In his opening remarks at the occasion attended by more than 15 000 civil society delegates from all over the world, the Chairperson of International Steering Committee to World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) Mr. Gordon Richman said it is important for delegates to agree on programmes of action to fight poverty, the main obstacle in development. He said the forum will address issues of concern to nations of the World, build coalitions and partnership that will allow delegates to leave the summit with tangible agreements for the benefit of the people who entrusted their representation to deal with such issues.

He mentioned that it is time for the civil society to take a stand in their motherlands, so that the children of the world could see there is a better place for them. Mr. Richman further indicated that central themes to be tackled during the forum in preparation for presentation at the United nations WSSD meeting include among others poverty eradication, good governance, access to basic education and health services, as well as the issue of HIV/AIDS and its impact on the people of the world. He pointed out that all the themes call for concrete seriousness when addressed, clarifying that if well addressed, they will all contribute towards enlistment from poverty.

He concluded by urging all delegates to take the opportunity to have an input on civil society's initiative to assist the people of the world to live in harmony and graduate from being victims of hunger and poverty. At the occasion, the Executive Director of South African Non- Governmental organizations Coalition (SANGOCO), Mr. Abie Ditlhake said governments have failed to stick to commitments they signed ten years ago, saying the civil society has remained the hope for people's freedom.

He said the civil society's forum, therefore, should act as a turning point in the global history of events and should serve to address issues most vital in economic, social and cultural development and should focus on the personal well-being of each and every person in the world. Meanwhile, the official opening, attended by delegates to the civil society forum opened doors for parallel discussions of central themes in
preparations to present them at the main United Nations WSSD held in Sandton
in Johannesburg, South Africa. The United Nations main summit has also kicked off on Monday 26 August,2002.

26 August,2002