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Parliamentarians and civil society leaders in Asia-Pacific join hands to accelerate MDG achievement and promote inclusive post-2015 discourse

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Towards the end of 2012, with only three years remaining before the deadline of the Millennium Development Goals, over 200 representatives of parliaments, civil society and development partners from across Asia-Pacific gathered in Manila and Dhaka to draw critical lessons learned from the MDGs to help pave ways for lasing social, economic and environmental sustainability beyond 2015.

Two sub-regional meetings on MDG Acceleration and the Post 2015 Development Agenda – one for Southeast, East, Northeast Asia and the Pacific on 20-21 November 2012 (Manila, Philippines) and the other for  South, Southwest, North and Central Asia on 10-11 December 2012 (Dhaka, Bangladesh) – were organized by the UN Millennium Campaign and the Asian Forum of Parliamentarians on Population and Development (AFPPD) with support of the Rockefeller Foundation and in partnership with a number of UN agencies and civil society networks. These forums were part of the concerted efforts to correct the previous lack of parliamentary participation in the MDG formulation process and to ensure their meaningful participation in the post-2015 discourse. Parliamentarians and CSOs who represent people in two different ways jointly identified core issues and priorities which would matter most to the people in terms of MDG acceleration as well as formulation of a post 2015 development framework.

At the end of the two-day discussions around such key issues as governance accountability, inequality, and sustainability, each forum adopted a final Declaration (http://www.afppd.org/parliamentarians-in-action/conference-do) which will be submitted to the High Level Panel of Eminent Persons on Post-2015. Final summary reports of the Manila and Dhaka Forums are now available.

The outcomes of the two sub-regional forums will culminate into a final parliamentarian and CSO forum on the MDGs and post-2015 development framework, which will be held in conjunction with the High Level Panel meeting at the end of March 2013 in Bali, Indonesia. Over 150 representatives from Asia-Pacific as well as from the other regions are expected to gather and recommend key elements of the post-2015 development framework for consideration by the HLP.

Posted in Campaigns, Millennium Development Goals

The United Nations Asks Citizens About Their World

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The United Nations has teamed up with youth groups, private sector bodies and NGO partners all over the world to launch MY World, which is the United Nations Survey for a Better World. MY World asks citizens everywhere about the issues that make the most difference to their lives.

As the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) continue to mobilize global action on fighting poverty and enhancing livelihoods, efforts are also underway to include citizens’ voices in the global debate for the development agenda after the MDGs target date of 2015.

MY World is anonymous and asks participants only for their gender, age and country, to allow for disaggregation of data. The data will be presented global leaders and will paint an accurate global picture of the top six issues that impact people’s lives the most.

The survey is currently available online in the seven UN official languages – English, Spanish, Korean, French, Arabic, Russian and Chinese–with more to come. Voters can take the survey via phone, (through SMS and calling toll-free phone numbers), and in paper form through a network of grassroots organizations, faith-based communities, youth groups, private sector bodies and NGO partners around the world.

MY World aims to be a simple entry point for ordinary citizens to engage in the post-2015 development process while also introducing voters to the World We Want web platform– a joint initiative between the UN and Civil Society where citizens and stakeholders are participating in a more extensive and interactive post-2015 debate.

Results from MY World will be submitted to the Secretary-General’s High-level Panel on the Post-2015 Development Agenda during their meetings in Monrovia, Jakarta and New York. It is intended that findings from the global survey will be considered by the panel before presenting their final report to the UN Secretary-General.

In the run up to 2015, MY World will continue gathering people’s voices and results will be shared with the Secretary-General and other global leaders. This initiative is coordinated by UNDP, the United Nations Millennium Campaign, ODI and the Web Foundation – with the support of partners across the world.

The United Nations and partners invite citizens everywhere to take the survey, and join the post-2015 process to define the world we want after 2015.

You can vote at http://www.myworld2015.org

 

Posted in Campaigns, Millennium Development Goals, Ongoing work, Partner, Post 2015, Regions, Updates

Parliamentarians from Asia deliberate on instruments of progress and equity for the Post-2015 agenda

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Over sixty Parliamentarians from across countries such as Bhutan, Afghanistan, Turkey, Uzbegistan, India and Bangladesh are assembling along with Civil Society Organisations to review progress on Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and discuss a framework for a better future at a sub-regional forum in Dhaka on 10th and 11th December.

