Letter to UK PM published in the guardian on June 6th

This time a year from now leaders from around the world will convene for the UN Conference on Sustainable Development in Brazil. Rio+20 in June 2012 will take place 20 years after the groundbreaking 1992 Rio Earth summit – an event that marked a watershed in international collaboration on social and environmental issues.
The British government has an international reputation for championing development aid and playing a critical role on climate change. With just a year to go before Rio+20, there is a real opportunity and need for the UK to show similar leadership for sustainable development, and for the prime minister to publicly demonstrate his commitment to ensuring a successful summit.
We ask the government to demonstrate leadership towards Rio+20 by, first, pledging that the prime minister will attend. Second, it should appoint an ambassador or envoy on Rio+20 to promote Rio+20 across the government, involve the public and engage in dialogue with other countries. And, finally, it must host a high-level dialogue with leaders from around the world to forge a consensus on increasingly urgent issues, such as the green economy, the food system, and building a low-carbon future.
British civil society is ready to play its own role in contributing to these endeavours. We look forward to hearing the government's plans for ambitious action on the Rio+20 agenda between now and June 2012.
Barbara Stocking Oxfam GB
Andy Atkins Friends of the Earth
Christine Allen Progressio
Brendan Barber Trades Union Congress (TUC)
David Norman WWF-UK
Paul Valentin Christian Aid
Chris Bain Cafod
Matthew Frost Tearfund
Felix Dodds Stakeholder Forum for a Sustainable Future
Stephen Hockman QC, ICE Coalition (International Court for the Environment)
Camilla Toulmin International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED)
Jake Leeper and Hannah Smith UK Youth Climate Coalition
Sharifin Gardiner Sushila Dharma International Association
Caryll Stephen Commonwealth Human Ecology Council
Karen Newman Population and Sustainability Network
Sue Riddlestone BioRegional
Nick Roseveare Bond
Simon Trace Practical Action
Halina Ward Foundation for Democracy and Sustainable Development
David Woollcombe Peacechild International

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