TUESDAY, MAY 22, 2018
In advance of the ECOSOC Special Meeting on 23 May, WFUNA's 16 Plus Forum, in partnership with the Permanent Missions of Czech Republic, Georgia, and Timor-Leste organized an event "Inclusion in Process & Policy: Civil Society Participation & Partnership in Advancing SDG 16+" on May 22 at UN Headquarters in New York. The event brought together over 60 member states and civil society representatives focused on the critical role of civil society in SDG 16+.
Background
As countries continue to implement the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the critical role of civil society in localizing and implementing the SDGs is increasingly recognized and apparent. This has been no less true for SDG 16 on Peaceful, Just and Inclusive Societies. Often a bridge between governments and citizens, civil society’s systematic participation in policy development is central to the realization of SDG 16+. With the space for civil society increasingly under attack, it is all the more important to demonstrate this role, and the benefits of their inclusion — from consultation to policy development, and implementation to follow up.
From civil service reform, e-governance and open data to access to decision-making and citizen-led, social audits, speakers will address their national experiences in advancing inclusive policies, and the processes behind such policies. Both government and civil society perspectives will be offered, highlighting successes, challenges and solutions to breaking down barriers and building trust. Highlighting the importance of regular engagement and partnership between civil society and governments, the 16+ Forum maintains focus on SDG 16+as a catalytic component of an indivisible and interdependent 2030 Agenda.
Speakers List
§ H.E. Mrs. Marie Chatardová, Permanent Representative of the Czech Republic to the UN and ECOSOC President
§ H.E. Ms. Khatuna Totladze, Deputy Minister, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Georgia
§ H.E. Mrs. Maria Helena Pires, Permanent Representative of Timor-Leste to the UN
§ Ms. Kateřina Fialková, Director, Department of Multilateral Economic Relations, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Czech Republic
§ Mr. Petr Lebeda, Director, Glopolis and Coordinator, NGO Platform for Sustainable Development, Czech Republic
§ Dr. Hedia Belhadj, President, Groupe Tawhida Ben Cheikh, Tunisia (Discussant)
§ Ms. Margaret Williams-Vannuccini, Senior Peace and Security Officer, WFUNA (Moderator)
16+ Forum Partners
Permanent Missions of Australia, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Georgia, Guatemala, the Republic of Korea, Sierra Leone, Sweden, Timor-Leste, Tunisia, as well as the g7+ and the World Federation of United Nations Associations (WFUNA).
Missed the event? Scroll through our Twitter coverage or watch the full event here.