Civil Society Takes Centre Stage in Melbourne

Global civil society will come together in Melbourne from tomorrow for the C20 Summit – the first of the lead-in G20 ‘satellite’ conferences to debate policy suggestions to be put to the G20 group of the world’s largest advanced and emerging economies.

Organisers of the C20 Summit on June 20-21, say the gathering will refine and endorse the specific policy issues and solutions civil society wants the G20 to consider when it meets in Brisbane in November.

World Vision Australia CEO Tim Costello is Australia’s C20 Steering Committee Chair and will deliver the keynote address at the Summit being held at the University of Melbourne.

“The C20 (or ‘Civil Society 20’) brings community voices to the G20 as the world’s leaders face massive challenges including fostering sustainable, inclusive growth. In a world where there is increasing inequality within and between countries, the C20’s primary aim is to ensure that people are put at the centre of G20 decision making,” organisers said.

Delegates chairing discussions or speaking at the event include senior representatives of the leading NGOs including World Vision, ACOSS, WWF, Oxfam, Transparency International and the National Council of Churches, as well as international speakers across the four key policy issues of: Inclusive Growth and Employment; Infrastructure; Climate & Sustainability; and Governance.

Politicians, policy-makers, civil society leaders and advocates attending the C20 include:

• Julie Bishop MP: Australia’s Minister for Foreign Affairs

• Tanya Plibersek MP: Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Development

• Kevin Andrews MP: Minister for Social Services

• Huguette Labelle: Chair, Transparency International

• Sharan Burrow: General Secretary, International Trade Union Confederation

• Tim Costello: Australia’s C20 Steering Committee Chair and World Vision Australia CEO

• Cassandra Goldie: CEO, Australian Council of Social Service

• Gillian Triggs: President, Human Rights Commission

The final position papers for the four C20 working groups are

• Inclusive Growth and Employment;

• Infrastructure;

• Climate and Sustainability;

• Governance.

These position papers will form the basis for discussions at the C20 Summit and the key recommendations from civil society to the G20 in 2014.

The G20 membership comprises a mix of the world’s largest advanced and emerging economies, representing about two-thirds of the world’s population, 85 per cent of global gross domestic product and over 75 per cent of global trade.

The members of the G20 are Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey, the United Kingdom, the United States and the European Union.