The SDGs: A Global, Political, Economic, Social and Data Reconstruct?

A DWINDLING UNIVERSE?

A Panoramic view of the world today, reveals a struggling democracy where constituents all over are dissatisfied with the incessant abuse of constitutional power, or better still the failure of the rule of law. The economic dynamics of it all is equally a cause for concern and the biggest concern undoubtedly most be the lasting impact of human footprints on the ecology.  

Clearly the idea of world peace is a fast eroding one.

THE SDG GOALS, SO WHAT ABOUT IT?

In came the New Year,1^ST of January 2016 precisely, with the roll out of the Global Goals; a call, via 17 Sustainable Development Goals and 169 targets to adhere to for the next 15 years (14 left to go) for a global transformation. This is not entirely new in itself but with a twist from past UN global agendas,is perceived, as truly universal and encompassing where newer actors including the world of business is targeted with a role to play and of course past actors such as government, media, CSOs remain as custodians.

So what role can the SDGs play in a constantly changing world? A draft in the nick of time to address these human travails before a total collapse? Can the SDGs sit on the premise of a rebirth for global ethics and human values?  If so how prepared are the UN member states, to embraced  it through integrated efforts and actions, to make it impactful this time around. A thought for  reflection.

 SDGs and the Parliament.

To get the SDGs off the ground in right footing, clarity of what it is needed. It is not a project, as referred to by a Nigerian Minister recently. The SDGs is an imitable development plan that generations to come can build on, as the “word “sustainable connotes.

1.      What is essential therefore is an integrated effort by the UN member states, beginning with the internalization of the SDGs,meshed into their existing national priorities and processes.

2.      Let’s not make the mistake that the SDGs, yes with a timeline of 15 years (2016:2030), is anything short of an institutional process-with short term targets with less indicators  to start with. A clear process of internalization whereby existing national development frameworks, policies are reviewed and brought to par with the universal goals and its 169 targets.

3.      No doubt this merger will impact on all, it must then follow a strong political and  analytical process where planning is inclusive and participatory; involving a wide spectrum of  actors and stakeholders  brought in to fully participate to arrive at validated outcomes, leading to ownership and championing by all.

4. With this, if truly internalized into existing national plans, the big problem of funding the implementation of the SDGs reduces; it becomes line items in the budget of the various implementing ministries and agencies and a priority in planning for business cases.

5.    Broad awareness and interpretation of the SDGs and their aims must be deliberately targeted at the national/sub national /local political entities. The bulk of the work to be done is at that level and ownership is key by all actors. One clear strategy towards securing action by parliament for the SDGs is lobbying that the political parties adapt at least one or more of national thematic SDGs area or goals and domesticated in its manifesto ahead of the next elections. Worth a trial!

6.    Data capturing, monitoring, evaluation and impact assessment mechanisms most be inter woven into the frameworks and implemented as laid down, but cognizance be given to harmonization, whereby internal designs (national framework) also adheres to identified and preferred peer review mechanisms and subjected to global best practices but not to the extent it causes tension in adaptation of national core instruments. It is expected that Research and Technology will play a major role.

Just my musing on how we can all begin to get the government to become SDGs compliant and in conclusion, while ownership is key by all stakeholders as coalesce efforts geared towards the SDGs for scale across the nation, with CSOs, Media and the government easily identified, newer stakeholders like the private sector, academia, youth and policy instruments such as  gender mainstreaming and budgeting  towards social Inclusion must be deliberately applied all-round the 17 goals and 169 targets.

Coming up in PART 2 - Leveraging on the Private Sector Partnership for the Global Goals

Abimbola Junaid is a strategist, researcher, trainer and communicator. She holds a Master’s Degree in International Social Policy and Administration from the University of Nottingham UK. A development practitioner with over 15 years’ experience in Governance, Development, Parliamentary and Citizens Engagement gained both in the UK and Nigeria respectively. She is an in-house news review analyst on Rainbow 94:1FM a radio station with large citizens journalism content and followership. Her twitter handle is @a4arise.