History

In the fall of 2001 the Canadian Environmental Network (CEN) applied to the Canadian Secretariat for limited funds to facilitate environmental NGO participation in the Rio process. The CEN has since hired an ENGO coordinating body (One Sky - contact: Nikki Skuce at nikki@onesky.ca) to facilitate the contract deliverables - specifically an ENGO report and pre-meeting consultations and meetings. The Canadian Environment Network (CEN) is legally responsible for the contract deliverables which are overseen by a caucus coordinator and CEN employee - Chantal Bois.

Terms of Reference

The CEN Forum on the WSSD steering committee therefore is tasked with the following responsibilities which through mutual agreement can change at any time:

1) Ensuring due and fair process for the participation of ENGOs in the Summit activities by:
a. Selecting delegates for the Canadian Delegation to the Prep Coms and Summit that will respect the views of the sector.
b. Selecting delegates to participate as NGO representatives to the Prep Coms and summit that can respect the views of the sector and report to the sector.
c. Ensuring the sector has adequate opportunities and access to the process and to the delegates and to reports of the delegates through regular conference calls or meetings.
d. Promoting access and transparency within the sector regarding Summit activities.

2) Scheduling meetings, telephone conference calls and electronic communications for the sector with the purpose of promoting civil sector involvement in the summit activities.

3) Overseeing the production of an ENGO report including drafting an outline, a schedule of production, contracting the writing or research, and reviewing the final document prior to print with respect for the views of the sector. The actual ENGO report is a "sign-on" document that does not represent the views of the CEN or the CESC as a whole but only the signatories to the document. The steering committee will guide the process regarding the production of the report limited only by the policies of the CEN or negotiated contract (Secretariat).

4) Guiding the coordinating body (Nikki Skuce/One Sky) regarding the execution of logistics for the CEN contract.

5) Guiding the CEN regarding the appropriate expenditure of contract funds and the approval of deliverables for the Secretariat/CEN contract.

6) The steering committee members are elected to serve until October 31, 2002 and are expected to meet on a face-to-face basis in:
New York - February 1,2,3 (January 30,31 and Feb 4th optional prep com participation)
Toronto - April 8,9,10
Kingston - June 7,8,9
AND as needed by telephone conference calls or individually. All allowable meeting expenses (CEN guidelines) or expenses otherwise approved by the CEN will be reimbursed upon receipt of expense forms (available from the CEN). Steering committee members are kindly asked to advise the CEN (through the coordinator) prior to expending funds for the sake of managing cash flow.

7) The steering committee is a volunteer position in which members will remove themselves from conflict of interest decisions including the selection of delegates or the appointment of contracts unless a declaration of conflict of interest has been stated and overturned by unanimous consent of the committee.

8) The committee shall strive to work under consensus. Should the committee meet an impasse it will seek direction from outside the committee under mutually agreed upon terms.

9) The committee shall appoint a chair as a key contact person and who will, at a minimum, be responsible for convening meetings. The chair need not be a permanent position but remains the chair until replaced.

The committee is comprised of:

Angela Rickman from Sierra Club Canada
Anne Mitchell from Canadian Institute for Environmental Law and Policy
Lara Ellis from Canadian Nature Federation
Mike Simpson from One Sky - The Canadian Institute of Sustainable Living
Clarisse Kehler Siebert from the Youth Summit Team