Overarching Principles for a Post-2015 Framework

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Overarching Principles for a Post-2015 Framework

May 2013Policy Paper

For more information,

please contact:

Jenny Russell

Director

Development Policy and Advo-

cacy

Save the Children

[email protected]

Mike Beard

Executive Director

UN Foundation Advocacy

UN Foundation

[email protected]

Suzanne Kindervatter

Vice PresidentStrategic Impact

InterAction

[email protected]

www.InterAction.org

1400 16th Street, NW

Suite 210

Washington, DC 20036

202.667.8227

InterActions Post-2015 Task Force, which developed this document, believes that cer-

tain core elements must be part of the framework that will follow the Millennium Devel-

opment Goals (MDGs) once they expire in 2015. InterAction is an alliance organizationin Washington, D.C., of U.S.-based international organizations. InterAction has more

than 180 nongovernmental organization (NGO) members that work around the world.

The following principles are intended as a roadmap to what needs to be achieved

across a new framework, regardless of sector. The new framework should build on the-

se 10 principles and strive for more sustainable and equitable impact through greater

coordination of stakeholders, the application of effective practices with innovative tools

and approaches, and greater responsiveness to the development needs of countries

and their citizens, particularly the poorest and most marginalized.

The principles complement frameworks that are already in place and serve as a strong

foundation for the next set of goals. These frameworks include: the Universal Declara-tion of Human Rights; the Rio Declaration on Environment and Development; the Inter-

national Conference on Population and Development Programme of Action; the Beijing

Platform for Action; the Busan Aid Effectiveness Outcome; the UN Convention on the

Rights of the Child; the Monterrey Consensus on Financing for Development; and the

Millennium Declaration. By utilizing these pieces we will sustain the momentum of the

MDGs and provide a more integrated framework for key elements that are critical to

achieving development and equality.

Maximizing the energy of women and young people is critical to the new framework.

From combating extreme poverty to removing barriers to education and employment,

women and youth must be at the forefront of how we confront these issues for sustain-

able solutions.

The task force believes that if the global community can start from the precepts listed,

we will eradicate extreme poverty, create sustainable development solutions and

broaden the community of actors who feel responsibility for achieving the next goals.

Ending Extreme Poverty

The next framework must not only promote development, but truly commit to ending

extreme poverty across all countries. Remarkable strides have been made under the

MDGs, but we can and must finish the job to ensure that the root causes of poverty

poor health and nutrition, lack of good learning outcomes, food insecurity, inadequate


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shelter, environmental degradation, violence and conflict, among other factors are better addressed. We must

also tackle social barriers such as gender inequality and other forms of discrimination, which prevent the most vul-

nerable from accessing basic services. The next development agenda should accelerate the momentum of the

MDGs and strive for a more integrated framework for key elements that were not originally reflected in the MDGs

but are critical to ending extreme poverty and reducing inequalities.

Reducing Inequalities

There is overwhelming global consensus that one failing of the MDGs was that they did not consistently confront

growing inequalities across the world. The MDGs' aggregate targets (e.g., halve global poverty, reduce child mor-

tality by two-thirds) allowed many countries to focus on the easiest to reach, further opening the gap between

those on the poverty line and the very poorest and most marginalized populations. Inequalities of both opportuni-

ties and outcomes must be tackled in the post-2015 framework since both impact the most vulnerable and discrim-

inated-against groups in society (e.g., children, women, lower caste groups, persons with disabilities, indigenous

populations). Gender discrimination remains the most egregious inequality and systematic violation of humanrights in our world today, and the post-2015 agenda must include explicit goals for gender equality and female em-

powerment. Inequality should be addressed consistently across the goal framework by setting absolute, orzero,

goals, which implicitly tackle inequality in that they strive for 100% coverage or attainment; disaggregating all tar-

gets and indicators by income and gender; and including a specific target or indicator to reduce income inequality.

In addition, major demographic shifts need to be taken into account. Rapid urban growth is mainly occurring in

countries least able to cope with the demand for decent jobs, adequate housing and urban basic services, which

can further exacerbate inequalities. By ensuring a strong focus on social protection, decent work and inclusive

growth in the next set of goals, we can address inequalities.

