Founded in 1993, ForUM emerged from the remnants of the Joint Campaign for the Earth's Environment and Development (Felleskampanjen for jordas miljø og utvikling). Today, ForUM represents a wide variety of civil society organisations.
Background
At the end of the 1980s, there was a growing environmental awareness and a nascent recognition of the connections between environmental and developmental challenges. In Norway, the Joint Campaign for the Earth's Environment and Development (Felleskampanjen for jordas miljø og utvikling) was initiated to generate public awareness around the Brundtland Commission's report, "Our Common Future", on sustainable development. The campaign garnered widespread support by many environmental and solidarity organisations in Norway.
Following the UN Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) in Rio de Janeiro in 1992, where world leaders established conventions on Biodiversity, Climate Change, and Desertification, the Joint Campaign was dissolved. Recognising the need for continued efforts, ForUM was officially established on January 1, 1993, by organisations that had been active in the Joint Campaign. ForUM's primary objective was to monitor and ensure effective follow-up of the Rio conference.
"Decision-makers have understood that environmental and solidarity organisations are indispensable participants in the work against the development crisis. At the same time, organisations have recognised the need for increased information about the necessity of international negotiations and commitments. This is the starting point for the establishment of ForUM," it stated in the very first information booklet about ForUM, published in the spring of 1993
ForUM Today
Since 1993, ForUM has worked on a broad range of issues and followed various international processes. ForUM has mobilised and coordinated Norwegian civil society in connection to various summits, meetings and conferences, developed policy and published numerous reports. Today, ForUM consists of about 60 Norwegian environmental, peace, and development organisations, and the work focuses on the following areas:
- Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
- Just, adequate, and sustainable financing for development (FfD)
- Meaningful participation for civil society
- Climate justice
- Responsible business
- Responsible investments
- Nature and biodiversity
- Sustainable food systems
To commemorate 30 years of working for sustainable development, ForUM hosted an event in Oslo, inviting former employees and leaders, member organisations, partners, and politicians. Kathrine Sund-Henriksen, Secretary General of ForUM, stated: “It was a great joy to celebrate with so many who have been fighting for a sustainable world over the past 30 years. Working at ForUM provides unique insight into the resources and determination of Norwegian civil society. We are also fortunate to be part of the global civil society, where the real heroes reside.”