This document provides a civil society submission on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the post-2015 development agenda from the perspective of Development Justice. It finds that the proposed SDGs lack binding accountability mechanisms and a human rights framework. It argues key issues like redistributive justice, economic justice, gender justice, and environmental justice are not adequately addressed. Specific concerns include the lack of commitments to redistribute wealth between countries, regulate speculative financial investment and tax evasion, and implement universal social protection. The submission recommends strengthening goals and targets in these areas to achieve truly transformative and people-centered development.
Taxation for Domestic Resource Mobilization (DRM in KenyaSally A.
Kenya is heavily dependent on donor aid. As a middle income country there is concern of decrease in foreign aid and thus need for Domestic Resource Mobilization (DRM). My target audience are the citizens of Kenya as well policy makers and the donor community.
DRM is a reliable and sustainable source of development finance. Raising more revenue from internal sources helps countries devote needed resources to reduce poverty and hunger, bridge infrastructure gaps and provide public services. DRM fosters the social contract between people and government, facilitates a virtuous cycle of transparency, accountability, efficiency and strengthens democratic engagement and institutions.
Unlocking Financial opportunities in SomaliaWambui Ndung'u
The proposal for unlocking financial opportunities is a model that aims to give solutions from research on what could be a breakthrough for Somalia’s development strategy. However, there is a noted possibility that it may not be as easy as it appears on writing. Somalia is a very complex country owing to the fact that it has been unstable since 1991 and continues to be a hot bed for terrorism.
The presentation is targeted to multilateral banks, philanthropies, the private sector as well as the Somali government. It is just a proposed model that can be worked on at a later date.
Taxation for Domestic Resource Mobilization (DRM in KenyaSally A.
Kenya is heavily dependent on donor aid. As a middle income country there is concern of decrease in foreign aid and thus need for Domestic Resource Mobilization (DRM). My target audience are the citizens of Kenya as well policy makers and the donor community.
DRM is a reliable and sustainable source of development finance. Raising more revenue from internal sources helps countries devote needed resources to reduce poverty and hunger, bridge infrastructure gaps and provide public services. DRM fosters the social contract between people and government, facilitates a virtuous cycle of transparency, accountability, efficiency and strengthens democratic engagement and institutions.
Unlocking Financial opportunities in SomaliaWambui Ndung'u
The proposal for unlocking financial opportunities is a model that aims to give solutions from research on what could be a breakthrough for Somalia’s development strategy. However, there is a noted possibility that it may not be as easy as it appears on writing. Somalia is a very complex country owing to the fact that it has been unstable since 1991 and continues to be a hot bed for terrorism.
The presentation is targeted to multilateral banks, philanthropies, the private sector as well as the Somali government. It is just a proposed model that can be worked on at a later date.
Taxation for Domestic Resource Mobilization (DRM) in KenyaSally A.
Kenya is heavily dependent on donor aid. As a middle income country there is concern of decrease in foreign aid and thus need for Domestic Resource Mobilization (DRM). My target audience are the citizens of Kenya as well policy makers and the donor community.
DRM is a reliable and sustainable source of development finance. Raising more revenue from internal sources helps countries devote needed resources to reduce poverty and hunger, bridge infrastructure gaps and provide public services. DRM fosters the social contract between people and government, facilitates a virtuous cycle of transparency, accountability, efficiency and strengthens democratic engagement and institutions.
Despite a substantial decline in poverty, a persistent increase in inequality in favour of the top 1 per cent of the population over the decades has been a global phenomenon.
Financial spoliation prevents economic recovery of brazilFernando Alcoforado
For the Brazilian government have the resources for investment in economic and social infrastructure, it´s necessary to do an audit of public debt and renegotiate with domestic and foreign banks, investment funds, pension funds and non-financial companies to reduce spending on payment of debt service prolonging the payment of interest and amortization of public debt. It is unacceptable that the Brazilian government allocate about 45% of the Republic's budget for the payment of public debt while allocates scarce resources to education (3.75%), health (3.98%), national defense (1.58%) and public security (0.33%), among other items. States and municipalities, almost all failed, receive transfer of the Union (federal government) only 9.19%. In other words, the lion's share in the budget of the Republic is for the payment of public debt, whose main beneficiary is the financial system. If there is no reversal of this scenario, Brazil will be led to bankruptcy.
The Millennium Development Goals Report 2009endpoverty2015
This report is based on a master set of data that has been compiled by an Inter-Agency and Expert
Group on MDG Indicators led by the Department of Economic and Social Affairs of the United
Nations Secretariat, in response to the wishes of the General Assembly for periodic assessment of
progress towards the MDGs. The Group comprises representatives of the international
organizations whose activities include the preparation of one or more of the series of statistical indicators that were identified as appropriate for monitoring progress towards the MDGs, as reflected in the list below. A number of national statisticians and outside expert advisers also contributed.
