Category: Documents

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.

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

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Your Excellencies,

 Amnesty International welcomes the opportunity to provide input to the High Level Panel’s civil society consultation ahead of the meeting in Monrovia, Liberia (30 January – 2 February 2013), including through the online consultations. We appreciate that a set of 24 of framing questions have been put forward to guide the Panel’s considerations. At the same time, we regret the absence of key questions on how international human rights treaty standards and principles can – and must – frame and inform the identification of priorities for the post-2015 development agenda.

In order for the post-2015 development framework to be truly effective in transforming the lives of all those living in poverty, it must be guided by a framework for the realisation of human rights based on the range of obligations already undertaken by states. Human rights standards and principles strengthen global policy coherence, and help construct an accountability framework at global, regional, national and sub-national levels to ensure that post-2015 commitments are honoured in practice and effectively implemented on the ground.

In view of the above, Amnesty International respectfully urges the High Level Panel to ask the following framing questions which specifically address fundamental human rights principles, together with some of their key aspects:

How can we ensure that development policy and programmes are consistent with human rights obligations?

Consideration of this question should lead to a clear call for reaffirmation

1. of all states’ legal obligations to respect, protect, and fulfil human rights;
2. that national and international development policies, programmes and practice must reflect states’ obligations under international human rights law and
3. that States engaging in international cooperation and technical and financial assistance, whether bilaterally and through international organisations, must be mutually accountable to ensure that such assistance is consistent with human rights obligations and for the necessity of carrying out adequate due diligence to prevent human rights abuses. Furthermore, each State should commit to designating or creating an institution with sufficient expertise to review development plans and related legislation and their implementation for consistency with human rights standards.

How can we ensure that development targets and frameworks are based on international human rights law?

This should include

1. the establishment of timelines for fulfilling minimum essential levels of economic, social and cultural rights globally and for each country;
2. clear and time-bound pledges by States in a position to provide assistance to ensure that there is adequate international co-operation assistance available where such assistance is necessary to ensure the realization of at least minimum essential levels of economic, social and cultural rights for all, and
3. a commitment to strengthen international, regional and national systems for data collection on levels of access to water, sanitation, health, education, food and social protection to ensure that they fully assess quality, availability, physical accessibility and affordability. Such data must be disaggregated at least according to gender and the other most relevant grounds of discrimination, including ethnicity and disability.

How can we ensure a commitment to enhancing accountability mechanisms for existing human rights obligations as part of the framework for development after 2015?

This should include

1. a commitment to ensure that people are able to use the law to enforce their rights and access effective remedies for all violations of human rights, in particular addressing any gaps in the law relating to the enforceability of economic, social and cultural rights;
2. the removal of any barriers that people living in poverty face in accessing justice and effective remedies;
3. a mandate for national human rights monitoring bodies as well as quasi-judicial regulatory bodies to monitor violations of human rights and to act on complaints, and ensure they have the capacity to do so effectively;
4. increased monitoring and oversight by parliamentary bodies of efforts to meet the development goals, in particular to ensure their consistency with human rights obligations;
5. use of the international human rights monitoring system to ensure consistency between development and human rights, for example through ratification of the Optional Protocols to the Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, to provide additional scrutiny;
6. systematic integration of reporting on national implementation of the development goals in reports to the Universal Periodic Review of the Human Rights Council and to international human rights treaty monitoring bodies and
7. adoption of adequate safeguards, monitoring and accountability mechanisms to ensure that development assistance complies with human rights standards.

How can we ensure a commitment that development is inclusive, contributes to ending discrimination, guarantees gender equality and prioritises disadvantaged groups?

This should include

1. a commitment that governments identify which groups are facing discrimination or particular barriers in realizing their rights and ensure that development efforts are designed and implemented in a way that focuses on removing these barriers and on improving the lives of the most disadvantaged;
2. prioritization of the most disadvantaged groups in reforms to law, policy and practice, and take effective measures to end discriminatory measures such as violence against women and denial of sexual and reproductive rights;
3. a requirement that States develop separate targets within national targets for the realization of economic, social and cultural rights for particular groups who face discrimination and disadvantage, monitor these targets, and collect data on the realization of economic, social and cultural rights that is disaggregated on the basis of gender and for other groups identified as facing discrimination and
4. priority for disadvantaged groups in the allocation of resources from national funding and international assistance.

How do we reaffirm the right of access to information and participation?

