IntroductionKarinFernando,SeniorProfessional,CentreForPovertyAnalysis Introduced CEPAs interest in the topic that stems from the growing conviction that how we envision

and measure things like development, progress and growth needs a different construction. This is also related to the fact that although there has been progress made on poverty in the last few decades, povertyisstillaveryseriousissueforSouthAsia. The topic is also related to the current post 2015 MDG discussion and the parallel post Rio+20 discussions on Sustainable Development Goals. Both are acknowledging the need for greater prominence to environmental issues, and development goals that go beyond the economic framework. There is more international buyin for sustainability as demonstrated in the recently released report of the HighLevel Panel of Eminent Persons on the Post2015 Development Agenda, and the acceptance thataconvergenceoftheSDGsandMDGsmayprovideatransformativewayforward. However integrating the MDGs and SDGs is a challenging task given some of the deferring conceptual trajectoriesandprinciples,andthepragmaticissuesofdevelopinggoalsandmeasurements. The open forum was aimed at generating a dialogue on the convergence of SDGs and MDGs. Looking at the mechanisms proposed for this integration to take place, the suitability of the goals and indicators andtheirrelevancetoSriLankasdevelopmentagenda. Theshortvideopresentationfollowedtheintroduction.Thevideopresentedsomeinputsfromdifferent expertsonvariousaspectsrelatedtosustainabledevelopment.

Panelist#1:RazeenaBilgramiUNDPCountryDirectorinSriLanka Razeena Bilgrami provided an overview of UN level discourse on trailblazing a global partnership for a peoplecentered and a planetsensitive development agenda. She briefed the audience about the achievements of the current Millennium Development Goals: global poverty has declined; access to potable water has increased; and 40m more children are attending school. However, a significant proportion of the population in West Asia, subSaharan Africa, and South Asia is living on less than 1.25 dollars a day. Taking these existing issues into consideration the Rio+20 came to the consensus that sustainability should be integrated into development framework. This idea is now championed by the UN Open Working Group, whichwillfeedinformationandproposalstotheHighlevelpanelonthepost2015developmentgoals. Bilgrami then proceeded to inquire why we need to integrate sustainability into the development agenda. She began by sharing with the audience, the standard definition of sustainable development: Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. She pointed out that we can no longer afford to ignore relationship betweendisasteranddevelopment.Thisforcesustorethinkdevelopmentasonethat truly integratesenvironmentalsustainabilityintotheequation. Bilgrami then shed light on the Five Transformational Shifts that form the basis of the HighLevel Panel Report. The High Level Panels propositions have received mixed responses from development actors from around the world. Among the positive responses was the Panels emphasis on human rights, governance, and shared responsibility. The negative responses have been the lack of emphasis on intercountry inequality and the neglect of issues concerning landlocked developingnations. Bilgrami ended her presentation by discussing the importance of sustainable development to Sri Lanka. She highlighted that focusing on sustainability provides an opportunity to bring about vital issues in Sri Lankas postconflict development phase. This approach may help Sri Lanka contextualize development planningandinvestmentthroughasustainabilitylens.SriLankamayalsoidentifycriticalareasforpolicy andinvestmentsupportinpromotingSDapproach.

Panelist#2:Ms.PriyanjiJayasingheSeniorResearcher,MindInstitute Priyanji Jayasinghes presentation shed light on how sustainable development ideas can be integrated intothepost2015developmentframework. She cautioned against the existing model of economic growth, pointing to the growing risk of multiple heavy shocks growing inequality, environmental harm, climate change, and poverty. Particularly, Jayasinghehighlightedthatclimatechangehastheabilitytoamplifytheseexistingdevelopmentthreats. She pointed to a grave flaw in the existing model of development: although, development issues are interdependent, our response has been fragmented and uncoordinated. Jayasinghes presentation viewed climate change as a threat multiplier. For instance, temperature increases and sealevel increases will have impact on human activity and security. Thus, we must adapt and motivate ourselves toadapt.Forthischangetooccur,wemustadoptdifferentsocioeconomicdevelopmentpaths. Ms.JayasinghethenintroducedtheSUSTAINOMICSframeworkIntegratingandharmonizingeconomic, socialandenvironmentalgoals.Onewaywecanputthisframeworkintopracticeisbyadoptingideasof sustainable production and consumption into our economic, social, and political activity. Jayasinghe highlighted the role of sustainable producers and consumers and emphasized that business and civil societyshouldcomeforwardandparticipateinthisdialogue. Jayasinghe provided an interesting example of how businesses can begin integrating sustainability into their production processes (Life Cycle Analysis). For instance, the garment industry has taken an interest in mapping out the resource consumption from raw material production to assembly, packaging,transportation,andthentotheconsumer.Jayasingheendedherpresentationbytouchingon the importance of sustainable consumption, proposing that there be Millennium consumption goals, targetedatthehighest20%ofearnersintheworld. Panelist#3:DileepaWitharanaSeniorLecturer,OpenUniversity Dileepa Witharane led the discussion on the plausibility of sustainable development plans. He questioned whether differences in internal values of two the society and the system allows sustainable modifications to the current development methods. Dileepa continuously brought up the fact that currentsystemsaredrivenbybusinessagents,whosecoreprinciplesarebuiltonprofitgeneration,with thefacilitationofstates.Thestates,drivenbythe corporations,havecreatedsafeguardmechanisms to allow for cheap labor and raw materials, and externalities. Dileepa further substantiated his point throughtheexampleofcurrentfrontrunnersinbusinesses.Hementionedthatinthecurrentcorporate world, oil and energy companies, such as Shell, are some of the top global revenue generators. Thus, low oil prices, while undermining the costs of externalities, are overlooked by the governments, media, and other local decision makers due to the heavily influences of these oil corporations. Hence, Dileepa concluded by discussing the need to questions the fundamentals, and find compromises, if we are to attaintheambitioussustainabledevelopmenttargets.

