In March 2007, the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) released a Performance Audit of Management of Waste in India. Amongst his observations, one was related to the lack of recognition of the informal sector. The report stated, “Only 17 percent of the sampled states had recognized the role of the wastepickers.”
We face the Rio +20 Conference with deep concerns about the state of the formal United Nations negotiations and the policies that are being promoted by governments on environmental matters, specifically in the area of waste. (…)
At a panel organized by the National Movement of Waste Pickers in Brazil, several speakers from different social movements and organizations spoke about the removal of street vendors, homeless populations, and waste pickers that has been happening with increasing frequency as Brazil develops and takes on mega-events such as the World Cup and the Olympics. The panel was called, “Resisting the Hygienization of Urban Centers.”
The People’s Summit: a vibrant, sprawling stretch of social movements in their full glory. White tents spread across kilometers of public park near the city center, teeming with political activities, decrying a false green economy that incentivizes pollution and the commodification of natural resources.
On June 16, waste pickers from India and six countries in Latin America, along with allies with GAIA, the Global Alliance of Waste Pickers and Taller Ecologista, spent the day discussing and planning the messages they will take to Rio+20 and the People’s Space.
One of the first topics of discussion was the context of the Rio+20 meeting and what it means for waste pickers. Waste pickers with the national Brazilian movement (MNCR) provided local context about waste pickers in Rio as well as throughout Brazil.
Informe do Grupo de Articulação Internacionalizado.
A um mês da conferência das Nações Unidas Rio+20, os povos do mundo não veem resultados positivos no processo de negociação que está ocorrendo na conferência oficial. Ali não se está discutindo um balanço do cumprimento dos acordos alcançados na Rio 92, ou como mudar as causas da crise. O foco da discussão é um pacote de propostas enganosamente chamado de “economia verde” e a instauração de um novo sistema de governo ambiental internacional que o facilite.
No dia 17 de Maio o “Conselho de lideranças dos catadores(as) do Aterro municipal de Gericinó realizaram a 1ª reunião de trabalho,com o objetivo de exigir da Comlurb a apresentação de ” um plano de encerramento para o Aterro de Gericinó” no prazo de 60 dias. Nesta reunião foi construída uma carta de reivindicações com pontos considerados fundamentais para os(as) catadores(as) do aterro de Gericinó que devem fazer parte deste plano de encerramento.
