ENHANCING THE ROLE OF NATIONAL ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COUNCILS FOR INCLUSIVE SOCIO- ECONOMIC POLICY DEVELOPMENT

Transcription

1 Aide Mémoire REGIONAL WORKSHOP ENHANCING THE ROLE OF NATIONAL ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COUNCILS FOR INCLUSIVE SOCIO- ECONOMIC POLICY DEVELOPMENT Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, 1-3 June 2010 Introduction and background 1. Economic and Social Councils (ESC) are becoming, in many countries, a framework for multi-stakeholders decision making and institutional vehicles for civic participation and promoters of engaged governance. In view of the increasing importance and effectiveness of participation of people in the formulation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of public policies and programmes to achieve national and international objectives, intensifying international co-operation, promoting common development and building a harmonious world, ESCs have an important role to play in the success of this process. Resolution E/RES/2005/55 of the United Nations ECOSOC reafirmed the need to deepen participatory processes of government to ensure citizen engagement to achieve internationally agreed development goals, including those contained in the Millennium Declaration. 2. In varying forms, the concept of national ESCs has been in operation for quite some time. Pioneered by the European Countries, the ESCs have been formed in many countries including the developing countries. There are ESC already constituted in more than 90 countries in Europe, Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean. Their institutional modalities and legal frameworks, as well as their missions, functions, composition, management and financing, exhibit significant diversity, just as the countries they serve. Their objectives, especially during early decades, were to harmonize the relationships between the trade unions and businesses and facilitate sustained economic growth. However, with concerns of equity, environmental sustainability and poverty reduction taking a centre stage in development discourse, and also with demands of greater transparency and equity in public governance becoming more prominent, the scope of the ESCs, as well as their memberships,, have since expanded in more recent times. Further, the incorporation of 1

2 civil society organizations into the processes of policy dialoguing has gained credence. At the international level, most ESC (close to 70) are affiliated with the International Association of ESC and Similar Institutions (AICESIS), which has observer status in ECOSOC. In July 2009, DESA and AICESIS signed and exchanged symmetric letters agreeing to cooperate on the construction of a global Knowledge Base on ESC, and on carrying out specific activities envisioned by an ongoing UN Development Account Project focused on ESC (explained below). 3. Africa has many ESCs, mainly in Francophone Africa, due to historical legacy. These ESCs however lack institutional and financial capacity to be able to play their role fully and efficiently. Even though there is an African s Economic and Social Council Association (UCESA), these ESCs have not many occasions to meet and exchange experience, due to a lack of financial resources. To our knowledge, there has never been a workshop where members of all African ESC met to discuss substantively and exchange experience. Members of UCESA have met occasionally, but not necessarily for capacity building purposes. And, under the auspices of SGMB/DPADM, some international meetings including ESC from different regions have taken place in Vienna (2008) and Paris (December 2009). In the last of these meetings, 30 ESC attended from countries in Europe, Africa and Asia, and participants welcomed the efforts of DESA to foster through the Development Account (as explained below) a far reaching series of activities for capacity building. Participants embraced the idea of proceeding along collective efforts to share knowledge online through adequate Knowledge Bases being constructed by DPADM, and to meet in ways aimed at transferring and assimilating relevant experiences among diverse ESC, preferably from countries with diverse degrees of development. 4. The UN Development Account Project (ROA 127) is an instrument aiming at a Strengthening of the role of National Economic and Social Councils for inclusive social-economic policy development in Africa. The project has successfully started in 2009 with ample support from stakeholders and will be an important contribution to DPADM on governance and development management. It is envisioned to include the largest study so far on ESCs in Africa, from which valuable conclusions and policy advice should be extracted in connection with ESCs (composition, selection of members, roles, types of deliberation, matters upon which ESC engage, relationships with the Executive and Legislative branches of Government, etc.). As part of a survey questionnaires have been send to ESC in Africa and the responses are compiled in a first survey report which will be distributed to participants in Ouagadougou In addition, three in-depth studies on the ESC of three African countries have been foreseen in the design of the project. The regional workshop in Ouagadougou, capital of Burkina Faso, which is the subject of this Aide Mémoire, is the single most important activity in this project. 5. When the project had been designed in early 2009 it was assumed that there were approximately 60 national ESCs in the world and about 15 operational ESCs in Africa. After the project launch in 2009, one of the first steps was to develop, in collaboration with AICESIS, a new knowledge base on existing councils and their work. DPADM/SGMB compiled a data base and the survey report on African ESC Structures et Strategies des Conseils Economiques et Sociaux en Afrique (U. Graute / J. Mabire, 2010). Based on new data compiled, there are about 95 councils and similar associations in the world, while the number in Africa raised from 15 to 25 councils and similar organizations in 2

