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More Information on the 1972 Stockholm Environmental Conference can be found here.

Nongovernment Organizations at Stockholm Conference
One unique feature of the Stockholm conference was the extent to which the general population was involved in its proceedings. The conference’s host, Sweden, strove for an open and inviting conference setting. This deviated from the traditional UN format, which were secretive and close. Thus, the number of activists and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) from around the world that attended and participated in the Stockholm conference was extremely high.

NGOs in Attendance
A full list of the NGOs in attendance can be found here.


 * 1) Armenian Women for Health and Healthy Environment (AWHHE) The mission statement of the AWHHE states, “Explore the issue of environment pollution in Armenia, to raise public awareness about environmental pollutants, assist to decrease the risks of environmental harmful impacts, including climate change, on human health and the environment and promote healthy lifestyle of Armenian population in particular children and women.” AWHHE works to examine pollution in Armenia and how it affects the quality of life of Armenian women and children.


 * 1) Associated Labor Unions (ALU). The mission statement of ALU is, “Founded by dock workers in 1954, the Associated Labor Unions (ALU) had since been the country’s pioneer in championing the ideals of free trade unionism. Along with its local union members, industry, national and international affiliates, social partners here and abroad. ALU has been a steadfast advocate of the plight of workers in various industries and sectors.” ALU works to examine working conditions in places that severely affect the environment.


 * 1) Eco-Ethics Kenya. The mission statement of Eco-Ethics Kenya states, “Eco-Ethics Kenya is an environmental and community development organization. Since our establishment in 2001, we have worked towards sustainable management of coastal and marine resources, with an intention of not only sustaining the integrity of ecosystems but also bettering livelihoods of our communities dependent on these resources. We are based in Mombasa but have projects nationally and regionally.” Eco-Ethics Kenya works to represent communities that suffer as their environment is degraded by outside parties (pollution, etc.)


 * 1) Environmental Justice Foundation (EJF). The mission statement of the EJF states, “The Environmental Justice Foundation (EJF) is a UK-based non-profit organisation working internationally to protect the environment and defend human rights. EJF is a charity registered in England and Wales (No. 1088128).” Environmental Justice Foundation has a much broader focus than the other NGOs. It simply works to protect the environment while also protecting the humans that inhabit it.


 * 1) Greenpeace International. The mission statement of Greenpeace International is, “Greenpeace is an independent global campaigning organisation that acts to change attitudes and behaviour, to protect and conserve the environment and to promote peace.” Greenpeace is another NGO with a very large focus. It works to promote peace, which it connects to environmental sustainability.


 * 1) Healthcare Without Harm (HWH). The mission statement of HWH states, “Health Care Without Harm is an international coalition of hospitals and health care systems, medical professionals, community groups, health-affected constituencies, labor unions, environmental and environmental health organizations and religious groups.” HWH works to provide safe and sustainable healthcare practices.

NGOs and Environmental Justice
One trend that is evident in the NGOs listed above is their attention to the environment as well as the humans that inhabit it. The term “environmental justice” strives to relate environmental sustainability to human rights. The term emerged in the U.S. in response to an observed pattern of environmental degradation. The first observation sprung out of the events that occurred in Warren County in 1982. Scholars and citizens began observing that the highest rates of environmental degradation were occurring more frequently in areas with low socioeconomic statuses and high minority populations. Thus, the term environmental justice attempts to capture this aspect of poverty in the U.S. and stands for the idea that human life is inextricably bound to the land. It asks questions about the distribution of environmental degradation and what that distribution reveal about the existing institutions and systems.

Each of the NGOs listed above strives to promote environmental sustainability. However, each of these NGOs also strives to represent a certain minority. The AWHHE represents Armenian women, the ALU is made up of blue-collar workers, Eco-Ethics Kenya represents indigenous communities that depend on coastal marine ecosystems, the EJF works to protect human rights as well as the environment, Greenpeace International works to create peace between communities, and HWH works to offer environmentally and community friendly healthcare options. The fact that many of the NGOs that attended the Stockholm Conference strive to connect the environment to the people who inhabit it is extremely significant because of the way it influenced the conference’s outcomes. Examining the NGOs that attended the Stockholm conference raises questions about what types of factors can influence the creation international policy. Did public opinion influence the conference proceedings? If so, how? Is the case today? In the case of the Stockholm conference, it is important to consider NGOs as major driving forces.