Beyond 2015
STATEMENT
Delivered by Busani Sibindi, Beyond 2015, Zimbabwe
Your excellences,
Distinguished delegates,
Dear colleagues,
First of all, let me express our gratitude, on behalf of Beyond 2015 for the space created today for this interaction with civil society and people’s representatives.
I would like to express a few comments regarding the elements paper:
On “Leaving no one behind” - We were glad to see that the elements paper called for this commitment to be made in the post-2015 Declaration. We were also reassured to see the high level of support from Member States to this proposal.
We expect to live in a post-2015 world where no one is left behind by virtue of their gender, age, disability, income, geography, ethnicity or others. To be ambitious, thus, the Declaration will need to express a clear commitment that no target will be considered met unless it is met for all social and economic groups, especially the most vulnerable and marginalized.
On Participation:
The process to agree on the post-2015 agenda has established a new paradigm of open, inclusive and constructive engagement with both civil society organisations and people around the world in shaping the decisions that will directly affect their lives.
Yet the elements paper fails to reflect the need for participation. We are not only talking about the need for civil society to participate in the discussions at the global level but moreover for people on the ground to be able to participate in the delivery, monitoring and accountability of this new agenda. Participation is what will make the “leave no one behind” a reality and not only a compelling slogan.
A genuine Global Partnership will only be possible if it includes the participation of people, especially the most marginalized and vulnerable. Therefore, the post-2015 Declaration must include a clear commitment to increasing people’s ability to effectively and meaningfully participate in and contribute to policy choices and to hold governments and other actors into account for what they do –or fail to do- to achieve the progress we seek. To do so, Member States must also commit to establishing an enabling environment for civil society to carry out their crucial, independent roles.
We would like therefore to propose that people’s participation be considered a principle in the post-2015 declaration as well as a strategic means of implementation. Participation will be key to make this a people-centered agenda.
The creation of a new global framework represents a historic opportunity to catalyse the urgent and targeted action needed to help us achieve our vision of an equitable, peaceful and sustainable world, in which all people live with dignity. The post-2015 declaration must be the stepping stone towards a new paradigm based on democracy and good governance, empowerment of the poorest and most marginalised, human rights and gender equality and strong citizen voices on social, environmental and economic justice, solidarity, common but differentiated responsibilities, and accountability of all actors.
Thank you
Delivered by Busani Sibindi, Beyond 2015, Zimbabwe
Your excellences,
Distinguished delegates,
Dear colleagues,
First of all, let me express our gratitude, on behalf of Beyond 2015 for the space created today for this interaction with civil society and people’s representatives.
I would like to express a few comments regarding the elements paper:
On “Leaving no one behind” - We were glad to see that the elements paper called for this commitment to be made in the post-2015 Declaration. We were also reassured to see the high level of support from Member States to this proposal.
We expect to live in a post-2015 world where no one is left behind by virtue of their gender, age, disability, income, geography, ethnicity or others. To be ambitious, thus, the Declaration will need to express a clear commitment that no target will be considered met unless it is met for all social and economic groups, especially the most vulnerable and marginalized.
On Participation:
The process to agree on the post-2015 agenda has established a new paradigm of open, inclusive and constructive engagement with both civil society organisations and people around the world in shaping the decisions that will directly affect their lives.
Yet the elements paper fails to reflect the need for participation. We are not only talking about the need for civil society to participate in the discussions at the global level but moreover for people on the ground to be able to participate in the delivery, monitoring and accountability of this new agenda. Participation is what will make the “leave no one behind” a reality and not only a compelling slogan.
A genuine Global Partnership will only be possible if it includes the participation of people, especially the most marginalized and vulnerable. Therefore, the post-2015 Declaration must include a clear commitment to increasing people’s ability to effectively and meaningfully participate in and contribute to policy choices and to hold governments and other actors into account for what they do –or fail to do- to achieve the progress we seek. To do so, Member States must also commit to establishing an enabling environment for civil society to carry out their crucial, independent roles.
We would like therefore to propose that people’s participation be considered a principle in the post-2015 declaration as well as a strategic means of implementation. Participation will be key to make this a people-centered agenda.
The creation of a new global framework represents a historic opportunity to catalyse the urgent and targeted action needed to help us achieve our vision of an equitable, peaceful and sustainable world, in which all people live with dignity. The post-2015 declaration must be the stepping stone towards a new paradigm based on democracy and good governance, empowerment of the poorest and most marginalised, human rights and gender equality and strong citizen voices on social, environmental and economic justice, solidarity, common but differentiated responsibilities, and accountability of all actors.
Thank you
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