Outside the borders of Riocentro, where the official document of Rio+20 was produced, the debate of sustainable development was propagated by people´s voice in more than one hundred side events. From lonely protests to marches that gathered together more than 30 thousand people from all over the world, the streets of Rio de Janeiro witnessed a call for a more justice and sustainable world. Between ten days one million people took part of the discussions organized by global civil society and the main center of ideas was the People´s Summit for Social Environmental Justice that, after many discussions on the Permanent People´s Assembly on an open space, in Flamengo Park, submitted a letter to United Nations general-secretary Ban Ki-moon emphasizing that the green economy is not the solution to social and environmental issues affecting the planet today. The text says that "the defense of the common well being is guaranteed by a series of human and nature rights, by solidarity and respect for the convictions and beliefs of different people."
According to Darci Franco, member of the joint Committee of Civil Society Facilitator, the People´s Summit was a very important initiative to counterpoint the consequences of the decisions taken by the head of states.
We consider that more actions and commitment are needed in order for the world to start moving in the direction of sustainable development. We are very frustrated by the outcome of Rio+20 but, at the same time, we consider that the People´s Summit for Social Environmental Justice was a powerful event to create nature awareness and also to oppose to the models of capitalist production and consumption. Time has changed.
Surrounded by trees and just in front of Guanabara bay, that has Sugar Loaf as one of its main postal cards, Rio+20 most democratic space, the People’s Summit, was a place for foreigners, for local people and a special place for families learn together about mother earth. Colorful and lively, with many cultural activities, together with the political round tables and debates, Flamengo Park attracted around 300 thousand people in total. Many people interested in knowing better about 400 representatives of 20 Brazilian indigenous groups including the Guaranis, Tikunas, Tukanos, Gavioes, Kaiapos, Xavantes and Bororos that took part along with 1,200 natives from Canada, the United States, Colombia and Nicaragua. The native Indians also took the opportunity to showcase and commercialize the tribal art (like bows, necklaces, wooden utensils and weaved bamboo baskets) to the “non-Indigenous”.
On the path of Flamengo Park there were also many interesting characters during Rio+20 such as Peri Pane that calls himself the “Reflow Man” because he wears a plastic dress with all the garbage that he produces during a week. He explains that the idea behind is project is to learn how to live better from the trash he produces. Another person that is trying to contribute for a better future is Luiz Bettoni, that travels all over Brazil leaving baby trees with the “ADOPT ME” messages for people in places like coffee shops, street seats, bus station and market places. The only thing he asks for is an email with a picture of the seedling being planted. So, besides beautiful and enthusiastic the People´s Summit was a place full of good intentions and great ideas.
GABRIELA SPEZIALI, a Brazilian journalist who works asCorrespondent for Rádio Itatiaia em Brasília, participated in Rio+20 conference and wrote this opinion for Al-Bia Wal-Tanmia from the streets of Rio de Janeiro, to describe the ‘people’s summit’ outside the official venue, Riocentro. Her photo-journalist husband, TIAGO SOUZZA, supported with photos from the grassroot side of the fence.