Specific Comments on Declaration
Statement by Judy Kuriansky, Psychology Coalition,
Intergovernmental Negotiations on the Post 2015 Development Agenda
Meeting with Major Groups and other Stakeholders 20, July 2015
“Specific Comments on Declaration”
My name is Judy Kuriansky and I am honored to make this Statement on the topic of “Specific Comments on the Declaration” on behalf of Psychology Coalition and the International Society for Poverty Elimination / Economic Alliance Group in Collaboration with International Council for Science (ICSU) SDSN, Saferworld, AWID and Muslims for Progressive Values. We congratulate the co-chairs and all contributors on the revised Post 2015 Zero Draft. Overall, we applaud the declaration as inspiring and transformative by highlighting issues like the oceans, disaster recovery, science, technology, innovation AND by introducing issues into the global consciousness like peace, governance, corruption, partnerships, racism, resilience, well-being and mental health. The agenda is brave and bold, albeit hopeful, since when informally surveying groups whether we can END poverty and hunger in the next 15 years, no one raised their hand. So, in the co-chairs own words, we will have to mediate our expectations. Fortunately, people surveyed at this time ARE more confident about progress in goals like gender equality, health and women’s empowerment. While the document is well-written, it has many technical terms. We now need a simpler document for the public, so everyone can understand it, recite it, and teach it -- as Mexico, the UAE and Korea have all called for more clarity this morning, and that the Ambassador from the Netherlands once said in his intervention, in language that his 13 year old daughter can read and tell her friends. Getting the language and messaging clear is not only about publicity and communications; it is about facilitating ownership by all people, everywhere. We suggest Member States work with civil society, communication professionals, journalists and citizens themselves to do this. Indeed this would demonstrate that the commitment to multi-stakeholder partnerships is serious, something we call for more broadly. The five P’s - and perhaps a sixth, on participation - present a strong foundation on which to build a simple narrative and message that, come September, can be communicated around the world, into every school, office and living room. We need to flesh out how the P’s connect with one another and with the goals and targets in a holistic but simple way. This won’t be easy, but at least we now have the pillars for this work. At the same time, as the Secretary General said about his hopes for COP21, that also apply to the SDG and AAAA documents, it is time for not just words, but ACTION.
Thank you for the opportunity to contribute to the once-in-a generation agenda that is truly transformative, visionary and inclusive, to guide our valuable efforts in the Global Partnership for World Sustainable Development.
Annex to the Above Statement by Judy Kuriansky, on behalf of the below organizations, on the occasion of the Intergovernmental Negotiations on the Post 2015 Development Agenda; Meeting with Major Groups and other Stakeholders
Date: 20 July 2015
The below represent our “Specific Comments on the Declaration”
List of Contributors:
International Society for Poverty Elimination / Economic Alliance Group
Psychology Coalition of NGOs at the UN
International Association of Applied Psychology
Scientific and Technological Community Major Group, ICSU
Saferworld
Association for Women's Rights in Development
Specific Text / Language Changes:
More attention needs to be drawn to the role of science, technology and innovation at the national level. To accomplish this:
(a) We appreciate paragraphs (35-40-41), in the section on “implementation”, given the key role of science and of the scientific and technological community. In para 35, we would like to highlight the importance of including reference to the role of countries, so that the paragraph reads, “We recognize the central role that science, technology and innovation play in enabling the international community AND EVERY COUNTRY to respond to sustainable development challenges. We recognize the power of communications technologies, technical cooperation and capacity-building for sustainable development. We commit to strengthen the role of the science-policy interface in governance.”
(b) In addition, we recommend including specific references to the “scientific and technological community” in paragraphs 40 and 41 so that the second sentence in paragraph 40 reads: (…) It will facilitate an intensive global engagement in support of implementation of the goals and targets, bringing together Governments, the private sector, THE SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNOLOGICAL COMMUNITY, civil society, the United Nations system and other actors and mobilizing all available resources.”
And that the last sentence in paragraph 41 reads: “Governments and public institutions will also work closely on implementation with regional and sub-regional institutions, local authorities, international institutions, business and the private sector, civil society, THE SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNOLOGICAL COMMUNITY, philanthropic organizations, Volunteer groups and others.” We strongly urge that these revisions be included on the final draft of the text. The scientific community stands ready to work with you in the implementation of the agenda at international, regional, sub-regional and national levels.
