It was a great pleasure to attend a Youth Consultation Workshop on Post 2015 Development organized by SUNFO to get the inputs from young people.
Context
Since September 2012, Beyond 2015, the Global Call to Action Against Poverty (GCAP) and the International Forum of National NGO Platforms (IFP) have been convening national, regional, and community civil society deliberations in 40 countries in Europe, Latin America, Africa, and Asia. Over 3000 people took part. This report synthesizes the outcomes of these deliberations.There is a collective understanding across national contexts that the world is in crisis.
The deliberations raised an urgent need to work collectively to find new ways of organizing society, our relationship to the planet, and the logic of our economy. We have received contributions from people around the world echoing the same demands. Civil society is concerned about rising inequality. People acknowledge that social protection is decreasing, leaving more people vulnerable to vagaries like climate change and fluctuating food prices. Those who already live in poverty are being further marginalized. Even in places where economic growth is robust, many people are not benefitting.
Summary of Outcomes
Many countries presented a vision of how they saw the realization of true development after 2015. While the specificities of each national context influenced the vision, there were several common themes.
Specifically, the deliberations envisaged:
- A post 2015 framework that looks at the wellbeing of people, not economies. Poverty has a financial element, but is not only about money. In recognition of this, seven deliberations called for holistic measures of wellbeing, such as Gross National Happiness, being pioneered in Bhutan
- A developmental framework that sees human development and environmental development as inextricably interlinked. There is no doubt that our current patterns of production and consumption are putting the planet at risk. Every single deliberation called for considering the planetary consequences of how we define development.
- Equality, and respect for human rights. A post 2015 development framework needs to treat all people as equal. Thus means addressing gender injustice, as well as specifically considering marginalized communities in a new developmental framework.
- Active, engaged citizens who were empowered to hold governments to account for the post 2015 framework.
For the eradication of poverty and the survival of the planet, a framework must be based on four pillars:
- human rights,
- equality and justice,
- environmental sustainability
- good governance, participation, and accountability.
The outcomes of the national deliberations put forward a strong consensus on the right of each person on the planet to live a life free from poverty. A post 2015 framework must make explicit provisions for social protection and service provision, to provide an opportunity for all to live in dignity.
People coming together to participate in the deliberations, regardless of national origin, share the opinion that inequality is one of the biggest challenges facing the world today, and all nations have an equal obligation to creating a more just world. Acknowledging this, a post 2015 framework needs to focus on equality, through promoting gender justice, progressive redistribution, structural transformation, corporate regulation, and social protection.
National deliberations pointed to the need for a new development framework to express universal values. All countries, rich and poor, in all regions of the world, are tied up in the same crisis. It has different expressions in different contexts, ranging from unemployment to environmental degradation, domestic violence to hunger; but a fundamental, transformative shift will require all countries commit to upholding common values of equality, respect for human rights, peace, and environmental sustainability.
Finally, concern was raised in many national deliberations about the threat of poor governance to achieving current and future goals. Therefore, accountability, universality, and good governance must underpin a new framework. Without clear delineations of responsibilities as well as rights, and without a mechanism for holding actors to their account for commitments, progress will not be made. Additionally, people affected by the outcomes of the framework need to be included and participate actively. A post 2015 framework should be underpinned by a comprehensive and inclusive accountability mechanism.
Equality
Gender
Equality is essential to a new development agenda. This includes gender equality. Every single deliberation recognized that there can be no equality without gender justice. Violence against women is a major inhibitor to development, as well as a violation of human rights. While equality begins in the household, it must extend to the national level.
Social Exclusion
With inequality so high, even in places that have experienced economic growth or made substantial progress to meeting the MDGs, many communities of people have been left behind. For example, indigenous communities, people with disabilities, or ethnic minorities are often experiencing even deeper poverty.
