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NGLS Civil Society Observer

Volume 5, Issue 5

October/November 2008

Content:
Feature: 60 years of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
Special section: Follow-up International Conference on Financing for Development, Doha, Qatar and the Financial Crisis
Special section: United Nations Climate Change Conference in Poznan, Poland
In the Press
Trends & Debates
CSO and the multilateral system
Research and Analysis

- Feature: 60 years of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights -

On 10 December 2008 – Human Rights Day – the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) celebrated its 60th anniversary. To commemorate this day, governments, civil society organizations and UN agencies organized events and activities across the globe. Publications, statements and opinion pieces were launched to reflect upon the achievements made in the defense of human rights since the adoption of the UDHR, such as the statement by the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Ms. Navanethem Pillay and NGLS' joint publication with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) entitled The United Nations Human Rights System: How to Make it Work for you.

NGLS has been covering these commemoration activities, events, recent publications and other information as it becomes available in its Focus online page on 60 years of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

- Special Section: Follow-up International Conference on Financing for Development, Doha, Qatar and the Financial Crisis -

The Follow-up International Conference on Financing for Development took place in Doha, Qatar from 29 November to 2 December 2008.  The Conference was preceded by a Civil Society Forum (26-27 November) and a Business Sector Forum (28 November).  The primary purpose of the Conference was to review progress in the implementation of the Monterrey Consensus – agreed by UN Member States in 2002.  The Consensus covers a broad range of development and related global finance issues, organized around chapters focussing on domestic resource mobilization, foreign direct investment (FDI), debt, official development assistance (ODA), trade and systemic issues.  The financing for development process is noted for its inclusive and multi-stakeholder nature as it brings together the World Bank, International Monetary Fund (IMF), the World Trade Organization (WTO), civil society organizations, the business sector and other relevant actors.

The Conference came after a year of preparatory meetings and negotiations on the outcome document.  Member States and other stakeholders discussed progress of implementation around the various chapters as well as barriers for further progress.  The recent global financial crisis had an impact on these discussions, particularly on systemic issues. 

The agreed outcome of the Conference – the Doha Declaration on Financing for Development – notes progress and advances on the Monterrey Consensus in several areas.  Among its most notable aspects, the Declaration calls on Member States to determine the modalities of a UN meeting to discuss the impacts of the global financial crisis on development by the end of March 2009.

Outcome of the Civil Society Forum: Civil Society issues a Joint Declaration and calls on UN Member States to invest in people-centred development
Doha, Qatar, 25-27 November 2008

From 26-27 November the Doha Global Civil Society Forum brought more than 250 representatives of civil society organizations from around the world together to discuss the theme 'Investing in People-Centred Development'. At the end of the Forum, civil society adopted a Civil Society Declaration in which they call for more people-centred development.

In addition, on 28 November representatives of civil society held a press conference where they presented an open letter which highlighted several of their concerns expressed on the Declaration to the President of the General Assembly.
   Civil Society Declaration
   Text of Statement to General Assembly Plenary
   Link to webcast of statement
   Open Letter to GA President

Statements and evaluations from civil society and other actors on Doha Outcomes
For an overview of statements and evaluations made by civil society organizations and other actors regarding the outcomes of the Follow-up International Conference on Financing for Development, visit NGLS' special webpage http://www.un-ngls.org/site/doha2008.

Financing development: from Monterrey to Doha
OpenDemocracy.net, 26 November 2008, Alison Evans & Simon Maxwell

In this opinion piece, the authors explain the background of the Doha Conference, its importance for developing countries, and desired outcomes of the Conference.
http://www.opendemocracy.net/article/financing-development-from-monterrey-to-doha

The morning after the night before: the impact of the financial crisis on the developing world
Christian Aid, November 2008

This report, prepared by Christian Aid for the International Conference on Financing for Development, starts by examining the causes of the financial crisis and its effects for developing countries and continues by making a strong case for more transparency and freedom in tax collection to avoid a new financial crisis in the future. It researches various income streams for developing countries and finds that national tax collection is more efficient to address poverty reduction than any other source of income.
http://www.christianaid.org.uk/Images/The-morning-after-the-night-before.pdf

