People's Coalition (IBON International)
Post 2015 Intergovernmental Negotiations Session, May 2015
Interactive Dialogue with major groups and other stakeholders, May 20
Pedro Germán Guzmán Pérez
People's Coalition on Food Sovereignty (PCFS), Civil Society Partnership for Development Effectiveness (CPDE), Campaign for People's Goals on Sustainable Development (CPGSD)
I speak on behalf of a network of farmers, fisherfolk and supporting NGOs from the Global South, where every day is a struggle for survival, a decent life, and the right to imagine a future where we can freely determine our lives and futures.
While supposedly talking about us and for us, we, the people, are still consistently and systematically excluded in these global, regional, national and local processes which are also now shrinking in many countries. A lot more work needs to be done to elevate the voices of communities suffering from marginalization and to enable their participation in the follow up and review process of the future we want.
This is why, esteemed co-facilitator, excellencies, we ask you to ensure that no one is indeed left behind and to work for the genuine inclusion and meaningful participation of civil society, especially grassroots voices, at any level.
We have some proposals on how you can turn this aspiration into a reality:
Institute periodic peer reviews of the progress of the SDG implementation and targets and of national, regional and global action plans established with civil society, major groups and other stakeholders. Including reviews on the commitments to address any failures or gaps in progress to meet the SDGs.
Formalize, operationalize and institutionalize modalities for the participation CSOs and other stakeholders using GA Resolution 67/290 as a basis, with respect for the principles of autonomy and self-organization.
Establish independent Special Rapporteurs to assess progress, identify systemic and specific barriers, violations and obstacles and provide recommendation to advance rights to sustainable development.
Adhere to and fully apply the principle of non-regression so that all rules and practices expand existing participation and transparency do not regress to formal and informal practices of internationally agreed principles and rights, such as the human right to participate in decision-making and access to information.
Support communication, outreach, capacity building and funding to ensure communities, especially the most marginalized, are aware of the SDGs and can fully participate in their implementation and review.
Co-chair, Excellencies, there is a need and urgency to unlock the potentials of civil society bringing diverse voices, capacity, and connecting global and regional processes to local
communities and realities. This will contribute significantly to a democratic ownership of the development agenda (SDGs) by the broadest constituency - which is crucial to the success of the SDGs. We encourage you to take steps to make this into a High Level Political Forum for Development Justice.
Finally, we demand to all of you a consistency and respect for human rights, inclusion of traditional and ancestral knowledge including cosmological vision towards Buen Vivir, Vivir Bien and other alternatives to development from the grassroots as Solidarity Economy and Food Sovereignty.
Interactive Dialogue with major groups and other stakeholders, May 20
Pedro Germán Guzmán Pérez
People's Coalition on Food Sovereignty (PCFS), Civil Society Partnership for Development Effectiveness (CPDE), Campaign for People's Goals on Sustainable Development (CPGSD)
I speak on behalf of a network of farmers, fisherfolk and supporting NGOs from the Global South, where every day is a struggle for survival, a decent life, and the right to imagine a future where we can freely determine our lives and futures.
While supposedly talking about us and for us, we, the people, are still consistently and systematically excluded in these global, regional, national and local processes which are also now shrinking in many countries. A lot more work needs to be done to elevate the voices of communities suffering from marginalization and to enable their participation in the follow up and review process of the future we want.
This is why, esteemed co-facilitator, excellencies, we ask you to ensure that no one is indeed left behind and to work for the genuine inclusion and meaningful participation of civil society, especially grassroots voices, at any level.
We have some proposals on how you can turn this aspiration into a reality:
Institute periodic peer reviews of the progress of the SDG implementation and targets and of national, regional and global action plans established with civil society, major groups and other stakeholders. Including reviews on the commitments to address any failures or gaps in progress to meet the SDGs.
Formalize, operationalize and institutionalize modalities for the participation CSOs and other stakeholders using GA Resolution 67/290 as a basis, with respect for the principles of autonomy and self-organization.
Establish independent Special Rapporteurs to assess progress, identify systemic and specific barriers, violations and obstacles and provide recommendation to advance rights to sustainable development.
Adhere to and fully apply the principle of non-regression so that all rules and practices expand existing participation and transparency do not regress to formal and informal practices of internationally agreed principles and rights, such as the human right to participate in decision-making and access to information.
Support communication, outreach, capacity building and funding to ensure communities, especially the most marginalized, are aware of the SDGs and can fully participate in their implementation and review.
Co-chair, Excellencies, there is a need and urgency to unlock the potentials of civil society bringing diverse voices, capacity, and connecting global and regional processes to local
communities and realities. This will contribute significantly to a democratic ownership of the development agenda (SDGs) by the broadest constituency - which is crucial to the success of the SDGs. We encourage you to take steps to make this into a High Level Political Forum for Development Justice.
Finally, we demand to all of you a consistency and respect for human rights, inclusion of traditional and ancestral knowledge including cosmological vision towards Buen Vivir, Vivir Bien and other alternatives to development from the grassroots as Solidarity Economy and Food Sovereignty.