205 Environment Conferences 2012-2014 INDIA

 please see 

http://localgovernance.org/environmentconferences/

 

Concept Note

The Idea

With the support of individuals, local communities, academics, government, private and civil society, we are conducting three levels for the conferences in the time span of two years from April 2012 to March 2014 for mass awareness and public dialogues on Environment issues.

• 1 International Conference
• 4 Regional Conferences in different states in India
• 200 Local Conferences in different regions of different states in India
• 100,000 (50,000+50,0000) kilometers exclusive national tour covering different areas of India

To make this chain of conferences worthwhile and more down to earth, with the best involvement of common people, we will conduct a 100,000 km national tour consecutively as the conference tour is run.  Through the national tour we will connect with the common people.  After connecting with local people made during the national tour, we will hold the local, zonal and regional conferences. The conferences will be organic – they will occur as the local people suggest.

Local conferences on Water, Agriculture and Forestation :
Each local conference will be a one day dialogue with the local people of school, universities, institutes, village, suburban areas, township of a particular area.  The expected gathering will be from 500-1000 people.
http://localgovernance.org/environmentconferences/205-conferences/local-conferences/

Regional conferences on Water, Agriculture and Forestation :
Each zonal conference will cover a few states for public dialogue.  With an expected gathering from 1000-5000 people, the zonal conference will run over two days.
http://localgovernance.org/environmentconferences/205-conferences/regional-conferences/

100,000 (50,000+50,000) kilometers national tours for participatory dialogues :
A 100,000 kilometers long national tour will be done for participatory dialogues covering thounsands of villages, townships and metro-cities in next around two years.

The tour will be in two phases-

• 50,000 Kilometers-
  It will be an exclusive national tour covering all over India.
• 50,000 Kilometers-
  It will be a chain of various local and regional tours supporting local and regional conferences.

International conference on environment :
Experts from many countries will meet over 4 days.  The expected gathering will be around 10,000 people. This conference will occur at the end of the chain of conferences, thereby bringing all the lessons and stories learnt from the local, regional and zonal conferences, in addition to the national tour, to a culmination point at the international conference.

This chain of conferences, held over almost two years, will not be limited to research in academics. If a person, a local community, a voluntary group is doing works/efforts for environment on the ground then they will have the opportunity to present and speak at these conferences.

The local and zonal conferences will cover the following issues:

Water;   
Water Harvesting;
Waste Management;
Agriculture;
Health;
Renewable Energy;
Consumerism

The International Conference will cover the following issues:

Climate Change;   
Conservation;  
Water Reservoirs;   
Energy;   
Environment Degradation;
Farming and Agriculture;   
Land Degradation and Use;   
Waste Management;   
Resource Depletion;
Water Pollution;      
Health;    
Air Pollution;    
Population;    
Consumerism

Roles of various states to protect the environment:

Role of the people in Urban areas and in Rural areas;
Role of the media;
Role of local administration;
Role of the research institutes;
Role of the policy activists;
Role of the corporate sector;
Role of the governments

Costs and support for the chain of conferences
The expenses of the local conferences, regional conferences, 100,000 kilometers national tour and international conference will be supported by the Ground Report India network, local communities and supports from individuals, sponsors, including international and national organizations.

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Why India plays an important role in protecting the environment
India is a vast country with overcrowded population, amazing social diversities and negative social & economic discriminations. India is a growing consumer economy in the world and will be having most consumers in the world in coming future on individual basis. The population of India must be seen beyond the potential consumers of the international markets.  This is why it is a must that to work for environmental awareness with the common people of India.

We need to explore the real ground heroes working for environment issues on the ground if we are serious for the environment issues. We need to run exclusive awareness programs for the common people of the third world countries following the decentralized methods to protect environment.

Currently in India there is no dialogue or awareness with the common people about the global issues of the environment – what is it? And what are the problems? And what are their important roles in protecting the environment?

It is our view that environmental issues cannot be resolved only by funded academic research, or through grants and programs supported by government agencies.  Environmental problems need to be resolved between individuals who include the common people, corporate sector, academics, NGOs and government – all sectors and all individuals need to think about their role in protecting the environment and work together.

Of most importance to the chain of environment conferences proposed, is dialogue with common people.  If the common people will understand how environmental issues are related to them and their future generations, then they can start to work for the environment sincerely, including advocating to government and private sector.  They could be a big power to put pressure on the government and corporate sector to make good policies for environment/development.

This is why we have decided to initiate sincere a dialogue/awareness program for environment in India.  We plan to organize a chain of conferences. There are hundreds conferences currently going on across the globe and India, but they do not touch the common people. This proposed chain of conferences will try to push the policy systems, bureaucrats, political leaders, and common leader.  The environment is not limited to the planting of trees, or building water bodies, because the uses of natural assets/resources depends on the community mentality, customs and social behaviours. Then this chain of conferences will try to understand the solution locally with relation to society as a whole.

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Please appreciate the idea by your suggestions. Thank you.

Idea and concept note by-

Vivek Glendenning Umrao
www.thegroundreportindia.com