Beyond 2015 European Task Force Breifing on our Vision for the Post 2015 Framework

PURPOSE

The future framework must aim to create a just and sustainable world in which every human being can realise their rights and live free from poverty.

GEOGRAPHIC AND THEMATIC SCOPE OF THE FRAMEWORK

In times of globalisation and growing global interrelationships between economies and people, a growing number of issues require international cooperation, cross-border action and policy coordination. If the post-2015 framework is to truly address the global challenges faced by people in low, middle and high income countries, that framework must be global. Accountability is key and should start first of all at the national and sub-national level, incorporating the international level as appropriate and depending on the issue.

At the same time, implementing the MDGs have taught us that development outcomes last longer when planning and implementation are locally owned. This calls for a framework that allows for priority-setting and implementation at the national or sub-national level as appropriate.

Thus, by a “global” future framework, Beyond 2015 ETF means a framework in which all countries commit to contributing to the achievement of the goals which are agreed at global (UN) level, and that the goals apply to all countries in line with the principle of common-but-differentiated responsibility (eg. governments contextualise the global goals at sub-levels, such as targets, to ensure ownership and relevance. One example might be in order to take account of a country’s per capita consumption/waste production, its GDP etc.). Every country will therefore have a series of obligations for which they will be held accountable, but those obligations may differ to reflect the country context and the nature of what is being achieved.

A global framework will enjoy greater legitimacy and acceptance than one which is not. It would ensure global recognition of global responsibilities, and contribute to ending the antiquated ‘North-South dichotomy’.

As regards the thematic scope of the future framework, it is widely recognised that the MDGs overlooked many important issues, such as equality, peace and security, governance and anti-corruption, decent work and social protection, environmental sustainability, disaster risk reduction etc.Beyond 2015 ETF therefore supports a more comprehensive post-2015 framework which will include other policy areas which impact significantly on the achievement of development objectives, which will capitalise on the links and synergies which exist between policy areas and which will build on the key principles of human rights, sustainability and policy coherence for development (see below).

CROSS-CUTTING ISSUES

A Human Rights-Based Approach (HRBA) & Equality

The human rights-based approach to development (HRBA) of the Millennium Declaration was to a large extent lost in the formulation of the MDGs. Instead, the MDG framework fostered an approach to development which focused on the volume of financial aid, while sidelining fundamental reforms needed to realise people’s rights. The ETF adheres to the principle that the post-2015 framework must prioritise the progressive realisation of people’s rights and that the key human rights-based principles must underpin it, including participation, non-discrimination and equality, empowerment and accountability.

The notion of equality – or addressing inequality – will be crucial in the future framework. The way the MDG framework was conceived led to countries pursuing ‘low-hanging fruit’ – that is, achieving progress for those who were the easiest to reach. The benefits of MDG progress accrued least to those who are poorest and

most marginalised and especially those who suffer multiple forms of discrimination. Gender equality is one of the key forms of equality which will need to be more comprehensively addressed in the future framework, not least because gender inequality exacerbates all other forms of inequality. The complex interplay of various forms of inequality will have to be comprehensively addressed. In practical terms, addressing inequality requires that each goal in the post-2015 framework should be applicable to the entire population, including non-citizens, and be measured using disaggregated data.

Sustainability – the ETF considers that the three pillars of sustainability must be addressed as a cross-cutting issue throughout the framework, and that sustainability concerns must underpin its construct. This is fundamental if people’s well-being and resilience are to be improved.

  • Economic sustainability – the world currently operates on an unsustainable growth model and the key metric by which countries are judged is their macro-economic growth. Securing a sustainable economic model that takes cognisance of planetary boundaries and resource constraints, and serves a rights-based social model would be an important outcome of the post-2015 framework.
  • Environmental sustainability – currently, global consumption of natural resources overshoots planetary capacity by 1.5 times. It is essential to address issues of access to natural resources, equity and participation in the governance of natural resources as well as the impacts of climate change now and for the development opportunities of future generations.
  • Social sustainability–a less explored area with no one single definition, social sustainability encompasses traditional human development areas, and issues such as participation, governance, well-being and identity. It is crucial to address this since it incorporates many of the underlying causes of conflict, as well as being key to human progress.