One Sustainable Human Development Framework

Issues of human development and environmental sustainability are inextricably linked. The post-2015 framework

must use eradicating poverty as the overarching umbrella, and improving the long-term sustainability of the naturalresource base as the frame upon which human health and prosperity depends. Two UN-appointed groups

the High-Level Panel and the Open Working Group will both inform the next generation of global development

goals. Nevertheless, it would be inefficient and unproductive if the outcomes were two separate and distinct

frameworks. The two processes must merge earlier rather than later to ensure a single, unifying framework that

integrates human and economic development with environmental sustainability.

Voices of the Most Marginalized

Already the post-2015 process has sought to collect views of ordinary citizens around the world on what the suc-

cessors to the MDGs should look like. This is a positive development, but more should be done to hear from those

in the Global South, populations who are the poorest and most marginalized, and those without access to the In-

ternet or other easy ways to connect to the process. The only way to create a world where people are healthy,

well-nourished, economically secure, have access to adequate shelter and have learned essential skills is to en-

sure that those without are given a voice to create a more just world. Unheard voices in this debate are also found

in our own country, where the average American has not been informed about or connected to the process. It is

incumbent upon governments and NGOs alike to bring these unheard voices to the debate so they can shape and

form the next framework.

Universality

To uphold human dignity, a diversity of voices from the most marginalized to the most influential must assert

the universality of post-2015 development goals. These goals constitute a shared agenda to meet the basic needs

of all people and should incorporate responsibilities for both Northern and Southern governments, as well as other


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stakeholders. A truly universal framework would set global goals applicable to all countries, to ensure a strong so-

cial and economic foundation for all people, and then allow countries to create national targets that are appropriate

to each country context. Through creative, deliberative and inclusive partnerships and individual efforts, we can

achieve these critical goals and deliver a sustainable development agenda in each country across the world.

Decent Work and Social Protection Floor

Because of the global recession of 2008-2009 and its lingering after-effects, much more progress is needed to-

ward meeting the MDG targets to achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all, including wom-

en and young people.1

In a recent report on jobs, the World Bank noted the centrality of creating productive em-

ployment and ensuring that all jobs comply with the ILOs core labor standards for achieving inclusive development

and ensuring that all workers work in safety and share in productivity improvements.2

Benchmarks should be

adopted in the post-2015 framework for making advances in creating jobs that respect international workers rights

and implement the UN-endorsed social protection floor.

Peace Building/Violence Reduction/Conflict

The post-2015 framework will not succeed in addressing the structural causes of poverty without tackling violence

and building peace. Conflict and violence have significantly impeded progress towards all MDGs. According to the

World Bank, a country that experienced major violence over the period from 1981 to 2005 has a poverty rate 21

percentage points higher than a country that saw no violence.3To address conflict and violence strategically, the

new framework should not only aim for a reduction in all forms of violence including violence not related to con-

flict, such as domestic violence but should also urge stakeholders to work toward a just, inclusive and sustaina-

ble peace. A peace dimension of the new framework should help stakeholders focus on a wide range of issues,

including freedom of political expression, the end of violence against women and girls, the protection of and dura-

ble solutions for refugees, stateless and internally displaced persons,and transnational crime. Doing so will signifi-

cantly strengthen the potential for success of all post-2015 goals.

Enhanced Partnership Models

Experience with the MDGs has demonstrated both the necessity of partnerships and their limitations under the

current development structure. The next framework requires a new vision for partnerships, one which: enables all

actors to advance a common agenda and contribute according to their comparative advantages; promotes an en-

abling environment for all actors in accordance with international human rights law; ensures civil society as a de-

velopment actor in its own right; and provides for accountability at all levels. Partnerships must expand beyond

traditional donor-recipient relationships, and promote cooperation among and between all levels of governments,

the private sector, and civil society at the global, national and subnational levels. Models that draw in nonstate ac-

tors to partnerships that are responsive to country needs are especially needed. Furthermore, South-South part-

nerships have proven effective for coordination on a regional basis and provide a platform for sharing knowledge

and developing solutions at a global level.