Fiscal Decentralization and poverty reduction in Nigeriaafonomics1
The study was aimed at understanding the impart of revenue sharing formula between the federal government and the sub-national government on Poverty reduction in Nigeria. It is meant for government and policy makers to look critically at the reason why fiscal decentralization has a negative relationship with poverty reduction in developing countries unlike the positive imparts it has in some countries such as OECD Countries.
More recently another measure, the Human Development Index (HDI), which combines an economic measure, national income, with other measures, indices for life expectancy and education has become prominent. This criterion would define developed countries as those with a very high (HDI) rating. A developing country, also called a less developed country is a nation with a less developed industrial base, and a low Human Development Index (HDI) relative to developed countries.
Developing countries are, in general, countries that have not achieved a significant degree of industrialization relative to their populations, and have, in most cases, a medium to low standard of living. There is a strong association between low income and high population growth. The World Bank classifies all low- and middle-income countries as developing but notes, "The use of the term is convenient; it is not intended to imply that all economies in the group are experiencing similar development or that other economies have reached a preferred or final stage of development. Classification by income does not necessarily reflect development status. gender equity refers to the economic, social, political, and cultural attributes and opportunities associated with being male or female.
A presentation paper on Economic Inequality in Developing Country. The paper shows how the economic inequality in developing country is, how it is measured, and how it affects the economy of a developing country. By Sadman Joa.
This slide is for reference only. do not share it to anyone.
This slide is base on the book Microeconomics by McConnell and Brue, 12th and 14th edition.
Taxation for Domestic Resource Mobilization (DRM) in KenyaSally A.
Kenya is heavily dependent on donor aid. As a middle income country there is concern of decrease in foreign aid and thus need for Domestic Resource Mobilization (DRM). My target audience are the citizens of Kenya as well policy makers and the donor community.
DRM is a reliable and sustainable source of development finance. Raising more revenue from internal sources helps countries devote needed resources to reduce poverty and hunger, bridge infrastructure gaps and provide public services. DRM fosters the social contract between people and government, facilitates a virtuous cycle of transparency, accountability, efficiency and strengthens democratic engagement and institutions.
Despite a substantial decline in poverty, a persistent increase in inequality in favour of the top 1 per cent of the population over the decades has been a global phenomenon.
Financial spoliation prevents economic recovery of brazilFernando Alcoforado
For the Brazilian government have the resources for investment in economic and social infrastructure, it´s necessary to do an audit of public debt and renegotiate with domestic and foreign banks, investment funds, pension funds and non-financial companies to reduce spending on payment of debt service prolonging the payment of interest and amortization of public debt. It is unacceptable that the Brazilian government allocate about 45% of the Republic's budget for the payment of public debt while allocates scarce resources to education (3.75%), health (3.98%), national defense (1.58%) and public security (0.33%), among other items. States and municipalities, almost all failed, receive transfer of the Union (federal government) only 9.19%. In other words, the lion's share in the budget of the Republic is for the payment of public debt, whose main beneficiary is the financial system. If there is no reversal of this scenario, Brazil will be led to bankruptcy.
The Millennium Development Goals Report 2009endpoverty2015
This report is based on a master set of data that has been compiled by an Inter-Agency and Expert
Group on MDG Indicators led by the Department of Economic and Social Affairs of the United
Nations Secretariat, in response to the wishes of the General Assembly for periodic assessment of
progress towards the MDGs. The Group comprises representatives of the international
organizations whose activities include the preparation of one or more of the series of statistical indicators that were identified as appropriate for monitoring progress towards the MDGs, as reflected in the list below. A number of national statisticians and outside expert advisers also contributed.
Fiscal Decentralization and poverty reduction in Nigeriaafonomics1
The study was aimed at understanding the impart of revenue sharing formula between the federal government and the sub-national government on Poverty reduction in Nigeria. It is meant for government and policy makers to look critically at the reason why fiscal decentralization has a negative relationship with poverty reduction in developing countries unlike the positive imparts it has in some countries such as OECD Countries.
More recently another measure, the Human Development Index (HDI), which combines an economic measure, national income, with other measures, indices for life expectancy and education has become prominent. This criterion would define developed countries as those with a very high (HDI) rating. A developing country, also called a less developed country is a nation with a less developed industrial base, and a low Human Development Index (HDI) relative to developed countries.
