FEATURE STORY
Making it Happen:
Special Issue on Social Media

In our highly interconnected world, social media has played a role in democratizing information at all levels. It reflects the pulse of society and the tone of the public opinion today ? particularly for young people who rely heavily on social networks to engage with political and economic life around them. Social media is a force that will continue to shape the way we communicate and collaborate, mobilize and participate, and will no doubt be essential to achieving a transparent and inclusive outcome at Rio+20.
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FEATURE STORY
Making Sense
of 7 Billion

2012 is the first year to awaken to a world population of 7 billion. With considerable implications for sustainability, urbanization, access to health services and youth empowerment, a world of 7 billion also offers a rare call to action for renewing global commitment to a healthy and sustainable world for all. Based on an open-source concept launched by UNFPA, the 7 Billion Actions campaign showcases the stories and actions of people making a significant impact in their communities. Tremendous breakthroughs happening in boardrooms, labs, kitchens and communities all over the globe can be shared, replicated and expanded for the good of the planet. More Information

FEATURE
Interactive Features of the Rio+20 Conference Website

As part of the ongoing campaign to engage with YOU through social media, a new section of the official Rio+20 website is dedicated entirely to social media! Here you can find ways to interact with the Conference, submit your own content and share things with the rest of the world. Whether you are showing your support for Rio+20 and sustainable development through Count Me In, or submitting your own voluntary pledges to living sustainably, you can make sure that your commitments are recognized. Additionally, you can also share your message about sustainable development with the world, or you can upload your own images of what a sustainable lifestyle would actually look like, plus have a chance to be featured as a Rio+20 Photo Of The Day. With your support, engagement and mobilization through social media can help ensure that we achieve the #FutureWeWant at #RioPlus20. :-) 

FEATURE STORY
Why Does Social Media
Matter for Rio+20?

Why do we really care so much about social media? For what can seem like a frivolous distraction marketed to strictly affluent societies, the link between serious long-term sustainable development and online socializing might seem frail. But this view ignores several important dynamic underpinnings of a global information society, as well as the value of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) in driving the sustainable development agenda, advancing education and the spread of knowledge, building a green economy and bridging the digital divide. More Information

FEATURE STORY
US Rio+2.0
Conference

From 2 to 4 February 2012, technological innovators and entrepreneurs gathered at Stanford University in Palo Alto, California to discuss the growing role that connection and information technology can play in achieving the 'future we want' through sustainable development. The three-day event, titled USRio+2.0: Bridging Connection Technologies and Sustainable Development, was jointly organized by the US Department of State and Stanford University, and featured some of the best and brightest minds in tech and the field of sustainable development. More Information

Negotiating the zero draft

19-23 March 2012
First round of 'informal-informal' negoriations on the zero draft of the Rio+20 outcome document. (New York)

26-27 March 2012
Third Intersessional Meeting of UNCSD. (New York).

23 April - 4 May 2012
Second round of ?informal-informal? negotiations on the zero draft of the Rio+20 outcome document. (New York)

13-15 June 2012
Third Meeting of the UNCSD Preparatory Committee. (Rio de Janeiro)

The ?zero draft?, or first negotiating text, will become the primary basis for Member State negotiations, ultimately leading to a formal outcome to be adopted by world leaders at Rio+20.