Global Governance
To ensure equality between nations, fair terms of trade and a just system of global governance is required. For a post 2015 framework to tackle equality meaningfully, it must promote the progressive redistribution of resources, corporate regulation, social protection, and structural transformation of systems of global governance, production and consumption.
Environmental Sustainability
There was a consensus in the deliberations: climate change poses an eminent threat to society. In every region, consultations noted that the affects are already being felt by people living in poverty. A post 2015 framework must take into account the interconnectedness between social and environmental consequences of our growth path. Particularly in rural areas, where many marginalised communities live, climate change is affecting everything from access to services to maternal health.
In developing countries, the deliberations strongly condemned a lack of action on climate change, and acknowledged that people living in poverty are left increasingly vulnerable to natural disasters, droughts, and other affects of climate change. Already impoverished rural communities have been unable to cope with the added affects of climate change.It is a matter of justice, since countries least responsible for causing climate change are feeling its affects the most.
The national deliberations linked people’s experiences of the effects of climate change to generalized inequality, with industrialised countries polluting, and developing countries paying the price. Deliberations further linked climate change to accountability; with extractive industries and multinational corporations being on the forefront of environmental destruction, changes in national policies will only be as effective as their accountability mechanisms. Due to the inherent linkages between economic development, industrialization, trade, and fossil fuels emissions, climate justice must be linked to poverty eradication.
Human Rights
It emerged very strongly from the national consultations that human rights must underpin a new development framework. This means poverty must be eradicated, not reduced, and coverage must be universal for fundamental human rights. One strong criticism of the MDGs was that it set targets that left people behind (for example, halving the portion of people who are hungry). We must not make the same mistake again. Rights should not be narrowly limited to civil and political rights, but included to explicitly embrace economic, social, and cultural rights. We now understand that rights are indivisible, and there are a range of mechanisms to uphold and enforce human rights that need to be strengthened through increased legitimacy and recognition.
In the MDGs’ focus on halving poverty, an aggregate approach at the national level was taken, as opposed to a human rights approach. As a result, many countries found that social exclusion is making many people slip through the cracks. A goal can be achieved even if hunger is worsening among the poorest of the poor. This is something we heard of from 26 country deliberations. Even when children are now in school – what about children with disabilities? Even when child health has improved dramatically – what about indigenous children? With inequality growing across the world, a message that came out very strongly is that for a new framework to be effective, data needs to be disaggregated. Even where there is aggregate progress, inequality and social exclusion means that the aggregate picture may be incomplete. In a post 2015 framework, it is essential that nobody is left behind.
Eradication of Poverty and Hunger
The right to live a life of dignity, free from poverty and want, and the right to food, are the most fundamental human rights. Aiming to eradicate poverty and hunger is an essential foundation to a new development agenda, identified by every national deliberation.
Food insecurity and obesity are two sides of the same coin, and while every deliberation mentioned hunger, 18 also mentioned non communicable diseases, primarily lifestyle diseases such as diabetes and heart disease. GMO food was linked to hunger by 9 deliberations, and agricultural subsidies were targeted as problematic by 11 deliberations.
Eradicating hunger requires extending specific support to farming communities and rural areas, which experience poverty differently than cities. Just land distribution was identified as fundamental to eradicating hunger in sixteen national contexts. Agricultural subsidies in rich countries are strong drivers of rural poverty in other countries, and it was recognized in eleven national deliberations that their harmful affects need to be ended as a matter of urgency. A right to secure tenure of land should be acknowledged; this should end forced evictions.
Democracy
Finally, concern was raised in many national deliberations about the threat of poor accountability to achieving current and future goals. Therefore, accountability, universality, and good governance must underpin a new framework. Without clear delineations of responsibilities as well as rights, and without a mechanism for holding actors to their account for commitments, progress will not be made. A post 2015 framework should be underpinned by a comprehensive and inclusive accountability mechanism, that should empower existing human rights structures. It must also provide for financing in a way that is fair.
