In 1992, the youth message was so controversial, the microphone was cut off. So technicians: Please bear with us.

Governments of the world, once again you’ve asked the youth to make a statement. Frankly, we are sick and tired of the empty promises and political-posturing that we’ve witnessed time and time again over the past ten years. We are fed up with your bracketing and debating the placement of the commas in the Plan of Action.

The irony and hypocracy of holding the summit here in Sandton speaks volumes for the lack of progress and flawed processes exhibited by our current world “leaders”. How can you claim to be representing the whole world, when one third of the world makes less than 2 dollars a day? As the planet and the people suffer, we sit here in consumer’s paradise, an enclave of the rich.

We know this room is divided. Youth are divided too. We have spent these weeks debating our issues, just as you have done. While we have many, many common concerns, we have struggled – as have you – on questions of how, how soon, how much, for whom and by whom. Though some have failed to meet their responsibilities in bringing about a sustainable world, we as youth will not evade our responsibility to ensure that the goals of Agenda 21 are achieved.

Key areas

With the aim of establishing global equality, we demand that the national debts of developing countries be immediately cancelled in order to empower them to eradicate poverty among their people. We demand that International financial institutions end their economic and political intervention, and the impositions of unsustainable economic, political and cultural models in developing countries.

Global markets must be fundamentally changed in order to redress the inequities between the North and the South. An even playing field between developing and developed countries – must be ensured in all trade endeavors. You industrialised countries: You always talk about free trade, but where is the open market for developing countries in Europe or North America? Youth call for fair trade and an end to government export and agricultural subsidies in developed countries, which directly disadvantages the agricultural production of the farmers from developing countries.

Violent conflict between peoples damages environmental and social sustainability. We must take joint action to reject the drumbeat of war and redirect funds from militarism towards sustainable development. We are appalled by the complete absence of the principle of disarmament in the plan of implementation. As youth we condemn the continuing resistance of governments in addressing human rights. We reaffirm the rights of Indigenous Peoples to self-determination, land and resources.

Climate change cannot be further ignored by certain developed countries. Targets and timeframes have been lost here in Johannesburg. All countries, especially the polluting giants, must ratify the Kyoto Protocol and exceed its emission reduction targets in accordance with the recommendations of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.

Here in Johannesburg you have failed us!

Signatures do not feed people.

Words on paper do not stop deforestation.

Where are the mechanisms? Where are the time frames? Where are the commitments?

There are those who are pleased with the progress of the Summit, and also those who are ready to walk out due to a failed process. But we are working to move forward, watching, and are aware – for all our criticisms – that you, Heads of State and negotiators, are trying to work together. We are all committed to the creation of a better global community existing within the context of sustainable development.

Lets work together

At the end of the Summit, let’s take our first steps together. We, as youth, implore you to take action with us, starting right here, right now, in this room. (And don’t worry – this has been cleared with UN security!)

-- Youth and children: We will be around in 50 years to deal with the outcomes of this Summit. We are committed to bringing about a better world, and stand in agreement that humankind must act together in pursuit of this vital objective. Youth - please stand and remain standing.

Heads of State – don’t be fooled. There are few of us here in this room, but we assure you that there are many more of us (indeed, half the world’s population!) standing with us throughout the building and around the world.

-- Could Major Groups (and Educators!) and inter-agencies – with all the diversity we represent – stand up in agreement that we, as stakeholders, are responsible to take tangible actions to implement what was agreed at the World Summit on Sustainable Development? (Please stand)

-- And finally, could everyone stand, who agrees that sustainable development is imperative to the future of all Peoples and this Planet?

[Stay standing and] Look around the room, and etch this scene on your memory, so that it can be recreated when youth appear before you – before us – at Jo’burg + 10. Just as we are standing now, in 2012 we must be able to stand together when asked if we have reached our Johannesburg commitments.