Policy Coherence for Development,or PCD,is fundamental to the success of any development framework. PCD potentially addresses the global “accountability gap” more than any other policy instrument by stressing that all decision-making processes by all actors –in both the North and South – must be responsive to the needs and aspirations of the world’s poorest people and must ‘do no harm’ to their human rights and development perspectives. Mechanisms will need to be established to make a reality of PCD, including a monitoring mechanism and a means for redress. Some of these mechanisms should be global, while others may be national or local.

Important policy areas to be made ‘coherent’ with development goals include: climate change; trade, investment and finance; agriculture; energy; food security; migration; and conflict, fragility and security policies. Binding regulation should be envisaged for major actors in the global economy and international policy.

THEMATIC AREAS TO BE INCLUDED

The sections below attempt to highlight some of the key issues per thematic area that the ETF has identified over the course of our discussions. It does not, however, indicate that we think that each and every one of these points should be incorporated into the future framework. We will begin work on developing proposals for global goals and potential targets, based on the campaign’s criteria for choosing goals, in the very near future. We will also attempt to identify those issues that offer the maximum possibility for building on synergies between areas.

Human development based on the social sectors

  • Health
  • Education
  • Food security and nutrition
  • Housing
  • Social protection
  • Decent livelihoods (and better connecting education to employment)
  • Clean water and sanitation
  • Poverty eradication

Mobility and migration

  • Access to market
  • Access to land
  • Access to information
  • Access to technology and technological advances
  • Access to banking
  • Access to communications
  • Freedom of movement, mobility rights and international and national law regulating the transport of people and goods
  • Transport
  • Road network
  • (links to governance, economic policy, social sectors)

Economy, consumption and production; trade and finance

  • Growth models – while currently based on GDP, we should consider moving towards a basket of indicators including the GINI Coefficient and Human Development Index, imperfect though these may be. Growth must lead to poverty reduction and a fair distribution of the benefits of growth, however that growth may be measured in the future. And growth must be environmentally sustainable.
  • (Financial) Market speculation
  • Consumption and production
    • Re-pricing of goods and services in order to internalise ecological and social costs
    • Waste management and disposal (also an environmental issue)
    • Consumer credit levels
    • Tax – illicit tax flows, tax havens, domestic tax revenues (and progressive tax systems)
    • Global financial system reform
    • Sovereign debt
    • Trade governance

Environmental sustainability

  • Environmental degradation and natural resource limits
  • Biodiversity, freshwater, oceans, forests
  • Climate change
  • Sustainable Energy
  • Land Use

Governance

Poverty and inequality are not accidents of fate. They are the results of specific power relations and policy decisions which are discriminatory, exclusionary and unjust.Governance, as it relates to discussions on a post-2015 framework, should be considered from both the global and the national levels and should focus on both governance structures and processes.When looking at governance one will need to look at:

  • Participation
  • Freedom of association and assembly
  • Legal recognition facilitating the work of CSOs, including women’s rights organisations
  • Freedom of expression
  • Right to information/transparency
  • Public procurement policies (& respect for environmental, social, cultural and other HR standards)
  • Role of the private sector (eg. in the provision of public goods, health, education, security etc.)
  • Accountability from local to national to international levels

After some discussion, it was felt that it might be possible to address the key root causes of conflict and fragility through these five areas. However, we may review both this and the importance of addressing natural disasters specifically and their impacts on resilience, well-being and development.

This briefing focuses exclusively on the possible content of a post-2015 framework. Our positions regarding the processes surrounding the development of the successor framework to the MDGs are set out in the Essential Must Haves, available on Beyond 2015’s website: www.beyond2015.org. This briefing does not cover the criteria to determine whether a particular issueshould be in or out of the framework. These are being developed separately by the campaign.


