The first ripples of change often begin with civil society. Over time NGOs have used their speed, activism and collaborative approaches to influence actors within the UN process, as well as private sector players. Speakers include Jonathon Porritt, Vandana Shiva, Nitin Desai, Lester Brown, Bill Ford, Kris Gopaladrishman, Yolanda Kakabadse and Gro Harlem Brundtland.

Voices of Sustainability: All That We Share is the definition for The Commons as further described in Jay Walljasper's book of the same title and briefly in this snippet from a speech he gave at the Commons Convergence held in Portland, Oregon on May 7, 2011 by The Oregon Commons project. A popular speaker, veteran communications strategist and award-winning writer and editor, Jay Walljasper chronicles stories from around the world that point us toward a better and more enjoyable future. Walljasper is the author of All That We Share A Field Guide to the Commons (2011), The Great Neighborhood Book (2007) and Visionaries: People and Ideas to Change Your Life (2001). Click on book cover to order the book.

Videotaped by Ruth Ann Barrett, sustainability advocate and founder of www.earthsayers.tv, the voices of sustainability.