A foundation for a just an accountable post 2015 framework has been put in place, through the extensive consultations taking place with civil society. However, to ensure a meaningful result, civil and political rights must be firmly entrenched, including freedom of expression and assembly. Access to information is a priority for accountability and to fight corruption and tax evasion; the private sector must be included in this. Sustainable development will only be achieved through a genuine partnership of all sectors across national contexts. People must participate in building their future for the vision of a development framework to be realized.
Vision, Purpose,Values, and Criteria
There was remarkable consensus about the vision, purpose, and values emerging from the national deliberations. While the vision was articulated differently depending on the national context, the underlying values were the same.
The purpose of a 2015 framework will be to provide a common agenda of agreement both for governments and also for civil society to define and work towards progress. As such, it is important the measurement of this should not be exclusively economic, but look at how the wellbeing of all people can be improved.
As stated previously, a post 2015 framework must be based on the following values, which have already been unpacked above:
- human rights,
- equality and justice,
- environmental sustainability
- good governance, participation, and accountability.
On the matter of criteria, this is where civil society began to have more diverse perspectives, and the specific national viewpoint determined the criteria put forward. Issues have different relevance and urgency depending on the situation. In recognition of this, the European regional report advised the use of common but differentiated responsibilities to bring all countries into a common framework, while still acknowledging diverse contexts.
Conclusion
We have a unique opportunity to transform the current global social, economic, and environmental system into one that is more just and inclusive. It is clear from the national, local and community deliberations that have taken place that the knowledge exists within civil society to eradicate poverty, uphold human rights, respect the planet, and build a more just future. As the MDGs come to an end, civil society in 40 countries has provided a roadmap for a framework that is holistic and inclusive in ensuring a more just world.
We hope to continue to engage with the process of developing a post 2015 framework that will address the root causes of poverty, inequality, and environmental degradation. By ensuring widespread, meaningful participation from a community level, we can collectively set an agenda that will be responsive to the needs of people living in poverty and affected by climate change.
Dear Sikinder,
This is our Final Draft -:
Civil Society Vision for the Post 2015 agenda
Context
Since September 2012, Beyond 2015, the Global Call to Action Against Poverty (GCAP) and the International Forum of National NGO Platforms (IFP) have been convening national, regional, and community civil society deliberations in 40 countries in Europe, Latin America, Africa, and Asia. Over 3000 people took part. This report synthesizes the outcomes of these deliberations.There is a collective understanding across national contexts that the world is in crisis.
The deliberations raised an urgent need to work collectively to find new ways of organizing society, our relationship to the planet, and the logic of our economy. We have received contributions from people around the world echoing the same demands. Civil society is concerned about rising inequality. People acknowledge that social protection is decreasing, leaving more people vulnerable to vagaries like climate change and fluctuating food prices. Those who already live in poverty are being further marginalized. Even in places where economic growth is robust, many people are not benefitting.
Summary of Outcomes
Many countries presented a vision of how they saw the realization of true development after 2015. While the specificities of each national context influenced the vision, there were several common themes.
Specifically, the deliberations envisaged:
- A post 2015 framework that looks at the wellbeing of people, not economies. Poverty has a financial element, but is not only about money. In recognition of this, seven deliberations called for holistic measures of wellbeing, such as Gross National Happiness, being pioneered in Bhutan
- A developmental framework that sees human development and environmental development as inextricably interlinked. There is no doubt that our current patterns of production and consumption are putting the planet at risk. Every single deliberation called for considering the planetary consequences of how we define development.
- Equality, and respect for human rights. A post 2015 development framework needs to treat all people as equal. Thus means addressing gender injustice, as well as specifically considering marginalized communities in a new developmental framework.
- Active, engaged citizens who were empowered to hold governments to account for the post 2015 framework.
For the eradication of poverty and the survival of the planet, a framework must be based on four pillars:
- human rights,
- equality and justice,
- environmental sustainability
- good governance, participation, and accountability.