Read also ActionAid International's related report Hole in the pocket: Why unpaid taxes are the missing link in development finance (November 2008):
http://www.actionaid.org/assets/pdf/Hole%20in%20the%20pocket.pdf

Sustainable Financing for Development and Poverty Eradication
Association of German Development NGOs (VENRO), June 2008

This policy paper, also prepared for the Doha Conference, calls for a reintroduction of the recommendations for action already made by NGOs for the Monterrey Consensus. It looks at several topics – such as mobilizing domestic resources; foreign direct investments, private capital flows; fair trade; ODA; global governance; foreign debt; and climate change – and gives policy recommendations. http://www.bond.org.uk/data/files/venro_policypaperdoha.pdf

The global financial crisis and developing countries
Overseas Development Institute (ODI), October 2008

This background note identifies which countries are most at risk with respect to the financial crisis, and discusses what can be done to overcome these risks.
http://www.odi.org.uk/resources/odi-publications/background-notes/2008/global-financial-crisis-developing-countries-growth.pdf

Social Watch Report 2008: Rights is the answer
Social Watch, November 2008

In its latest report, Social Watch explores the relation between human rights, development and economic globalization. Social Watch argues that the present crises in the world – financial crisis, food crisis and energy and climate crisis – demand a new rights-based approach to development. The report, launched during the UN Follow-up Conference on Financing for Development, includes thematic and national reports on various issues and measures world's progress on socio-economic indicators.
http://www.socialwatch.org/en/informeImpreso/tablaDeContenidos2008.htm

UK seminar: A coherent civil society response to the financial crisis
Bretton Woods Project, 30 October 2008

On 28 October representatives of NGOs, development organizations, labour unions, think tanks, academia and the media came together in London to discuss how to take forward demands for a fundamental redesign of the international financial system. At the seminar, researchers held presentations on the causes and consequences of the financial crisis. In addition, a statement on the global summit was presented, signed by more than 630 civil society organizations around the world demanding: 'a major international conference convened by the UN to review the international financial and monetary architecture.'
http://www.brettonwoodsproject.org/art-562842#report

- Special section: United Nations Climate Change Conference in Poznan, Poland -

From 1-12 December the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP14) took place in Poznan. During the conference, Parties of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the Meeting of the Parties of the Kyoto Protocol, their subsidiary bodies and representatives of businesses and industry as well as civil society representatives negotiated their long-term support for improved global action against climate change. The Conference was seen as a landmark on the road to achieve the decisions and tracks set out in the Bali Road Map by 2009 -- such as the Bali Action Plan and the launch of the Adaptation Fund -- and the Kyoto Protocol commitments by 2012.

At the end of the Conference, governments committed themselves to actively negotiate an international response to climate change and to work towards a Copenhagen climate deal by the end of 2009.  The Conference also brought progress with regard to the Adaptation Fund and other issues affecting mainly developing countries, such as finance, technology, reducing emissions from deforestation and degradation (REDD) and disaster management.

For an overview of the decisions taken at the COP14, visit: http://unfccc.int/meetings/cop_14/items/4481.php

Amid a Hopeful Mood, U.N. Talks Set Countries on Path Toward a Global Climate Treaty
The New York Times, 12 December 2008, Elisabeth Rosenthal

An article on the outcomes of the Poznan Climate Talks.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/13/world/13climate.html?_r=1&ref=science

Read also The Bali Road Map: Key Issues Under Negotiation, launched 28 November by UNDP, providing background information and insight in the proposals that were on the table.

IISD (International Institute on Sustainable Development) covered COP14 with daily issues as well as final outcomes of the Earth Negotiations Bulletin (ENB) while ENB on the Side (ENBOTS) discussed selected side events.

