Abstract

One of the two main themes for the Earth Summit is the «institutional framework for sustainable development». It requires agreement on plans, strategies and powers, both at global and local level, taking into account the differences among the countries, actors and socio-economic contexts involved. Moreover, it involves rethinking strategies for an effective change of the rules of development, reconciling the requirements of economic, social and environmental issues. Rio + 20 could therefore represent the opportunity for institutional actors to change the direction of development towards a sustainable one.