This unique initiative is meant to bring together parliamentarians and CSOs, who represent people in two diverse ways, for a collaborative discourse on themes such as inequality and governance. Outcomes of this meeting will be provided as inputs to the High Level Panel meetings. Accelerated actions must continue for the world to achieve the MDG targets by 2015.

Progressive policies adopted by a state play a transforming role in lifting people out of poverty and distress. As custodians of the legislative process, parliamentarians could contribute significantly to the way the world is shaped in the future.

The Forum, which is being hosted by the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG), Bangladesh and jointly organized by the United Nations Millennium Campaign (UNMC) and the Asian Forum of Parliamentarians on Population and Development (AFPPD) with support of the Rockefeller Foundation, a number of United Nations agencies, global civil society networks etc, will be inaugurated by the Hon’ble Minister Sheikh Hasina Wajed.

Posted in Asia, MDG Advocacy, Millennium Development Goals, Ongoing work, Parliamentarian Work, Partner, Post 2015, Updates

Inclusive India: Bridge the Development Divide

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On the occasion of the death anniversary of the prestigious Indian jurist and political leader, Chairman of the Drafting Committee of Indian Constitution, Babasaheb B.R. Ambedkar; 20 men and women from Dalit and other excluded communities spoke about their struggles and successes in raising their voices against discriminations and injustice. This was part of a 5-day National Conference  being organized by  the National Confederation of Dalit Organisations (NACDOR) from December 4th-8th, 2012.

These men and women spoke about their struggles in accessing basic essential services and entitlements under various schemes of the government. Some of the personal stories also showcased the success of the people from excluded communities, highlighting their struggles and ability to rise above the odds. The day focused on the challenges and opportunities to bridge the development gap between social groups in the context of the Millennium Development Goals.

The stories of these 20 men and women is part of the Voices Forum initiative of the United Nations, which puts the focus on the narratives of the poorest and most excluded communities, told in their own voices and from their own perspectives.

While the framework of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) has made a huge impact in the lives of billions, there is still much more to be done to address extreme poverty. While accelerated actions must continue for the world to deliver on the Goals, the UN has initiated a worldwide open and participatory process to develop the roadmap for the period after 2015. The Voices Forum is a strategic initiative in the context of the ongoing discussions and consultations worldwide on the Post-2015 development framework, which will be developed through an intensely consultative process at the regional, national and local levels. Inputs from these people-led consultations across youth, women, civil society, socially excluded groups will feed into the High Level Panel reports, recommendations from which will form the basis of the post-2015 development agenda.

The Declaration to Bridge the Development Gap between Dalits and non-Dalits was adopted for presentation to the government, key demands of which included:

  1. The government should allocate a proportionate share to different social sections in all resources including land, capital, technology, business and employment in proportion to their population in the country.
  2. Enact a law which ensures proportionate participation/reservation for the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribes in employment, vendor services, supply and materials and dealerships in the private sector.
  3. Scheduled Caste Sub Plan and Tribal Sub Plan must be created within each department and Ministry and the monitoring of this cell be directly under the concerned Minister.

Inputs from the sessions will also feed into the National Dalit Development Agenda which will be released at the end of the 5-day conference, focusing on issues related to Dalits including access to essential services, nutrition, women, reservations and a fair share in the economy. This will be shared with the President of India, the Prime Minister, political parties and various arms of the government.

The day’s proceedings ended at the Ramlila Grounds, where poets, writers, journalists and literary figures from across the communities gathered together to celebrate Dalit literature.

Posted in Asia, Campaigns, Millennium Development Goals, Ongoing work, Partner, Regions, Updates

Local Authorities vow to make a critical contribution to the Post-2015 agenda

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Dakar.-Mayors and Local Authorities from across the world came together in the United Council of Local Governments World Council 2012 held in Dakar (Senegal) on 6 December to discuss the post-2015 agenda and identify mechanisms to ensure the voice and concerns of Local Authorities are at the centre of the post-2015 debate.

