TUESDAY, MAY 29, 2018
New York, NY – On May 22, 2018 the 16+ Forum hosted a side-event on the occasion of the 2018 ECOSOC Special Meeting, Inclusion in Process and Policy: Civil Society Participation and Partnership in Advancing SDG 16+, featuring the Permanent Mission of the Czech Republic, Georgia, and Timor-Leste.
As countries continue to implement the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the critical role of civil society in localizing and implementing the SDGs is recognized and apparent. With the space for civil society increasingly under attack, it is particularly 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, social audits, and civil society inclusion, speakers highlighted successes, challenges and solutions to breaking down barriers and building trust, further underscoring the importance of regular engagement and partnership between civil society and governments.
Special thanks to our panel of experts for sharing their experiences as related to the bigger picture of participation and inclusion for all.
- 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)
To see pictures from the event, please click here.
