Major Groups: Children and Youth, NGOs, and WFNA, International Federation of Library Associations, Beyond Access, Article 19, Development Initiatives, CIVICUS, Global Integrity, Transparency and Accountability International, Center for American Progress,
Organizations signing this statement: UN Major Group Children and Youth, UN Major Group of NGOs, WFNA, International Federation of Library Associations, Beyond Access, Article 19, Development Initiatives, CIVICUS, Global Integrity, Transparency and Accountability International, Center for American Progress, and InterAction.
Thank you Co-Chair,
We would like to reiterate the importance of peace, security, and responsive institutions as a central component for the sustainable development goals (SDG) framework. We welcome the improvements in the text as regards focus area 16. There are however still some areas for improvement within the current draft.
We understand that there are challenges associated with measuring progress on governance. However, we need to focus more on outcome targets rather than process oriented targets. Related to this, we call the Co-chairs to keep an explicit focus on people-centered targets rather than government-centered actions.
Many of the following recommendations are based on research and program experience from civil society colleagues who are working on conflict, peace-building and governance and seek to address some of the challenges that they have faced when measuring these same issues.
We hope that Co-chairs find our effort to be concise helpful to this process. With this in mind, we proposed merging some of the proposed targets.
On Proposed goal 16. Achieve peaceful and inclusive societies, rule of law, effective and capable institutions
16.1 by 2030 reduce levels of violence and related death rate by x%
[Delete and Replace: By 2030, reduce by x% the number of violent deaths per 100,000 and reduce the number of people from all social groups affected by violence]
16.2 by 2030 end abuse, exploitation and violence against children [ADD: and young people]
16.3 by 2030 reduce illicit financial flows by x% and reduce money laundering and all forms of organized crime including human trafficking and illicit trade in arms, drugs and wildlife
- [Delete and Replace: By 2030, significantly reduce international stresses that drive conflict, including irresponsible trade in arms and conflict commodities and the violent impact of drugs trafficking]
- Wildlife is already included in goal 15. Target should be moved there.
16.5 by 2020 build necessary capacities of sub-national and local governments for fostering peaceful and inclusive societies
[Delete]
16.6 forge unity in diversity through democratic practices and mechanisms at the local, national and international levels
- [Delete]
- This target should be merged with 16.4.
16.7 by 2020 provide information and education on a culture of non-violence
-[Delete]
- Current focus of target fits better as an indicator under target 16.1
16.8 strengthen mechanisms for formal and non-formal dispute resolution at all levels
[Delete and Replace: By 2030, tensions, grievances and disputes within society are being resolved peacefully and inclusively]
16.9 reduce the number of internally displaced persons and refugees
[Delete] Removed 16.9 as unclear how will be measured - if measured globally, could be reinstated. There is concern about harmful impact of this target if it were measured country by country.
16.10 enhance the capacity, professionalism and accountability of the security forces, police and judiciary
[Delete and Replace: By 2030, people from all social groups feel safe and have confidence in security provision]
On the focus area on Rule of law, effective and capable institutions, we propose the following recommendations.
16.11 develop effective, accountable and transparent public institutions at all levels
[Delete and Replace: By 2030, ensure that both public and private institutions are responsive and accountable to citizens]
16.14 by 2020 improve public access to information and government data, including on public finance management, public procurement and on the implementation of national development plans
[Delete and replace with: By 2020, establish and implement effective regimes for public access to information and government data.]
16.15 by 2030 ensure that all laws are publicized and accessible by all
[Delete and merged with 16.11]
16.16 by 2030 establish and implement effective regimes to decrease and provide accountability for corruption and bribery in all its forms and at all levels
[ADD: establish and implement mechanisms to reduce bribery and corruption by X% and ensure that all those involved are held accountable]
16.17 promote freedom of media, association and speech
[Delete and replace with: By 2020, ensure legal frameworks guarantee freedom of media, association, assembly, and expression]
In terms of means of implementation for these focus areas, besides those considered thus far, we invited Co-Chairs and Members States to look at ICTs, internet freedom, and public spaces such as government buildings and libraries as vehicles to promote access to information, data, and open government.
Thank you Co-Chair,
We would like to reiterate the importance of peace, security, and responsive institutions as a central component for the sustainable development goals (SDG) framework. We welcome the improvements in the text as regards focus area 16. There are however still some areas for improvement within the current draft.
We understand that there are challenges associated with measuring progress on governance. However, we need to focus more on outcome targets rather than process oriented targets. Related to this, we call the Co-chairs to keep an explicit focus on people-centered targets rather than government-centered actions.
Many of the following recommendations are based on research and program experience from civil society colleagues who are working on conflict, peace-building and governance and seek to address some of the challenges that they have faced when measuring these same issues.
We hope that Co-chairs find our effort to be concise helpful to this process. With this in mind, we proposed merging some of the proposed targets.
On Proposed goal 16. Achieve peaceful and inclusive societies, rule of law, effective and capable institutions
16.1 by 2030 reduce levels of violence and related death rate by x%
[Delete and Replace: By 2030, reduce by x% the number of violent deaths per 100,000 and reduce the number of people from all social groups affected by violence]
16.2 by 2030 end abuse, exploitation and violence against children [ADD: and young people]
16.3 by 2030 reduce illicit financial flows by x% and reduce money laundering and all forms of organized crime including human trafficking and illicit trade in arms, drugs and wildlife
- [Delete and Replace: By 2030, significantly reduce international stresses that drive conflict, including irresponsible trade in arms and conflict commodities and the violent impact of drugs trafficking]
- Wildlife is already included in goal 15. Target should be moved there.
16.5 by 2020 build necessary capacities of sub-national and local governments for fostering peaceful and inclusive societies
[Delete]
16.6 forge unity in diversity through democratic practices and mechanisms at the local, national and international levels
- [Delete]
- This target should be merged with 16.4.
16.7 by 2020 provide information and education on a culture of non-violence
-[Delete]
- Current focus of target fits better as an indicator under target 16.1
16.8 strengthen mechanisms for formal and non-formal dispute resolution at all levels
[Delete and Replace: By 2030, tensions, grievances and disputes within society are being resolved peacefully and inclusively]
16.9 reduce the number of internally displaced persons and refugees
[Delete] Removed 16.9 as unclear how will be measured - if measured globally, could be reinstated. There is concern about harmful impact of this target if it were measured country by country.
16.10 enhance the capacity, professionalism and accountability of the security forces, police and judiciary
[Delete and Replace: By 2030, people from all social groups feel safe and have confidence in security provision]
On the focus area on Rule of law, effective and capable institutions, we propose the following recommendations.
16.11 develop effective, accountable and transparent public institutions at all levels
[Delete and Replace: By 2030, ensure that both public and private institutions are responsive and accountable to citizens]
16.14 by 2020 improve public access to information and government data, including on public finance management, public procurement and on the implementation of national development plans
[Delete and replace with: By 2020, establish and implement effective regimes for public access to information and government data.]
16.15 by 2030 ensure that all laws are publicized and accessible by all
[Delete and merged with 16.11]
16.16 by 2030 establish and implement effective regimes to decrease and provide accountability for corruption and bribery in all its forms and at all levels
[ADD: establish and implement mechanisms to reduce bribery and corruption by X% and ensure that all those involved are held accountable]
16.17 promote freedom of media, association and speech
[Delete and replace with: By 2020, ensure legal frameworks guarantee freedom of media, association, assembly, and expression]
In terms of means of implementation for these focus areas, besides those considered thus far, we invited Co-Chairs and Members States to look at ICTs, internet freedom, and public spaces such as government buildings and libraries as vehicles to promote access to information, data, and open government.