The outcomes of the national deliberations put forward a strong consensus on the right of each person on the planet to live a life free from poverty. A post 2015 framework must make explicit provisions for social protection and service provision, to provide an opportunity for all to live in dignity.
People coming together to participate in the deliberations, regardless of national origin, share the opinion that inequality is one of the biggest challenges facing the world today, and all nations have an equal obligation to creating a more just world. Acknowledging this, a post 2015 framework needs to focus on equality, through promoting gender justice, progressive redistribution, structural transformation, corporate regulation, and social protection.
National deliberations pointed to the need for a new development framework to express universal values. All countries, rich and poor, in all regions of the world, are tied up in the same crisis. It has different expressions in different contexts, ranging from unemployment to environmental degradation, domestic violence to hunger; but a fundamental, transformative shift will require all countries commit to upholding common values of equality, respect for human rights, peace, and environmental sustainability.
Finally, concern was raised in many national deliberations about the threat of poor governance to achieving current and future goals. Therefore, accountability, universality, and good governance must underpin a new framework. Without clear delineations of responsibilities as well as rights, and without a mechanism for holding actors to their account for commitments, progress will not be made. Additionally, people affected by the outcomes of the framework need to be included and participate actively. A post 2015 framework should be underpinned by a comprehensive and inclusive accountability mechanism.
Equality
Gender
Equality is essential to a new development agenda. This includes gender equality. Every single deliberation recognized that there can be no equality without gender justice. Violence against women is a major inhibitor to development, as well as a violation of human rights. While equality begins in the household, it must extend to the national level.
Social Exclusion
With inequality so high, even in places that have experienced economic growth or made substantial progress to meeting the MDGs, many communities of people have been left behind. For example, indigenous communities, people with disabilities, or ethnic minorities are often experiencing even deeper poverty.
Global Governance
To ensure equality between nations, fair terms of trade and a just system of global governance is required. For a post 2015 framework to tackle equality meaningfully, it must promote the progressive redistribution of resources, corporate regulation, social protection, and structural transformation of systems of global governance, production and consumption.
Environmental Sustainability
There was a consensus in the deliberations: climate change poses an eminent threat to society. In every region, consultations noted that the affects are already being felt by people living in poverty. A post 2015 framework must take into account the interconnectedness between social and environmental consequences of our growth path. Particularly in rural areas, where many marginalised communities live, climate change is affecting everything from access to services to maternal health.
In developing countries, the deliberations strongly condemned a lack of action on climate change, and acknowledged that people living in poverty are left increasingly vulnerable to natural disasters, droughts, and other affects of climate change. Already impoverished rural communities have been unable to cope with the added affects of climate change.It is a matter of justice, since countries least responsible for causing climate change are feeling its affects the most.
The national deliberations linked people’s experiences of the effects of climate change to generalized inequality, with industrialised countries polluting, and developing countries paying the price. Deliberations further linked climate change to accountability; with extractive industries and multinational corporations being on the forefront of environmental destruction, changes in national policies will only be as effective as their accountability mechanisms. Due to the inherent linkages between economic development, industrialization, trade, and fossil fuels emissions, climate justice must be linked to poverty eradication.
Human Rights
It emerged very strongly from the national consultations that human rights must underpin a new development framework. This means poverty must be eradicated, not reduced, and coverage must be universal for fundamental human rights. One strong criticism of the MDGs was that it set targets that left people behind (for example, halving the portion of people who are hungry). We must not make the same mistake again. Rights should not be narrowly limited to civil and political rights, but included to explicitly embrace economic, social, and cultural rights. We now understand that rights are indivisible, and there are a range of mechanisms to uphold and enforce human rights that need to be strengthened through increased legitimacy and recognition.