As the declaration introduces (and echoes) the goals and targets, and has done a detailed job in doing so, we urge the inclusion of reference to “mental health and well-being,” which has been egregiously left out, though given vast support by member states throughout the OWG process, especially in oral statements. Mentioning “mental health and well-being” embodies the transformational nature of the agenda. It has further been noted by the Youth Call to Action, citing suicide as the third cause of deaths in youth; further, the word “psychosocial” is already in the \un lexicon, as psychosocial recovery is specifically noted in the Sendai Framework for Action. Therefore, we urge the following in the declaration:
(a) in the Preamble, under People, we urge including the words physical and mental health and well-being in the second sentence. Replace a “heathy live for all” with the words “physical and mental health and well-being for all”. This puts education and health firmly on the well-being foundation, and acknowledges – as is done for other goals - that “well-being” is noted in Goal 3.
(b) that a sentence be added to the end of para 24, to read: “These efforts together achieve our vision of integrating physical health, mental health and well-being.” This para currently expands on NCDs but glaringly leaves out mental health and wellbeing which is paired with NCDs in the same target 3.4. Additionally, the strong interlinkage between physical and mental health must be made explicit. A visionary, transformative, holistic view requires that health always refer to physical and mental health, consistent with WHO definitions.
(3) Many member states have mentioned the word “resilience” in their interventions. Even this morning the Maldives, on behalf of AOSIS, mentioned the importance of resilience. We agree with this emphasis, and note cross-cutting application of resilience to many goals and targets, including to combatting the impact of climate change, as well as achieving disaster recovery, protecting biodiversity, and strengthening communities, among others. Resilience currently refers to structures and buildings, yet it applies to People- who are after all the essence of this agenda, and for example, who are suffering from so many disasters, left traumatized and in need of support. Therefore, in para 28, in the last sentence, we urge inserting the words “structural and psychosocial” before the word “resilience,” to clarify these two aspects of resilience. The word “psychosocial” is consistent with the Sendai Framework, para 33 (o) that states: “Enhance recovery schemes to provide psychosocial support and mental health services for all people in need.”
To highlight the issue of human rights, we suggest that in para 10, after the words, “the Universal Declaration of Human Rights,” insert the phrase, “and other human rights standards, such as the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, and all other human rights conventions.”
In the spirit of multi-stakeholder partnerships and inclusiveness, we urge para 4 under (I) Sustainable Development Goals and Targets, specify that representatives of civil society be included in the Interagency and Expert Group that identifies the Indicators. This point has been endorsed by innumerable MGoS, and submitted in a detailed letter to the co-facilitators during a previous Interactive Dialogue with civil society during the IGN.
On Para 4: proposing to replace with the phrase "social groupings" with "social groups" - social groupings is not recognized language in international human rights law nor is it a term used in the UDHR and internationally binding human rights covenants such as ICCPR.
On Para 8: proposing to replace "cultural values" for "cultural diversity" as expressed in para 31. The importance of cultural awareness and respect for diversity is understood, however blind subscription to and respect for cultural norms or values, norms and values that might be in direct contradiction to international human rights conventions, should be mitigated and addressed as they pertain to the implementation of a universal sustainable development agenda.
On Para 18: Welcome the inclusion of other status. A closed list of prohibited grounds of discrimination is unacceptable, especially as it pertains to the implementation of this agenda.
On Para 20: Proposing to replace the word "respect" with "consider" and remove the word "policies after "national" in the sentence: "We will respect national policies and priorities and provide adequate policy space for economic growth, in particular for developing states", so the sentence may read "We will consider national priorities and provide adequate policy space for economic growth, in particular for developing states. we affirm unconditional respect for national policies and priorities is incompatible with the universal and global nature of a transformative and sustainable development agenda. This dilutes the purported universality of the goals and targets and undermines respect for international law as stated in this Declaration.
On Para 23: Proposing to include "other status" after "ethnicity" in the sentence "All people irrespective of gender, age, race or ethnicity, including persons with disabilities, indigenous peoples..." so the sentence may read: "All people irrespective of gender, age, race, ethnicity or other status, including persons with disabilities, indigenous peoples..."
On Para 30: Proposing to include "discrimination" after the word "violence" in the sentence "Factors which give rise to violence, insecurity and injustice, such as corruption, poor governance..." so the sentence may read: "Factors which give rise to violence, discrimination, insecurity and injustice, such as corruption, poor governance..."
On Para 38: General comment: It must be recognized that diverse forms of families exist, and to this end the inclusion of "all families" is a welcome addition. However, the role of families in sustainable development should not be interpreted to subsume or mitigate the rights of individual family members.
