:

- Alan B Hecht, Director for Sustainable Development, Office of Research and Development, EPA
- Mitch Lowenthal, External Communications Coordinator, SustainUS

- Torvald Jacobsson, Director, Young Masters Programme on Sustainable Development, IIIEE,  
Lund University

- Erik Assadourian,Senior Fellow, Worldwatch Institute

Moderator:
Simon Nicholson, Assistant Professor, School of International Service, American University

The seminar is a collaboration between the Embassy of Sweden and Lund University, Worldwatch Institute and SustainUS.

Background:

In June 1972, the first UN Conference on the Human Environment was held in Stockholm when UN leaders and key actors gathered to discuss international environmental issues. Now, 40 years later, the world will gather in Rio de Janeiro for the UN Conference on Sustainable Development. Preceding RIO+20 in June, world leaders will gather in Stockholm to commemorate the 1972 conference. The dialogue on sustainability that starts at Stockholm+40 will continue at this seminar, among decision-makers, young people, the business sector, and researchers.