UNRISD United Nations Research Institute for Social Development
1. Since the adoption of the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs, has the governing body of your organization taken (or will it take) any decisions or new strategies to guide the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs? If any, please provide a brief summary below, including the overarching vision of your organization.
UNRISD is an autonomous research institute within the UN system that undertakes research on the social policy dimensions of contemporary development issues. UNRISD's Board comprises academic leaders drawn from around the world. They - together with UNRISD's main donors - have directed UNRISD to position its research within the framework of the 2030 Agenda and to include a focus on leaving no one behind. UNRISD reports every two years to the Commission for Social Development. The members of the Commission have also requested UN organizations to situate their work within the framework provided by Agenda 2030.
UNRISD's institutional strategy can be found here: http://www.unrisd.org/80256B42004CCC77/(httpInfoFiles)/AA1325A0788B08EBC1257F1D005A3FA3/$file/Transformations_to_Equity_and_Sustainability_UNRISD_Strategy_2016-2020.pdf
2.1 SDG-specific strategies, plans or work programmes
Our research proposals are aligned with SDG priorities.
2.2 Aligning the structure of the organization with the transformative features of the 2030 Agenda, including any challenges and lessons learned in doing so
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2.3 Readjusting or updating results-based budgeting and management, including performance indicators:
Our performance metrics are focused on research uptake.
2.4 Action to enhance support to the principle of "leaving no one behind" and to integrated policy approaches:
UNRISD is working within the UNDG to provide guidance on operationalizing the commitment to 'leave no one behind'.
2.5 Others:
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3.1 Mainstreaming the SDGs in development plans and policies or through national sustainable development plans/strategies:
UNRISD is currently assisting the six Western Balkan countries (and the UN) to strengthen SDG mainstreaming and implementation in the context of EU accession.
3.2 Mainstreaming the SDGs in sectoral strategies, including specific SDG/target strategies:
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3.3 Data and statistical capacity building:
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3.4 Science, technology and innovation for the SDGs:
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3.5 Multi-stakeholder partnerships:
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3.6 Sub-national plans/strategies and implementation for the SDGs:
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3.7 Leveraging interlinkages across SDG goals and targets:
Advice on mainstreaming in the Western Balkans has included understanding the linkages between the goals and targets, and then proposing clusters of SDG targets to advance implementation.
4.1 Supporting the intergovernmental body of your organization in contributing to the thematic review of the HLPF:
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4.2 Contributing to policy/background briefs for the HLPF:
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4.3 Helping organize SDG-specific events in the preparatory process:
UNRISD has contributed to regional review processes in the Arab States and in Europe.
4.4 Organizing side evens or speaking at the HLPF:
UNRISD has held and participated in side-events at the HLPF. These have been focused on social policy and UNRISD's most recent Flagship report: http://www.unrisd.org/80256B42004CCC77/(httpInfoFiles)/2D9B6E61A43A7E87C125804F003285F5/$file/Flagship2016_FullReport.pdf
4.5 Supporting VNR process:
UNRISD assisted the Republic of Korea in the preparation of their VNR in 2016.
5. How has your organization cooperated with other UN system organizations to achieve coherence and synergies in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs? In this regard, has your organization launched or intend to launch any joint programmes or projects in collaboration with other UN entities? Are there any results or lessons you would like to highlight that might help improve the design and impact of such efforts? Has your organization participated in any of the following coordination systemwide mechanisms or any other relevant platform - CEB, UNDG, EC-ESA Plus, RCMs, UN-Energy, UN-Water, UN-Ocean, IAEG, IATT? Please specify which and indicate any suggestions you may have about improving collaborations within and across these mechanisms/platforms:
UNRISD contributes to the work of the UNDG and EC-ESA. Beyond these, UNRISD has ongoing collaborations with UNDP, UNECE, UNICEF, the ILO, WSSCC
6. How has your organization engaged with stakeholder groups, both in supporting implementation at the country, regional and global levels, and within your own organization? If yes, please provide main highlights, including any lessons learned:
UNRISD's main stakeholder group outside of governments and UN agencies is our 30,000-strong network of academics and practitioners. We regularly engage this network through research projects and dissemination activities.
7. Has your organization organized any conferences, forums or events designed to facilitate exchange of experience, peer and mutual learning? If yes, please provide a brief summary below and include lessons learned and gaps identified based on the outcomes of these events. Please also include any events you plan to organize in the coming years.
UNRIS is planning a conference on the role of elites and cross-class coalitions in supporting SDG implementation in October 2018.
8. Is there any other information you would like to share, including annual reports of your organization and any impact assessment or evaluation reports? If yes, please use the space below and attach the document(s). Please also use this space to provide any other information, comments or remarks you deem necessary:
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9. In your view, what should a strategic plan for the UN system in support of the 2030 Agenda and SDGs look like? What key elements should it include and major challenges address in such a road map?
It should be able to accurately aggregate activities and their prospective contribution; it should identify coordinators for each subject area (goals); and it should have a strong M&E system to support accountability. It should look to incentivize collaboration through funding opportunities.