Intergovernmental Negotiations on the Post 2015 Development Agenda
Meeting with Major Groups and other Stakeholders 20, July 2015
“Specific Comments on Declaration”
My name is Judy Kuriansky and I am honored to make this Statement on the topic of “Specific Comments on the Declaration” on behalf of Psychology Coalition and the International Society for Poverty Elimination / Economic Alliance Group in Collaboration with International Council for Science (ICSU) SDSN, Saferworld, AWID and Muslims for Progressive Values. We congratulate the co-chairs and all contributors on the revised Post 2015 Zero Draft. Overall, we applaud the declaration as inspiring and transformative by highlighting issues like the oceans, disaster recovery, science, technology, innovation AND by introducing issues into the global consciousness like peace, governance, corruption, partnerships, racism, resilience, well-being and mental health. The agenda is brave and bold, albeit hopeful, since when informally surveying groups whether we can END poverty and hunger in the next 15 years, no one raised their hand. So, in the co-chairs own words, we will have to mediate our expectations. Fortunately, people surveyed at this time ARE more confident about progress in goals like gender equality, health and women’s empowerment. While the document is well-written, it has many technical terms. We now need a simpler document for the public, so everyone can understand it, recite it, and teach it -- as Mexico, the UAE and Korea have all called for more clarity this morning, and that the Ambassador from the Netherlands once said in his intervention, in language that his 13 year old daughter can read and tell her friends. Getting the language and messaging clear is not only about publicity and communications; it is about facilitating ownership by all people, everywhere. We suggest Member States work with civil society, communication professionals, journalists and citizens themselves to do this. Indeed this would demonstrate that the commitment to multi-stakeholder partnerships is serious, something we call for more broadly. The five P’s - and perhaps a sixth, on participation - present a strong foundation on which to build a simple narrative and message that, come September, can be communicated around the world, into every school, office and living room. We need to flesh out how the P’s connect with one another and with the goals and targets in a holistic but simple way. This won’t be easy, but at least we now have the pillars for this work. At the same time, as the Secretary General said about his hopes for COP21, that also apply to the SDG and AAAA documents, it is time for not just words, but ACTION.
Thank you for the opportunity to contribute to the once-in-a generation agenda that is truly transformative, visionary and inclusive, to guide our valuable efforts in the Global Partnership for World Sustainable Development.
Annex to the Above Statement by Judy Kuriansky, on behalf of the below organizations, on the occasion of the Intergovernmental Negotiations on the Post 2015 Development Agenda; Meeting with Major Groups and other Stakeholders
Date: 20 July 2015
The below represent our “Specific Comments on the Declaration”
List of Contributors:
International Society for Poverty Elimination / Economic Alliance Group
Psychology Coalition of NGOs at the UN
International Association of Applied Psychology
Scientific and Technological Community Major Group, ICSU
Saferworld
Association for Women's Rights in Development
Specific Text / Language Changes:
More attention needs to be drawn to the role of science, technology and innovation at the national level. To accomplish this:
(a) We appreciate paragraphs (35-40-41), in the section on “implementation”, given the key role of science and of the scientific and technological community. In para 35, we would like to highlight the importance of including reference to the role of countries, so that the paragraph reads, “We recognize the central role that science, technology and innovation play in enabling the international community AND EVERY COUNTRY to respond to sustainable development challenges. We recognize the power of communications technologies, technical cooperation and capacity-building for sustainable development. We commit to strengthen the role of the science-policy interface in governance.”
(b) In addition, we recommend including specific references to the “scientific and technological community” in paragraphs 40 and 41 so that the second sentence in paragraph 40 reads: (…) It will facilitate an intensive global engagement in support of implementation of the goals and targets, bringing together Governments, the private sector, THE SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNOLOGICAL COMMUNITY, civil society, the United Nations system and other actors and mobilizing all available resources.”
And that the last sentence in paragraph 41 reads: “Governments and public institutions will also work closely on implementation with regional and sub-regional institutions, local authorities, international institutions, business and the private sector, civil society, THE SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNOLOGICAL COMMUNITY, philanthropic organizations, Volunteer groups and others.” We strongly urge that these revisions be included on the final draft of the text. The scientific community stands ready to work with you in the implementation of the agenda at international, regional, sub-regional and national levels.
