1 national strategies for sustainable development (nssd) nicos georgiades

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National Strategies for Sustainable Development (NSSD)

nicos georgiades

2000 - strategic review of SD in the region

the “sustainable development fashion” exerted limited influence on policies

sectoral visions and priorities still predominate

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2010 +

the situation not much different

2009 review- (W.G. 358.8)

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strengths

regional processes- MSSD?; MDGs; EU (SDS, enlargement, Western Balkans, neighbourhood; union for the Med; horizon 2020, water initiative)

all countries NSSD (or other) strong (?) political commitment

strengths

responsibilities to units or committeessteps in institutions, legislation,

investments foster multi stakeholder participationawareness raising, information measures in the hundreds

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weaknesses

inequalities in level of information reporting erratic, selective, numerical,

snapshot in time monitoring and review (biased?)elusive how to reconcile economic

growth with economic development

weaknesses

usually environmental issues overshadow other two

bulk of strategies short to mid-term no overall objectives, list a lot unrelated lack of integrated approach

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weaknesses

regulatory instruments overriding toolsweak incorporation of new actors governance structures weak, slow, no

central node lack of capacity building lack of implementation

weaknesses

influence of NSSD– impossible to isolate impacts– policy formulation not clear if guided

by a NSSD– many initiatives would be taken

anyway – multitude of measures rarely interact

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other processes

assessment of MSSD

(WG 358.4)many findings at the regional level

coincide with those at the national

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other processes

2010 SG review 106 countries implementing a NSSD,

rarely the principal vehiclemechanisms used in parallel differences in what sd means slippage in terms of commitments national councils ceased to function

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2010 study of 22 countries

9 - strategic processes with linkages6- responsibility for NSSD with PM- P5 - attempted to coordinate national

action with local 4- legal mandate1 - integrated with p&b

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proposals for NSSD- regional context/ dimension indispensable

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link with changing wider context (W.G.358.5)

shifts towards MDGs global governancecontribution of local to global new strategies incorporating SD goals-

CBD, WB, FAO, UNDP, UNFCC, CSD Barcelona- ‘ecosystems approach’

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link with an MSSD looking to the future

accommodate global issues (poverty) introduce new challenges (integration

of vulnerable groups)provide guidance for agencies-

synergies

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scope of the MCSD

after almost 2 decades still debate role!- WG 358.5

initial idea of a think tank did not catch up

advisory council it can never bereturn to original scope - forum for

review, dialogue, identification of issues

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scope of the MCSD

improve way decisions are made – choosy on participation– reps act outside the box – not expert dominated

not a bit of everythingno focus on environmental issues

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CoP

ministerial meetings, review, political guidance

agree on broader regional goals, priorities

gaps between north and south - “regional solidarity”

upgrade principles into protocols, e.g precautionary

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MEDU

more resources leadership, cooperation, synergies,

coordination of centers interagency coordination pressure on partners unit for sustainable development

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centers

delivery, implementation facilitate technical assistancemobilize financing

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proposals for NSSD- national

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broader strategic aspects

influence norms and valuesstimulate actionshared vision of the futuresecure clarity of goalshigh ambition, no what is possibleaddress all 3 pillars

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broader strategic aspects

integrate short and long term economic, social and environmental objectives

ensure synergies, coherence, connections with other strategies/ policies

induce institutional change/ make institutions effective and functional

bottom-up as well as top down process24

broader strategic aspects

broaden debate beyond environment move incrementally build on what works/ remove barriers unifying tools-

– impact assessment – integration – correlation with budget – economic instruments

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governance

“good governance, …is perhaps the single most important factor in promoting development and advancing the cause of peace” (UN)

design and execution of policy; process by which society is governed; ways (principles, rules, procedures) through which an agency exercises powers vested by the public

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governance

five principles– transparency– participation– accountability/ responsibility– effectiveness– coherence

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governance

strong governance intervention, political ownership, who does what, how, with what, when

national councils upgraded, made relevant- follow up, report on progress, legally mandated, unambiguous responsibility (empowerment, legitimacy)

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governance

critical evaluation of institutions- strengthen (financial stability, authority, dependability, mechanisms)

conflict resolution mechanismsenhance cross-sectoral approach

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local government

multilevel governancesubsidiarity principleempower local authorities, e.g.

devolutionstrengthen capacity to respond support to local initiatives

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stakeholder involvement/ participation

citizen concerns/ perceptionschannels of interaction outreach programs/ understandablesystematic dialogue, early targeted consultations

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stakeholder involvement/ participation

representativeness of groups support to NGOs evaluate influence agree on roles access to information prepare institutions to absorb the shock

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multi stakeholder entities

forums for debate across lines rendering advice, ideas establishing options and prioritiespreparing/ advising on NSSD reviewing results of monitoring raising public awareness

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process review / future revision

open from the beginning to societywidely devolved reviews- including peer onesmonitoring/ evaluationensure relevancy to contemporary

concerns

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a model of a potentially broadly relevant structure of a NSSD

(W.G. 358.9)

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process for the NSSD preparation

necessity information utilized problems encountered key strengths/constraints preparation process participation legitimacy- endorsement, constitution

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major strategic frameworks and concepts

national political commitment long-term vision/ time perspective major challenges balancing different dimensions and priorities goals for the three pillars core strategic objectives policy guiding principles

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global solidarity(national commitments)

regional and international context international and equity considerations how to help meet the MDGs helping to improve international

environmental governanceworking with others

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key priority themes and sectors

priority areas/ sectors and themes comprising action programmes

progress and good practices in priority areas, sectors/ themes

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key priority themes and sectors

for each one-vision issues; “hot topics”; challengespriorities; choices; policy approaches institutions to steer the processmajor programmes and action plansactors

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processes and mechanisms (cross - cutting issues)

ensuring linkages integration and coherence of goals and

objectives tools and instruments financing deconcentration communication and awareness-raising knowledge management

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stakeholders

key stakeholder groups and involvement

partnerships and networks for stakeholder participation

measures to build up knowledge and participation capacity

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implementation, co-ordination and management

governance structures, mechanisms, procedures

role of other branches of stateconflict resolution and risk managementdevelopment of critical capacities

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monitoring, review, evaluation

indicators for monitoring implementation, progress, change

monitoring and review processes evaluating effectivenessrevision and adaptation

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remember

sustainable development- a bridge, a promise, a reasoned basis, a perspective, a means, a way

strategy- an interactive process, evolving, flexible, integrating umbrella, a focus for other policies

NO “MASTER PLAN”

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