International ‘Earth Summit’ prelude to be held in Des Moines

By Cynthia Hubert
Register Staff Writer

   Environmental and public policy experts from across the globe will gather in Des Moines this month to participate in a conference organized by the United States, Canada and Iowa.
   A public hearing featuring Midwesterners who will speak out on energy issues and sustainable agriculture will kick off the event on Sept. 22 in the House chambers of the Iowa Capitol.
   The hearing is to be followed by a three-day international forum at the downtown Marriott Hotel featuring speakers representing governments, businesses and private organizations from throughout the world.
   The event will be a prelude to the United Nations “Earth Summit” in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in June 1992. Representatives of 159 nations will take part in that meeting.

Debate of Ideas:
   Participants in both events will discuss issues including climate change and depletion of the ozone layer, combating deforestation and soil loss, protection of freshwater resources, oceans, seas and coastal areas, and environmentally sound management of biotechnology and hazardous wastes.
   They will also debate ideas for changing and strengthening institutions such as the United Nations in an effort to achieve environmental goals.
   Charlotte Hubbell, media coordinator for the Des Moines event, said the goal of the Des Moines conference is to educate Midwesterners about “Earth Summit” issues and to present innovative proposals for solutions to participate in the Brazil conference.

Public Hearing:
   The public hearing at the state capitol will feature addresses by Sen. Albert Gore, D. –Tenn., and from Maurice Strong of Canada, who will serve as secretary general of the Brazil conference. Citizens are invited to attend.
   More than 30 people will testify at the hearing, including representatives of state and national environmental organizations, farming organizations, labor, churches, utilities and other businesses.
   “The public hearing will provide an unusual opportunity for informed citizens to testify on issues that will determine the future of Iowa, the Midwest and our planet,” said Dorothy Schramm, state general chairwoman of the Iowa Division of the United Nations Association.

International Participants:
   Anyone interested in participating in the conference should call (319) 337-7290.
   Among the 25 panelists who will participate in the international forum, which is closed to the public, is Liberty Mhlanga from Zimbabwe. Africa, general manager of the country’s Agricultural and Rural Development Authority; Sandra Moniaga, a member of the Indonesian Forum for the Environment; Pedro Tarak, deputy executive director of the Foundation for the Environment and Natural Resources in Argentina; and Angus Archer, executive director of the United Nations Association in Canada. Former U.S. Senator and Secretary of State Edmund Muskie and former U.S. Attorney General Elliot Richardson are among the American participants.