The State of Vorarlberg on the Internet

This action plan is based upon the findings of the UN Commission on Environment and Development, which was founded in 1983 and often named after its chairperson, the Norwegian politician, Brundtland.

The members of the United Nations – industrial and developing nations – agreed in Rio de Janeiro to carefully cultivate the world’s resources in the future in order to satisfy the needs of a growing population and also provide future generations with sufficient free space and offer possibilities for development.

Involvement of society
The basic tenets upon which Agenda 21 was built, is that of sustainable development and the principle of foresight. Agenda 21 brings, alongside elevating the concept of sustainable development to a principle, a further significant innovation with it. For the first time, a document of the international community does not limit itself to the tasks and roles of its member governments. In Agenda 21, the involvement of societies is a major requirement in the realisation of the Agenda. Citizens, local councils, and the organisations of civil society are charged with the task of drawing up their own local Agenda 21s, which describe the way to a sustainable community. The consultation of citizens in their communities is seen as an opportunity to mobilise and sensibilise a broad section of the public to the goal of sustainable and environmentally-friendly development.

Unified approach
During the drawing up of the Lake Constance mission statement by the International Lake Constance Conference, the aim was to formulate long-term cross-border development perspectives in order to maintain the unmistakable character of the region and to develop it further. It was obvious that this vision should be framed in terms of the sustainability goals as an Agenda 21. A unified approach was to create a balance between social, economic and environmental aspects. In 1999, the International Lake Constance Conference decided to start the “Lake Constance Agenda 21” project. A project leadership team was formed which included representatives from all the participating states and cantons. To secure the connection with the communal operating level of the local Agenda 21, and also to make it accessible, it was ultimately decided in December 2000 to set up a number of contact points around the lake. The Office for Future-Related Issues assumes this role in Vorarlberg.

For further information see: http://www.bodensee-agenda21.net/ (link to German page)