• About the Conference
• Conference Programme
• What is "The Festival for Life"?
• Festival for Life Programme
• About The Conference Speakers
• Conference Presentations

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Western Cape Sustainable Development Conference took place at the Cape Town International Convention Centre between 18 and 22 June 2005.

The Conference was a high profile event that was hosted with the support of the South African national government and was opened by the Premier of the Western Cape Province and the National Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism.

The Conference was an important step to achieve a programme of action for the sustainable development of the Western Cape Province over the next 10 years.

Government, civil society, labour and business all participate in this Conference.

The Conference took the form of three inter-related parts:

1. The 'Festival for Life', 18 to 22 June - a fun, interactive and practical event open to the public. The event focussed on themes in the following areas: Water & Waste Management, Energy & Climate Change, Sustainable Human Settlements and Biodiversity. Specific attention will be given to targeting learners, youth, women and people with disabilities.

   Linked to the 'Festival for Life' were Special Focus Sessions on the following areas:
   1.Technology for Sustainable Development and
   2. Designing Model Sustainable and Integrated communities (a fun and interactive activity for members of the public to create their ideal community).

   There were also be a host of exhibitions presented by international organisations, government, and non-government institutions during the main conference.

   From 20 to 22 June there were formal engagements between the four social partners in the main conference covering seven interesting and significant themes.

   These sessions included prominent international and local speakers sharing their perspectives on sustainable development.

   Although the broad macro-economic growth initiatives are in place, this event was a pro-active approach to embedding sustainable development - social equity, economic growth and ecological integrity - as a fundamental aspect of ikapa elihlumayo, the Western Cape's growth and development strategy.

   The Department of Environmental Affairs and Development Planning (D:EA&DP) is playing a co-ordination role within the provincial government to ensure delivery on key areas across various portfolios. As a result of this consultative process a workable programme of action will be achieved as the main goal of the conference and our preceding engagement with variety of partners in the Western Cape will help embed this approach into the future.

   The Conference was an important milestone, hosted with the support of the South African national government, opened by the Premier of the Western Cape Province and attended by international participants from regions with experience in and commitment to sustainable development.

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   CONFERENCE PROGRAMME

   Download the Programme as a PDF here.

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   FESTIVAL FOR LIFE
   Ilizwi la bantu - Voice of the People

   How do we ensure a society founded on respect for nature, universal human rights, economic justice and a culture of peace?

   Everybody - including government, but not limited to government - must get involved to ensure that development in the Western Cape meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

   Clearly, policies and implementation plans are meaningless without the active participation of those who are affected by development. The Festival for Life is your chance to have your say and get involved in sustainable development.

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   ABOUT THE FESTIVAL FOR LIFE

   The Conference was an important step in achieving a programme of action for the sustainable development of the Western Cape Province over the next 10 years. Government, civil society, labour and business will all be actively participating in this Conference.

   There were three inter-related parts: firstly, The Festival for Life, which ran from 18 to 22 June - a fun, interactive and practical event was open to the public.

   There were opportunities to participate and various themes were looked at including:

   • Water and Waste Management
   • Biodiversity, Poverty Alleviation and Job Creation
   • Sustainable Human Settlements
   • Renewable Energy and Climate Change

   Specific attention was given to targeting learners, youth, women and people with disabilities.

   Linked to the "Festival For Life" was a set of Special Focus Sessions on:

   • "Technology for Sustainable Development and Designing Model Sustainable and Integrated Communities"
   • A fun And interactive activity for members of the public to create their ideal community.
   • There will also be a host of exhibitions hosted by international organisations, government, and non-government institutions during the main conference.
   FESTIVAL FOR LIFE PROGRAMME

   Download the full Festival for Life programme in PDF here.

   CONFERENCE SPEAKERS
   Find detail on the acclaimed speakers here.