IMPLEMENTING THE DECLARATION OF THE  60TH ANNUAL DPI/NGO CONFERENCE
	How to Join and Participate

ADMIN & EDITORS

CHAPTERS & WORKING GRPS

WELCOME

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1.  How and Why to Join.  

• If you are a member of civil society, you can participate.  Contact lroeder@wspausa.org  for help.

• For details on why to join, see Call for Papers

2.     Choose A Topic: 

• Pick a relevant topic by June 2008 

• Send your proposal to lroeder@wspausa.org. 

• Let us know who you are, your contact information and provide a short bio.  Also list anyone who might be working with you on the chapter.

•   You are proposing a Working Group on a Topic of your choice in order to create a chapter in the Report to the Secretary General showing the risks of climate change and to recommend, practical, science-based actions/solutions to reduce those risks.   

• Even if your NGO doesn’t focus on climate change, very likely your area of expertise is affected by the climate and you will be able to propose useful actions.   An example might be water.   We all use water in some way.

See also Proposing Topics

3. What if You Miss a Deadline?

•  JJune, 2008 is the current deadline for proposal. Other deadlines can be found at Deadlines and Procedures.    

4.   Have Topics already been Selected?

• Be aware that the 60th DPI/NGO Conference chose a number of topics they felt were critical.  

• One of those might be of interest to you.        sustainable development, agriculture, forestry, the special situation of Indigenous Peoples, biodiversity, livestock and animal welfare, nuclear proliferation, the end of war, justice, ethnic groups, multigenerational issues, youth, gender equality, education, poverty, food and water security, culture of peace, interfaith cooperation, national and global security and economic justice, as well as mental, spiritual and physical health. "

5.  Are other topics possible?

• Absolutely.  

• While we would like you to look those selected at the 60^th NGO/DPI Conference first, you are free to propose others.  This is your report.

    6.  What is the Point of the Working Groups?

• To recommend NGO ideas on how to curb and even reverse climate change.    

• Tell us what your network is now doing.   

• What else could be done and why?   

• What do you think the Secretary General should recommend to governments?

7.  Are there space limits to what I can put in the Report?

• Each Working Group is given a Home Page.

• There is NO practical limit to the material that can be placed there.   

•  However, the chapters that will go into the formal report are limited to five pages (Pitch Arial 12), including photographs. 

• Each chapter also follows a template. 

• Bibliographies do not count against a page limit, nor the list of participants.

8.  Is there a Cost?

•         None.  The project is a gift to the DPI/NGO and ECOSOC communities by a an associated NGO, the World Society for the Protection of Animals, WSPA.

9.  Is this just an academic exercise, a continuation of the conference discussion?

• No; you are asked to take action to fight climate change, and report what you have done and what you think others need to do

• Your recommendations should be based on science, so they have the best chance of success.

•  Keep the language, clear, simple and well documented.

• Your recommendations will be read by the Secretary General of the United Nations.

• See Call for Papers for further information on why to participate.

10.   How do I post material on the web site?

• Send text in Word for Windows format, Arial 12 pitch.  

• Pictures and other files, including short video are accepted.    

• Send by email to lroeder@climatecaucus.net or call 703-327-0057 if you have questions.

11.   How will my team network?

• You are free to use any method you want, internet, phone, physical meetings, anything at all.     

• All we ask is that your material be posted on a regular basis in a format compatible with the project’s needs.

12  How Will Our work be advertised?

• Working Groups are expected to advertise on their own; but the Editorial Working Group will also help.  The goal is to advertise broadly throughout civil society in order to stimulate networking and ADVOCACY FOR CHANGE.

13.  What if our team has unresolved issues?

• This is the biggest crisis now facing Earth, and its science is complex.

•   Disagreements are to be expected.   

• Try to blend all recommendations in the five page limit. 

• If that’s impossible, create a minority report.     

• If issues are impossible to resolve, contact the Editorial Working Group for help.  If we can't help you, the issue can be taken to the Executive Committee.

• This is your report.  We are here to help you.

14.  May I ask for help?

•         Yes.  The Editorial Working Group stands ready to help you by phone, by email or in person.  Email lroeder@climatecaucus.net or lroeder@wspausa.org for details.