Meeting with Major Groups and other Stakeholders, June 24 2015
To be delivered by Mwangi Waituru, Beyond 2015, VSO International, Kenya
Your Excellences, colleagues,
A week ago, Beyond 2015 started a mobilization to mark the 100 days countdown to the post-2015 Summit. This is the beginning of the end of a journey that we have travelled together with Member States. Now it is time to reflect this partnership in the outcome document that will finally set the post-2015 agenda.
Beyond 2015 welcomes how the zero draft acknowledges the wide consultation with stakeholders and the ‘special effort to listen to the voices and concerns of the poorest and vulnerable’ (para 5, 43). However, this acknowledgement has to be translated into a commitment to ensure that the post-2015 agenda is implemented and reviewed through meaningful participation of people, civil society, volunteers and other stakeholders. In this regard, the 5Ps in the preamble are incomplete without the sixth P: Participation. The zero draft refers to an agenda FOR the people, but there are very few references to the ability of people themselves to participate as active agents of change, rather than simply as beneficiaries of this new agenda. The post-2015 agenda should not only be FOR people but WITH the people. The success of the agenda will depend on the continued engagement of all people, including children, youth, women and girls, persons with disabilities, older people, volunteers, the poorest and most marginalized, at all levels of its implementation, follow up and review. This agenda is about putting those who are last, first.
Overall, the declaration also lacks reference to the promotion of a safe enabling environment for civil society, even though the ability of civil society to operate freely is fundamental to sustainable, equitable delivery of progress.
We have drafted a full, detailed reaction to all aspects of the zero draft but today I would like to highlight some language suggestions to bring people to the front of the text.
● For instance, the Preamble could state that this agenda will count on “strong participation of all peoples”.
● We suggest a new paragraph (36bis) expressing the commitment to enhance participation and effective engagement of civil society and other relevant stakeholders in the Global Partnership for Sustainable development.
● Also important is to add a paragraph (37bis) pledging to continue supporting and engaging with civil society and other stakeholders in the implementation of the agenda
● A new paragraph (38 bis) committing to set up inclusive and participatory follow up and review mechanisms at all levels is critical as well as another (42 bis) calling for a broad alliance of people, governments, civil society, the private sector and all stakeholders, all working together to secure the future we want for present and future generations.
● Finally, we recommend the post-2015 declaration to recognize that millions have already engaged with and will own this Agenda and will continue to be fully part of its implementation and monitoring.
We welcome the paragraph that encourages all member states to develop ambitious national responses to the SDGs and targets as soon as possible and the call for the UN system to prepare to support member states in this endeavor. The section should also commit to set up concrete mechanisms of involving and supporting people, civil society and stakeholders participation in this response.
We hope to end the 100 days countdown (or 93, to be more precise) with you and to jointly start the next, 15 year path towards sustainable and inclusive development for all.