No friends of the earth
The Guardian, 11 December 2008, Muhammad Cohen

This article on the UNFCCC asks why environmental NGOs support the Convention, as there is no evidence that the Convention is benefiting the environment. On the contrary, the article reports an increase in greenhouse gas emissions rather than a decline.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/cifamerica/2008/dec/11/environment-carbon-emissions-un-poznan

Dispatches from Poznan: Change in the Weather, the United Nations in Poland
The Huffington Post, 11 December 2008, David Foster

An article on the interplay of civil society, politics and economic crisis: how do they impact the environmental negotiations?
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/david-foster/dispatches-from-pozna-cha_b_150076.html

NGOs: Running on Empty?
Tiempo Climate Newswatch, 23 November 2008, Megan Rowling

This paper summarizes the outcomes and conclusions of research conducted earlier this year among international non-governmental organizations (INGOs) and finds that the lack of clear definitions and processes regarding climate change adaptation and capacity constraints restrain INGOs' responses to climate change.
http://www.tiempocyberclimate.org/newswatch/feature081123.htm

See also a related article on climate change funding by the same author:
http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/LT73416.htm

The Little REDD Book: a guide to governmental and non-governmental proposals for reducing emissions from deforestation and degradation
The Global Cannopy Programme, 26 November 2008

The Little REDD Book, a guide to the UN negotiations on Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation (REDD), contains governmental and non-governmental proposals for reducing emissions from deforestation and degradation. It also provides an analytical framework to compare the various proposals and to point out differences and similarities.
http://www.globalcanopy.org/themedia/file/PDFs/The%20Little%20REDD%20Book_Nov%2008.pdf

Who's Afraid of REDD? Reflections from the Rights, Forests and Climate Change Conference
Rights and Resources Initiative, 27 October 2008, Ben Vickers (Senior Programme Officer, Regional Community Forestry Training Center for Asia and the Pacific (RECOFT)

This opinion piece reflects upon forest-based climate change mitigation mechanisms deliberated at the Oslo conference, held in October 2008. Highlighting issues of equity, rights, and tenure as crucial to negotiations on forests and climate change; it gives examples from Nepal and Ghana. International negotiators are increasingly aware of safeguarding rights for REDD plans to be effective, and the author highlights the need for the diligent participation of civil society to inform negotiators on appropriate methods.
http://www.rightsandresources.org/blog.php?id=360
http://rightsandclimate.org/2008/10/27/whos-afraid-of-redd-reflections-from-ben-vickers-senior-program-officer-at-recoftc/

Governing the global commons: Linking carbon sequestration and biodiversity conservation in tropical forests
Elsevier, available online: 23 September 2008, David O’Connor (Department of Economic and Social Affairs, United Nations)

This article looks at the evolution of conservation organizations’ response to climate change, shifting emphasis from domestic conservation efforts in rich countries to protecting biodiversity in developing countries ("hotspots” such as tropical rainforests).  In this regard, conservation groups are paying special attention to discussions on the political and technical feasibility of rewarding countries financially for protecting their standing forests as carbon sinks.
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6VFV-4THB4CJ-1&_user=1922565&_rdoc=1&_fmt=&_orig=search&_sort=d&view=c&_version=1&_urlVersion=0&_userid=1922565&md5=345c172bc20c7b3ff78d65dd92f52003

Voices that must be heard: minorities and indigenous people combating climate change
Minority Rights Group International, Briefing Paper, 19 November 2008, Farah Mihlar

Frustration among indigenous and minority groups around the globe prevails as their leaders again are not allowed to actively participate in the discussions on climate change in Poznan, while their communities are the most affected. Through this briefing paper their voices are expressed as it discusses the effects of climate change on indigenous communities and critically looks at their level of participation in international debates.
http://www.minorityrights.org/7491/briefing-papers/voices-that-must-be-heard-minorities-and-indigenous-people-combating-climate-change.html

Energy (R)evolution: A Sustainable Global Energy Outlook
Greenpeace International and EREC, October 2008

The European Renewable Energy Council (EREC) and Greenpeace International have co-produced a report advocating the need of an energy revolution, based on sustainable global energy. The report presents a global energy scenario which tackles the challenge of meeting the CO2 reduction targets and securing an affordable energy supply.
http://www.greenpeace.org/raw/content/international/press/reports/energyrevolutionreport.pdf