North Central Zonal Deliberations on the Post 2015 Development Framework

DELIBERATION PROCESS AND POLITICAL CONTEXT

The Deliberation Meeting started at about 10:30am with a self-introduction of all the participants. This was followed by a Welcome address by the BENGONET Chair. He highlighted issues bordering on the post 2015 Development Framework, and charged Civil Society Organizations to stand up to the challenge of building a corrupt free and prosperous Nigeria. While apologizing for the short notice for the deliberation meeting, He charged participants present to make meaningful contributions to produce a framework that will improve the wellbeing of Nigerians in totality.

The Convener of the Post 2015 Development Framework Dr. Tola Winjobi delivered His speech. In his speech, the Convener chronicled the adoption of the millennium declaration, the journey so far and what needs to be done. After the speech was a tea break by all participants.

Resuming from the Tea Break, it was time for Group work. The Participants were split into four groups; 1, 2, 3 and 4 for deliberations of the post 2015 conceptual framework.

CONCEPTUAL FOUNDATIONS 

These Deliberations bordered on the Vision, Purpose, Principles and Criteria of the post 2015 Development Framework. The Groups were then involved in group discussions to come up with an agreed Vision, Purpose, Principles and Criteria of the post 2015 Development Framework for each group which was going to be harmonized for the entire Deliberations. Group work was allowed for forty Minutes after which Participants reconvened to plenary for discussion. The presentations of the various groups were thus:

GROUP ONE

Vision: the vision of the group for Nigeria was as follows:

  • A Nigeria where her citizens will have easy access to free quality Health care services delivery
  • A Nigeria that is free from Bribery and Corruption, Ethnicity, Tribalism, Religious Crises and Respect for Human Lives.
  • A Nigeria that is accountable and Responsive to the needs and Yearnings of the Citizens especially the masses.
  • A Nigeria where Technical Education is given priority.
  • A Nigeria where Girl child is given top priority.
  • A Nigeria with 0% rate of unemployment.

Purpose:

The purpose according to the group is to have a stable, solid socio-economic, Political and social resources as a leadership criteria for good governance.

Principles: The principles include:

  • Responsiveness – Government should respond to the needs and yearnings of the people especially the Masses.
  • Accountability – Government Leaders and those in Governing positions should be accountable to the people.
  • Sustainability and Continuity – Policies, projects and programmes should be sustained and continued in order to enhance sustainable development.

Criteria:

  • Monitoring and Evaluation: Projects, Programmes and Policies should be monitored and evaluated progressively so as to have sustainable Development.
  • Supervision and Feedback Mechanism: the supervision of those carrying out the projects, Programmes and Policies should be also progressively done and Feedbacks given to the People.
  • Assessment: Assessment and Feasibility studies should be carried out in order to know what the people need.
  • Communication: Two-Way Communication channel should be created between the government and the people for example the just concluded review of Nigeria’s constitution at the various constituencies in the six Geo-political zones.

After the presentation of the Group, it was fundamentally observed that needs assessments be carried out before projects are chosen and executed.

GROUP TWO

Vision:

  • A Nigeria where Corruption is totally eradicated, Human Rights in full practice and secured for all citizens and residents of any Nationals.
  • A Nigeria where there is freedom of expression and that of the press where information can easily be accessed by all citizens.
  • A Nigeria where Equal Right is guaranteed and Development Priotized.

Purpose:

  • The Purpose is to ensure that the interest of every citizen and Resident in Nigeria are fully taken care of.
  • To ensure that the rights of the people in the selection process of their representatives is safe guarded.
  • To ensure consistency in Government policies and Implementation at all levels of Government.

Principles:

  • Equality: politically, the party in power seems to favour the party and its members. Fairness to all groups of the society irrespective of political allegiance in wealth distribution.
  • Honesty: Truthfulness and Trust-worthiness on the part of both leaders and followers.
  • Integrity: Having a strong moral principle that can withstand societal changes.
  • Tribalism: the treatment of persons either fairly or badly on the ground of their tribal origin or religious belief.

Criteria:

  • Corruption: the eradication of corruption from the country through attitudinal change on the part of every citizen and resident in the country.
  • Inclusion: the inclusion of all strata of the society in the decision making process in Nigeria (social media should be employed)
  • Human Rights: to ensure the full implementation of the fundamental human rights as stipulated in the United Nation’s Declaration.