This should include

1. provision for effective participation in the processes of development – from priority setting to planning to implementation and monitoring – by ensuring access to relevant information and transparent processes which are inclusive and non-discriminatory, and consult the most affected
2. commitment for each state to design and implement a poverty reduction framework that involves the active participation of those people living in poverty and (c) a requirement to respect, protect and fulfil the rights to freedom of expression, association, and assembly.

We are hoping that the Panel will be putting human rights at the centre of its deliberations and its report, and thus give an important impetus to worldwide implementation of civil, cultural, economic, political and social rights. In doing so, the Panel would contribute to genuine progress towards ending freedom from fear and freedom from want, and contribute to a world in which women, men and children in all parts of the world can live in dignity.

Yours sincerely,

Yasmin Hussein

International Advocacy Director

In July 2012 the United Nations Secretary General appointed a High Level Panel of Eminent Persons to deliberate consult and provide independent recommendations on what international development framework might come after the Millennium Development Goals when they expire in 2015. The Panel is comprised of 27 members, including Heads of State, Ministers, former Ministers and independent experts. It is chaired by Prime Minister David Cameron, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.

The High Level Panel of Eminent Persons has thus far held two meetings, the first in New York in the 25th September 2012; and in London between October 31 to November 1, 2012. The third meeting of the High Level Panel will take place between 30 January 2012 and 2nd February 2013 in Monrovia, Liberia.

OBJECTIVES

The HLP meeting in Monrovia will seek, amongst other priorities to:

• Discuss the elements of an outline for the Panel report and criteria for prioritizing the post-2015 agenda.
• Identify the drivers of economic transformation that need due consideration in a future global framework.
• Share evidence and consultation findings from various constituencies with members of the High Level Panel.
• Take stock of the emerging post-2015 agenda based on the discussions at New York and London and other Panel member contributions, so that Monrovia builds on this groundwork.
• Identify issues to be discussed at the fourth HLP meeting in Bali, Indonesia in March 2013.

THEMES:

The meeting will be organized around the central theme of ‘National Building Blocks for Sustained Prosperity’, with a particular focus on economic transformation. Topics under discussion will include:

• Enablers and barriers to economic transformation
• Equitable and sustainable outcomes
• Role of the Private Sector
• Governance and Institution building, with a particular focus on conflict affected and fragile states.

An emphasis on African Perspectives and Positions is also proposed.

DATES

The third meeting of the High Level Panel will take place between 30 January 2012 and 2nd February 2013 in Monrovia, Liberia. Civil society outreach events around this meeting will be enabled through meetings organised on 28th and 30th January 2013, i.e. two days prior to the 3rd HLP meet and as part of Day One of the meeting.

FORMAT

Day One: CSO Pre–‐Consultative Forum

The CSO Pre-Consultative Forum will be held on the 28th January 2013. This will be a full day program where CSOs will have an opportunity to meet among themselves in order to prepare for the engagement with HLP members and agree on strategic consensus positions. The format of the meeting will be a combination of plenary, panel and parallel sessions; and will be organized by a core group of global CSOs (Global Working Group) which will include strong representation from Southern, African and Liberian CSOs.

Day Two: CSO Outreach with the HLP

The second day of CSO outreach meetings will be held on the 30 January 2013, and will involve a two and a half hour interphase between forty CSO representatives and members of the HLP organized.

The first hour will take the format of a “town hall” event, where CSO members and grassroots representatives will share evidence, perspectives, and recommendations on the topic of National Building Blocks for Sustained Prosperity and its sub-themes. This will serve as a framing conversation, also giving critical clarity to the vision and aspirations of ordinary citizens for the future.

The following hour and thirty minutes will be organised in the form of four roundtables. The agenda for the roundtables will be focus on addressing the subthemes of the meeting from the perspective of marginalized groups including:

(i)                 Youth and children

(ii)               Women

(iii)             Disabled and aged

(iv)              Farmers workers and small businesses

The Framing Questions that have emerged from the 2nd HLP meeting held in London, UK will provide a context for the discussions held in the round tables and plenary sessions – and an opportunity for civil society groups who may not be in a position to be present in Monrovia to contribute to the deliberations. Details about the Framing Questions and how to respond to them are available here: http://www.worldwewant2015.org/Post2015HLP

PARTICIPATION

A total of 60 participants are expected during the CSO pre-consultative forum on Day 1; whereas 40 of these participants will then meet with the HLP on 30th January during the Outreach day. Details of the CSO registration and participation process will be announced shortly.