Developing countries are, in general, countries that have not achieved a significant degree of industrialization relative to their populations, and have, in most cases, a medium to low standard of living. There is a strong association between low income and high population growth. The World Bank classifies all low- and middle-income countries as developing but notes, "The use of the term is convenient; it is not intended to imply that all economies in the group are experiencing similar development or that other economies have reached a preferred or final stage of development. Classification by income does not necessarily reflect development status. gender equity refers to the economic, social, political, and cultural attributes and opportunities associated with being male or female.
A presentation paper on Economic Inequality in Developing Country. The paper shows how the economic inequality in developing country is, how it is measured, and how it affects the economy of a developing country. By Sadman Joa.
This slide is for reference only. do not share it to anyone.
This slide is base on the book Microeconomics by McConnell and Brue, 12th and 14th edition.
APRM Country Review Report - South Africa 2007Dr Lendy Spires
As indicated in the report, the transformation that South Africa has undergone since its democratic transition in 1994 is nothing short of a miracle. The democratically elected governments led by the African National Congress (ANC) have managed to create a stable and peaceful plotical regime with an exemplary record of civil liberties and political freedoms. Economic policy has been conducted in an equally exemplary manner, with South Africa tunring iteself into one of the two emerging markets in Africa. The main challenge ahead consists of sustaining the momentum of the peer-review process through the successful implementation of the Programme of Action arising from the exercise. The Forum will maintain sustained interest in the implementation process and receive Annual Progess Reports thereon.
Declaration of Civil Society Organizations from the Arab Region on the Post ...Dr Lendy Spires
Declaration of Civil Society Organizations from the Arab Region on the Post 2015 framework Regional Consultation on the Post-2015 UN Development Agenda (Beirut, 14 March 2013) General Background In the year 2000, the Millennium Declaration (MD) put forward a set of challenges to global development efforts and that outlined a "collective responsibility to uphold the principles of human dignity, equality and equity at the global level". The Millennium Declaration called for global policies and measures, to address the needs of developing countries and economies in transition so that all can benefit from the positive effects of globalization. It contained a statement of values, principles and objectives for the international development agenda for the 21st century. Most importantly, the MD established a strong link between Peace, Security, Democracy, respect of Human Rights and development efforts seeking to achieve social justice, eradicate poverty and create employment. The Millenium Development Goals (MDGs) that followed were a set of negotiated, specific and measurable targets that focused on poverty, hunger, unemployment, education, health and infectious diseases, the status of women and the environment. The goals were mainly addressed to developing countries, while they included one goal (Goal 8) that addressed global collective cooperation to achieve the first seven goals. This 8th goal focused on global partnerships for development and aimed to advance an open and rule-based trading and financial system, address the needs of least developed countries, and deal comprehensively with the debt of developing countries. Furthermore, it entailed cooperation with pharmaceutical companies and the private sector so as to provide access to affordable and essential drugs and to make available the benefits of new technologies to developing countries1.
Chapter 3: Illustrative Goals and Global Impact2015on
The High Level Panel on the Post-2015 Development Agenda today released “A New Global Partnership: Eradicate Poverty and Transform Economies through Sustainable Development,” a report which sets out a universal agenda to eradicate extreme poverty from the face of the earth by 2030, and deliver on the promise of sustainable development. The report calls upon the world to rally around a new Global Partnership that offers hope and a role to every person in the world.
Unlocking financial opportunities for the attainment of sustainable Developme...Tunde Ekundayo
“Unlocking Financial Opportunities for the Attainment of Sustainable Development in Africa” explored the prevailing experience of Africa about the need for financial resources, as well as the obstacles and modalities requires to successfully mobilise financial resources for the development of infrastructure in Africa towards the attainment of SDGs by 2030. The piece is designed to give a quick run-down of the essentials of infrastructural development as well as financial mobilisation for policymakers, development practitioners and other stakeholders.
Conditional Cash Transfers in Latin America– achievement and challengesUNDP Policy Centre
IPC-IG’s Research Coordinator, Dr. Fábio Veras Soares participated in the international workshop on “(Conditional) Cash Transfer Programmes (CCTs) in the Arab Region”, in Beirut, Lebanon, from 19 to 20 July. The workshop was organised and hosted by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA), in cooperation with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the International Labour Organization (ILO), the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF), the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), and the World Bank. The event brought together ministers and officials from ten countries across the Arab region that have already implemented cash transfer programmes or are planning to design one.
This session provides a comprehensive overview of the latest updates to the Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (commonly known as the Uniform Guidance) outlined in the 2 CFR 200.