Following was a contribution to enhance adequate franchise of citizens since at the moment; franchise is grossly limited in the country.

GROUP THREE

Vision: to see a Nigeria empowered for change, free of poverty and also a Nigeria where human rights are protected and a conducive atmosphere created.

Purpose:

  • To ensure a poverty free society (by putting up measures to engage the youths positively)
  • To protect the environment for sustainability and posterity.
  • To provide Human right Laws in Nigeria and to ensure justice to common people.

Principles:

  • Transparency (everything should be open to the society)
  • Accountability
  • Realism
  • Integrity.

Criteria:

  • Education
  • Women empowerment ( when you empower women you empower a nation)

Contributions taken from other members of the group revolved around successful implementation especially in the areas where nothing has been done.

GROUP FOUR

Vision: Our Vision is to see a Nigeria where human rights are respected and protected, poverty is eradicated and the security of lives and property is ensured.

Purpose:

To ensure that poverty and Injustice is eradicated through collective participation (Inclusiveness) towards achieving economic, Political and social Redemption.

Principles:

Integrity, Accountability, Inclusiveness, Teamwork, Collaboration/ Consultation with stakeholders.

Criteria

  • Holistic engagement of all in the fight against poverty and protection/ preservation of the rights for sustainable development.
  • Appraisal (to enhance follow up).
  • The general observation however was that, participants had no good grasp of the subject matter hence, a shallow buttress of the framework on the whole; performance was graded as “Fair”.

ANALYSIS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

Sequel to the group discussions, Participants made the following National asks:

  1. Government should provide small scale processing factories for Agro-allied produce.
  2. Government should provide steady power in the country by making PHCN work to facility industrialization in the country.
  3. Government should involve the youths in all decision making processes.
  4. Government should encourage those with talents and technical skills.
  5. Government should educate her officials on the freedom of information Bill and use social Networks to reach out to her citizens.
  6. Government should encourage Herbal alternative Medicine to reduce pressure on existing orthodox medical facilities.
  7. Policies should be put in place to protect people living with HIV/AIDS in addition to providing Anti-Retroviral drugs and campaigns against discrimination.
  8. Government should provide water in the rural areas.
  9. Government should move development into the rural areas to prevent rural-Urban drift.
  10. Government should tackle the issue of ethnicity and foster a country-wide development (Federal Character)
  11. Government should provide good roads.
  12. Government should guarantee the rights of the people to elect their representatives.
  13. Government should increase the power of security personnel to surmount the current security challenges.
  14. Government should act sustainably- the structures on ground should be successive (Continuity).
  15. Government should enquire and enroll children of school age who are out of school.
  16. There should be accessible schools and Health facilities especially in the rural areas.
  17. Government should improve and invest in Technical Education to enhance manpower.
  18. Government should carry out women empowerment since women are pillars of a country.
  19. Mental Health should be encouraged establishing Psychiatric Hospitals.
  20. Government should allot performance indicators to Governors and rulers so that the non performing ones will be removed.
  21. Our Judicial system should be strengthened for quick dispensation of Justice.
  22. Corrupt Government officials should be brought to book.
  23. Government should look at civil society Organizations as partners instead of rivals.
  24. Environmental Health laws should be strengthened.
  25. Government should put in place policies and programmes that will help harness Tourism and recreation resources that are available in the rural areas in the North-Central Zone.
  26. Nigerian Meteorological Society should be adequately and properly funded in carrying out its responsibilities and duties in gathering, processing and providing useful data and information on weather.
  27. Government should reduce the tax of companies and organizations that give to the poor to encourage more organizations to do so.

WAY FORWARD

Following was a way forward at the national/ Regional Level. Against this, the following were considered as key to the achievement of the goals of the post 2015 Development framework:

  • There should be grass root involvement on the post 2015 Development Plan.
  • Civil Society Organizations should build synergy to carryout meetings amidst scarcity of resources while encouraging personal sacrifices.
  • There should be increased communications and contributions of Civil Society Organizations on the subject matter via the internet.

