Auditing SDGs Stakeholder engagement in auditing preparedness

Transcription

1 Auditing SDGs Stakeholder engagement in auditing preparedness Jaipur 11 December 2017 Aránzazu Guillán Montero UNDESA/DPADM

2 The result of an inclusive process UN Summit on Sustainable Development 193 Member States (more than 150 heads of state) Civil society Business community Academia

3 The 2030 Agenda and stakeholder engagement Highlights the importance of national participatory processes to ensure meaningful and active participation of stakeholders at all stages, from integration into national strategies, to implementation, to national monitoring and review. Specific SDG Targets refer to participation: Target 16.7 ( responsive, inclusive, participatory and representative decision-making at all levels ); Target 6.b ( Support and strengthen the participation of local communities in improving water and sanitation management ) Target 11.3 ( enhance inclusive and sustainable urbanization and capacity for participatory, integrated and sustainable human settlement planning and management ). Also critical for follow-up and review processes: must be open, inclusive, participatory and transparent for all people (para. 74d), and reviews should have a particular focus on the poorest, most vulnerable and those furthest behind (para. 74e).

4 Engaging stakeholders in SDGs Countries are engaging stakeholders through institutionalised channels Stakeholder engagement through integrated approaches (Finland) Participation in coordinating bodies - different models: Participation in high-level committees and technical committees Honduras Central coordinating mechanism provides strategic steering but is also a platform for stakeholder engagement Brazil National Pact signed by 3 branches of government, local governments, private sector, universities and civil society Costa Rica Other mechanisms: consultations through civil society networks Brazil; engagement in development of indicators and data gathering Philippines, Nigeria Monitoring and review: 2,300 non-state actors at HLPF 2017; part of official delegations (Argentina, Brazil, Honduras, Uruguay); opportunities to provide inputs to VNR (Argentina, Costa Rica); parallel reports (Portugal) Challenges to engage Parliaments remain but they are mobilizing around SDGs - through oversight functions (Finland, Belgium, Ethiopia), specialized committees (Fiji), special advisory groups (Germany), or consultations (Bangladesh)

5 The distinctive nature of SDG audits Examine complexity and interconnections Focus on inclusiveness Audit performance information Wide stakeholder engagement in the audit process SAIs have to look beyond traditional mechanisms of collecting evidence and consult with a wider set of stakeholders. SAIs have to consider stakeholders for dissemination and follow up of audit findings, to ensure implementation of recommendations.

6 Why to involve stakeholders in SDG audits? The comprehensive scope of the 2030 Agenda requires coordinated action between all levels and sectors of government and all stakeholders Auditing preparedness requires similar lenses. Stakeholders as beneficiaries and/or monitoring agents in SDG implementation can bring experience, information and knowledge into the audit (both in planning and conducting the audit). - Independent perspective. They know how services, policies, programs, etc. work in practice. They give voice to vulnerable groups and those left behind. Stakeholders can leverage and use the information produced by the SAI and act as multipliers of audit findings in monitoring SDG implementation, contributing to enhance ownership and accountability of the SDG implementation and review processes.

7 Challenges Some perceived constraints and potential risks for SAIs in collaborating with stakeholders Have been discussed extensively in the SAI community. Practical challenges may include: SAI mandate, legal/normative framework. Limited awareness of the benefits of engagement. Reputational risks, perceived bias, possible political interference, media sensationalizing or public pressure. Workload, financial and/or human resources constraints. Limited technical capacity and expertise of stakeholders to engage with the SAI. Ensuring meaningful and sustainable engagement.

8 Which stakeholders? Stakeholder mapping Map a wide variety of stakeholders, including some which might not usually be considered for other audits. Each actor has information on one specific aspect or outcome of the SDGs. (i) identifying critical informants for the audit, which may provide information that others may not have (ii) helping understand how to engage with each stakeholder at different stages of the audit process (iii) how to reach relevant audiences and what are key messages for each When looking at specific Goals/Targets, stakeholder mapping should consider the inter-linkages between SDGs For example, if you look at fisheries, you should consider fishing companies, small scale fishers, conservation groups, other users of the sea space, port authorities, urban planners, polluters, etc. It is also important to map excluded groups or those left behind to bring their perspective into the audit.

9 (1) Auditing stakeholder engagement in preparedness Whether and how government are engaging stakeholders as part of their preparedness efforts 1) Look at specific dimensions, based on country context and priorities: What are the levels and sectors of non-state actors involved in integrating SDGs? How have the views of different stakeholders been taken into account in aligning national plans and policies to SDGs? Have relevant stakeholders been included in institutional mechanisms for coordination of SDG implementation? Have relevant stakeholders been included in the process to establish national goals and targets/ national indicators? Is there a plan to manage and coordinate efforts of non-state stakeholders in support of SDG implementation? What efforts have been undertaken by non-state actors to support SDGs, such as mobilizing partnerships, raising awareness, etc.? 2) Consider stakeholder engagement as a cross-cutting dimension to all aspects of preparedness Include relevant sub-questions /criteria under each objective/audit question

10 (1) Auditing stakeholder engagement in preparedness The audit plans generally Focus on specific dimensions Whether government has raised awareness, informed and gathered inputs from stakeholders in integrating the SDGs in national context Incorporate stakeholder mapping Other relevant aspects to consider: Some dimensions: Engagement in coordination mechanisms; Engagement in monitoring, indicator development and data collection; Participatory structures for SDG policy implementation Engagement of specific stakeholders: private sector, Parliament, vulnerable groups Stakeholders efforts through partnerships Stakeholder engagement as cross-cutting dimension.

11 (2) Engaging stakeholders in your preparedness audit Build on your SAI s experience and innovation (India, Georgia, Nepal, Philippines, etc.). Consider engaging stakeholders at different stages of the audit process: Before the audit - planning SDG audits Receiving inputs on priority SDG areas or relevant aspects of preparedness in country; consider the potential interest of Parliament; whether there has been any media coverage; does the issue affect the lives of citizens; inputs for pre-study, etc. Conducting SDG audits inform auditees through communication protocols; engage early on with key allies for follow-up Reporting SDG audits strong actionable recommendations; plain language; clear and understandable audit reports; tailored reporting outputs; infographics, videos, etc.; work with communication specialists. After the SDG audit proactively engage with Parliament; media and civil society as levers and monitors (media briefings, public workshops, forums, radio, etc.); follow up (e.g., database to track implementation of SDG recommendations).

12 (2) Engaging stakeholders in your preparedness audit The audit plans generally Focus on engaging stakeholders as source of information/inputs Focus groups, interviews with government officials, experts, CSOs, etc. Other relevant aspects to consider: Wider engagement in planning process e.g., have you interviewed CSOs, Parliaments, media, etc. as part of your prestudy? Engaging with specific stakeholders (Parliament, media, youth, private sector) Considering expert /CSO reports as documental sources for specific areas (e.g., SDG monitoring) Including a section /chapter of your audit plan detailing how you would engage stakeholders

13 Conclusion Stakeholder engagement does not look all the same. SAIs should analyse their normative framework, organizational context, capacities etc. to determine the scope of stakeholder engagement. Engaging stakeholders for what? There are multiple engagement tools and approaches that can be used, and different levels of stakeholder engagement, depending on what we want to achieve. It is critical to engage stakeholders systematically throughout the audit of preparedness for SDG implementation - stakeholder engagement should not be limited to the reporting phase or the dissemination of the report but leveraged throughout the audit process. Use multiple channels tailored to different stakeholders to communicate the results of SDG audits. SAIs need to consider the key messages to be conveyed to different stakeholders and the best channels for conveying them.

14 Thank you