Read the following passages on Agenda 21 and then answer the questions.

AGENDA 21 WORLD WIDE AND THE LOCAL AGENDA 21

Agenda 21 is a worldwide action plan for development that is socially, economically and environmentally sustainable. The term sustainable means that development can be sustained and continued, without exhausting the Earth’s natural resources. This plan was accepted at the United Nations conference on the Environment and Development that took place in Rio de Janeiro in 1992. Try to find this city on a world map and remember in which country and on which continent it is. The aim of Agenda 21 is to develop principles and programmes for a better balance between development and the Earth’s natural resources. All development depends on this. The conference proposed that the principles of Agenda 21 should be implemented throughout the world on the local level. This practical implementation programme is known as Local Agenda 21.

The Local Agenda 21- Mandate

By 1996, most local authorities in every country, should have completed a consultative process with their people, and should have reached consensus regarding the Local Agenda 21.

Local Agenda 21 in South Africa

First try to learn what we mean by the term ‘local’. As part of our own reconstruction and development programme, the three largest cities in South Africa (Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban) began their own Local Agenda 21 programme that was in agreement with the Local Agenda 21 mandate in 1994/95. These early programmes started a series of activities throughout the country, so that cities such as Kimberley, Port Elizabeth, East London and Pietermaritzburg also started their own Local Agenda 21 programmes. At provincial level, provinces such as KwaZulu-Natal and Limpopo launched campaigns to ensure that local authorities became involved with Local Agenda 21 plans on a large scale. In 1998 the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism launched a National Local Agenda 21 to support, co-ordinate and link activities in an extensive network throughout the country.

Principles of Local Agenda 21 in South Africa

People-centred development. (Focus on training and empowerment of people, such as ……..)

Provision of basic needs (provision of facilities and services most needed by people, such as ……….)

Integrated planning and development instead of a sector-based approach. (The whole area and its people are developed together, not just certain aspects, e.g. ……….)

Sustainable development. The environment and resources are not negatively affected by prolonged development.

Local Agenda 21 in Durban

Durban’s Local Agenda 21 (LA21) programme was launched with the appointment of the city’s first Environmental Manager in 1994. In 1995 a special section was created for this purpose.

After extensive support was obtained from key interest groups – inclusive of the local authorities, the public sector and new development forums – the Durban Town Council of the time accepted the mandate for the implementation of the Local Agenda 21 as their responsibility in August 1994. This decision was later ratified (in 1996) by the relevant councils newly-constituted Durban Metropolitan area.

The aim of Durban’s Local Agenda 21 is the development of a system of environmental management that will support this city in its development as a city, but would also be sustainable in terms of the environment. This requires that new policy (with adjustments of direction and new ideals), institutions (such as committees or divisions) and procedures (ways of working) are planned. It also

requires monitoring (i.e. supervision and testing), revision and improvement of performance so that the environment remains preserved as stipulated in the sustainable aims.

During the Earth deliberations that took place in June 1992 in Rio de Janeiro, a global plan of action for sustainable development was compiled. This plan of action is known as Agenda 21. The aim of Agenda 21 is to create principles and programmes to bring about changes in the relationship between development and the impact of development on the Earth’s natural resources. This means that plans are made to ensure that development is carefully controlled so that the earth, nature, the resources and the quality of people’s lives are not destroyed. Sustainable development therefore includes social, economic and environmental aspects. (Exchange ideas about the meaning of these terms and give examples. Find out how these ideas compare with your teacher’s explanation.)

The aim was to apply the action plan internationally at local government level. In 1994/95 - as part of the RDP in South Africa (do you recognise this abbreviation?), the three largest metropolitan (urban) areas (Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban) applied this programme. The programme acted like a catalyst to set activities going right through the country. Cities and towns such as Kimberley, Port Elizabeth, Pietermaritzburg and East London later put into practice their own Agenda 21 ideas. Provinces such as KwaZulu-Natal and Limpopo launched their own initiatives.

a) Write down a definition of Agenda 21. (Explain what it is how it came about and what its purpose is in your own words.)

Agenda 21 is __________

b) What is meant by Local Agenda 21? (Clue: words such as ‘own’ and ‘local’ may help.)

c) Write down the principles of Local Agenda 21.

d) Divide into four groups. Each group must concentrate on one of the principles.

In a short paragraph, write down what the principle that was allocated to your group means, e.g. what does ‘people-centred development’ mean? Give examples.

Place yourself in the position of a consultant to the town councils of Johannesburg, Cape Town or Kimberley. Develop ideas for the implementation or execution of your principle at local level. Write down your ideas and prepare a presentation that must be considered by the town council. Write a covering letter in which you indicate the central ideas of the presentation that is attached. Set out your ideas clearly and provide practical examples that may contain sketches and perhaps a map of the city.

(The RDP is part of this process. Try and obtain pamphlets from the town council that may be of help in your presentation. Ask people who live with you if they know what RDP stands for and find out what the equivalent in Afrikaans is – or in any other language.)