Transparency, Accountability & Participation (TAP) Network
If we are to collectively achieve the commitment to “leave no one behind” and ensure the credibility of the Post-2015 development agenda, the principles of transparency, accountability and citizen participation should be at the center of sustainable development and the implementation, follow-up and review of this new agenda. If citizen participation is not rooted in the Post-2015 agenda, a critical opportunity to enhance ownership and accountability of the agenda at all levels will be lost. To this end, we strongly recommend that language and references to the “people-centered” nature of the new agenda, and the importance of regular and meaningful participation of all – particularly for the poorest and most vulnerable people - are strengthened in the declaration.
We commend your bold reference to “accountability” in paragraph 38. Accountability should be results oriented, human rights and gender equality based, regular, and must provide possibilities for using timely follow-up and review processes for improvement of implementation. The framing of these follow-up and review processes, all throughout the zero draft, should be strengthened by making explicit commitments on how governments will engage with all stakeholders, particularly civil society, in the follow-up and review and accountability of the Post-2015 agenda, and at all levels and stages of review processes - including design of accountability mechanisms and verification of data. Additionally, transparent and open data is a prerequisite for successful monitoring of the agenda, and third party data produced by a wide range of stakeholders can strengthen and complement official reporting by providing timely, reliable and disaggregated information that directly reflects the experiences and perspectives of stakeholders on the ground.
Finally, regarding the key principles of follow-up and review process outlined in Paragraph 3 of the follow-up and review chapter, we propose the addition of a sixth key principle that should read:
“They will focus on progress for the social and economic groups that are the furthest behind, and monitor inequalities within and between countries. No goal shall be considered met unless met for all social and economic groups.”
Again, these critical principles of transparency, accountability and participation cannot be left behind.
Contributing Organizations:
Transparency, Accountability & Participation (TAP) Network
CIVICUS
Save the Children
International Society for Poverty Elimination / Economic Alliance Group (ISPE / EAG)
Women’s Major Group
Norwegian Forum for Development and Environment
Christian Aid
We commend your bold reference to “accountability” in paragraph 38. Accountability should be results oriented, human rights and gender equality based, regular, and must provide possibilities for using timely follow-up and review processes for improvement of implementation. The framing of these follow-up and review processes, all throughout the zero draft, should be strengthened by making explicit commitments on how governments will engage with all stakeholders, particularly civil society, in the follow-up and review and accountability of the Post-2015 agenda, and at all levels and stages of review processes - including design of accountability mechanisms and verification of data. Additionally, transparent and open data is a prerequisite for successful monitoring of the agenda, and third party data produced by a wide range of stakeholders can strengthen and complement official reporting by providing timely, reliable and disaggregated information that directly reflects the experiences and perspectives of stakeholders on the ground.
Finally, regarding the key principles of follow-up and review process outlined in Paragraph 3 of the follow-up and review chapter, we propose the addition of a sixth key principle that should read:
“They will focus on progress for the social and economic groups that are the furthest behind, and monitor inequalities within and between countries. No goal shall be considered met unless met for all social and economic groups.”
Again, these critical principles of transparency, accountability and participation cannot be left behind.
Contributing Organizations:
Transparency, Accountability & Participation (TAP) Network
CIVICUS
Save the Children
International Society for Poverty Elimination / Economic Alliance Group (ISPE / EAG)
Women’s Major Group
Norwegian Forum for Development and Environment
Christian Aid