The Deputy Director of the UN Millennium Campaign, Mr. Sering Falu, delivered a keynote speech at the opening session of the World Council which served to set the stage for the debate. “Local Authorities are responsible for the delivery of social services at the local level and therefore transform global development agendas into local realities” explained Mr. Falu, and added, “their voices are thus critical in the definition of the post-2015 agenda”.

Before his intervention, Mr. Falu met bilaterally with Mr. Kadir Topbas, the Mayor of Istanbul, who holds the Presidency of UCLG and is a member of the High Level Panel of Eminent Persons on the Post-2015 Agenda.

Mr. Falu offered the support of the UN Millennium Campaign to United Council of Local Governments in their efforts to engage in the post-2015 debate, and pointed to the need for Local Authorities to reach out to citizens to facilitate their participation in this process.

Mr. Topbas on its part welcomed the support of the Campaign and recognised the need to foster broader engagement from all stakeholders. “Local Authorities”, he explained, “need to work hand in hand with civil society and the UN system to ensure an open and participatory process to define the post-2015 agenda.”

Posted in Millennium Development Goals, Ongoing work, Partner, Post 2015, Updates

Potential Role of faith-based giving in accelerating Global Development discussed at the United Nations

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New York.- International development leaders and experts highlighted the importance of faith-based giving (Zakat, for Muslims) in advancing global development agenda at a forum titled “Linking Muslim Giving to the MDGs”. The forum was co-hosted at the United Nations by the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), The World Congress of Muslim Philanthropists, and the UN Millennium Campaign.

“While some countries have made impressive gains in achieving Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), others are falling behind. The Muslim world is no exception. Faith emphasizes building communities, sharing wealth and upholding the rights of the poor and marginalized. Faith-based giving such as Zakat which amounts to billions of dollars needs to be spent in more strategic and effective way to accelerate development in OIC member countries’ stated Ambassador Ufuk Gokcen, the permanent observer of OIC at the United Nations, in his address.

Speakers from UNDP, International Institute of Islamic Thought, Islamic Relief USA, and Kimse Yok Mu shed light on the role of faith based giving in improving lives and shared real examples from around the world of successful partnerships between faith based organizations and development agencies. Ms. Corinne Woods, the director of UN Millennium Campaign, Mr. Anir Dossal, the Chairman of Global Partnerships Forum, and Dr. Imtiaz Khan, the Chairman of Board of Directors of WCMP also addressed the forum.

World Zakat Organization, an OIC affiliate project was also showcased at the forum. The

main focus of WZO activity will be eradication of poverty among the poor and needy on permanent basis through developing sustainable projects in the area of food security, human resource development in particular skill training and small and medium enterprises financing programs.

“This event is an effort in this direction. We need to examine the potential of Zakat, tailor out a development strategy in the context of local realities, and identify right regional and international partners, said Dr. Tariq H. Cheema, the CEO of the World Congress of Muslim Philanthropists.

 

Posted in Arab Region, MDG Advocacy, MDG8, Ongoing work, Updates

Empowering citizens to achieve the MDGs: The Philippines’ top telecommunication companies unite to support Tingog 2015

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The Philippines’ top telecommunication companies unite to support Tingog 2015, an initiative that allows citizens to monitor social services through text messaging. The initiative is being piloted in Tabaco, Albay, the Philippines.

(Manila, Philippines, November 22, 2012)—The country’s leading telecommunications companies announced their support for TINGOG 2015, a pioneering SMS-based citizen feedback initiative that aims to promote the effective delivery of basic services for the realization of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by 2015. Globe, Smart Communications, Inc. and Sun Cellular, together with Interior Secretary Manuel Roxas, expressed optimism about the potential impact of TINGOG 2015 both as an engagement and technology platform.

‘Tingog’ is a Bicolano and Cebuano word for ‘voice.’ TINGOG 2015 has been piloted in Tabaco City, Albay, enabling citizens to make their voices heard on issues such as maternal, neonatal, child health and nutrition services using the short code 2015.

“TINGOG 2015 is yet another brand of the private and public partnership, where we see the government and major corporations working for the welfare of the people,” said Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Roxas. “Following the President’s commitment to promote inclusive development, very simply echoed by his ‘Kayo ang Boss’ pronouncement, we are intensifying efforts on poverty alleviation and accelerating achievement of MDGs in the final three years through effective and conscientious local governance,” Roxas said.

