Human Dynamics responds to the EC Public Consultation on “Towards a Post-2015 Development Framework”

Our contribution to the debate on what framework should guide international development efforts after 2015
01.10.2012

In 2013, a UN special event will follow up on efforts made toward achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and will likely raise the issue of what might follow after the target year of 2015. Following the decisions taken at the review meeting in 2010, the UN Secretary General has started preparatory work.

In this context, in June 2012, the European Commission launched an online Public Consultation entitled "Towards a post-2015 development framework." The goal of the Consultation was to collect views from a wide range of stakeholders on what framework should guide international development efforts after 2015 — and ultimately, to inform the preparation of an EU contribution to the UN process.The Consultation was held between 15 June and 15 September 2012. Read the Report on the consultation process.

We have responded to the EC post-MDGs Consultation

Human Dynamics works around the world, on a large number of contracts issued by the European Commission on development related projects. We provide training services and technical assistance on public-funded development projects, especially in the areas of good governance, regulatory affairs and economic management. On a day-to-day basis and within the Framework of the European External Action Service, in particular Europe Aid, our services aim to help developing countries work toward achieving the MDGs.

We have responded to Section A of the Consultation with a general reflection on our field experience, and we have provided specific answers to the points raised in sections B, C and D. Our response has been framed by our experience as an implementing contractor. Read our contribution paper here.

Our key messages

  • We believe that the MDGs have had an important role in providing a strategic narrative for the international development debate and catalysing increased international aid.
  • Any new Framework should maintain the current focus on eradicating extreme global poverty. It is important to ensure that the MDGs remain recognised as one part of the development agenda, rather than trying to include everything thought of as ‘development work.’
  • The two key areas for improvement within the current Framework are to improve the levels of collaboration and co-operation between beneficiaries and donors and the need to create a clear knowledge sharing framework through which best practice can be shared. Central to this should be an increased focus on capacity building, which helps to avoid aid dependency in the future and typically results in more effective long-term impacts, as recognised by the development partners.
  • We strongly believe that the future Framework must be far more inclusive and represent a real global partnership on development issues, rather than simply be a donor-driven agenda. In this sense, the negotiation process for a new Framework is vital and must be built around a bottom-up dialogue, including with the private sector and civil society representatives, as well as with governments.
  • A future Framework should maintain the current MDG structure of goals, targets and indicators, but needs to revise the format of the targets for a more comprehensive, priority based system, in particular to improve their sensitivity to local contexts and to measure the impact of shared, lasting development efforts on the most vulnerable population groups.
  • Our biggest concern would be that a follow-on Framework will fail to be negotiated due to substantial shifts within the global agenda. In our view, the failure to reach even a symbolic agreement would damage the international development process immeasurably, by indicating that there is a lack of resolve and desire on behalf of the international community to maintain the global fight against poverty.