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Ecologically Sustainable Development
The Sustaining our Communities Conference was held from 3-6 March 2002 in Adelaide. The Conference arose from a recommendation of the 2000 National Local Leaders in Sustainability Forum (LLISF) to facilitate an international Local Agenda 21 conference. This event built upon the outcomes of the 1997 Newcastle 'Pathways to Sustainability' Conference at which the Newcastle Declaration was signed.
Over 370 delegates attended the Sustaining Our Communities conference, including representatives of local governments, local government associations, State and Australian government, non-government organisations and the broader community.
A major highlight of the conference was the closing. This included a symbolic organisational commitment ceremony and a personal commitment ceremony. Adelaide City Council, the Australian Local Government Association, the South Australian Local Government Association, and the International Council for Local Environment Initiatives (ICLEI) signed the Sustaining Our Communities Declaration - pledging their commitment to progressing local sustainability. Open Space facilitator Father Brian Bainbridge then ran a personal commitment ceremony where all the delegates were asked to declare their personal commitment to leading a more sustainable life and encouraging others to do the same.
For more details, including the conference program and proceedings, visit the official Sustaining Our Communities conference web site maintained by the City of Adelaide.