- In the press -

NGOs pare down in face of financial crisis
IRIN News, 27 October 2008

This IRIN News article describes the effects of financial crisis on the funding of NGOs. Representatives of Oxfam GB, World Vision USA and Save the Children UK believe that they will have to cut their programmes or lay off their staff next year because of the bleak economic situation. 
http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=81147

Africa: Research and Policies lack Civil Society Input
Inter Press Service, 19 November 2008, Kristin Palitza

Health activists and experts have criticized African governments for ignoring the role of civil society organizations (CSOs) in health research and health policy development. The inclusion of civil society can make health research more relevant for local communities as CSOs can add social and cultural perspectives, communicate research and translate research into action. In addition, CSOs are needed to keep governments accountable on the implementation of health policies.
http://allafrica.com/stories/200811200001.html

- Trends and Debates -

The Myth of NGO Superiority
Development and Co-operation Journal (No. 05, Volume 49), 15 October 2008, Peter Nunnenkamp

This article shows preliminary research results on the question whether NGOs have the ability to provide better targeted or more efficient aid than State-run development agencies. The research suggests that in many countries, NGOs prefer to keep a low profile as they do not want to sidestep or outperform State-run aid agencies. http://www.inwent.org/ez/articles/068647/index.en.shtml

Global Citizenship in Action? Civil Society and Accountable Global Governance
UNU, 5 November 2008

The United Nations University (UNU) organized a panel discussion on global governance and accountability of global institutions. The discussion examined popular thought that civil society can fill accountability gaps at the UN and other global agencies. Information is available online.
http://www.ony.unu.edu/events-forums/events/2008/global-citizenship-in-action-c.html

Governance, Civil Society and Social Movements
Special Conference Issue of the European Journal of Legal Studies (Volume 1, Issue 3), July 2008.

In this issue several papers contribute to four discussions: (i) the erosion of State government and the emergence of transnational governance; (ii) social movements and civil society; (iii) elements of societal constitutionalism; and (iv) the transformation of governance projects by social movements.
http://www.ejls.eu/index.php?id=3

Are NGOs Overrated?
Current Issues in Comparative Education (Volume 10, Issue 1&2), fall 2007/spring 2008.

In this ten year anniversary double issue, several papers try to grasp the changing roles of NGOs and their effectiveness in addressing issues like poverty and oppression and in actually bringing social change and transformation.
http://www.tc.columbia.edu/CICE/Main/10contents.html

A Study of Formal Relations Between Multilateral Bodies and Non-State Actors – developing a conceptual framework
MelonAge, November 2008, Kamiya Motoyo

This paper is a preliminary inquiry on the increased formal and ongoing relationships between multilateral bodies and non-state actors. The author tries to tackle the various kinds of relationships that exist in this interface and to identify their nature, their key features and their level of engagement. Emerging modality-related issues are also addressed.
http://www.melonage.com/images/Multilateral-non-state-actor-relationships.pdf

Read also a related paper (2007) by the same author on formal relations between civil society and multilateral bodies, focussing particularly on accreditation and other consultative modalities: http://www.fimcivilsociety.org/en/library/A_Study_of_Formal_Relationships_between_CS_and_Multilateral_Bodies.pdf

For the French version of the second article, see www.melonage.com.

- CSOs and the multilateral system -

“Making Global Fund Country Coordinating Mechanisms work through full engagement of civil society”
ITPC, 8 October 2008

This report by International Treatment Preparedness Coalition (ITPC) looks at the Country Coordinating Mechanisms (CCM) in seven countries, particularly civil society engagement in the design and monitoring of Global Fund-supported programming. The research teams recommend improving civil society communication and the capacities of civil society representatives. The report includes an executive summary of the results and recommendations and country reports for each of the seven countries studied: Argentina, Cambodia, Cameroon, India, Jamaica, Romania, and Uganda.
http://www.itpcglobal.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=106&Itemid=

Bridging the Divide: a human rights vision for global food trade
IATP, November 2008, Carin Smaller and Sophia Murphy

