3 June 2014: The UN Non-Governmental Liaison Service (UN-NGLS), UN Millennium Campaign (UNMC), UN Population Fund (UNFPA) and UN Volunteers (UNV) Programme have launched an e-discussion as part of the ‘Dialogues on Partnerships with Civil Society,’ which is taking place on the World We Want 2015 Platform. The consultation is one of six dialogues on implementing the agenda, following thematic and national consultations in 2012-2013. The consultation aims to identify best practices and recommendations for successful partnerships between government and civil society.
According to a joint concept note from the co-leaders, the consultation also aims to: enhance civil society influence in shaping Member States positions on the post-2015 process; enable civil society to contribute to shaping key policies related to Means of Implementation (MOI) for the post-2015 development agenda; stimulate advocacy and support in favor of policy change among civil society at national and regional levels; and create or strengthen mechanisms to monitor the implementation of State commitments under the post-2015 agenda.
The Dialogue includes a special MOI focus question, which asks “What can trigger new partnerships and voluntary commitments, and what can make them successful in advancing economic, social and environmental progress?” Responses from this question will be presented to Member States during the High Level Political Forum (HLPF) session on MOI on 30 June 2014.
The Dialogue also includes three questions on: recommendations for capacity building, mechanisms and policies needed for successful government and civil society partnerships to implement the post-2015 agenda at national and local levels; how people can engage in implementing the agenda in different thematic areas; and how to leverage and support civil society’s role in monitoring the post-2015 framework and ensuring accountability.
National dialogues on partnerships with civil society are expected to take place in Azerbaijan, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lesotho, Jordan, St. Lucia and Tunisia between April and August 2014. During the second half of 2014, Cambodia and the Republic of Korea are expected to convene a final global dialogue on the topic that builds upon recommendations from the e-discussions and the national dialogues.
In addition to partnerships with civil society, the other dialogues focus on: culture and development; localizing the post-2015 agenda; helping to strengthen capacities and build effective institutions; participatory monitoring for accountability; and engaging with the private sector. Recommendations arising from the consultations will contribute to a report by UNDG, which is expected to inform the Open Working Group (OWG) on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the UN Secretary-General’s report on the post-2015 agenda. [Dialogue Website] [IISD RS Story on Launch of Culture Dialogue] [IISD RS Story on Dialogues Announcement] [UNDP Press Release on Launch of Dialogues]