Highlight of the deliberation was the family meeting of the campaign 2015+. Dr. Winjobi chronicled the ideas behind the post 2015 development plan, when it started in 2010 to where it is now, its composition, operations and interactions with global organizations.

ELECTION OF THE STATE COORDINATORS

It was bestowed on the Civil Society Organizations present to elect/appoint their state Coordinators. Participants were allowed to consult at state levels for the election of their officials. After due consultations, the following were elected as state coordinating organizations with contact persons as:

  1. Kogi– Participative Initiative for Behavioural Change (PIBCI) Victor Attah 08064963303. Attahlo@yahoo.com
  2. Benue- Benue Non-Governmental Organizations’ Network (BENGONET) – Barr. Justin Gbagir gbagirjustin@gmail.com 07038473765,08180841620
  3. Abuja- Women Gender Equality – Adah Catherine Ogbanje Adakate93@yahoo.com; 08068981515. Abuja
  4. Nasarawa- Center for Citizens’ Rights- Abdullazeez Bako. 08065649693

At the election of the state Coordinators, the deliberation meeting came to an end at about 3: 53 pm.


Nigeria Zonal Deliberations on Post 2015 Global Development Framework

SUMMARY

Dates of Event 18th December, 2012 through 9th January 2013
Venue Osogbo, Makurdi, Jalingo, Port Harcourt and Owerri (5 geo-political zones of Nigeria)
Name and e-mail of report writer Tola Winjobi tolawinjobi58@yahoo.com
Number of participants 407 participants in all broken down into: Southwest (Osogbo) 73; South-south (Port Harcourt) 67; Northeast (Jalingo) 64; Southeast (Owerri) 56 and; North-central (Makurdi) 31

WITH THE SUPPORT OF BEYOND2015/CONCORD

DELIBERATION PROCESS AND POLITICAL CONTEXT

Deliberation Process

(a)    All-inclusive participation: The national deliberations across the six geo-political zones were first launched in the southwest so as to intimate and involve CSOs and other  stakeholders in the current critical global development issue tagged “post-2015 MDGs development framework” as it affects Nigeria. The representatives of the following cross sections of the society were in attendance:

Faith-based organizations
Health workers
Artisans
Youth groups
Farmers association
People living with disability
Women’s groups and women’s rights organizations
Community based organizations
National NGOs
Community Development Associations

The deliberations usually start with a press briefing followed by the representatives of the UN and development partners making a speech. After the major paper presentation by the organizer, the participants break into groups to discuss the conceptual foundations (VPPC) of a post-2015 framework after which they come to the plenary.

(b)   Positive/Negative aspects: There is a growing enthusiasm among the stakeholders to review the progress on MDGs and discuss the new development agenda as very many people, beyond our expectation, often turn out for the deliberations. The highest number of participants is recorded in the southwest (Osogbo) with 73 in attendance followed by the southsouth (Port Harcourt) with 67 participants which is closely followed by northeast recording 64 participants.  The lowest number of participants comes from the northcentral (Makurdi) with only 31 while 56 attend that of the southeast in Owerri.

The participants are discussing with open minds and challenging the governments to do more to attain MDGs. Many of them vent their anger on government for the latter’s inability to checkmate the activities of Boko Haram islamist sect that are unleashing terror on the people especially Christian faithful in the northern part of the country. The participants believe that there could be no development where there is massive insecurity and destruction of lives and property. Youth unemployment coupled with industries folding up and relocating to neighbouring countries due to consistent lack of power supply also gain the centre stage of discussions. The issue of corruption cuts across the five geo-political zones as the participants re-energize themselves to monitor government business and hold government accountable to the failure or success of MDGs. They decry the jumbo salary package of the members of the National Assembly as the package was gulping about 25% of the total overhead of the federal budget.

The participants have braced up themselves for the UN-led national deliberation since Nigeria is one of the fifty countries that these would happen. They suggest we hold a strategy meeting to map out how the CSOs would be able to push for their own agenda – the world/Nigeria they want.

