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20Feature | Beyond 2015:from vision to content21Beyond 2015from vision to contentDominic Haslam explains the Beyond 2015 campaign’sapproach to developing the content of the post-2015 framework.For those heavily involved in whatcomes after the current MillenniumDevelopment Goals, the last two yearshave often felt like a constant discussionon process. I’ve been reliably informedthat it has looked like this from theoutside as well.While process led by the rightorganisations, that has legitimacy andis properly accountable, is vitallyimportant and was the initial focus ofthe Beyond 2015 campaign, it would bea mistake to think we’ve only talkedabout process until now.Progressingthinking on contentOne of the four Must-Haves that framedthe campaign’s thinking on process(see boxed information) was Substance.Substance sets out some initial thinkingon content: what should the frameworkaim for; what should and shouldn’t beincluded; how should it link or overlapwith other frameworks such as humanrights legislation?In 2012, the campaign furtheredthese initial thoughts to develop a ‘civilsociety position’ on content but as eachof us is only 0.00000000142857 percent of civil society, talking on behalf ofa global population of seven billion is abig ask.Hearing the voicesof people living inpovertyThe Beyond 2015 campaign mustensure that it doesn’t fall into the trap oftrying to synthesise too quickly intonice, clean policy statements which areconveniently focused but don’t actuallyreflect the experiences of the billions ofindividuals living in poverty. Seriousefforts are underway through theBeyond 2015 Participate project, to bringgood quality research into the viewsand voices of people affected by poverty.The High Level Panel consultations andthe undoubted swell of debate that willcome around the UN General Assemblyin September will also surface vitalinputs and perspectives. It is also true,however, that the process is alreadymoving with some decision-makerskeen to talk about goals and targets.Approaches tocontentIn December 2012, the campaign putforward its approach to content, whichwill focus on two aspects in 2013:1Collecting proposals for individualgoals, targets and indicators fromparticipating civil society organisationsand putting these on our website. Thestrength of support for individualproposals will be reflected when there’sevidence to back it up and civil societyexpertise will be gathered on particulargoals.2Collective advocacy will then focuson developing joint positions forthe ‘Vision’, ‘Purpose’, ‘Principles’ and‘Criteria’ for a post-2015 framework.Together, these four components willtell a strong story of what changes wewant to see in the world, what thespecific role of a post-2015 frameworkshould be, the core values underpinningit, and on what basis proposals forspecific goals for the final frameworkshould be accepted or rejected.This approach allows us to articulate avision for global society and influencedecision-makers on the means bywhich they should make specific goaldecisions. It also keeps us close to thecampaign’s aim to push for a soundprocess for the development of thepost-2015 framework and within that, toensure within that the many and variedvoices of civil society are heard.This isn’t to say the debates on whichgoals or indicators make it througharen’t critical or that civil societyshouldn’t be involved. That’s where thefirst aim comes in – to link agenciesworking in similar areas, putting themin touch with the process and providinga platform to put forward combinedproposals.The Bond Beyond 2015 UK Group islooking to develop specific asks aroundgoals, so Bond members have plenty ofscope to get involved. We look forwardto hearing your 0.00000000142857 percent’s worth.Dominic Haslam sits on both theinternational and UK executivecommittees of Beyond 2015. He isDirector of Policy and Strategic Supportat Sightsavers.Amy Pollard of CAFOD and Dominichave written about this issue atwww.sightsavers.org/blogs/insights/dominic_haslam/19217.html.Beyond 2015 is a global civil societycampaign pushing for a strong andlegitimate successor framework tothe Millennium Development Goals.The campaign brings together 570organisations from 95 countries.Find out more and get involved inthe debate:www.beyond2015.orgBeyond 2015’s approach to content:www.beyond2015.org/contentdiscussionThe Essential Must Havesframed thinking on process:www.beyond2015.org/must-havesWhat next forthe Beyond 2015UK Group?The Bond Beyond 2015 UK Group isworking to influence the UKgovernment’s positions on the post-2015 development agenda and feed intothe High Level Panel on Post-2015, setup by Ban Ki-Moon, to provide a "boldyet practical vision" for the globaldevelopment agenda after 2015. DavidCameron is one of its three co-chairs.AdvocacyopportunitiesThe High Level Panel has met twice:in London last November, where theBond Beyond 2015 UK Grouporganised a civil society ‘Outreach day’which featured six Civil SocietyRoundtables and a live-streamed‘Town Hall’ meeting; and in Monrovia,Liberia, at the end of January. A furthermeeting in Bali in March presentsanother opportunity for advocacy.Next stepsThe High Level Panel report isexpected in May 2013. The UnitedNations Secretary General will considerits recommendations alongside otherevidence that is being collectedthrough thematic and nationalconsultations. In September 2013, theUnited Nations General AssemblyCommunities take part in discussion aboutdevelopment, vision and health in Senegalmeets to discuss the MDGs, thepost-2015 agenda, and how they planto move forward with decisionmakingproviding another crucialmoment for Beyond 2015 advocacy.The Bond Beyond 2015 UK group isengaging directly with DavidCameron’s Special Envoy on Post 2015,inputting to the United Nationsconsultations and seeking to createwider opportunities for civil society toinfluence this important debate.Our asksWhilst organisations participating inBeyond 2015 have a range of viewsregarding the content of a post-2015framework, we are united in calling fora global cross-thematic framework tosucceed the MDGs, and for a process ofdeveloping this framework that isparticipatory, inclusive and responsiveto voices of those directly affected bypoverty and injustice. Particular areasthat the Beyond 2015 UK Group isadvocating for include:■■Integration: the process fordeveloping Sustainable DevelopmentGoals (coming out of the Rio+20Summit) should be wholly mergedwith the process to agree post-MDGdevelopment goals■■Universality: to address globalchallenges all countries need to haveresponsibility and ownership, everycountry needs to take action – butnot necessarily the same action■■Sustainable development:Environmental sustainability needsto be a core element embeddedacross the post 2015 developmentframeworkGet involvedThe timeline for influencing the post2015 agenda is very tight but the morecivil society organisations that jointhe campaign the more likely it is tosucceed.■■The Beyond 2015 website includesopportunities to influence how thecampaign develops its position onthe Vision, Purpose, Principles andCriteria of a post-2015 framework■■Join the Bond Beyond 2015 UKGroup, which currently has about170 members from over 90organisations, for weekly updatesand opportunities to influence thisfast moving agenda■■The United Nations is organising 57country consultations and 11thematic consultations into whichyour organisation might wish toinput. More information is at:www.worldwewant2015.orgRuth Fuller is co-chair of the BondBeyond 2015 UK Group andInternational Development PolicyAdvisor for WWF-UK:rfuller@wwf.org.ukbond.org.uk/groups© Renee du Toit/Sightsaversthe networker 103 | January – March 2013 bond.org.ukbond.org.ukthe networker 103 | January – March 2013