In the MDGs’ focus on halving poverty, an aggregate approach at the national level was taken, as opposed to a human rights approach. As a result, many countries found that social exclusion is making many people slip through the cracks. A goal can be achieved even if hunger is worsening among the poorest of the poor. This is something we heard of from 26 country deliberations. Even when children are now in school – what about children with disabilities? Even when child health has improved dramatically – what about indigenous children? With inequality growing across the world, a message that came out very strongly is that for a new framework to be effective, data needs to be disaggregated. Even where there is aggregate progress, inequality and social exclusion means that the aggregate picture may be incomplete. In a post 2015 framework, it is essential that nobody is left behind.
Eradication of Poverty and Hunger
The right to live a life of dignity, free from poverty and want, and the right to food, are the most fundamental human rights. Aiming to eradicate poverty and hunger is an essential foundation to a new development agenda, identified by every national deliberation.
Food insecurity and obesity are two sides of the same coin, and while every deliberation mentioned hunger, 18 also mentioned non communicable diseases, primarily lifestyle diseases such as diabetes and heart disease. GMO food was linked to hunger by 9 deliberations, and agricultural subsidies were targeted as problematic by 11 deliberations.
Eradicating hunger requires extending specific support to farming communities and rural areas, which experience poverty differently than cities. Just land distribution was identified as fundamental to eradicating hunger in sixteen national contexts. Agricultural subsidies in rich countries are strong drivers of rural poverty in other countries, and it was recognized in eleven national deliberations that their harmful affects need to be ended as a matter of urgency. A right to secure tenure of land should be acknowledged; this should end forced evictions.
Democracy
Finally, concern was raised in many national deliberations about the threat of poor accountability to achieving current and future goals. Therefore, accountability, universality, and good governance must underpin a new framework. Without clear delineations of responsibilities as well as rights, and without a mechanism for holding actors to their account for commitments, progress will not be made. A post 2015 framework should be underpinned by a comprehensive and inclusive accountability mechanism, that should empower existing human rights structures. It must also provide for financing in a way that is fair.
A foundation for a just an accountable post 2015 framework has been put in place, through the extensive consultations taking place with civil society. However, to ensure a meaningful result, civil and political rights must be firmly entrenched, including freedom of expression and assembly. Access to information is a priority for accountability and to fight corruption and tax evasion; the private sector must be included in this. Sustainable development will only be achieved through a genuine partnership of all sectors across national contexts. People must participate in building their future for the vision of a development framework to be realized.
Vision, Purpose,Values, and Criteria
There was remarkable consensus about the vision, purpose, and values emerging from the national deliberations. While the vision was articulated differently depending on the national context, the underlying values were the same.
The purpose of a 2015 framework will be to provide a common agenda of agreement both for governments and also for civil society to define and work towards progress. As such, it is important the measurement of this should not be exclusively economic, but look at how the wellbeing of all people can be improved.
As stated previously, a post 2015 framework must be based on the following values, which have already been unpacked above:
- human rights,
- equality and justice,
- environmental sustainability
- good governance, participation, and accountability.
On the matter of criteria, this is where civil society began to have more diverse perspectives, and the specific national viewpoint determined the criteria put forward. Issues have different relevance and urgency depending on the situation. In recognition of this, the European regional report advised the use of common but differentiated responsibilities to bring all countries into a common framework, while still acknowledging diverse contexts.
Conclusion
We have a unique opportunity to transform the current global social, economic, and environmental system into one that is more just and inclusive. It is clear from the national, local and community deliberations that have taken place that the knowledge exists within civil society to eradicate poverty, uphold human rights, respect the planet, and build a more just future. As the MDGs come to an end, civil society in 40 countries has provided a roadmap for a framework that is holistic and inclusive in ensuring a more just world.
We hope to continue to engage with the process of developing a post 2015 framework that will address the root causes of poverty, inequality, and environmental degradation. By ensuring widespread, meaningful participation from a community level, we can collectively set an agenda that will be responsive to the needs of people living in poverty and affected by climate change.
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