With a focus on the 2024 revisions issued by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), participants will gain insight into the key changes affecting federal grant recipients. The session will delve into critical regulatory updates, providing attendees with the knowledge and tools necessary to navigate and comply with the evolving landscape of federal grant management.
Learning Objectives:
- Understand the rationale behind the 2024 updates to the Uniform Guidance outlined in 2 CFR 200, and their implications for federal grant recipients.
- Identify the key changes and revisions introduced by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) in the 2024 edition of 2 CFR 200.
- Gain proficiency in applying the updated regulations to ensure compliance with federal grant requirements and avoid potential audit findings.
- Develop strategies for effectively implementing the new guidelines within the grant management processes of their respective organizations, fostering efficiency and accountability in federal grant administration.
Many ways to support street children.pptxSERUDS INDIA
By raising awareness, providing support, advocating for change, and offering assistance to children in need, individuals can play a crucial role in improving the lives of street children and helping them realize their full potential
Donate Us
https://serudsindia.org/how-individuals-can-support-street-children-in-india/
#donatefororphan, #donateforhomelesschildren, #childeducation, #ngochildeducation, #donateforeducation, #donationforchildeducation, #sponsorforpoorchild, #sponsororphanage #sponsororphanchild, #donation, #education, #charity, #educationforchild, #seruds, #kurnool, #joyhome
Presentation by Jared Jageler, David Adler, Noelia Duchovny, and Evan Herrnstadt, analysts in CBO’s Microeconomic Studies and Health Analysis Divisions, at the Association of Environmental and Resource Economists Summer Conference.
Russian anarchist and anti-war movement in the third year of full-scale warAntti Rautiainen
Anarchist group ANA Regensburg hosted my online-presentation on 16th of May 2024, in which I discussed tactics of anti-war activism in Russia, and reasons why the anti-war movement has not been able to make an impact to change the course of events yet. Cases of anarchists repressed for anti-war activities are presented, as well as strategies of support for political prisoners, and modest successes in supporting their struggles.
Thumbnail picture is by MediaZona, you may read their report on anti-war arson attacks in Russia here: https://en.zona.media/article/2022/10/13/burn-map
Links:
Autonomous Action
http://Avtonom.org
Anarchist Black Cross Moscow
http://Avtonom.org/abc
Solidarity Zone
https://t.me/solidarity_zone
Memorial
https://memopzk.org/, https://t.me/pzk_memorial
OVD-Info
https://en.ovdinfo.org/antiwar-ovd-info-guide
RosUznik
https://rosuznik.org/
Uznik Online
http://uznikonline.tilda.ws/
Russian Reader
https://therussianreader.com/
ABC Irkutsk
https://abc38.noblogs.org/
Send mail to prisoners from abroad:
http://Prisonmail.online
YouTube: https://youtu.be/c5nSOdU48O8
Spotify: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/libertarianlifecoach/episodes/Russian-anarchist-and-anti-war-movement-in-the-third-year-of-full-scale-war-e2k8ai4
Jennifer Schaus and Associates hosts a complimentary webinar series on The FAR in 2024. Join the webinars on Wednesdays and Fridays at noon, eastern.
Recordings are on YouTube and the company website.
https://www.youtube.com/@jenniferschaus/videos
ZGB - The Role of Generative AI in Government transformation.pdfSaeed Al Dhaheri
This keynote was presented during the the 7th edition of the UAE Hackathon 2024. It highlights the role of AI and Generative AI in addressing government transformation to achieve zero government bureaucracy
Up the Ratios Bylaws - a Comprehensive Process of Our Organizationuptheratios
Up the Ratios is a non-profit organization dedicated to bridging the gap in STEM education for underprivileged students by providing free, high-quality learning opportunities in robotics and other STEM fields. Our mission is to empower the next generation of innovators, thinkers, and problem-solvers by offering a range of educational programs that foster curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking.
At Up the Ratios, we believe that every student, regardless of their socio-economic background, should have access to the tools and knowledge needed to succeed in today's technology-driven world. To achieve this, we host a variety of free classes, workshops, summer camps, and live lectures tailored to students from underserved communities. Our programs are designed to be engaging and hands-on, allowing students to explore the exciting world of robotics and STEM through practical, real-world applications.
Our free classes cover fundamental concepts in robotics, coding, and engineering, providing students with a strong foundation in these critical areas. Through our interactive workshops, students can dive deeper into specific topics, working on projects that challenge them to apply what they've learned and think creatively. Our summer camps offer an immersive experience where students can collaborate on larger projects, develop their teamwork skills, and gain confidence in their abilities.