“Achieving the MDGs not only requires strong leadership and political will; more importantly, it requires citizen commitment and action. When people are involved, we empower them to use their collective voices for development and progress, and build a community united toward a shared goal,” Tabaco City Mayor Krisel Lagman-Luistro. Tabaco City has made MDG targets a benchmark for local development planning.

Using the TINGOG 2015 platform, citizens of Tabaco can now report on, monitor, and send feedback on public health services, including the expanded program on immunization, maternal health, reproductive health, medical consultation, tuberculosis, and nutrition.

Rallying behind the initiative, top telcos Globe, Smart Communications, Inc. and Sun Cellular agreed to charge a reduced rate of ₱1.00 per SMS report sent to the special number 2015, instead of the standard ₱2.50 per text.

“Meeting our MDG commitments requires strong collaboration among different sectors of society. Globe is glad to be part of this significant undertaking,” said Rob Nazal, Head for Globe Corporate Social Responsibility. “We believe that one of the ways we can contribute to national development is to effectively use our core products, services and competency. By helping the City of Tabaco in the delivery of MDG services through technology-enabled solutions, we hope that we can be instrumental in transforming and uplifting the lives of disadvantaged Filipinos.”

“Smart Communications, Inc. recognizes the role of wireless technology in addressing urgent gaps in basic social services by enabling communities. Eradicating poverty is not just the government’s business – it’s everyone’s,” said Ramon Isberto, Head of Smart’s Public Affairs Group. “TINGOG 2015 empowers citizens and encourages government to provide efficient and quality social services. Through technology, real time communication and feedback is established between these two significant constituencies. We are very excited to work with the proponents of this initiative to ensure MDG progress in Albay.”

“Sun Cellular is privileged to be part of the TINGOG 2015 initiative. We take pride in the opportunity to promote inclusive development by enabling ordinary citizens to monitor and report on the delivery of essential maternal and child health and nutrition services,” said Reuben S.J. Pangan, Vice-President of Sun Cellular Customer Relationship Management. “Our team is committed to provide support and technical expertise to ensure the success of TINGOG 2015.”

In the Philippines, the proportion of births attended by skilled health personnel remains short of the 100% target, achieving slow progress from 58.8 in 1990 to 74.3 in 2009. Data from the National Statistical Coordination Board shows that national maternal mortality ratio (MMR) per 100,000 live births increased to 221 from 95 in 2010 and 97 in 2011.

Data from Tabaco City’s community-based monitoring system (CBMS) indicate a decrease in the proportion of children aged 0-5 who died and proportion of women who died due to pregnancy related causes, from 0.4 in 2008 to 0.3 and 0.2 in 2010, respectively.

“We must bear in mind that MDG commitments can be fulfilled only when they reach the poorest and those most in need, ” said Minar Pimple, Regional Director for Asia and Pacific of the United Nations Millennium Campaign, the organization supporting TINGOG 2015. “This citizen feedback initiative is key to ensuring transparency and accountability in the achievement of the MDGs. It empowers citizens to hold their governments to account for the delivery of basic social services.”

In the photo above from left to right: Mr. Minar Pimple, Asia Pacific Regional Director, UNMC; Mr. Charles Abugre, Africa Regional Director, UNMC; Ms. Cynthia Arce, National MDG Campaign and Advocacy Specialist, UNMC Philippines; Undersecretary Rafael Santos, Department of Interior and Local Government; Mr. Rod Nazal, Head,  Corporate Social Responsibility, Globe Telecom Inc.; Mr. Reuben S.J. Pangan, Vice-President, Customer Relationship Management, Digitel Telecommunications Phils Inc.; Mayor Krisel Lagman-Luistro, Tabaco, Albay; Ms. Rebecca Malay, Director, Philippine Rural Reconstruction Movement; Mr. Ramon Isberto, Head, Public Affairs, Smart Communications, Inc.