As the declaration introduces (and echoes) the goals and targets, and has done a detailed job in doing so, we urge the inclusion of reference to “mental health and well-being,” which has been egregiously left out, though given vast support by member states throughout the OWG process, especially in oral statements. Mentioning “mental health and well-being” embodies the transformational nature of the agenda. It has further been noted by the Youth Call to Action, citing suicide as the third cause of deaths in youth; further, the word “psychosocial” is already in the \un lexicon, as psychosocial recovery is specifically noted in the Sendai Framework for Action. Therefore, we urge the following in the declaration:
(a) in the Preamble, under People, we urge including the words physical and mental health and well-being in the second sentence. Replace a “heathy live for all” with the words “physical and mental health and well-being for all”. This puts education and health firmly on the well-being foundation, and acknowledges – as is done for other goals - that “well-being” is noted in Goal 3.
(b) that a sentence be added to the end of para 24, to read: “These efforts together achieve our vision of integrating physical health, mental health and well-being.” This para currently expands on NCDs but glaringly leaves out mental health and wellbeing which is paired with NCDs in the same target 3.4. Additionally, the strong interlinkage between physical and mental health must be made explicit. A visionary, transformative, holistic view requires that health always refer to physical and mental health, consistent with WHO definitions.
(3) Many member states have mentioned the word “resilience” in their interventions. Even this morning the Maldives, on behalf of AOSIS, mentioned the importance of resilience. We agree with this emphasis, and note cross-cutting application of resilience to many goals and targets, including to combatting the impact of climate change, as well as achieving disaster recovery, protecting biodiversity, and strengthening communities, among others. Resilience currently refers to structures and buildings, yet it applies to People- who are after all the essence of this agenda, and for example, who are suffering from so many disasters, left traumatized and in need of support. Therefore, in para 28, in the last sentence, we urge inserting the words “structural and psychosocial” before the word “resilience,” to clarify these two aspects of resilience. The word “psychosocial” is consistent with the Sendai Framework, para 33 (o) that states: “Enhance recovery schemes to provide psychosocial support and mental health services for all people in need.”
To highlight the issue of human rights, we suggest that in para 10, after the words, “the Universal Declaration of Human Rights,” insert the phrase, “and other human rights standards, such as the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, and all other human rights conventions.”
In the spirit of multi-stakeholder partnerships and inclusiveness, we urge para 4 under (I) Sustainable Development Goals and Targets, specify that representatives of civil society be included in the Interagency and Expert Group that identifies the Indicators. This point has been endorsed by innumerable MGoS, and submitted in a detailed letter to the co-facilitators during a previous Interactive Dialogue with civil society during the IGN.
On Para 4: proposing to replace with the phrase "social groupings" with "social groups" - social groupings is not recognized language in international human rights law nor is it a term used in the UDHR and internationally binding human rights covenants such as ICCPR.
On Para 8: proposing to replace "cultural values" for "cultural diversity" as expressed in para 31. The importance of cultural awareness and respect for diversity is understood, however blind subscription to and respect for cultural norms or values, norms and values that might be in direct contradiction to international human rights conventions, should be mitigated and addressed as they pertain to the implementation of a universal sustainable development agenda.
On Para 18: Welcome the inclusion of other status. A closed list of prohibited grounds of discrimination is unacceptable, especially as it pertains to the implementation of this agenda.
On Para 20: Proposing to replace the word "respect" with "consider" and remove the word "policies after "national" in the sentence: "We will respect national policies and priorities and provide adequate policy space for economic growth, in particular for developing states", so the sentence may read "We will consider national priorities and provide adequate policy space for economic growth, in particular for developing states. we affirm unconditional respect for national policies and priorities is incompatible with the universal and global nature of a transformative and sustainable development agenda. This dilutes the purported universality of the goals and targets and undermines respect for international law as stated in this Declaration.
On Para 23: Proposing to include "other status" after "ethnicity" in the sentence "All people irrespective of gender, age, race or ethnicity, including persons with disabilities, indigenous peoples..." so the sentence may read: "All people irrespective of gender, age, race, ethnicity or other status, including persons with disabilities, indigenous peoples..."
On Para 30: Proposing to include "discrimination" after the word "violence" in the sentence "Factors which give rise to violence, insecurity and injustice, such as corruption, poor governance..." so the sentence may read: "Factors which give rise to violence, discrimination, insecurity and injustice, such as corruption, poor governance..."
On Para 38: General comment: It must be recognized that diverse forms of families exist, and to this end the inclusion of "all families" is a welcome addition. However, the role of families in sustainable development should not be interpreted to subsume or mitigate the rights of individual family members.