In addition to our local programs, Up the Ratios is committed to making a global impact. We take donations of new and gently used robotics parts, which we then distribute to students and educational institutions in other countries. These donations help ensure that young learners worldwide have the resources they need to explore and excel in STEM fields. By supporting education in this way, we aim to nurture a global community of future leaders and innovators.
Our live lectures feature guest speakers from various STEM disciplines, including engineers, scientists, and industry professionals who share their knowledge and experiences with our students. These lectures provide valuable insights into potential career paths and inspire students to pursue their passions in STEM.
Up the Ratios relies on the generosity of donors and volunteers to continue our work. Contributions of time, expertise, and financial support are crucial to sustaining our programs and expanding our reach. Whether you're an individual passionate about education, a professional in the STEM field, or a company looking to give back to the community, there are many ways to get involved and make a difference.
We are proud of the positive impact we've had on the lives of countless students, many of whom have gone on to pursue higher education and careers in STEM. By providing these young minds with the tools and opportunities they need to succeed, we are not only changing their futures but also contributing to the advancement of technology and innovation on a broader scale.
What is the point of small housing associations.pptxPaul Smith
Given the small scale of housing associations and their relative high cost per home what is the point of them and how do we justify their continued existance
What is the point of small housing associations.pptx
Stocktaking of SDGs and Post2015 Development Agenda Demanding Development justice
1. ASIA- PACIFIC REGIONAL CSO ENGAGEMENT MECHANISM (AP-RCEM) SUBMISSION:
STOCK TAKING OF SDGs AND POST-2015 DEVELOPMENT AGENDA
– DEMANDING DEVELOPMENT JUSTICE -
Asia-Pacific Regional CSO Engagement Mechanism (AP-RCEM) is a civil society platform currently
representing over 100 (and expanding) organisations and peoples movements in the region. It is
currently in transition mode to a permanent structure. AP-RCEM is initiated, owned and driven by
the CSOs, and has been has been set up under the auspices of UN-ESCAP and seeks to engage with
UN agencies and Member States on thepost 2015/SDG processes as well as other development related
issues/processes
Introduction
The Asia region represents 60% of the world’s population including 2/3 of the world’s indigenous
peoples, which belong to the world’s poorest of the poor. Asia- Pacific is also expected to fuel
economic growth and yet, remains the most vulnerable to climate disasters.
This submission is the joint analysis of the documents that have been developed through the lens of
Development Justice. Development Justice is the model that more than 100 civil society networks
and groups in the Asia Pacific region have promoted that will deliver sustainable, just and equitable
development. Development Justice requires Redistributive Justice, Economic Justice, Gender and
Social Justice, Environmental Justice and Accountability to the Peoples.
While recognising some of the positive proposals of the outcome document, we feel that it nevertheless
contains glaring omissions, gaps and provisions with potentially deleterious implications. While
paragraph 7 in the Chapeau clearly reaffirms international human rights commitment, the OWG
outcomes and Post 2015 processes still show the absence of any binding accountability or genuine
commitment to develop a new international order to deliver on the commitments that have existed
for many years. 1
The proposed SDGs do not properly frame goals and targets around existing human
rights obligations and do not promote the integration of a human rights based approach. We believe
that the proposals must represent the floor, not the ceiling of the ambitions for a truly transformative
and people-centered framework.
We also note that the Post-2015 development agenda should acknowledge that achieving development
justice requires addressing various issues of poverty, hunger, gender inequality, health, including
sexual and reproductive health and rights, and their root causes, holistically, and that these issues are
intertwined.
Our reflection on the work to date through the 5 required ‘transformative shifts’ of Development
Justice, which are the following:
Redistributive Justice:
Absence in addressing the over-concentration of wealth, power and resources between and within countries.
We support the inclusion of Goal 10 - Reduce inequality within and among nations. By including this
1 Both procedurally and for the ambition and breadth of content, the current SDGs are an improvement on the
MDGs. The expansive nature with 17 goals and 169 targets is welcome. However, the targets don’t provide for genuine ac-
countability, they don’t genuinely address implementation and the document fails to anchor structural reforms desperately
needed to genuinely shift inequalities and provide a sustainable future.
2. goal, the new development framework commits to address both economic inequalities and forms of
discrimination that affect poor, marginalised and vulnerable social groups. Only a goal with both of
these components will truly “leave no one behind”.
However, the goal currently does little to redistribute wealth between countries or even measure
it. Demands to include a measureable target of wealth distribution were ignored. It fails to include
the need for an equitable redistribution of income, in light of labor’s shrinking share in the GDP in
contrast with the ever expending profits of corporations.
