South-South Cooperation: How Does Gender Equality Factor in the Emerging Multilateralism? Presentation by Dr. Frannie Léautier ACBF Executive Secretary at the North-South Institute Conference Ottawa, Canada 20 21 June, 2011
Introduction Global south is emerging as a large market which is attracting investors globally Better linkages amongst countries in the south also have a gender dimension in the exchange of resources, technology, and knowledge across countries A number of issues relating to gender need specific attention including access to education by girls and women; risks of trafficking of women and children;gender, trade and regional integration; poverty levels among women; democracy, human rights, and gender; intellectual property rights, indigenous knowledge and the role of women etc Data and analysis are critical to deal with these issues and there is a role for capacity development to be targeted to these issues African Capacity Building Foundation can make a contribution in addressing issues of capacity gaps and the many facets of capacity challenges that the African continent is currently grappling with There is an opportunity to draw on the the experiences of the African Women s Development Fund (AWDF)j based in Ghana yet operating continentally
Introduction Global south is emerging as a large market which is attracting investors globally Better linkages amongst countries in the south also have a gender dimension in the exchange of resources, technology and knowledge across countries A number of issues relating to gender need specific attention including access to education by girls and women; risks of trafficking of women and children; Gender, trade and regional integration; poverty levels among women; democracy, human rights and gender; intellectual property rights, indigenous knowledge and the role of women, etc Data and analysis are critical to deal with these issues and there is a role for capacity development to be targeted to these issues African Capacity Building Foundation (ACBF) can make a contribution in addressing issues of capacity gaps and the many facets of capacity challenges that the African continent is currently grappling with There is opportunity to draw on the experiences of the African Women s Development Fund (AWDF) based in Ghana yet operating continentally
South-South Cooperation - Perspective South-South Cooperation conceived as an expression of solidarity amongst developing countries Way to coordinate and collaborate outside of traditional approaches including northsouth cooperation Knowledge exchange between emerging and developing countries Similarity of interests and challenges Narrower gap in development Shift in international balance of power Economic Political Opportunity to leapfrog development No need to re-invent the wheel Share success stories
Developing Country South-South Cooperation Developing Country Trade Regional Integration Knowledge Exchange Sharing success stories Emerging Country Developing Country Trade Regional Integration Transfer of knowledge and expertise Development partnership Capacity development
Forms of South-South Cooperation Economic integration Technical cooperation Capacity development Negotiating blocs Trade Humanitarian assistance Military cooperation
The Changing Aid Environment and Effect of New Entrants in Aid Benefits of Aid and Level of Aid Effect of New Aid Entrants Benefits Aid, trade, foreign and security policy New players Aid levels in US$ billions OECD DAC Countries +1.1 +4.9 China K^/N K*/N Level K^ = benefit maximizing level of aid K* = socially optimal level of aid 10 +8.9 Portugal Spain Greece Korea ODA level 1970-79 1980-89 1990-99 2000-09 Data on Aid from OECD-DAC
Drivers for South-South Cooperation Strengthening Economic ties Technological transfers Mutual benefit Philosophy of non-interference Mutual respect and Trust Demand driven Sense of shared destiny Similar challenges
Shortcomings of South-South Cooperation Limited mutual benefit for countries in similar situation Big brother syndrome still prevalent Insufficient transparency and accountability International conventions can be set aside Human rights Gender equality Work ethics Dependency syndrome
Gender Inequality - Consequences Human trafficking Low literacy and education High unemployment Majority poor
Adult literacy improving but still distance to go on the attainment levels by women: literacy rate (%) Source: Calculated using data from World Bank Datafinder
Female employment by sector (%) Source: World Bank Datafinder
Gender and South-South Cooperation: Sharing experiences what works and what does not Affirmative action for Gender equality Education Trade Regional Integration Property rights including Intellectual property rights Control of resources Political and democratic process Millennium Development Goal (MDG) No. 3 Inclusion in the development process Participatory development Partnerships for learning
Capacity: Innovation, Learning, and Gender Economic Prosperity, High Productivity 2000 1900 Polity represents will of the citizens 1800 High Administrative Capability Social Equality, Tolerance, Environmental Sustainability Source: Adapted from Lant Pritchett, 2010 and Carl Dahlman, 2007
Capacity: Where to start? Build capacity for new and emerging challenges Universities need to be relevant for Africa s emerging and future problems Utilize existing capacity where it exists to deliver on key objectives Higher education institutions have talented people who can be leveraged in critical areas of capacity Develop new capacity where what exists is not sufficient for enhanced performance Universities can provide the space for re-skilling, retooling and continuous learning to bridge the performance gap in the public and private sector
Capacity is Development Role of Education in augmenting capacity Education provides the foundation for strategic thinking and development initiatives Basic knowledge and skills for strategic thinking Capacity to formulate policies and programs for development Capacity to implement development programs Skills and knowledge for follow through Education provides ground for research and innovation Generation of new ideas (research, development, piloting) Testing of ideas (assessment, evaluation, benchmarking) Sharing of ideas (libraries, workshops, seminars, conferences, publications)
Citizens engaged in decision-making: Progress in level of dialogue and inclusion in Africa has improved because women have been engaged in dialogue on development Level of dialogue and inclusion at country level (%) Source: ACI, 2010
Innovations that transform sectors employing women: From farm to fork Agriculture value added as share of GDP (%) higher in countries that tap into science and technology, regional markets and use entrepreneurial skills for farming Most countries still need to define agricultural policies and implement them Country 1980 1990 2000 Mozambique 37.1% 37.1% 24.0% South Africa 6.20% 4.6% 3.3% Most countries still need to define agricultural policies and implement them (% with such capacity in 2010 according to ACI) 0 20 40 60
Quality of Education and Gender (repeaters, primary, female (% female enrollment) Source: World Bank Datafinder Small improvement 43% Big improvement 7% Decline 30% No change 20%
Innovations that unlock potential of women and girls and raise productivity: Case of Water From head carrying to Yoke carrying Rolling water using the Q-Drum
Conclusions Borderless global world Deepening policy interdependency South-South Cooperation key tool for capacity development Need for innovative strategies to enhance role of gender in south-south cooperation South-south cooperation catalyzing debate around aid effectiveness Meaningful participation of non-state actors crucial for accountability It is critical to capture innovations and create a platform for countries to learn from each other to speed up implementation Triangular Cooperation South-South Cooperation Thank you for Listening Merci de m avoir écoutée...