ICLEI Agenda 21 the Debate Continues

In recent years the terms NGOs, ICLEI, Sustainable Development, stakeholder and Smart Growth have begun to appear with increased frequency in the information we receive as we go about our daily lives.  How is it that these terms which were virtually unheard of a decade ago have achieved such popularity?

The answer to this puzzling question is the United Nations and Agenda 21.  Though much has been written on the subject it was, after a conversation with an acquaintance, that it became apparent that it should once again be revisited. Hopefully telling the truth over and over will be as effective as what is said about repeating a lie.

Agenda 21 is the brainchild of the World Commission on the Environment and Development, more commonly called the Brundtland Commission after the chairman, Gro Harlem Brundtland, former Prime Minister of Norway and First Vice-President of Socialist International.  This commission was appointed be the Secretary General of the United Nations in 1983 to look into environmental issues.

The commission’s plans came to fruition in 1992 in Rio de Janeiro when approximately 178 world leaders including President George Bush signed an accord known as Agenda 21. Although never ratified by Congress, this commitment by the United States was further supported by an executive order issued by President Bill Clinton. Additionally, President Clinton appointment a President’s Council on Sustainable Development in 1995 to oversee compliance.

“Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs”.  This is according to the definition provided by the Brundtland Commission.

1995 was also the year that gave birth to the International Council of Local Environmental Initiatives or ICLEI.  This entity is now charged with carrying out the goals of Agenda 21. At present time there are in excess of 600 cities and counties in the United States that are due paying members of ICLEI.

Currently presented as an environmentally friendly organization who supports a “comprehensive plan of action to be taken globally, nationally and locally by organizations of the United Nation System, Government and Major Groups in every area in which humans impact the environment.” There are those who would disagree with those stated intentions.

When asked Congressman Chuck Fleischmann responded, “ Although “sustainable development” sounds great in theory, in reality I have serious doubts that a top down program developed by UN bureaucrats in Brussels will have American interests at heart.  The UN has repeatedly demonstrated its hostility toward private property, wealth, and free markets, and much of their program appears to conflict with American Constitutional values.

Tom Deweese, of the American Policy Center, writes “Agenda 21 is a threat coming from the United Nations that is invading every city and town in the nation. It leads to control over private property, energy use, water use; it means government will control how hot your shower may be,

how much air conditioning or heat you may use, controls on owning and using your car, controls on food production, controls on population growth, and so much more.

The policy of Agenda 21 comes in many names, such as Sustainable Development, Smart Growth, historic preservation, diversity, open space, heritage areas and comprehensive planning.

It all means locking away land, resources, higher prices, sacrifice and shortages and is based on the age old socialist scheme of redistribution of wealth.

Agenda 21 is being implemented in your community by a hoard of Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) with private political agendas. They surround your elected officials and pressure them to accept these policies.

The most prominent NGO is called the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI). More than 600 American cities are paying dues to ICLEI to set up Agenda 21 plans and policies that control your life.”

To read Agenda 21 in its’ entirety go to www.agenda21.com .  To read more about ICLEI go to  www.ICLEI.com .  Tom Deweese  http://americanpolicy.org/