In selecting participants, special attention will be given to representation from key stakeholder groups, including

• Marginalized groups such as women’s networks, youth groups, children’s networks, groups for the disabled and aged.
• Special interest groups on issues of economic transformation such as traders, informal sector representatives, farmers associations, and trade unions;
• CSOs from Africa and the global south (Latin America and the Caribbean, Asia-Pacific and Arab regions)

FOCAL POINTS

A core group of civil society representatives from the region – the Africa CSO Working Group – is providing leadership to the preparations that are being undertaken for the outreach events. Focal points within this working group, who can be reached for further details, include:

• Overview: ACORD, African Monitor, GCAP Africa and WaterAid Liberia info@askafricanow.org
• Focus on Women & Gender: FEMNET, Dina Musindarwezo, director@femnet.or.ke
• Focus on Disability & Aged: HelpAge, Roseline Kihumba, Rkihumba@helpage.co.ke
• Focus on Children & Youth: Organisation for African Youth, George Ndung’u, george@oayouth.org
• Focus on Farmers, Workers and Small Businesses: ACORD, Salina Sanou, salina.sanou@acordinternational.org

The Africa CSO Working Group is working in close collaboration with the Liberia Working Group and CSOs from other regions, including Latin America, Asia and Europe to ensure diverse participation in the CSO outreach events. Leads for the roundtables (from other regions) are being identified and will soon be communicated.

The Africa CSO Working Group can be reached at info@askafricanow.org; and communications@askafricanow.org for media related queries. To reach Mrs. Namhla Mniki-Mangaliso, Head of the Secretariat and CSO Focal Point in Monrovia, please use headsecretariat@askafricanow.org.

11 Jan 2013

CSO

Outreach – Post 2015Secretariat

Monrovia,Liberia

We, civil society representatives convened by CIVICUS, GCAP and Beyond 2015 at the 2012 CIVICUS World Assembly, met September 4th-7th 2012 to begin discussions on the World We Want beyond 2015.

As civil society gathered here today, we affirm that we will work united and collaborate to ensure a legitimate and inclusive development framework is in place to succeed the current MDGs, that delivers lasting change in the world. We affirm that this framework must work to genuinely integrate ending poverty, ensuring environmental sustainability and promoting human rights. The framework must fully reflect the priorities and perspectives of people directly affected by poverty and inequality, the majority of whom are socially excluded populations, particularly women, children, youth and indigenous peoples. The framework should also challenge the structures, institutions and processes that perpetuate poverty.

We highly appreciate offers and commitments already made by various actors and institutions to directly engage and consult with civil society. However, we also have serious concerns about the current state of the parameters for civil society participation and engagement in the post-2015 process. In order to address our concerns, we have developed the following essential criteria to ensure meaningful civil society engagement:

1. Civil society must be treated at parity with other stakeholders, for example the private sector.
2. Before engaging in consultations and providing input to any of the processes, civil society must have a commitment that all inputs will be fully considered, this includes:
   • clarity on when review of CSO input is taking place
   • ensure that a response will be formulated which outlines how this input is being taken forward
   • civil society representatives are present in discussions to support their case.
3. Regular interaction between decision makers and civil society representatives to ensure a 2-way communication and that the process is respected as agreed.
4. Consultations with civil society should take the form of face-to-face meetings with relevant decision-makers, permanently established advisory panels in addition to written input. We affirm the need to build upon and strengthen already established rules and mechanisms for civil society engagement with the UN, when developing mechanisms for civil society engagement in post 2015.
5. All relevant information needs to be easily and openly accessible in a timely manner to civil society.
6. A fully funded Civil Society platform must be in place by the end of 2012 at the latest and be supported by a relevant UN entity, for example a well resourced and strengthened UN Non-Governmental Liaison Service (UN-NGLS), and must be directly linked to the UN General Assembly President’s office.

Civil society will not engage fully until these commitments and sufficient resources are confirmed.

To the UN Member States we recommend

– The intergovernmental Open Working Group on SDGs must have a clear, efficient, inclusive and transparent mechanism to engage proactively with civil society. This must be clearly outlined within their Terms of Reference.