The documents fail to convincingly address one of the biggest structural impediments to just and
equitable development, which is the asymmetrical international economic order that has historically
stripped developing countries of their resources and limited their domestic policy space to implement
development and human-rights oriented decisions. This imbalance is evident in the functioning of
international trade and finance, capital markets, investments and international financial institutions
and agencies, which not only favour developed countries, but also favour corporate interests in
developed counties above all else.2
This can also be gleaned in the worrying implications of the
ASEAN economic integration by 2015, which will further liberalize weak economies and open
up peoples’ resources for the exploitation of corporations in the implementation of the ASEAN
Investment Plan.
The outcome document does not uphold food sovereignty, it shows the absence of right to land, land
redistribution, sustainability for the rural population – including women – to provide them with
food sovereignty, livelihoods, and equitable benefits from the sustainable use of resources. There is a
reference to this in the documents, but the references are not interpreted in a way that will track land
control for the peoples. A strongest reference to this is in Goal 1, however this may be interpreted
as merely a non-discrimination clause. We thereby recommend the inclusion of clear indicator that
tracks land security and land grabbing under this target, especially in relation to indigenous peoples
and small farmers3
. There should also be clear indicators in the sustainable use of lands in relation to
agro-business including biofuels that heavily relies on toxic inputs. It should also response and address
to the monopoly control of the wealthy few over investment resources and finances; the corporate
capture of natural resources; and the neocolonial plunder of the Global South’s resources by wealthy
developed nations and their multinational and transnational corporations.
No reference was made about the strong stance taken by G77+China against the increasing
financialisation of the agriculture sector that is posing severe threats to the economic and social right
to food and nutrition of vulnerable populations in developing countries. We need a proper regulation
of agricultural commodity markets to avoid excessive volatility and speculative activities, not only
a proper ‘functioning’ as reworded in the outcome documents. We also demand that countries in
developing countries must have the right to have public stock-filing and public distribution system to
its poor people without any hindrance from any other multilateral bodies.
Likewise, the means of implementation of the SDG remains very weak as there is no clear
commitments made by developed countries in the differentiated responsibilities of developed and
developing countries for achieving sustainable development and effectively combating climate change.
Although technology is put forward in many different goals as an essential component to realize each
goal, there is not recognition of the urgent need for fair and equitable access to technology and to
overcome intellectual property barriers. There is also the need for developing countries to build and
develop their own technological base, and the extremely important need to integrate multilateral,
independent, and participatory evaluation of technologies for their potential social, economic,
2 The target to ‘improve regulation of global financial markets and institutions’ lacks specificity and, without specific
targets around specific regulatory frameworks and institutions, will be meaningless.
3 ‘by 2030 ensure that all men and women, particularly the poor and the vulnerable, have equal rights to economic
resources, as well as access to basic services, ownership, and control over land and other forms of property, inheritance,
natural resources, appropriate new technology, and financial services including microfinance’.
3. environmental and health impacts. The establishment of a Technology Transfer Mechanism that could
address these aspects should be clearly affirmed.
Economic Justice
Absence on Regulating Financial Speculative Investment and Tax Evasion. While there is language in
the SDGs on the need to ‘respect each country’s police space…”, there is a lack of commitments to the
specific reforms that are necessary for that to occur. For example, despite the profound impact of the
global financial crisis, there is no language on the need to urgently reduce speculative investment.
Similarly, despite the fact that tax evasion and tax minimization strategies are used by companies to
deprive developing countries of hundreds of billions of dollars each year, tax evasion is not addressed
other than a weak reference to improving the capacity of developing countries for tax collection and
without clear measures in ensuring tax payment of corporations.
In this regard the mandate of UN tax committee should be enhanced to prepare and monitor standards
in relation to universal tax and bank transparency, to stop illicit financial flows, and to ensure
accountability of multi national companies in national level, and all above to avoid tax competitions
between countries. G20 and OECD countries are now preparing action plans in respect of BEPS (Base
Erosion and Profit Shifting); we urge them to take participation of G77 countries in this regard too.
Developed countries must take steps to eliminate so called tax havens or so called secrecy juridications.
Absence of Universal Social Protection. Requiring governments to “implement nationally appropriate
social protection systems’ falls far below the universal social protection we expect to see; that this
should be clearly consistent with the full respect and protection of human rights as part of the
international obligation of states. Minimum standard for social safety nets that accounts for the
basic welfare of peoples, aligned with the Human Development index shall be part of the SDG goals
including appropriate indicators for indigenous peoples’ collective wellbeing. The critical fault of
the document is that it ignores the entrenchment of neoliberal policies which for the most part have
undermined human development indicators in most regions and weakened governments’ capacity to
ensure the progressive realisation of peoples’ rights4
.
