Platform HD 2010: Towards a People’S Multilateralism
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Platform HD 2010: Towards a People’s Multilateralism Co-convened by UNDP and PRIA (Participatory Research in Asia) Bangkok, 30-31 August 2010: Summary Report 1 Section I. Background and Introduction The year 2010 is the 20th anniversary of the launch of the UNDP Human Development Report (HDR), the ten-year review of the Millennium Declaration and the Millennium Development Goals, as well as the Beijing+15. These reviews are taking place in the face of financial crisis, food insecurity, climate change challenges, violation of political and human rights and the failure of governance institutions to tackle persistent poverty, inequality and social exclusion. Against this background, the UNDP Civil Society Division, through the Platform HD 2010 initiative, seeks to forge multifaceted partnerships between the United Nations, civil society and other actors to address the converging food, financial and climate crises at a time when the institutions responsible for global governance are being transformed by the emergence of new actors and alliances. Platform HD2010 was launched in June 2009 by the Civil Society Division in the Partnerships Bureau of UNDP, with support from the MDG Achievement Fund. The idea behind it is two-fold: to foster and expand ongoing debates on a citizen-centred or people’s multilateralism, and revitalize UN(DP) engagement with civil society in rethinking human development and advancing the MDGs.1 Both objectives have acquired a fresh urgency in the context of the crises, now known as the four ‘Fs’-- food, finance, fuel and fiscal – which call for new forms of governance at the local, national, regional and global levels. These crises have grave impact on the most vulnerable and marginalized populations in the Asia-Pacific region. Even if many countries were initially cushioned from the effects from the financial crisis that have taken a toll elsewhere, the region faces food insecurity from rising prices and inflation, persistent poverty, social exclusion and rising inequality. In addition, many countries are working against difficult odds to rebuild fragile societies after years of strife and instability. The humanitarian catastrophe unfolding in Pakistan points to the increasing complexity of these crises and the need for the UN and all of its partners, in particular civil society, to work together to find innovative and lasting solutions. The Civil Society Division in the Partnerships Bureau, co-convened a two-day UN-civil society regional consultation, in partnership with the Society for Participatory Research in Asia (PRIA).2 This consultation, the first of three such planned under the Platform HD2010 initiative, was held in Bangkok under the aegis of the UNDP Asia-Pacific Regional Centre, with support and participation of the Democratic Governance Team. It brought together civil society representatives from over 15 countries3 and United Nations colleagues. 1 The concept for this regional consultation was an output from discussions at a Platform HD 2010 consultation in June 2009, which brought together the UNDP Administrator, civil society representatives at the global and regional levels. It was thought this regional consultation could capture innovative governance solutions at the local, national, regional and global levels. The ultimate objective of the consultation is to take forward the idea of a people’s multilateralism in order to influence the policy and governance discourse within the overall framework of advancing the MDGs and human development. To this end, national pilots will be identified with inputs from PRIA and APRC. It should also be noted that Platform HD 2010 has a national level component whereby UNRCOs have launched initiatives funding by the programme to strengthen civil society participation in the MDGs and Human Development. 2 See www.pria.org for further details or email [email protected]. 3 Selection criteria for civil society participation: civil society organizations and their representatives were selected following broad consultations with the UNDP Civil Society Advisory Committee, the Regional Centre in Bangkok, and PRIA. Several criteria were used in the selection process with a view of ensuring appropriate geographic distribution, gender parity and the representation of marginalized groups. The Platform HD 2010 initiative funded the participation of more than 20 civil society representatives, which included reimbursement of travel and related expenses. 2 The consultation was intended to start the process to catalyse further policy dialogue between the UN and civil society at the regional and national levels on issues of particular concern. As the first such interaction between the UNDP APRC and diverse society from across the region, this was a unique dialogue which generated much interest and expectations on both sides. In preparation for the consultation, PRIA drafted a background paper, “We the People: Towards a Peoples Multilateralism in Asia and the Pacific,”4 with inputs from the Civil Society Division, APRC, and from civil society participants. PRIA and UNDP also worked together to develop the agenda around the broad themes of MDG achievement, innovations in democratic governance, democratic space, and UN-civil society strategic engagement. After an opening session of analysis and overview of the political and development contexts in Asia-Pacific, each theme was taken up in detail, concluding with three parallel working group discussions about strategies for UN-civil society co-convening and a presentation of recommendations. Section II. Key themes and messages The “Big Picture”— political and economic contexts A ‘people’s multilateralism’, as embodied by the opening words, “We the People,” in the UN Charter, implies deeper state-citizen engagement in shaping democratisation processes and new ways of defining the state-citizen compact in the region. In the context of varied political, economic and social specificities in the Asia-Pacific, this terminology needs adaptation and indigenisation. Multilateralism should go beyond government-to-government relations and tap civic energy and voices, so that citizens have a stake in their future and can aspire to safe, productive and dignified lives. The UN has a key role in facilitating and democratizing state- citizen interactions. The region has seen a rapid rise in free-trade zones and public-private partnerships, to attract investment and stimulate economic growth. These trends reflect the fact that the private sector is now recognized as the primary vehicle for growth, often at the expense of the environment, labour and human rights and civic participation. In the absence of transparency, accountability and citizen oversight, these trends are likely to further exacerbate social and economic disparities, particularly in countries where democratic space is being encroached. While GDP is the ‘new god,’ economic growth has not been inclusive: the region suffers from environmental degradation, the impact of climate change, and the diverse effects of rapid urbanization and rural-urban migration. By 2015, more than half the region’s population will be urban – and escalating levels of violence related to dispossession of land and natural resources, regional identities, and ethnic and sectarian conflict. Development challenges The convergence of global crises and rethinking of the global governance architecture offers an historic opportunity to advance inclusive forms of governance that are accountable to the world’s poorest, while also revitalizing human development and civic engagement. A foremost issue remains the status of women. Inequality and exclusion, discrimination and violence are persistent challenges, exacerbated in times of conflict and humanitarian disaster. Promoting the inclusion and participation of women in development and public life needs to receive greater attention by policymakers and the international community. 4 The PRIA paper will be uploaded to the Civil Society Division website in the coming weeks. See: http://www.undp.org/partners/civil_society/Platform_2010.shtml 3 Civil society organizations and governments must ensure the full participation of the marginalized, including religious minorities, indigenous peoples and those who are discriminated against due to caste or social standing. In aggregate terms, the Asia-Pacific region has had high MDG achievement, but a disaggregation of the data reveals a disturbing picture of social exclusion, persistent hunger and malnutrition among vulnerable populations, in particular, indigenous communities, minorities and women. Poverty is reduced at one end and reproduced at another end. Role of civil society In the 1980’s and 90’s, the Asia-Pacific region was known for its vibrant regional cooperation among civil society organizations and their active engagement with inter-governmental organizations such as ASEAN. However, in the last decade, this solidarity has weakened at a time of unbridled economic growth and increasing closeness between governments and the private sector. Civil society organizations must begin to rebuild regional cooperation and solidarity around issues of mutual concern. Going towards 2015, the focus of MDGs should be acceleration, along with inclusion and localisation. The role of civil society is critical in this endeavour as they can bring pressures on the national governments, raise public awareness and participate in and monitor implementation. Civil society in the region should view newer inter-governmental groupings such