To the UN Secretariat we recommend

– The UN High-level Panel of eminent persons must contain increased representation from civil society, representing civil society constituency. The High-level Panel needs to clarify immediately how they will engage with civil society as a major stakeholder, as outlined in their Terms of Reference.

To the UNDG we recommend

– The UNDG consultation processes currently under way (50+ national consultations, 9+ thematic consultations, global conversation) must live up to commitments already made, for example in the guidance notes to Regional Coordinators and TORs for thematic consultations to meaningfully include and resource civil society to engage at all levels and all stages.

We appreciate efforts by UN civil society focal points and other allies to work with us to ensure a fair, inclusive and legitimate process is in place and we look forward to a response outlining how our conditions will be met.

Signed by CIVICUS, GCAP and Beyond 2015 (with more signatures to come)

2015 is the end of the timeline for the Millennium Development Goals. This presents an opportunity for the world adopt a twin track approach of ensuring the MDGs are met by 2015, while at the same time creating a post 2015 global development framework. The Beyond 2015 campaign has convened a global dialogue on the essential must-haves that would need to be met in order for any new framework to be considered legitimate. It is important that these discussions do not divert resources from the delivery of the MDGs.

This is an open, inclusive and on-going conversation. The must-haves are based on workshops at the World Social Forum, a global consultation process with members of Beyond 2015 in almost 50 countries, consultation with NGOs and interested academics, and research undertaken in collaboration with Southern partners. Beyond 2015 recognizes and welcomes other related initiatives aiming to advance thinking on a post 2015 agenda, and looks forward to continued collaboration and dialogue with interested groups.

Who leads, who owns and who implements?

• The UN is the only legitimate and representative global governance structure and must lead the process.
• The process must not be led by the G20, G8, OECD or any other non-representative global forum.
• National governments must have primary ownership of, and accountability for the framework and its delivery. Governments should make use of local expertise, but must also be able to request external expertise without sacrificing control of their development strategy, and international institutions must respect and support, as appropriate to their mandate, existing national development frameworks.

How do we develop it?

• The UN must lead an inter-governmental debate on the process immediately, which must be connected to the on-going discussions about sustainable development, aid effectiveness and financing for development.
• The UN must agree on a roadmap, including time-specific milestones to develop the new framework. This roadmap must use the 2013 MDG Summit to define the vision for the post 2015 process, and culminate in a global Summit to adopt a new framework in 2015.
• The framework must be aligned with, and facilitate progress in other global and regional processes, such as Rio +20, to avoid duplication.
• The development of the framework must be based on a full and meaningful evaluation of the MDGs and the Millennium Declaration, and must take into account the shortcomings of the MDG approach and its limitations in addressing structural causes of poverty, inequality and exclusion. It must also recognise the positive achievements of the MDGs.
• The development of the framework must be completely open and transparent, participatory, inclusive and responsive to voices and expertise of those directly affected by poverty and injustice.
• The development of the framework (and its monitoring) must include an extensive consultation involving all stakeholders at local, national, regional and global level. This must include a formalised and meaningful process for civil society engagement, including the most marginalised groups.
• Civil society organisations without ECOSOC status must be included in the consultation, as must those who are unable to participate in an internet based consultation.
• Given the importance of monitoring and data collection, researchers and statistical experts must be included in the process for developing the framework.

What should it contain?

• The framework must set out global goals, as well as contextualised national targets for developed and developing countries aiming at a sustainable and equitable global development, as well as the eradication of extreme poverty.
• The framework must be based in full accordance with international human rights laws and frameworks.
• The framework must lever the reform of existing structures that perpetuate poverty and inequality.
• The framework must recognise that international aid is only a part of a balanced approach to development.
• The framework must address:

1. Root causes of poverty and injustice in all countries, from the richest to the poorest.
2. Inequity and inequality.
3. Environmental sustainability and climate change.
4. The responsibility of national governments to sustainably manage their natural and financial resources.
5. The responsibility of the international community to support developing countries in the face of global challenges through respecting their ODA commitments as well as through innovative redistributive funding mechanisms which would generate additional predictive finance.
6. The responsibility of developing country governments to deliver on development commitments.