VideoInterview:PataleeChampikaRanawakaMinisteroftechnology,researchandatomicenergy The Minister began by addressing Sri Lankas current development trajectory. He pointed out that Sri Lanka is much similar to many other Asian nations after WWII, focusing on open markets as the main driver of growth. In other words, Sri Lanka is emulating the growth strategies of South Korea, Malaysia, Thailand, and Singapore in advancing towards industrialization, with a focus on per capita income and povertyreduction. Mr.Ranawakaspokeabouttheurgencytothinkabouttherolethatnaturalresourcesplayinourefforts to develop as a country, and the impact it would have on the environment. In 2010, with the Haritha Lanka programme, Sri Lanka explored different ways of production; this programme paid special attentiontotheimpactproductionwouldhaveonourwaterbodies,atmosphere,andbiodiversity.But in a system based on creation of wealth, the environment becomes a low priority. Just like in other countries, the environment is lagging behind in Sri Lanka as well. However, there are undeniable global challengestodevelopment,suchasscarcityofnaturalresources,pollution,globalwarming, andclimate change that seriously pose serious threats to countries and regions, potentially leading up to mass extinction. We need to understand that climate change is manmade and the effects of this phenomenon only threaten human survival. Hence, there is a need at the global level to find an alternative path to growth. However, this alternative way has to be inclusive; responsibility should be borne by all countries and regions equally. We must understand limits to the current model of growth which is dependent on petroleum; and as the oil reserves are predicted to fully deplete in 30 years, by derivation,thecurrentgrowthhasanexpirationdate. The Minister remarked positively on Sri Lankas environmental impact: 42% of the Islands energy consumptionisderivedfromoil,coal,orgas,asopposedtothe81%consumedbytherestoftheworld. The underlying problem, according to Mr. Ranawaka is limitless wealth creation; this driving principle leads to excessive consumption, which in turn causes individuals to extract natural resources (oil, coal, gas) indefinitely. Therefore, the major challenge lies in the field of power and energy. He urged that Sri Lanka move towards lowcost as well as renewable energy sources, such as solar, wind power, and timber, improve technology that will enhance the countrys capacity to conserve power and energy. He noted that up to 20% of our energy needs can be met with renewables. There are many ways to implement an alternative growth pattern: first, a sustainable life style can be encouraged through laws, second through cultural and religious values, third, through adopting new environmentfriendly technology, and fourth through education. The Minister concluded that all political actors need to unite inordertoachieveanymeaningfulprogresswithregardtosustainabledevelopment. Followingthepanelistspresentationsandthevideo interview,thediscussionwasopenedtothepublic. Belowaresomeoftheideasthatemergedduringthissession: 1. Makingsustainabilitythenextmetricinawaythatthereareconcrete,andattainabletargets. 2. Fixationon themarketis onlylooking atpartofthepicture;we need toalter statebehavioraswell. Forinstance,howmanycountriesactuallychangetheirwaysinawaythataccommodatesSDGs?

3. On influencing the market vs. states: it is relatively easier to influence corporations than governments, as they are vulnerable to consumer opinions. It is also equally important for civil societytoputpressureoncorporations. 4. On binding targets: it is important to have a punitive mechanism to determine consequences for states if they do not achieve the required targets. For instance, the UN Security Council and the WTOhavedisputesettlementbodiesthatimposetradesanctionsifstatebehaviorisnotaltered. 5. The MDGs were accepted because of their measurability. However, does having a metric get to the rootoftheproblem? 6. Power has become so dispersed in the UN model that there is no one body that can take on the sustainability conversation to full fruition. In a system such as ours, the bottomup initiatives might bethewayforward. Keepinginthespiritofexploringdifferent modesofcommunicating,theopenforum alsofeaturedadanceperformanceCICDA bythenATANDAdancetheatrecompany. ChoreographedbyKapilaPalihawardana, thedanceofthecicadainvokesapoignant perspectiveonthecyclesofnatureandits connectionsinindividualandcommunal lifestyles.