(c)    Information about national/regional positions: The participants are aware of some local, national, and regional meetings and positions on post-2015 development agenda. Specifically, the participants are aware of Beyond2015 Population Dynamics Position, Alliance of Southern CS on Health,  Montreal Declaration and Plan of Action on post-2015; No Future without Justice – 6 Core Goals, and Campaign for People’s Goals for Sustainable Development. Others are Outcome Document of the Regional Consultations on Post-2015 Development Agenda, Dakar, Senegal 10-11 December 2012 and Report Review of CS Consultation on the Health Theme of the Post-2015 UN Agenda December 2012 –  January 2013.

In Nigeria, there have been deliberations at the local and the state levels, while there is the need to plan for the next activities especially the national deliberation that would be held in Abuja so that CSOs could key-in into the deliberation. However, there are some challenges as the UNDP-designated organization, United Nations Millennium Campaign (UNNMC) has not been proactive enough in the process. UNMC organized only one meeting with few CSOs in Abuja last year, while it has been flinching/hesitant in honouring invitation by CSOs to attend post-2015 deliberations organized by CSOs on their own. The major challenge facing CSOs is funds as they find it difficult to organize deliberations cutting across the nooks and crannies of Nigeria. Also, there are many regional and international meetings that they should be part of but because they do not have the means to cover their travel expenses they are missing out in many of them.

The Nigerian government’s position on post-2015 agenda is nebulous as they seem not carrying CSOs along while they are yet to organize a national meeting as at January 9 2013 when this report is being compiled. One wonders how the voices of the grassroots people would count when government is not consulting with CSOs to make this happen. The UN systems and development partners like donors are also not sensitized enough to the need to support CSOs in being part of the process. In most cases, the UN representatives did not attend the zonal meetings proffering excuse for long distances from Abuja to the venues.

KEY ISSUES

Content, issues, ideas, and differing views

The deliberations across the zones focus on four conceptual foundations (highlighted below under VPPC) including the kind of preference the CS want to underlie the new development framework to post-date MDGs2015. The participants try as much as possible to think globally but act locally in view of the reality of the challenges facing Nigeria.

(a)    Preference for the kind of framework wanted:

  • The framework content must be people-centred and inclusive for legitimacy as opposed to MDGs that citizens were not involved in the process of conceiving, implementing and evaluating it.
  • It must include not only development issues but also human rights, democracy, justice, climate change, energy, peace and security. These are all bed-rocks of development without which there will be no meaningful development.
  • The framework should incorporate mechanism for monitoring and accountability so that its achievements or failure can be measured while the operators can be held accountable for results.
  • There should be equity among stakeholders in terms of ownership by all the actors so that responsibilities can be shared while both rich and developing countries should see one another as co-partners in development.
  • While incorporating the voices of the people directly affected by poverty from the grassroots, and for credibility, the content and process of the new framework should be led by the UN but not G8, G10, G20 and other alliances within and outside the system or in any developed or developing countries.

(b)   Key issues identified to form part of the framework (there was no agreement on the order of importance as rating them was highly contentious among the participants):

  • Environmental protection; climate change adaptation and mitigation
  • Gender equality and women’s empowerment
  • Women in governance and constitutional role
  • Corruption and bad governance
  • Peace and security (including terrorism)
  • Project, program, policy continuity
  • Sustainable shelter and infrastructure
  • Maternal and child health
  • Marginalization/discrimination against the disabled
  • Falling standard of education
  • Industrialization including agro-allied services
  • Unemployment and youth empowerment
  • Sustainable agriculture and food security
  • Affordable housing and durable infrastructures
  • Comprehensive healthcare services for rural communities
  • Wellness package and social responsibilities for especially the minorities, the disabled, elderly, children, women, vulnerable etc
  • Inclusion of people with disabilities and other vulnerable  in governance
  • All-inclusive planning, implementation, monitoring & evaluation of post 2015 agenda
  • Energy and power re-engineering

(c)    Most important ideas related to the most important issues identified:

  • Gainful employment and functioning power supply are central to the issue of poverty eradication as erratic power supply in some developing countries including Nigeria has been consistently throwing many into further poverty and out of jobs.
  • Corruption and injustice are also identified as the bane of development but governments only need political will to stamp out corruption, fight injustice, obey the rule of law, and deliver dividends of democracy to bring about sustainable development.