Accountability

• The framework must clearly lay out enforceable accountability mechanisms, as well as the process for accountability at a national, regional and global level. This must include national oversight and independent review mechanisms at the international level.
• The framework must include mechanisms for citizens to hold national governments to account.
• The framework must include mechanisms for mutual accountability between governments and donors.
• The framework must include mechanisms for a governmental peer review process which includes civil society.
• The framework must enable citizens in developing countries to hold their governments to account in real time for progress on commitments made
• The framework must include monitoring mechanisms with measures to disaggregate data so that the impact on marginalised groups can be properly addressed.
• National processes must, in the spirit of democratic ownership, involve meaningful consultation and scrutiny by parliament and civil society.

For further information, contact lwilliams@concordeurope.org

Meeting Background

The meeting of the South West CSOs was called to explore strategies and modalities for increasing Nigerian CSOs active participation and engagement in national consultations and the global Post MDGs 2015 discussions. The South West CSOs meeting is the first in the country on the post 2015 development framework. These global deliberations on the MDGs post 2015 are taking place as the world celebrates the progress made in achieving some of the MDGs targets and begins a countdown to the deadline of 2015. With three years to the MDGs target deadline, notable achievements include:

• Cutting the extreme poverty rate to half the 1990 level
• Meeting the target of halving the proportion of people without access to improved sources of water
• Achieving parity in primary education between girls and boys
• A steady decline in global malaria deaths and reversal of the spread of tuberculosis

However, it is becoming increasingly obvious that the world might not meet the other targets and indeed that Nigeria and most other African countries have not met the above targets and they are unlikely to meet the other targets by 2015. In addition critical issues like human rights, good governance, security and violence, especially violence against women, were not included in the MDGs. More importantly, the process that gave rise to the MDGs was not participatory and inclusive and this has necessitated a call for a new post 2015 global development framework which would include the CSO voices and inputs of (End beneficiaries) those directly affected by poverty.

The UN has begun the process of developing this all inclusive post-2015 global agenda through, the UN Development Group and the setting up of a High Level Panel.  Activities in the UN-led process are: National consultations; Global online discussions on social media; and  thematic discussions on 9 key themes of :

• Inequalities (with also a focus on Gender disparities),
• Food security and nutrition,
• Governance,
• Growth and employment,
• Conflict and fragility,
• Health,
• Education,
• Environmental sustainability,
• Population dynamics

So the national consultations (which include this maiden deliberations initiated in Nigeria by South West CSOs) is aimed at creating a strong civil society position on the post 2015 framework that captures the voice of the Nigerian people and which would influence the position of the Nigerian government and as well as feed into the UN-led consultations at the national level.

The first in the series of CSOs consultations was jointly convened by Justice, Development and Peace Commission, (JDPC) Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State and Campaign2015+ International, Ibadan Southwest Nigeria but hosted by the former. The South West geo-political zone has (according to the 2006 national census) has a population of 27,722,432 and accounts for 20% of the Nigerian population. It comprises 6 states of Ekiti, Lagos Ondo, Ogun, Osun and Oyo.

This regional CSOs meeting had in attendance the representatives of:

• Women’s groups and Women’s rights organizations
• Youth groups
• National NGOs
• Community based organizations
• Community Development Association
• Agriculture groups-farmers
• Faith-based organizations
• Health workers
• People living with disability

Agenda

• Introduction
• Welcome Address by Rev. Fr.John Patrick Ngoyi
• Issues, Insights and Objectives by Dr Tola Winjobi
• Discussions:

• Issues on post 2015 global development framework; UN Secretary-General High Level Panel; Country Consultations, Areas of collaboration with the UN Millennium Campaign….. Dr Tola Winjobi
• Strategies for Nigerian stake holders’ voices to count in the post 2015 MDG global discussions….. Fr Patrick Ngoyi, All Participants
• The Road map…All participants

Objectives

• To identify the critical areas of collaboration with the UNMC/UNDP in its country-specific programme towards Nigeria achieving MDGs by 2015.
•  Draw the roadmap for CSOs’ engagement of the Beyond 2015 process
• To strategize for bringing to bear the voices of the Nigerian stakeholders in post 2015 global development framework so that Nigeria could showcase the best practice in the African sub-region
• To brainstorm on how to identify and establish an all-inclusive home grown campaign platform to partner with the UN country team in contributing to issues towards  and Beyond 2015 MDGs
• To identify sub-regional, regional, and international CSOs, development agencies and donors supporting MDGs and post MDGs agenda including Human rights, justice, peace, good governance and the rule of law , with a view to partnering with them

Discussion Pointers

• How do we make the post 2015 consultations more participatory?
• How do we elicit the active and informed participation of people living with poverty?
• How do we amplify the voices of the poor and socially excluded?
• How do we create an inclusive partnership between the state, CSOs and the private sector towards creating a shared vision of the world we want-beyond 2015?
• How do we ensure that “The Nigeria We Want-Beyond 2015” campaign is included in the Nigeria’s country discourse and report?

