UN Development Programme (UNDP) staff and others showcased initial successes of the MY World opinion survey in a Skype presentation at UNDP headquarters in New York.
The MY World survey is one of several ways in which the UN aims to include citizens in framing the post-2015 agenda.
To date, 86,373 people from 190 countries have voted for six of sixteen issues that would make the most difference to their lives.
15 March 2013: UN Development Programme (UNDP) staff and others showcased initial successes of the MY World opinion survey in a Skype presentation at UNDP headquarters in New York. The MY World survey is one of several ways in which the UN aims to include citizens in framing the post-2015 development agenda. To date, 86,373 people from 190 countries have voted for six of sixteen issues that would make the most difference to their lives.
In a Skype presentation, UNDP Assistant Secretary-General Olav Kjørven explained “for the first time in history, it is possible to have a global conversation with people all over the world about the next development agenda.” He elaborated the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) process was unable to undertake inclusive consultations because “we didn’t have the means. But also people didn’t think about it and we were so used to decision making taking place behind closed doors.” Claire Melamed, Overseas Development Institute (ODI), described how UNDP, the UN Millennium Campaign, ODI and the WorldWide Web Foundation developed the survey as an innovative way to hear from those who will be affected by the next development agenda.
During the presentation, Sought Out Cameroon, Masawy and ChangeMob received awards for their organization’s mobilization efforts while Juan Varela of Mexico received an award for personally collecting 760 votes. MY World is planning a digital launch across Vicaom brands, including Comedy Central, MTV and Nickelodeon.
Celebrities have also encouraged citizen participation. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon encouraged the public: “Vote and tell us what issues matter most to you and your family. Make a difference. Mark a difference!” in a video message. Others, including Mia Farrow, humanitarian activist, Aamir Khan, Indian actor and producer, Paul Tergat, marathon champion, and Marta Vieira de Silva, Brazilian soccer player, have urged participation in the survey.
Preliminary results from the MY World Survey on citizen priorities reveal a good education, an honest and responsive government and better healthcare as the top three citizen priorities. Results were presented to the High-level Panel on the Post-2015 Agenda (HLP) at its second meeting in Liberia and will also be shared with the Open Working Group (OWG) on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the UN General Assembly (UNGA). [MY World Story] [UNDP Story] [Secretary-General Video Message] [MyWorld Survey] [IISD RS Story on MY World Preliminary Results]