The Ministry for Future Generations: fictitious government ministry to future-proof our democracy
The Ministry of Future Generations is a fictitious government ministry designed to future-proof our democracy. Here, the Minister for Future Generations, Septima Tulisa, steps back in time from the year 2050 to give a stark warning about how the world might end up if...
The German Council for Sustainable Development advises on policy and proposes targets
The German Council for Sustainable Development advises “the government on its sustainable development policy and, by presenting proposals for targets and indicators, seeks to advance the Sustainability Strategy as well as propose projects for its realization." It is...
Commissioner of the Environment & Sustainable Development, Canada audits Government & oversees petititons
The Canadian Commisioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development is appointed by the Auditor General of Canada for a seven year term, and “provides parliamentarians with objective, independent analysis and recommendations on the federal government’s efforts to...
Hungarian Parliament’s Deputy Commissioner for Fundamental Rights, the Ombudsman for Future Generations
The Commissioner for Fundamental Rights in Hungary is responsible particularly for the rights of children, nationalities in Hungary, vulnerable social groups, and the interests of future generations. He or she has Deputy Commissioners, elected by the Hungarian...
The Committee for the Future, Finnish Parliament researches long-term issues and comments on government policy
The Committee for the Future in Finland is a Standing Permanent Committee of 17 parliamentarians representing all parties and is underpinned by the Constitution. They deliberate about matters affecting future development, research and the impacts of technological...
Transition Network – supports communities as they self-organise around the Transition Town model
“Transition Network is a charitable organisation whose role is to inspire, encourage, connect, support and train communities as they self-organise around the Transition model, creating initiatives that rebuild resilience and reduce CO2 emissions.” The Transition...
People’s Climate March
The People's Climate March is an international anti-climate change project, that started out on 21 September 2014 with more than 300,000 people advocating political action against climate change. Although based in New York, the event was global in scope and...
The first people’s Manifesto for Democracy and Sustainability and website Platform
The Manifesto for Democracy and Sustainability, was launched on 20th March 2013, with 81 individual founder signatories and initially 16 organisations. It includes six Principles and associated commitments whose purpose it to transform democracy to become a powerful...
The Brazilian Public Prosecutor’s Office defends minorities, the environment, consumers and civil society
The Brazilian Public Prosecutor’s Office comprises public prosecutors at federal and state level. Operating independently of the three branches of government it has been seen by some commentators as a 'Fourth Power' of government. As well as prosecuting crimes, the...
Aarhus Convention – access to environmental information, public participation and justice
The Aarhus Convention (UNECE Convention on Access to Information, Public Participation in Decision-making and Access to Justice in Environmental Matters) has been ratified by 46 countries and the EU. It is rights-based, enabling current and future people to access...
Through World Wide Views on Global Warming 4000 citizens from 38 countries in 2009 deliberated UN climate negotations
World Wide Views on Global Warming (WWWViews) aimed to involve the world’s citizens in global policy-making by bringing together 4000 citizens in 38 countries to deliberate for a day on the 2009 UN climate change negotiations. The ideas were pulled together into...
The Citizen’s Panel on Edmonton’s Energy and Climate Challenges, Canada
The Citizens Panel on Edmonton’s Energy and Climate Challenges was organised by Alberta Climate Dialogue (ABCD) and the Centre for Public Involvement (CPI) and included 60 residents who met for 3 months using deliberative techniques to offer their advice and feedback...
AVIVA’s Corporate Sustainability Reporting Coalition to promote long-term value
AVIVA set up the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Coalition which includes financial institutions, NGOs, investors and professional bodies to promote long-term value by “incorporating long-term sustainability considerations into their business strategy and by fully...
The South African Constitution gives people the right to sustainable development
The South African Constitution gives people, including future generations, the right to sustainable development: "to have the environment protected, for the benefit of present and future generations, through reasonable legislative and other measures that prevent...