3 Francophone and in Anglophone Africa (see table 1). The new councils identified are usually newly established institutions. In most African countries, ESC often lack a sound institutional framework, and some can be considered fragile since their contributions are not always welcomed by governments. In some countries, ESC have been abolished because of political reasons, or co-opted, thus harming an important avenue for the active participation of civil society and the private sector in development affairs. Table 1 African Countries with an ESC or Similar Institutions 1 Algeria Member Countries listed under LDC in Africa 2 Benin Benin Benin 3 Burkina Faso Burkina Faso Burkina Faso 4 Burundi Burundi Burundi 5 Cameroon 6 Central African Republic Central African Republic 7 Chad Chad Chad Countries who participated in DESA Paris Workshop (Dec 2009) 8 Democratic Rep of Congo Democratic Rep of Congo Democratic Rep of Congo 9 Djibouti Djibouti 10 Gabon Gabon 11 Ghana 12 Guinea Guinea Guinea 13 Ivory Coast Ivory Coast 14 Kenya Kenya 15 Mali Mali Mali 16 Mauritania Mauritania 17 Mauritius 18 Mozambique Mozambique 19 Níger Niger Niger 20 Rwanda Rwanda Rwanda 21 Senegal Senegal Senegal 22 South Africa 23 United Rep. of Tanzania United Rep. of Tanzania 24 Tunisia 25 Zambia Zambia 6. The demand for cooperation and support from African ESC was reiterated by participants in an earlier meeting organized by DPADM/SGMB in cooperation with AICESIS and UNESCO in Paris, December 2009, which has been mentioned above. The meeting was attended by around 50 representatives, mostly Presidents and close collaborators, 3

4 from ESC from about 30 countries in Africa, Asia and Europe. Speakers included, in addition to Presidents from ESC of countries in the three regions, high level officials from UNESCO, AICEISIS, GAID and staff from DPADM/SGMB. The meeting in Paris, beyond its own objectives and outputs, was also helpful for the preparation of the coming workshop in Ouagadougou, because it allowed DPADM/SGMB to discuss with partners the priorities, ways and challenges of cooperation with a growing number of African councils. 7. In Paris, it was discussed if the amount of funding of the current DA project would be still enough, considering the growing number of ESC interested in joining in the respective capacity building activities, and the necessity to consider now the needs (including language requirements) of councils in Anglophone countries. At the same time, the opportunities were acknowledged, and it was decided to basically go on with the same project, including more countries in need of capacity building assistance from DESA, although with a just slightly modified project. It was concluded that, under the auspices and leadership of DESA, in 2010 one regional workshop would be carried out in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. This conclusion is picked up by this Aide Mémoire and it modifies the original project output no. 1, which foresaw two workshops. Having one joint workshop allows a reduction of costs for staff travel and for consultants, and it allows an increase of the budget line for participants travel. This shift of funds between budget lines corresponds with a modification of the workshop approach, for the good. 8. While the contributions by consultants and representatives of UN and AICESIS are very much appreciated, participants in the Paris meeting also expressed their interest in having enough time for discussion and exchange of experience among council members. This is because the international dialogue between members of different councils is in itself an instrument to strengthen and empower council members: they gain knowledge and share good practices on how to improve the work and the role of their own council, plus they develop peer networks for future consultation which adds to capacity. The conclusion drawn for the regional workshop in Africa is that the entire second day of the workshop will be dedicated to working groups, where the dialogue of councils members will be the central activity. One DESA staff member (IRA Ulrich Graute) and one national consultant will facilitate the workshop substantively, yet more council members will be asked to contribute to the discussion. 9. The workshop is organized by the Socio-Economic Governance and Management Branch (SGMB), Division for Public Administration and Development Management (DPADM), Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) in collaboration with the o International Association of Economic and Social Councils and Similar Institutions (AICESIS) 1, o Union of African ESC (UCESA) 2, o Economic and Social Council of Burkina Faso 3 and it is supported by 1 Annex 2 and 3: Exchange of letters between USG Mr Sha Zukang and the President of AICESIS of July Annex 4: Support letter of the Presidency of UCESA which is currently with the ESC of Guinea of 24 September Annex 5: Letter of the President of the ESC of Burkina Faso of 7 April