This background paper, prepared by the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy (IATP) for the Conference Confronting the Global Food Challenge held in Geneva from 24-26 November 2008, argues that existing trade rules undermine food systems and human rights. It calls for a human rights perspective to ensure amongst others the protection, promotion and fulfillment of the human right to food when building a global trading system.
http://www.iatp.org/iatp/publications.cfm?accountID=451&refID=104458

- Research and Analysis -

Reality of Aid Report 2008 – Aid Effectiveness: Democratic Ownership and Human Rights
The Reality of Aid Management Committee, 2008

The Reality of Aid Management Committee launched the report Reality of Aid 2008 - Aid Effectiveness: Democratic Ownership and Human Rights. Based on civil society contributions, the report critically examines the reality of aid policies and their impacts on the poor and marginalized in developing countries. It argues that donors and recipient government are not able to promote human development as they fail to put human rights at the core of development policies, to strengthen democratic and local ownership, to tackle gender equality and to include environmental sustainability.
http://realityofaid.org/downloads/RoAReports2008_full.pdf

Shooting down the MDGs: How irresponsible arms transfers undermine development goals
Oxfam International, October 2008

This paper shows new evidence of how irresponsible arms transfers are undermining many developing countries’ chances of achieving their Millennium Development Goal (MDG) targets, either by draining governments’ resources, or by fueling conflict, poverty, and serious human rights abuses. It calls on governments and citizens to move towards strengthening the Arms Control Treaty (ATT). The Treaty ensures responsible, regulated transfers of military and security equipment to assist a state to provide the security and stability necessary for development.
http://www.oxfam.org/files/bp120%20Shooting%20down%20the%20MDGs_FINAL%201Oct08.pdf

Volunteering & Social Activism Promote Human Development and Social Change
CIVICUS, IAVE and UNV, 24 October 2008

In this study, the World Alliance for Citizen Participation (CIVICUS), the International Association for Volunteer Effort (IAVE) and the United Nations Volunteers (UNV) explore the role of volunteering and social activism in social change and human development. The study draws on inputs from nearly 100 volunteer-involving organizations across 54 countries and concludes that participation of ordinary people is essential for achieving development targets, such as the Millennium Development Goals. A better dialogue is needed between these complementary fields of volunteerism and social activism as well as with governments.
http://www.worldvolunteerweb.org/resources/research-reports/global/doc/volunteerism-and-social-activism.html

Assessment of International Monetary Fund and World Bank Group Extractive Industries Transparency Implementation
Bank Information Center and Global Witness, 29 October 2008

This paper assesses the engagement of the IMF and World Bank in 55 resource-rich countries from 2003 to 2008 in providing support for transparency measures in oil, gas and mining industries, such as the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) and to combat corruption and mismanagement of revenues. The report reveals that their approach, however, is neither consistent nor comprehensive. It calls for meaningful civil society engagement to boost public awareness and debate around transparency issues.
http://www.globalwitness.org/media_library_get.php/681/imf_wb_global_witness_bic_report_final.pdf

Preventing Corruption in Humanitarian Assistance
TI, FIC and HPG, Final Research Report, July 2008

This report seeks to document corruption in humanitarian assistance and is based on a research carried out by the Feinstein International Center of Tufts University (FIC) in collaboration with the Humanitarian Policy Group (HPG) at the Overseas Development Institute in London (ODI) and Transparency International (TI). Seven major international humanitarian NGOs volunteered to be part of the research.
http://www.transparency.org/content/download/34487/537752/

Social Movements and Citizenship: Some Challenges for NGOs
INTRAC, 1 October 2008, Lucy Earle

This policy paper by International NGO Training and Research Centre (INTRAC) examines how varied interpretations of citizenship might be used by social movements in developing countries to claim their basic rights from the State. It also addresses the often politicized and radical nature of social movements, which can make the support for their cause by (international) NGOs problematic. The paper ends by proposing ways in which NGOs can better and more correctly support social movements.
http://www.intrac.org/docs/Briefing%20Paper%2020%20-%20Social%20movements%20and%20citizenship.pdf

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