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CITY, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) A Valley City couple is warning local government entities about Agenda 21 and the danger of losing local control if they sign on with the UN Charter sponsored sustainable development document.
Judith Stahl said Agenda 21 is a clever way to take control away from local governments in the U-S.
Duane Stahl said countries with poor social economic conditions and conservation practices are pushing Agenda 21.
According to Wikipedia, Agenda 21 is a non-binding, voluntarily implemented action plan of the United Nations with regard to sustainable development. It is a product of the UN Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in 1992.
It is an action agenda for the UN, other multilateral organizations, and individual governments around the world that can be executed at local, national, and global levels. The “21” in Agenda 21 refers to the 21st century. It has been affirmed and modified at subsequent UN conferences.
Some national and state governments have legislated or advised that local authorities take steps to implement the plan locally.
In other countries, opposition to Agenda 21’s ideas has surfaced. In some cases, opposition has been legislated into several States limiting or forbidding the participation and/or funding of local government activities that support Agenda 21.
The 300-page document is divided into 40 chapters that have been grouped into 4 sections:
Section I: Social and Economic Dimensions
This section is directed toward combating poverty, especially in developing countries, changing consumption patterns, promoting health, achieving a more sustainable population, and sustainable settlement in decision making.
Section II: Conservation and Management of Resources for Development
Includes atmospheric protection, combating deforestation, protecting fragile environments, conservation of biological diversity (biodiversity), control of pollution and the management of biotechnology, and radioactive wastes.
Section III: Strengthening the Role of Major Groups
Includes the roles of children and youth, women, NGOs, local authorities, business and workers and strengthening the role of indigenous peoples, their communities, and farmers.
Section IV: Means of Implementation
Implementation includes science, technology transfer, education, international institutions and financial mechanisms.