5 o UNDP in Burkina Faso 4. All these institutions have considerable expertise and high-level mandates about the themes under consideration. By joining the organization of this meeting, these institutions bring top quality inputs to the meeting, including speakers and participants. Proposal 10. This proposal to have a three-day regional meeting from 1 3 June 2010 on Enhancing the Role of National Economic and Social Councils for Inclusive Socio-Economic Policy Development is presented on the background described above. In addition, the idea, programme and organization of the workshop was subject of preparatory meetings of SGMB IRA Ulrich Graute with the ESC and UNDP of Burkina Faso in Ouagadougou, 9-12 February 2010 and of meetings held in New York during the last week of February by the Director and Branch Chief in DPADM and SGMB, respectively, with the Secretary- General of AICESIS, following the cooperation agreed in the letters exchanged by DESA and AICESIS mentioned before. Venue of the workshop 11. The venue of the meeting be Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. The country has one of the most experienced and internationally most active ESC in Africa, which gained regional recognition and leadership when it presided UCESA. In addition all neighbouring and most other countries in Western Africa have an ESC which makes travel relatively easy for many participants. Date for the meeting 12. As date for the meeting Burkina Faso proposed the 1, 2 and 3 June These dates were agreed with the office of the President and Prime Minister of Burkina Faso, to make the participation of one of them at the opening ceremony on the first day possible. Programme 13. The programme of the workshop is structured as follows 5 : a. The workshop begins with an Opening Ceremony in the morning of the first day. This ceremony will allow to welcome the participants and to introduce the subject of the conference in relation to longer-term objectives and activities. It has been offered by the government of Burkina Faso that either the President or the Prime Minister will attend the ceremony and give a keynote speech, and that the diplomatic body represented in Burkina Faso will be invited. With this offer, the national government endorses the importance of the Development Account capacity building project and underscores the political relevance of the of ESC. The participation of the diplomatic body and media expected for be present at the opening 4 Annex 6: Letter of the Resident Representative a.i. in Burkina Faso of 1 April Annex 1: Draft programme for the regional workshop in Ouagadougou. 5

6 ceremony would increase the visibility of DESA s efforts to promote development, governance and citizens engagement in development affairs throughout Africa. b. The afternoon of the first day marks the beginning of the substantive work. It is proposed to focus presentations and discussion in the afternoon on one Council: the ESC of the host country, Burkina Faso. Considering that participants come from very different ESC and similar institutions, and that their understanding of the role of ESC may vary a lot, it was agreed among partners to start with the presentation and common discussion of one council to avoid that any misunderstandings could persist during the 3-day event. This way, the council of Burkina Faso becomes a reference and in following sessions participants can more easily describe the specific situation in their country by comparing it with the reference council, which by then would be known to all participants. In addition, the intensive presentation and discussion of one council underscores the aim of the workshop is not only to touch subjects at the surface, but to have an in-depth and contextual discussion. c. The second day is dedicated to a structured dialogue among council members. In moderated working groups, council members will share experience and practice examples. Subject matters for these groups will be selected because of their relevance for all councils. Two parallel working groups in the morning look at ESC s substantive work and focus on national development, citizen engagement, the current economic crisis and the interrelation of these subjects. The two working groups in the afternoon will look more at the work process of ESC and discuss two key requirements for rational decision-making in ESC: information and consensus finding. Morning Session: Challenges and approaches Working Group I National Development Strategies and citizen involvement Working Group II National response to the economic crisis Afternoon Session: Methods and instruments Working Group III Knowledge Management by Council Members Working Group IV Conflict Management and Consensus Finding by Council Members d. On the third day, the focus will shift towards the future development and role of ESC. The session will begin with input from the national consultant, who will present the background paper, putting it in the context of the discussions of the first and second days. In addition, he will propose conclusions to be drawn from the working group discussions. This presentation will be followed by a general debate, with inputs from DESA and partner institutions of the workshop. The aim of this session will be to discuss and agree on next steps to be taken to strengthen the role of ESC to foster development and participation of civil society. Finally, this last day will be directly relevant for the further implementation of the DA project, because it shall help identify the subject matters, dates and venues for in-country training plans (training sessions and advisory missions). Thus, the workshop will 6