(d)   Differing views emerging from the discussions

  • The issue of gender is viewed differently by the faith-based participants especially the Islamic adherent. They feel gender equality suggests that women should have equal rights as men folks whereby wives may be contentious with their husbands when it comes to gender role within the family and the society.
  • The issue of development dichotomy between the global north and the global south is also argumentative. While some CSOs feel developing countries need aids others see the gestures such as ODA, grant-in-aid and support from OECD/developed to developing countries as neo-colonialism and Trojan horse. The consensus is that since many African countries and other developing climes have abundant human and natural resources to aid their development the people only need to hold their governments accountable asking them to make their resources work for them.
  • The participants see UN paying lip service to the new development agenda because there is no clear-cut mechanism in place to support all-inclusive deliberations involving the poor, the illiterate, the maginalised, the artisans, the rural dwellers, and the minorities whose voices are expected to count. For example, the persons with disability and the few artisans present feel the rural communities are not adequately represented in most of the deliberations across the zones.

(e)    Most welcomed existing content and why?

All the zones discussed fully the necessary principles to underlie the new development agenda with focus on poverty eradication, sustainability, rights-based, universality, coherence and evidence-based. However, the most welcome existing content suggestion by the participants is that which is based on the principle of inclusiveness of all in the post-2015 development discussions, and the one based on the principle of accountability for results. The reason being that since people believe in the pride of ownership of an idea or  a project through being included, they tend to give it support making such a project succeed. The same thing goes for questioning for result (accountability) though there are types of horizontal and vertical accountability. They feel the new framework could only succeed once they have the power to call authorities to question on failure or success of a project.

ANALYSIS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

Vision, Purpose, Principles, and Criteria

(a)       Key Principles Suggested

  1. Inclusiveness: The framework should recognize the participation of the rural communities, the voiceless, the vulnerable, the physically challenged, children, youth and women in the planning and implementation of projects affecting them so that every stakeholder shall have a role to play in the new development agenda.
  2. Accountability: The framework should build in an accountability mechanism so that governments could be held accountable to their promises. There has to be accountability in the management of funds appropriated for various development projects as it affects the attainment of the MDGs and post-2015.
  3. Transparency:  The framework should incorporate the principle of transparency and openness so that everyone can know all they need to about development pertaining to them. And there should be transparency in every segment of our national engagement to ensure efficient management of resources.
  4. Global equity: The framework should incorporate the principle of equity and fairness among the countries regardless of the status removing the dichotomy between the global north and the global south and respecting the values and ideals of each other.
  5. Gender responsiveness: The framework should focus on the principle of gender sensitivity so that there would be equity and fairness in every issue affecting various groups with regards to gender role and distribution of resources.
  6. Sustainability: The new development framework must incorporate sustainable development goals and enabling environment for the people, the government and the whole environment where they operate.
  7. Human rights-based: The framework should be laced with respecting the rights of all, access to information, freedom of expression, upholding the international human rights law and standards, and respecting the rule of law.
  8. Principle of Timeliness: The framework should have a time frame of between 15 and 20 years while sufficient time is given to conceptualizing and planning before implementing the new agenda.

(b)       Recommend specific wording as to the vision and purpose of the framework

  1. We envision a just society where citizens’ views and contributions are considered, projects and policies are people based, good governance and accountability assured, appointment is based on merit, international human rights and constitution are respected and there is equity in distribution of resources by governments without discrimination.
  2. We need a Nigeria, indeed a world, that is devoid of the structural causes of poverty and injustices so that everyone would have equal opportunities to maximize their potentials.
  3. We envision a world that ensures social security and security of life and property through provision of jobs and tackling terrorism and kidnapping.
  4. Our vision is a world that promotes human rights, peace, justice and development
  5. A world where women, youth, children, the marginalized and vulnerable groups have opportunity to development and have rights to health care and other social services
  6. A world that recognizes and respects the rights of citizens to actively participate in governance and are empowered to hold government accountable for their actions.
  7. We need a society where there is free flow of information in line with the freedom of information regime.
  8. A society where there is free and compulsory education for age 18 and below, and employment opportunities for the citizenry
  9. We want to see a world where citizen are giving space to actively participate in governance and empowered to hold government accountable for their actions
  10. A world where food and nutrition is sufficient for the healthy growth and well-being of the citizens