Posted in Asia, Citizen action stories, Ongoing work, Philippines, Updates

Asia-Pacific Members of Parliament and civil society to focus on disparities as MDG deadline looms

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Manila, The Philippines. — Active engagement of parliaments, civil society organizations (CSOs) and development partners remain at the heart of accelerated efforts to address disparities in achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in 2015, even as a new global agenda is already taking shape. Over 100 representatives of these three sectors from 13 Asian countries gathered in Manila for a high-level regional parliamentarian and CSO Forum on MDG acceleration and the post-2015 development agenda.

“If we fail to prevent the worse outcomes of these global challenges, there is definitely greater risk for political unrest, violence, and possible breakdown of democratic governance,” said Feliciano Belmonte, Jr., Speaker of the Philippine House of Representative.

“The three mechanisms that can be used by parliaments to heighten accountability in legislation are oversight, budget scrutiny and representation. If parliamentarians do not take the lead, it would be unlikely for other national bodies to fill in this vital role,” Belmonte said.

With the looming deadline, members of parliament and CSO representatives in Asia Pacific are drawing from critical lessons learned from the MDGs to help pave the way for lasting social, economic and environmental sustainability beyond 2015. There is also a more concerted effort to correct the previous lack of parliamentary participation in the formulation process.

“We only have three years to deliver on our MDG commitments. Even as we frame our new global agenda, we need to sharpen focus on accountability, democratic governance, and social inclusion and disaggregation of data to reflect the realities of women and vulnerable populations and countries,” said Fiame Naomi Mata’fa, Minister of Justice and Courts Administration, Samoa.

This call is embodied in the “Manila Declaration by Parliamentarians and Civil Society on the MDG Acceleration and the Post 2015 Development Agenda” drafted by parliamentarians and CSOs in Asia-Pacific region.

“To face challenges and realize sustainable development, we need new commitments. Post-2015, the role of parliaments is to build and strengthen political consensus,” Indonesian Member of Parliament Dr. Nurhayati Ali Assegaf said. “Indonesia is committed to take on a leadership role in ASEAN with our president co-chairing the High-Level Panel of Eminent Persons on the Post-2015 Development Agenda.”

According to regional CSOs, the process for designing the post-2015 development agenda has to be the reverse of previous ‘top down’ processes. “We need an inclusive process which is led by the poorest of the poor and socially excluded communities to define a new set of goals rooted in the principles of human rights, gender justice and the rights of planet earth,” said Amitabh Behar, Global Co-Chair, Global Call to Action Against Poverty.

“One of the region’s greatest successes has been in propelling people out of poverty,” said Minar Pimple, Regional Director of United Nations Millennium Campaign. Global and national averages, however, do not account for inequalities, vulnerability and exclusion based on gender, social grouping, and geographical disparities. “Accelerated delivery of the MDGs, especially for left behind social groups, is a precondition for a credible post-2015 development agenda,” Pimple said.

“Parliamentarians in the recent 10th General Assembly of Asian Forum of Parliamentarians on Population and Development (AFPPD) pledged to engage in the review processes of the MDGs and International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) Programme of Action in an integrated manner, looking at priorities for moving forward in the post-2015 period,” said Ramon San Pascual, AFPPD Executive Director. “We hope this forum will become the beginning of a holistic discussion on a new global development framework encompassing various international commitments.”

Posted in Asia, MDG8, Ongoing work, Parliamentarian Work, Partner, Philippines, Post 2015, Updates

Spanish Civil Society Consultation on the #Post2015 agenda held in Madrid

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Madrid.- Close to 100 Spanish civil society organizations participated today in Madrid during the #Post2015 Consultation with Civil Society in Spain, organized by the UN Millennium Campaign. The objective was to debate the priorities identified by Spanish CSO for Post2015 development agenda.

The first introductory panel focused on the priorities identified on the preparatory meetings that included experts on youth, development, human rights and environmental sustainability. The second panel opened the discussion to representatives from the Government of Spain, international CSO, the UN and local authorities’ networks.

All participants unanimously agreed that the UN Millennium Goals have played a crucial role in the fight against extreme poverty and have help to set up for the first time a common development agenda for all UN member states.

The conclusions drawn from this consultation process in Spain will be gathered and entered into the UN system By the UN Millennium Campaign.

This CSO dialogue is part of the consultation process put in place by the UN to set up a new development agenda before the MDGs deadline is reached in the year 2015.

