Highlights on WPSR 2018 Chapter 7 Realizing the SDGs in Post-conflict Situations: Challenges for the State VALENTINA RESTA, UNDESA ORGANIZER: UNDP 2 MAY, 2018
1 Objectives of the report How can governments, public institutions and public administration foster integrated approaches to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs? Challenges and opportunities for policy integration for the SDGs at different stages of policy cycle at the national level Focus on experience at national level The report is conceived as a science-policy interface tool Distils key features from examples of institutions and administrative arrangements for integration at the national level Is descriptive, not prescriptive or normative Robust / simple analytical framework, make sense of what s out there, makes the link between academic literature and practitioners Reflects a multiplicity of perspectives - Open call for contributions, 80+ contributors
Methodological approach Whole-of-Society Governance level Regional National Sub-national Vertical integration Global Horizontal integration Stakeholders Local Policy issues 2
WPSR 2018: Structure 3 How can governments, public institutions and public administration foster integrated approaches to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs? Chapter 1 The case for integration Dimensions of integration Thematic examples Chapter 2 Horizontal integration Chapter 3 Vertical integration Chapter 4 Engagement Chapter 6 Integrated approaches to health Chapter 5 Integrated approaches to migrations Chapter 7 Integration in postconflict situations
4 Chapter 7 - Sections Five sections: Challenges to realizing the SDGs in postconflict situations and their implications for integrated approaches that advance both sustainable development and peace 1. Introduction 2. The challenge of achieving the SDG in post-conflict settings 3. Post-conflict governance transformation to advance sustainable development and peace 4. Horizontal integration, vertical integration and engagement in postconflict contexts 5. Conclusions
5 Introduction The 2030 Agenda brought a renewed emphasis on the need to confront post-conflict interlinked challenges in a coherent manner Integrated framework for SDG implementation entails ensuring that interventions aimed at sustaining peace and development are mutually reinforcing Strengthening public administration is critical Integrated approaches become even more important than in peaceful contexts National public institutions and public administration must be rebuilt with the purpose of promoting integrated approaches
The challenge of achieving the SDG in post-conflict settings Fragile and post-conflict situations according to different classifications 6
Post-conflict governance transformation The primacy of politics The primacy of politics and the critical importance of inclusion A critical test of the sustainability of post-conflict settings is whether the terms of peace agreements are effectively translated in the national legal framework Importance to address divisive oppositional politics and transform the national political culture beyond deal-making Post-conflict development needs to be inclusive and involve a broad set of stakeholders to create a sense of belonging and inclusion, regardless of political differences Institutionalized capacities and collaboration to identify, analyze and tackle possible causes of people grievance can help to consolidate the foundations for peace and avoid the risk of relapse into conflict 7
Post-conflict governance transformation Align to SDGs and rebuild public administration Using the SDGs to align strategies and actions SDGs as a common framework to anchor reconstruction strategies Identifying elements of national sustainable development strategies requires: Understanding key contextual elements and drivers of the conflict Assessing the degree of institutional development needed Mapping recovery requirements Rebuilding public administration after conflict Practitioners call for options adapted to countries political realities, institutional capacity, and levels of insecurity Norms, values and behaviours championed by leadership and public servants and their professional capacities are fundamental components of institutional strength A key challenge is to ensure transition strategies in government and public service that preserve existing capacity, while also renewing personnel 8
Post-conflict governance transformation Budget processes and risk prevention 9 The critical importance of budget processes Effective and integrated financial management and enhanced accountability are needed to ensure policy implementation Some countries adjusted the national budget process and cycle in line with the SDGs Coherent country vision, national sustainable development strategy and implementation plan can help aligning external interventions with country priorities Preventing relapse into conflict - Prevention-based approach include: Assessing how risks could affect SDG implementation Clarifying responsibilities for managing risks (government, stakeholders & donors) Fostering collective approaches to multidimensional risk assessment and management Building local capacities and commitment to collectively understand and closely monitor the conditions that contribute to fragility(early warning systems)
10 Horizontal integration Strategies to promote integration include establishing coordination mechanisms led by: An inter-ministerial structure (High level inter-ministerial commission Colombia) A single ministry (Ministry of National Unity, Reconciliation and Peace Solomon Islands ) Beyond coordination mechanisms, other instruments enhance integration Some countries have mapped the SDGs against their national sustainable development strategies E.g. Sierra Leone s integrated strategy within the framework of the Agenda for Prosperity 2013-2018
11 Vertical integration Coherence and balance between the needs of the centre and those of the periphery Decisions at the central level need to reconcile with realities on the ground Devolution of powers to the local government is not a panacea The issue is not decentralization versus centralization, but to find what works best in each context State may work with community leaders to build coalitions at the local level, promote better center-periphery linkages and sustain peace Compacts or other accountability frameworks help coordinate resources at different governance levels Harmonization of capacity and resource allocation to federal, provincial and municipal levels
12 Engagement Role of PA to engage all social groups to shape a common vision for a country s future Mistrust, reluctance to power-sharing, competition for resources, disruption of infrastructure, logistical inadequacies and security threats can challenge engagement Participatory development of SDG national action plans (e.g. Nepal) Well-designed incentives can engage marginalized individuals/communities (e.g. Rwanda) Engagement of traditional institutions and their leaders (e.g. Solomon Islands) Engagement of women and their associations (e.g. South Sudan) Youth education (e.g. South Africa & Balkans), engagement in advisory councils (e.g. Iraq), and leadership promotion (e.g. Afghanistan)
Multiple trade-offs for development in postconflict situations 13 Context-based choices need to be made between: Aiming at fast, visible results through importing solutions versus devoting time and resources to build up national capacity Spending on rebuilding state functions versus restoring public services Spending resources and time on enhancing participation versus quickly restoring public services in a centralized way Rebuilding and restoring pre-existing institutions versus creating new ones Increasing participation and legitimacy versus rebuilding government authority Strengthening local governments versus supporting the central government
14 Thank You! Q&A The complete version of WPSR 2018 Chapter 7 can be found via: http://workspace.unpan.org/sites/internet/documents/unpan98150.pdf