Post 2015 Development Agenda: Guidelines for Country ... - nrg4SD

In addition, the UN Development Group (UNDG) has developed a proposal which aims to: (1)facilitate inclusive consultation processes in at least 50 countries to stimulate the debate on thepost-2015 development agenda, which are expected to complement the formal consul-tationson post-2015 led by the UN Secretariat on behalf of the UN General Assembly; (2) organizeglobal and regional meetings with academia, media, private sector, civil society 3 and decisionmakers (e.g., politicians, government officials, and parliamentarians) to discuss relevant issues onthe post-2015 development agenda; and (3) set up a web portal to allow open interaction andinformation exchange building on the UN SG campaign, ‘The Future We Want’.The guidelines in this document are intended to inform the inclusive consultation processes atthe national level that are part of this UNDG proposal.2. Objective of the country consultationsThe objective of the country consultations is to stimulate an inclusive debate on a post-2015development agenda by providing an analytical base, inputs and ideas that (a) build asharedglobal vision on the Future We Want, with clear recommendations for governments,civil socie-ty and broad stakeholders; (b) amplify the voices of the poor and other marginalized informal negotiation processes; and (c) influence the intergovernmental processes sothat they align with the aspirations of civil society for a post-2015 agenda.Post-2015 country consultations: Why?To broaden the analytical base for global goalsTo support citizens from the Global South to actively engage in the discussionstowards a post-2015 development agenda, so as to potentially influenceboth their own government’s positions and the intergovernmental processTo ensure people’s “active, free and meaningful participation in development”(GA Declaration on the Right to Development, 1986)To create avenues through which voices of the marginalized can be amplifiedand acted uponTo support countries in exploring innovative mechanisms, and strengtheningexisting mechanisms, to draw on people’s skills, experiences and ideas whendeveloping and implementing policies that affect them3Civil society organizations are non-state actors whose aims are neither to generate profit nor seek governing power.CSOs unite people to advance shared goals and interests. Civil society constitutes a third sector, existing alongside andinteracting with the state and profit-seeking firms. These guidelines take a broad view of civil society, which encompassesa wider range of formal and informal organizations engaged in development work. “The term civil society refers to thewide array of non-governmental and not-for-profit organizations that have a presence in public life, expressing theinterests and values of their members or others, based on ethical, cultural, political, scientific, religious or philanthropicconsiderations. Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) therefore refer to a wide of array of organizations: community groups,non-governmental organizations (NGOs), labor unions, indigenous groups, charitable organizations, faith-based organizations,professional associations, and founda-tions” (World Bank definition based on various sources).Post-2015 Development Agenda Process: Guideline for Consultations13