Canada at the WSSD Reference Group

TERMS OF REFERENCE

Reference Group for Canada's National Report to the WSSD

Background

The World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD), or Earth Summit, will take place in Johannesburg, South Africa in September 2002. This "Rio + 10" conference of world leaders will review progress achieved since the UN Conference on Environment and Development in Rio in 1992. Canadian preparations for the 2002 Summit are being undertaken at several levels including through a national process coordinated by the Earth Summit 2002 Canadian Secretariat, established by the Federal Government, and by a wide range of Canadian groups, ranging from aboriginal peoples to youth to Canadian business to NGOs.

Canada, along with other nations, has undertaken to review and assess its progress since Rio in acting on a focused set of key issues which were addressed by world leaders in 1992. To fulfill this international obligation as part of the preparations for the 2002 Summit, the Earth Summit 2002 Canadian Secretariat has commissioned Stratos Inc. to prepare an objective National Assessment, drawing on contributions from authors both within and outside government. The Federal government is committed to ensuring that Canada's national report will be an honest and transparent accounting of Canada's progress.

Purpose of the Reference Group

The Earth Summit 2002 Canadian Secretariat will establish a Reference Group of Stakeholders and Experts to oversee the preparation of Canada's National Report.

The Reference Group will act in both an advisory and a review capacity, and help ensure quality of process and product by bringing forward a range of independent stakeholder views.

The Group would also provide an entry point to Canadian stakeholders (non-exclusive).

Basic Characteristics of the Reference Group

15- 20 members.

Federal representatives (e.g., Secretariat) and Stratos Inc. representatives as observers.

Mixed stakeholder and expert participants.

Members acting in their personal capacity but carrying perspective (not formal positions) of their constituencies.

Responsibilities and Level of Effort

The Reference Group is responsible for providing advice on the scope and quality of the National Assessment; it is not responsible for the content of final report, but it is expected that the Group will provide some form of endorsement, with comment as appropriate, of the report.

The Reference Group will convene twice during Fall 2001 for meetings of up to one day each (including participation by conference call hook-up if necessary).

The purpose of the first meeting, to be held as soon as possible after formation of the Group, will be for the Reference Group to comment and provide advice on the design template, scope, terms of reference and methodology for the National Report.

The purpose of the second meeting, to be held at the end of the process, will be to review and provide comments on the draft report.

Working Approach

Reference Group chaired by one of its members .

Participants will be invited to have a role in finalizing the mandate and setting agendas for meetings.

All materials provided to participants will be in the public domain.

Each meeting will produce a report of what was discussed that will identify collective advice, points of convergence and differing views. Once agreed by the Group, these reports would be made public through the Secretariat's web site.

The Group's recommendations will be provided to Stratos for use in finalizing the National Report. It is intended that the final report reflect the range of views provided, including the views of the Reference Group members. Ultimate responsibility for publication and submission of the report to the United Nations, however, rests with the Federal government.

Reasonable expenses will be reimbursed in case of need and a $500 honorarium will be provided for meeting days.

Secretariat support will be provided to the Chair, if desired.

Selection of the Reference Group Members

List of stakeholders involved in Rio + 5 process.

List of names provided by Thematic Working Groups (federal Government).

Names suggested by the federal Interdepartmental Advisory Group members.

Names suggested by Earth Summit 2002 Canadian Secretariat Staff.

Names suggested by senior management through the Core Management Group (one Director General each from Environment Canada, Department of Foreign Affairs and international trade and the Canadian International Development Agency).

Names recommended from other interested parties.

Selection Criteria

Balance across interests, regions and diversity.

Major group representation (gender, aboriginal, youth).

Sectoral (NGOs, private, academia).

Relevant knowledge and expertise.

Has confidence of the stakeholder constituency.

Will add to credibility of the group.

Not exclude strong, divergent voices, if willing to adhere to rules of engagement.

Time availability/willingness to participate.