The New Economics Institute, the new economics foundation, the Green Economy Coalition, Stakeholder Forum

The presentation will provide a vision of what a green and fair economy may look like, in different contexts, around the world. In particular, the presentation will include the launch of the Global Transition to a New Economy map (please see www.gtne.org). Gus Speth will provide a keynote speech on what an economy that delivers on social justice and operates within environmental limits looks like in the United States.

Keynote speaker will be Gus Speth, a New Economics Institute board member. Other speakers will include Kirsty Schneeberger from Stakeholder Forum, Carina Millstone from the New Economics Institute, Viki Johnson from the New Economics Foundation and Emily Benson from the Green Economy Coalition.

Our 4 organizations have been behind the Global Transition 2012 project- an international network of organizations and leading thinkers working to achieve an outcome from Rio+20 that catalyzes a ?Global Transition? to an economy that maximizes wellbeing, operates within environmental limits and is capable of coping and adapting to global environmental change. We are working on this goal by building a global civil society and stakeholder movement to promote alternative models of development built on the principles of equity and sustainability (please see www.globaltransition2012.org)

The New Economics Institute is a US non-profit organization based in New York City that combines vision, theory, action, and communication to effect a transition to a new economy -an economy that gives priority to supporting human wellbeing and Earth?s natural systems. Our multidisciplinary approach employs research, applied theory, public campaigns, and educational events to describe an alternative socio-economic system that is capable of addressing the enormous challenges of our times. Our premise is that a fair and sustainable economy is possible and that ways must be found to realize it.

Gus Speth is a Professor of Law at the Vermont Law School in South Royalton, Vermont and Distinguished Senior Fellow at Demos as well as the United Nations Foundation, both in New York City. He was Professor in the Practice of Environmental Policy at Yale where he served as Dean of the Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies from 1999 to 2009. From 1993 to 1999, Dean Speth was Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme and chair of the UN Development Group. Prior to his service at the UN, he was founder and president of the World Resources Institute; professor of law at Georgetown University; chairman of the U.S. Council on Environmental Quality; and senior attorney and cofounder, Natural Resources Defense Council.

The focus of the presentation will be to provide a vision of what a green and fair economy may look like, in different contexts, around the world. In particular, the presentation will include the launch of the Global Transition to a New Economy map (please see www.gtne.org). Gus Speth will provide a keynote speech on what an economy that delivers on social justice and operates within environmental limits looks like in the United States.

We see our contribution to the outcomes of Rio+20 as follows:
- Our map shows that an economy geared towards the creation of a green and fair world is possible and workable. Our map showcases a myriad of projects, including cooperatives and social enterprises, local currencies, municipalities measuring wellbeing, community energy micro-generation, green skills training, and many more. In common to all these projects is their contribution to challenge business as usual and contribute to the systemic transformation of the economy that we now need. Rooted in their locality and responding to local need, these projects vary greatly, and highlight how our common path to a green and fair world takes different forms in the Global North and Global South and within countries. In common to all these projects is their contribution to the systemic transformation of nine key economic and societal areas, which we see as critical to build a green and fair world- including Citizens and Communities, Currencies, Finance, Global Justice, Governance, Local Economies, Models and Metrics, The Commons, and Enterprise and Ownership.

- In addition to showcasing new economy project, the map is being developed as a knowledge-sharing platform. It provides a space for groups, organizations and activists to share tips and signpost resources to others engaged in similar projects- or to those thinking about starting projects in their communities. Through this exchange, we are gathering extensive information on new economy projects- their aims, location, size and activities. We plan to analyze and share this information to celebrate success stories and highlight best practice approaches for the new economy, in different sectors and contexts. We therefore believe we can contribute to the knowledge-sharing platform being developed at Rio+20.