Within Global Greens 2008 the Heinrich Böll Foundation hosted two panel discussions. Together with the Worldwatch Institute in Washington D.C. we dealt with the issue of a sustainable future of cities. And a second discussion round focused on the self conception of greens between government and opposition.
Heinrich Böll Foundation Forum I: Sustainable Cities
Over half of the world’s population now lives in cities. While cities cover only a small portion of the Earth’s surface, they generate the bulk of the world’s carbon emissions today. Cities – and in particular Mega Cities of the South – will be seriously affected by the consequences of environmental destruction. But the opposite is also true: It is in our cities that we can make the progress toward a sustainable development.
The forum dealt with Sustainable Cities with regard to Climate Change, Poverty and Urban Governance and aimed at contributing to a "Declaration on Sustainable Cities" to be adopted by the Global Greens delegates.
» Opening Speech by Ralf Fücks
» Declaration on Sustainable Cities
Heinrich Boell Foundation Forum II: Greens – Between Government Responsibilities and fundamental Opposition
The second forum addressed the issue of our self-conception as Greens and focused on two guiding questions. First, how far do political strategies of green parties differ and what do they have in common? Is there something like a global "green ideology"?
Second, what changes occur if Greens engage in parliaments and governments? Does this affect the relationship between Green parties and social movements and how do we deal with conflicts between "ethics of conviction" and an "ethics of responsibility".
Briefings
The Heinrich Böll Foundation tries to enrich through scientific studies and papers the current energy debate in Brazil. The updating of the criticism on the nuclear power was likewise main focus as it was the debate on agro-fuels. The Heinrich Böll Foundation supports the workgroup energy of the Brazilian Environment-Forum and the international dialogue about energy policy.