Building Consensus at the 68th UN Civil Society Conference

The recent UN Civil Society conference held in Salt Lake City, USA, boasted over 6,000 attendees from over 138 countries.  Civil Society representatives engaged for three days in hundreds of workshops, town halls, roundtables, cultural/musical performances, and outcome document negotiations.  The halls of the Salt Palace Convention Center were abuzz with activity and one could literally see the global NGO network—composed of thousands of individuals so passionate about doing good—being reinforced and strengthened before one’s eyes. 

The theme of the conference, “Building Inclusive and Sustainable Cities and Communities”, encapsulates a theme especially pertinent to the NGO community—the necessity of SDG implementation at a local level.  Most of the 1,500 NGOs affiliated with the UN Department of Global Communications work “on the ground” bringing clean water, sanitation, food, shelter, electricity, internet, education, and basic human rights to marginalized peoples all over the world.  Their work is adapted to suit the needs of their community, yet at the same time, they are part of the global UN/SDG movement which aims to build a better world for all.

Beginning in July, plans were laid and global consultations begun for an outcome package that would exemplify the aspirations, affirmations, and commitments of global civil society with regards to the theme of the conference.  Numerous consultations, in-person and virtual, were held throughout the world culminating in two final town halls held at the conference.  Nearly a thousand comments were also submitted electronically.  All relevant feedback was compiled by a 10-member committee and released to the public in three progressive drafts.  The final document was read aloud and adopted by acclamation at the closing plenary of the conference.  Youth also engaged in parallel negotiations with youth representatives throughout the world.  This resulted in the Youth Climate Compact and was adopted as part of the Outcome of the conference.  Both documents were presented to HE María Fernanda Espinosa Garcés, President of the General Assembly, who then presented them to the Permanent Representatives of the entire General Assembly.

The construction of the outcome document was not without some contention.  With thousands of pieces of feedback, and such a diverse constituency, only the most relevant and universal statements could be included.  This left some feeling marginalized and demanding that their voices be included.  During the final conference town halls, many local participants voiced their desire for a document that highlighted the essential role of the family in building strong communities.  Many of the same constituency also advocated for removing language which affirmed the inclusion of LGBT persons.  Though family was mentioned twice in the document, participants were not satisfied, and continued to object strongly.  After the first round of consultations, one group went so far as to construct an alternative outcome document of their own making and distribute copies throughout the convention center.  This was problematic, because the document is a consensus document, not a majoritarian one, and as such, dissents had the potential to foil the entire project.

The contention was largely resolved, however, in the final town hall, less than 24 hours before the final adoption of the document. Chairing the town hall was Conference Chair, Maruxa Cardama, who cogently embodied the principle of harmonization that is at the heart of the UN’s work.  She dispelled the discord and bridged the interests of those who proposed a family-dominated document with those of the larger global community.

One might ask how exactly was this brought about? Cardama remained poised and possessed a clear vision of fusing dissent into agreement.  It was clear she framed the crisis not as an either/or dilemma, but rather as an opportunity for integration and cohesion.  Consequently, her speech lacked any word which would stoke the flames of division—it remained a clear expression of harmlessness and inclusion.  Common principles which united both positions were found.  Trust was also built.  Participants were ultimately convinced that the drafting committee had not only heard, but understood them, and would, in their final session that night, rework the document in a manner that was in alignment with positions of that constituency as well as the whole.

The conflict arose from the false belief that a conservative view of the role of family in the community would be seen as incompatible within a global (presumably more progressive) framework—in fact this was not the case.  The most important values of every culture are universal and reflect basic human desires, needs, and aspirations, yet each culture is also specific in its own way.  When one is reminded of the purpose which underlies the diversity of forms, commonalities are recognized, and the unity of the human experience is brought to light.

The text of the final outcome takes a strong focus on sustainability in an ecological sense and also raises up those groups which are persecuted, disadvantaged, and left behind in order to ensure local communities that are just and thriving.  The ultimate success of the document, however, will demonstrate over the next year through the inspiration and impulse it gives of the global NGO community.  As their work is strengthened, the light and goodwill present in cities and communities across the world strengthens and intensifies.

This work of reconciliation, reconstruction, rehabilitation, and redemption at a local level affirms that the true glory of the human family is expressed through its diversity.  The time has come for this diversity, this glory, to come into fuller expression.

World Goodwill’s representative at the conference, Michael Galloway, was a member of the outcome document drafting sub-committee.

Conference Website  ●  Outcome Document  ●  Youth Climate Compact