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon gave the UN Millennium Campaign the mandate to ensure participation of civil society in the post2015 dialogue.

Posted in Europe, Ongoing work, Post 2015, Updates

UN High-Level Panel on Post-2015 Development Agenda Dialogues with Civil Society

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Civil Society calls on Post-2015 High Level Panel to not miss the opportunity to make a lasting difference for the poorest and most excluded


Live broadcasting by Ustream
New York, 24 September 2012: On the sidelines of the opening of the UN General Assembly (UNGA) Civil Society turned out in large numbers to dialogue with members of the High-Level Panel of Eminent Persons on the Post-2015 Development Agenda and its Secretariat.

The dialogue was organized by civil society, lead by CIVICUS, GCAP, Beyond 2015, Stakeholder Forum and supported by the UN Millennium Campaign, UN Non-Governmental Liaison Service, UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs, UN Development Programme, UN Women and UN Volunteers. The event was ably chaired by Rosa Lizarde, Feminist Task Force of Global Call to Action against Poverty (GCAP) and High-Level Panel members in attendance included Amina J. Mohammed, Special Adviser to the Secretary-General on Post-2015 Development Planning, Queen Rania of Jordan, Tawakel Karman, John Podesta, Gunilla Carlsson, Fulbert Gero Amoussouga, Horst Kohler, Jean-Michel Severino, Betty Maina, and Emilia Pires.

Ms. Mohammed, offering introductory remarks, noted that significant unfinished business remains in achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and legitimacy for the Post 2015 agenda would be derived from successfully achieving the MDGs. She expressed the hope that it will not take long before Member States and citizens own the new goals, as it did for the MDGs, but that they will hit the ground running in 2015. She also emphasized her expectation that the process of creating the new agenda will be open, inclusive and transparent.

Queen Rania stated that “Civil society are the heart of development….only when we work together across organizations and institutions can we achieve real impact.” Other panel members emphasized, inter alia, the importance of this discussion with civil society before the first meeting of the High-Level Panel, the role of civil society’s voice in its work, and the challenge of creating meaningful jobs.

Two members of civil society then offered comments. Bernadette Fischler, Beyond2015, reported on the declaration developed at the CIVICUS World Assembly, which convened in Montreal in early September, and emphasized the need to eradicate poverty, reverse growing inequality and achieve environmental sustainability. She looked forward to learning the Panel’s thoughts on these priorities, and expressed disappointment that there was no mention of human rights in the Panel’s terms of reference. She also called attention to a new initiative – “Participate” – which she said would be launched the next day. Paul Okumu, Saferworld/African CSO Coalition on Principles & Partnerships, emphasized the narrative, process and outcome, stressing the issues of accountability, transparency and human rights. His message to the panel “Rarely do people have the opportunity to change the world, you do, the world is in your hands…don’t miss this opportunity.”

Additional comments from civil society participants included: inquiries about why no member of a worker’s organization was on the panel and how to engage youth in the post-2015 development agenda; the importance of a rights-based approach and of galvanizing political will; and the need to include the international financial structure in the Panel’s focus, to develop targets for a social protection floor and for gender equality and women’s empowerment.

John Hendra (Co-chair of UNDG, UN Women) agreed on the importance of inclusiveness, human rights, and accountability. He noted the upcoming country and thematic consultations, as well as the web platform, www.worldwewant2015.org, which is meant to inform the global consultation. Shamshad Akhtar (Assistant Secretary General, Department of Economic and Social Affairs) highlighted that the MDG and sustainable development goals agendas are interlinked. Homi Kharas (Lead Author and Executive Secretary of the Secretariat that will support the High-Level Panel) said the Panel will have meetings in other countries and hopes to have outreach opportunities, emphasizing the importance of transparency, accountability and anti-discrimination as bedrocks for development.

For further information contact:

Kathryn Tobin, UN-NGLS: kathrynjtobin@gmail.com

Anand Kantaria, UN Millennium Campaign: anand.kantaria@undp.org

Links
www.iisd.org
www.worldwewant2015.org
www.un-ngls.org
www.beyond2015.org
www.endpoverty2015.org

Posted in Ongoing work, Post 2015, Press, Press Release, Updates