(c)        Purpose

  1. The new development agenda should be a prescriptive document specifying actions to be undertaken at the local and international levels  and which everyone must respect.
  2. The purpose of the post-2015 agenda should be the blue-print for and pivotal of turning around for better the situation of the poor, the maginalised, the vulnerable, and the minority.
  3. The new framework should be an instrument that can put at the centre stage of development accountability and transparency structure so that governments would be adequately monitored for results.
  4. The post 2015 framework should be framed in a way that will guide the governments with specific targets for pro-poor services and that will truly serve people in the grassroots.
  5. The framework should be designed for the purpose of supporting and addressing the critical issues of social, economic, political and technological development.
  6. That the post-2015 agenda should be a directive paper making governments all over the world recognise that there are existing international laws for the protection of human rights, which the local laws should take cognizance of and be fashioned after and implemented accordingly.
  7. That the post-2015 framework should strengthen political will to implement local laws and policies for economic and environmental sustainability.
  8. Should be a tool fashioned after the international standards to guide the operators of the new framework in project design, implementation and evaluation.

(d)     Recommend specific criteria which should eventually be used to select goals. In terms of criteria the groups came up with the following:

  1. Proposed goal addresses issues of human rights that are consistent with international human rights standards.
  2. Proposed goal addresses issues of environmental sustainability.
  3. Proposed goal addresses issues of economic empowerment.
  4. Sustainable power through monitoring and reviewing power generation within a specified time frame by generating 20,000 mega watt annually(Nigeria-specific).
  5. The proposed goal considers supervision, monitoring and evaluation as central.
  6. The issues of injustice, poverty, human rights abuses are tackled.
  7. Develop a monitoring and evaluation tool that is acceptable and accessible and involve all relevant stake holders in the monitoring and evaluation of all projects including active participation of NGOs, faith based organizations and youth led organizations.

(e)       Influencing the national policies/international discussions’ outcomes on a post-2015 framework

  1. CSOs and selected opinion leaders in the grassroots to lobby their representatives in political offices
  2. Strengthened campaign strategy among the development actors to influence the Federal, state and the local government
  3. Organising Town-Hall meetings as a platform to  share ideas with the CBOs and other concerned citizens in the local communities.
  4. CSOs should be in constant communication with the UNDG, sending them report and information against the UN-led national deliberation in Nigeria
  5. Constant sensitization, mobilization and capacity building programmes for the electorates to ensure successful elections and realization of the set goals in the framework by 2015
  6. Utilization of ICTs and social media networks for proper information dissemination on post-2015 development agenda.
  7. There should be grass root involvement on the post 2015 Development Plan.
  8. Civil Society Organizations should build synergy to carryout meetings amidst scarcity of resources while encouraging personal sacrifices.
  9. There should be increased communications and contributions of Civil Society Organizations on critical subject matter especially the thematic areas on post-2015 through the internet and their participation in physical meetings.
  10. CSOs need to key in to the national deliberation to be held in Abuja where we need to input our policy asks.

(f)       Suggested indicators for issues identified

  1. Community participation from planning stage to implementation.
  2. Improvement in the socio-economic conditions of the poor across the globe
  3. Proper documentation
  4. Increased participation of women and persons with disability in governance
  5. Equal distribution of resources
  6. Significant reduction in maternal and child mortality
  7. Absence of threats and war
  8. Reduction in the number of terrorist and militant activities
  9. Good communication and networking with other stakeholders and the media
  10. Relevance of the goals within 10 and 20 years

 (g)      Proposed Minimum standards for the content of a post-2015 framework applicable to all countries

  • Standards be in accordance with the international human rights standards

 (h)     Additional information – strong consensus points

Nil