Iona Campagnolo
The Fraser Basin Council (FBC) is a unique organization that is focused on advancing sustainability throughout the entire Fraser River Basin. The long-term vision of the FBC is to ensure that the Fraser Basin is a place where social well-being is supported by a vibrant economy and sustained by a healthy environment – a true reflection of sustainability.
Since it was established in 1997, the FBC has played a key leadership role in helping to resolve conflicts, educate the public about sustainability and take advantage of opportunities to advance sustainability throughout the Fraser River Basin. The FBC and its partners have tackled a wide range of important sustainability issues, chalking up an extensive list of accomplishments. Today, the FBC is actively involved in resolving some 50 issues that affect the well being of people who live in the Basin. In all of its work, the FBC remains impartial, transpartisan, independent and non-political in its primary role as an advocate for a sustainable Basin.
Despite its many accomplishments, the FBC is still "one of the best kept secrets in BC!" We believe it is time that our activities be secret no longer. We're proud of our track record and we will continue to build upon this legacy.
What is "Sustainability"?
The term "sustainability" means different things to different people. The FBC defines sustainability as "living and managing activities in a way that balances social, economic, environmental and institutional considerations to meet our needs and those of future generations."
The FBC believes that sustainability is not just about the environment nor about the economy. It's about integrating economic, social and environmental considerations into all of our planning for the future health and prosperity of the Fraser Basin. It's about new ways of thinking. It's about developing new, collaborative models of leadership that can effectively grapple with the big issues.
Sustainability is about change that rejects the status quo. It requires that we all work together to find the common ground upon which constructive solutions will be crafted. Perhaps we should stop trying to define the word and just think of sustainability as working together to build a better future for our children.
What we need is leadership that is collaborative, courageous, compelling and committed. Overall, the message to decision-makers is clear: British Columbians want government, business and community leaders to make courageous decisions – decisions that will leave a clean environment and a healthy economy for future generations, because both are needed for enduring prosperity.