While Goal 8 is welcome for its focus on DECENT WORK, it should be de-linked from the dominant
economic growth approach. We are pleased to finally see the inclusion of migrant workers; particularly
women migrants and we recommend including indicators for this target the codification of domestic
workers’ rights. On the other hand, there is an absence of reference to the living wage and the repeated
resistance from some developed states, obstructing the delivery of development justice to the poorest
paid workers of the world, the majority of whom are women in the Asia region. It also neglected to
address existing policies of labour market flexibility and deregulation, especially in the context of cash-
strapped developing economies pursuing foreign investments where employment is made vulnerable,
cheap and docile and where workers’ union rights and collective bargaining rights are completely
trashed.
We are also concerned that the outcome document promotes labour-export policy and migration for
development. Although we welcome the fact that migration and migrant worker are included in the
discussion, the framework needs to move away from the paradigm of promoting the neoliberal labor
export strategy as a means to alleviate poverty and to mobilize resources for sustainable development.
Remittance-driven development will only increase the vulnerability of migrants to violations of their
rights, promote temporary/guest workers programs in destination countries, and systematize labour
export instead of generation of decent jobs in source countries.
We are opposed to the retention of the poverty measurement of $1.25ppp a day, which has been
4 The current proposed goal 3 “Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages” will have to deal with
current drive of governments towards privatization, public-private partnerships, and patents monoplicies in international
agreements and bilateral, regional and international free trade agreement. The same also applies for goal on equitable qual-
ity education and goal 6 on water and sanitation.
4. described by civil society in our region as a starvation indicator.5
This is a mockery addressing the
basic needs of the poor, including workers who are the backbone of economic production. This is also
irrelevant for indigenous peoples’ whose key indicator for poverty alleviation is the security of their
lands and resources, and not by mere monetary targets.
Environmental Justice
Lacking the agenda to move to a new sustainable model of consumption and production. While there
are four (4) goals to limit global warming, it does not provide for clear measures in achieving
environmental justice, and lack ambition or specificity. While clearly UNFCCC processes need to be
harmonized to the SDGs, target to live within plenary boundaries are gone. The chapeau noted that
there is a consensus about the need to hold global atmospheric rise below 2 degrees celcius, however it
is not indicated as a target for a climate change mitigation goals.
Countries must consider internal displacement policies for climate forced migrants and especially
developed countries should consider to relax immigration and labour policies that how they can
accommodate climate forced migrants from other countries. There should be a new UN protocol in
this regard.
The general reference to implement existing commitments on consumption and production are
inadequate. The effects of climate change extend beyond the environment and come with a broader
set of socio-economic and political consequences. It will be a severe impediment to efforts aimed at
eradicating poverty and promoting sustainable methods of production and consumption.
Gender and Social Justice
We welcome the stand alone gender goal and while it is an achievement to get governments to
recognize the importance of ending violence against women for sustainable development, there is a
need to ensure the means of implementation’ and requirements from governments to act. 6
In order to address violence against women and girls and respect, protect, and promote their right to
choose on matters regarding their reproduction and sexuality by ensure universal access to sexual and
reproductive health and rights. It is important that sexual reproductive health and rights is included as
a target under gender as well as health goal. The current formulations of the sexual and reproductive
health targets, and of only acknowledging reproductive rights, are insufficient. The principles in the
International Conference on Population and Development Programme of Action and the Beijing
Declaration and Platform of Action state that both sexual and reproductive health and rights, are
fundamental rights. Further, we believe that SRHR is integral to achieving gender and social equality
and justice, and sustainable development. We call for the inclusion of Universal Access to Sexual and
Reproductive Health and Rights in the stand alone goal on gender equality as well as the stand alone
goal on health.
We also urge that comprehensive sexuality education to all young people, in and out of school, be
added in target 3.7, as this is crucial for young people to be empowered to make informed decisions
about their bodies, and that SRHR—and not just reproductive health—be integrated into national
strategies and programmes.
5 No developed country accepts a measurement of poverty for their citizens of less than ten dollars a day, and most
have poverty lines that are much higher than that. In the Asia Pacific region, the poverty line is also measured above $1.25 a
day. This is because $1.25 is not an amount that allows even a minimum quality of life—it is not enough to secure sufficient
food, housing, healthcare and education, let alone to live a life of dignity.
6 The target on VAW be accompanied with targets to reduce weapons globally and to tax the arms trade (providing
both revenue and promoting peace). We also suggested policy ‘MOI’ targets which could simply be drawn from existing
obligations like the Beijing Platform of Action target to produce National Plans of Action to eliminate violence against
women.