Key Issues and Discussions

• The global discussions and consultations on the post 2015 global development framework provides a unique opportunity for Nigerian CSOs to strategize, collaborate, advocate and influence National and global discussion
• The South West CSOs partnership and meeting on Beyond 2015 has highlighted the fact that Nigerian CSOs have the capacity to independently initiate a process that is self funded and to set an agenda that is not donor driven
• The primary focus of this CSOs driven process should be to ensure that the voices of  Nigerians directly affected by poverty and those socially excluded drive the new agenda for the global development framework
• CSOs need to use simple but innovative strategies and tools, including ICT to capture and amplify the voices of the poorest of the poor
• The Nigerian CSOs consultations on the beyond 2015 should produce a well documented report that would not only serve as an advocacy tool for influencing the Nigerian government’s post 2015 report but will also serve an alternative or “shadow” report.
• CSOs need to leverage the presence of 2 Nigerians (Ngozi Okonjo Iweala and Amina J Mohammed) in the UN Secretary General’s High Level Panel to positively influence the global discussions on the post 2015 framework and engage with the regional and continental movements and international agencies with the same goals.
• In joining the global discussions on the “The World We Want-Beyond 2015”, CSOs must ensure that the Nigerian voice is loud.
• The year “2015” is also a crucial year in the political life and democratic governance of the country and also provides an opportunity to capture the people’s voices on “The Nigeria We Want –Beyond 2015”.  We need to creativity merge these two campaigns to ensure that socially excluded and Nigerians play an important role in determining the “World” and the “Nigeria” we want beyond 2015. As stipulated in the UN Guidelines for Country Dialogues for the determination of the Post-2015 Agenda: “ they (consultations) offer a point of departure for determining context-appropriate inclusive consultation processes, preferably leading to sustained mechanisms for national dialogues and consultation” (p.14)
• In developing a truly Nigerian agenda by the CSOs, it is important to utilize tools like The Toolkit for National Deliberations (developed by the Global Call to Action Against Poverty-GCAP; Beyond2015 and the UN Millennium Campaign) to ensure that the CSOs consultations and report fit into the UN framework and can align with the reports from other countries.
• The meeting adapted and expanded the list of channels for mobilizing stakeholders for a participatory, inclusive and open national and local level dialogues
• There is the need to create a national broad-based campaign that would involve more CSOs both in the SW zones and the other 5 geo-political zones

Key Outcomes and Action Points

• Convene a larger meeting of CSOs in the SW to develop a broader framework and roadmap for the consultations in the region (September 26, 2012)
• Conduct  mapping of CSO networks, national CSOs, and CBOs at both the state and community levels (First three weeks of September 2012)
• Organise state level CSO briefings and meetings to broaden the level of CSO partners in each state ( Within the first three weeks of September)
• Write and establish communication with the relevant UN agencies involved in the post 2015 framework in the country as well as to the 2 Nigerians in the UN high level panel. We shall also seek to influence the HLP members from the sub region including President Sirleaf of Liberia and the member from Benin Republic.
• Identify credible CSOs that can use the SW template to initiate CSO consultations in the other geo-political zones
• Engage the media and the press as partners in increase public awareness of “The World We Want-Beyond 2015” and “The Nigeria We Want-Beyond-2015” campaign
• Date for next SW CSO meeting – Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Organizations Represented

• The Association of Small Scale Agro-business Producers in Nigeria (ASSAPIN)
• CASO-WRAG FOR DEVELOPMENT
• CAMPAIGN 2015+ INTERNATIONAL
• COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ALLIANCE
• COMMUNITY LIFE PROJECT-CLP
• EGBEDA VOLUNTARY HEALTH WORKERS ACTION GROUP
• JDPC
• JONAPID-PEOPLE LIVING WITH DISABILITY
• OGUN EAST SENATORIAL YOUTH COALITION
• SIFE-STUDENTS IN FREE ENTERPRISE
• WARDC
• WODECO
• WOMEN’S RIGHTS AND HEALTH PROJECT

Participants’ list