7 end with a specification of an agenda for capacity building at the national level after the workshop. Objectives 14. The main objective of this workshop is to strengthen the capacity of ESCs in Africa to support the participatory process in public policymaking, implementation and monitoring, in order to enhance design and implementation of National Development Strategies and improve service delivery for the achievement of the MDG. In this regard, the workshop particularly aims at: i) allowing the exchange of practices and experiences on how ESCs can contribute to National Development Strategies and the achievement of the MDGs; ii) discussing the findings from the ad-hoc Survey and studies on African ESCs; ii) proposing an in-country training plan for subsequent months. 15. The meeting will also seek to: a. create awareness about the importance of citizens engagement and knowledge management as cross-cutting elements in National Development Strategies; b. establish a dialogue among ESCs about strategies and actions to promote further citizens engagement, particularly to reach the MDGs; c. facilitate networking among participants coming from all different ESCs, and UN officials from DESA, to jointly promote further participation of civil society about development policies; and d. mobilize the network of ESCs to contribute to the DPADM knowledge base on citizens engagement for development. Expected Accomplishments and Outputs 16. Expected accomplishments o Improved networking and dialogue among ESC in Africa aiming at building a community of practice to strengthen multi-stakeholder decision making and institutional vehicles for civic participation in public governance. o Improved awareness of strengths, weaknesses, threats and opportunities for ESC in context of Inclusive Socio-Economic Policy Development o Common understanding of next steps to be taken to strengthen the role of ESC 17. Expected outputs o Publication of the proceedings of the workshops, practices and guidelines; o Database on African ESCs; o Setting up of a network of African ESCs in Francophone and Anglophone countries; o Agenda for further advisory missions and training sessions as foreseen in the project document. 18. DESA will provide: i) One resource person to organize and participate in the workshop; ii) funding of selected participants from African countries, with a focus on LDC; iii) mod- 7

8 eration of selected sessions of the workshop; and iv) one national consultant to prepare and prepare the background report, assist the workshop process and write the workshop report. 19. AICESIS will provide interpretation and translation services and will invite selected members worldwide to attend the meeting, and help identify key speakers for the sessions. It will also make a presentation during the workshop. 20. The ESC of Burkina Faso will provide local administrative support and coordination of workshop activities. 21. UNDP Burkina will provide logistical support. Participants 22. The target groups are members of ESC from Africa, including representatives of Civil Society organizations, Trade Unions, Private sector and Government. Participants will be selected from countries that have an ESC. Ideally, each country should attend the workshop by delegations of 3 persons and each delegation should include council members representing the government, private sector, labour organizations and civil society. 23. Due to financial limitations, DESA will not be able to cover travel cost for all participants. Instead, DESA will invite and offer travel expenses only for two representatives from each ESC in LDC in Africa. In addition, but subject to the budget available, DESA will invite and offer travel expenses to council members from African ESC which will give a prepared contribution to any of the working sessions. 24. Participants from Burkina Faso and participants representing the partner institutions are expected to attend the meeting at their own expenses. 25. Selected ESCs from other parts of the world will also be invited to attend at their own expenses. 26. The total number of participants at the workshop (not including the opening ceremony) is limited to a maximum of 100 persons (incl. 2-3 persons from each ESC in Africa, 10 persons from Burkina Faso, 1-2 participants from DESA, AICESIS, UCESA, UNDP and UNECA). Speakers and moderators 27. Speakers and moderators for the conference will be selected jointly by DESA, AICESIS and ESC of Burkina Faso, from among participants, based on the experience they have to offer, and also in order to have a mixture of backgrounds and perspectives. The national consultant will also give a presentation. Consultant 28. One consultant will be hired by DESA. Prior to the meeting, the consultant will prepare a background paper that will be distributed to all participants in advance to introduce the 8

9 session and facilitate their active participation in the discussions. The background paper will incorporate the examples or case studies provided by participants before the meeting. It is to be expected that the consultant will be able to gain and compile relevant additional knowledge during the workshop. Therefore, the background paper distributed in advance is not the final version. The consultant will have the chance to submit a finalized version of the background report within one month after the workshop. 29. The consultant is expected also to participate in the discussions and to give a presentation at the third day which includes a summary of the deliberations, and, after the meeting, to write a detailed report as proceedings, including policy recommendations from participants. Moreover, the consultant is expected to maintain an active on-line communication with all the participants at least one month following the conference, encouraging them to provide additional relevant examples or study cases and information related to their countries experience. Languages 30. The meeting will be held in both French and English. Budget 31. Please refer to the attached estimates. Workshop Evaluation 32. In order to assess the impact of the workshop, a questionnaire will be prepared and submitted to the participants at the end of the Workshop. The questionnaire will cover the following : Content of the workshop Relevance of the meeting to participants current work or field of interest Quality of presentations/discussions Workshop related documents Quality of background papers Relevance of handouts and other materials distributed Organization of the workshop Quality of pre-meeting management Suitability of meeting venue Length of meeting/ Time allocation to the different topics Overall evaluation Quality of overall organization Extend to which participants expectations of the meeting were met 9

10 Lessons learnt and their application to the work in the respective countries of origin of the participants Follow-up suggestions 10