Measurability and Accountability

Building on the strength of the MDGs, the post-2015 goals must be clear and measurable, and achieve a balance

between ambition and feasibility. The MDG experience further demonstrates the need to establish national targets

to ensure future goals focus on the most vulnerable, enhance transparency and accountability, and better reflect

the variety of local contexts. Development outcomes should be measured at the subnational and even the house-

hold level to account for disparities in power, resources and opportunities according to factors such as urban and

rural divides, age and gender dynamics. Achieving equitable results in the post-2015 agenda across sectors will

require greater investment in social accountability at the subnational, household and intrahousehold level with the

explicit inclusion of civil society.Social or citizen accountability including empowering individual citizens to partici-


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pate in data design, collection and analysis ensures that resources are being spent as planned so that gains in

health, education, and poverty reduction can be attained. This greater complexity of what needs to be measured

and by whom will require increased investments in the quality, transparency and availability of data and overall

national statistical capacity.

Robust, Diverse and Accessible Financing

In order to accomplish the emerging post-2015 agenda, robust financing mechanisms supporting national priorities

and investments must be developed concurrently with the new framework. While the financing mechanism should

go beyond aid and traditional donors, a target of 0.7% official development assistance (ODA) continues to be im-

portant. ODA should be considered a supplement to, rather than a replacement for, the critical investments coun-

tries make to their own development. Other key parts of the financial mechanism would be enhanced national re-

source mobilization, including prioritizing these issues in national budget allocations, and regulating tax havens and

illicit financial flows. Further, financing mechanisms should bring in new actors. Brazil, Russia, India, China and

other emerging economies have a special role to play, particularly by spurring a rise in South-South cooperation.The private sectors involvement needs to be coordinated with other donors and responsive to the needs of the

poor and marginalized communities at the heart of the agenda. Cofinancing and partnerships should identify

common ground between the different actors and communities, combining skills, resources and expertise for

achievement of development objectives. Financial and nonfinancial commitments (such as changes to policies or

practices) also must include accountability mechanisms to ensure that public and private efforts contribute to sus-

tainable poverty-reduction goals. Data on the sources and modes of delivery of financing by all actors needs to be

transparent and accessible, including for people at the community level. Finally, funding mechanisms aimed at

poor communities should involve those communities in decisions about how financing is directed.

This statement has been endorsed by InterActions leadership. It was composed with input from membersof the Post-2015 Task Force, whose full membership is listed below.

1The Millennium Development Goals Report 2012, UN. http://www.un.org/millenniumgoals/pdf/MDG%20Report%202012.pdf.

2World Development Report 2013, The World Bank. http://go.worldbank.org/TM7GTEB8U0.

3World Development Report 2011, The World Bank. http://go.worldbank.org/QLKJWJB8X0.


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InterAction Post-2015 Task Force

1,000 DaysACDI/VOCAAlliance for PeacebuildingAlliance to End HungerAmerican Red Cross International Ser-

vicesBasic Education Coalition (BEC)Bill & Melinda Gates FoundationBread for the WorldBread for the World InstituteBrookings InstitutionCARECatholic Relief Services

Center for American ProgressCenter for Health and Gender Equity

(CHANGE)ChildFund InternationalEpiscopal Relief & DevelopmentFrontline Health Workers CoalitionGlobal CommunitiesHabitat for Humanity InternationalHeifer InternationalHelen Keller InternationalThe Hunger ProjectInternational Center for Research on

Women (ICRW)

International Foundation for Electoral Sys-tems (IFES)

InterChurch Medical Assistance, Inc. (IMAWorld Health)

INMED Partnerships for ChildrenInternational Center for Not-for-Profit LawInternational HIV/AIDS AllianceInternational Housing Coalition (IHC)International Medical CorpsInternational Women's Health Coalition

International Relief & DevelopmentJhpiego an affiliate of The Johns Hopkins

UniversityLife for Relief and DevelopmentLIVESTRONG FoundationLutheran World ReliefManagement Sciences for Health (MSH)Mercy CorpsModernizing Foreign Assistance Network

(MFAN)National Association of Social WorkersONE CampaignOxfam America

Pan American Development FoundationPATHPathfinder InternationalPerkins InternationalPlan International USAPopulation Action InternationalRefugees InternationalRESULTSSave the ChildrenSalvation Army World Service OfficeSolidarity CenterU.S. Fund for UNICEFUnited Nations Foundation

United Methodist Church General Board ofChurch and Society

WaterAid AmericaWinrock InternationalWomen for Women InternationalWomen Thrive WorldwideWomen's Refugee CommissionWorld VisionWorld Wildlife Fund

Documents

Overarching Principles for a Post-2015 Framework