5. Barriers to achieving gender and social justice, including religious fundamentalisms which impacts
on health, sexuality and rights of women, young people and sexual and gender minorities, must be
addressed and countered.
Accountability to the Peoples
Accountability should be the central feature of this agenda. The Post-2015 framework must be
underpinned by the strongest, most robust and comprehensive accountability framework possible.
Accountability means more than data, more than monitoring and reporting. Accountability should be,
first and foremost, to those the SDGs are designed to help – the poorest and the most marginalised,
and hold to account the powerful at home, in the community , at the state and state officials, power of
other states and power of corporations.
The concentration of wealth and corporate power including by financial institutions remains
unchecked, and there are no clear goals to make them to account. Accountability mechanism to
people are largely absent – while binding remedies for ‘investor rights’ for corporate are rapidly
expanding. Likewise, the practice of good governance of states, ensuring the respect for human rights
and democratic participation of people in sustainable development processes especially by the most
marginalized – including farmers, fisher-folks, urban poor, workers, migrants, indigenous peoples,
people living with HIV and AIDS, elderly, people in conflict and disaster areas, dalits, people of diverse
sexual orientation and gender identity, people living with disabilities, stateless peoples, and among
those women, youth and children as the most vulnerable - shall be included in the SDG.
Countries should reorient there approach from “government ownership” toward “democratic
ownership”. Democratic ownership has been embodied especially with the principles of participation
of civil society, media, opposition parties and institutional mechanism of people participation in
local level. Hence, mechanisms at the local and national levels, as those closest and most accessible to
affected populations, must be strengthened and must feed into processes at regional and global levels.
There must be enabling environment for civil societies in country level which in fact acknowledging
rights of development initiatives by diverse stakeholders, similarities of policy and practice in this
regard and in all level and all above including civil society participation in bilateral development
assistance negotiation. Country government must take advantage of civil society led paralall budget
analysis in country level.
In spite of the sustained efforts by indigenous peoples as rights-holders, and has much to contribute in
achieving sustainable development, they remain almost invisible in the SDG. This also ignores the fact
that indigenous peoples are over represented amongst the poor --- 5% of the total population but 15%
of the poor. The historical subjugation, systematic discrimination and massive grabbing of their lands
and resources brought about this condition. The SDG needs to ensure that the rights and wellbeing of
indigenous peoples are fully integrated in the SDG with specific indicators and data-dis-aggregation
that will be included in the means of implementation. Unless this is incorporated, the goals of
sustainable development will remain irrelevant to indigenous peoples and will result in its failure to
alleviate the worsening condition of indigenous peoples.
Financing for Sustainable Development
On the crucial question of financing for sustainable development, we know that states will look
for guidance to the recently published report of the Intergovernmental Committee of Experts on
Sustainable Development Financing.
We welcome the Committee’s recognition that its work must be founded on the key Rio principles,
including human rights, gender equality, and common but differentiated responsibilities. We are
also glad that the Committee recognises the fundamental need for country ownership supported by
a strengthened global partnership for development, although we regret that, given the resistance of
many developed countries to effective means of implementation in the SDGs, these principles are not
6. expressed in stronger terms.
Further, we are deeply concerned at the primacy of private financing in the Committee’s
recommendations, especially in the absence of a clear call for binding frameworks that ensure that the
private sector acts consistently with environmental and human rights norms, and is accountable for
doing so. We are also disappointed to note that many of the important outcomes that the Committee
clearly supported in its early work, such as reduction in inequality within and between countries, the
introduction of a global tax floor to prevent a regulatory race to the bottom in tax policy, the impact of
military expenditure on national spending on sustainable development, and addressing land-grabbing,
do not appear in the final report.
Civil society has repeatedly argued that the challenges the world currently faces require bravery and
a commitment to transform the very rules that our global economic order is based on. The obscene
levels of inequality that allow 85 people to own more wealth than 3.5 billion people, half the Earth’s
population and the growing urgency of climate change are both born from a global agreement to set
rules that promote profit making over human rights. Although states have expressed similar concerns
through this process we do not see a shared commitment to dismantle the rules and systems that
enable such gross inequality and threaten our future. Neo-liberalism still haunts the goals and targets
proposed.
While we acknowledge some progress in the OWG goals, the work of ICESDF, fundamental elements
for equity and accountability are largely still missing. Unless there is genuine transformation of the
current international economic and political order of domination, the full recognition and protection
of human rights, and real practice of democratic governance where the people are the drivers for
development, the SDGS will only remain a wish list of states, and the deteriorating inequity and
deprivation of the majority will continue to prevail.