Udenrigsudvalget 2012-13
URU Alm.del Bilag 84
Offentligt
IPU submission to the global consultations onthe post-2015 sustainable development frameworkRationaleToday’s shortcomings in sustainable development can in large measure be ascribed to a lackof representation, participation, transparency, effective decision-making and oversight.Taken together, these values strike at the core of what is commonly referred to as“democratic governance”, the marriage of democratic principles with sound and effectivedecision-making and implementation. Democratic governance is a critical enabler ofsustainable development in all its manifestations (economic, social and environmental) andat all levels (national, regional and global).The IPU therefore suggests that democratic principles, values and institutions shouldunderpin the post-2015 development framework. This will help ensure the full involvementof parliaments in the comprehensive framework to implement the future sustainabledevelopment agenda and to attain its goals and targets.The Inter-Parliamentary Union set forth its vision of democracy in the Universal Declarationon Democracy adopted in 1997 by the global parliamentary community.The Declaration affirms that democracy is a universally recognized ideal and goal. It seeks topreserve and promote the dignity and fundamental rights of the individual, to achieve socialjustice and to build sustainable development. It is inseparable from the rule of law andrespect for human rights. Democracy, the Declaration continues, is also a mode ofgovernment. It is founded on the right of everyone to take part in the management ofpublic affairs. It requires equality between men and women and their full participation insociety. It requires well-functioning democratic institutions.A fully representative Parliament that has the requisite powers and means to express thewill of the people and that can legislate and hold government to account is a key institutionof democracy.Parliaments build national ownership of sustainable development policies. They hold policydebates and translate international development commitments and sustainabledevelopment policies into national legislation.They facilitate implementation ofdevelopment plans and hold government to account through their oversight function. Theyhold the purse strings and provide funding for development through the national budget.The centrality of democracy and its institutions to development is recognized by States inmany international instruments and agreements. It is reflected in numerous conventions,resolutions and declarations of the United Nations. In the Millennium Declaration, Heads ofState and government pledge support for democracy and democratic institutions, recognizethe importance of democratic and participatory governance in ensuring freedoms, andunderscore the importance of good governance to development and the eradication ofpoverty.
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ProposalFor all of these reasons, the IPU proposes that the new development framework contain agoaldirectly related to “democratic governance.” This should be a comprehensive goal thatincludes but is not limited to the capacities and functions of parliaments. As a universal goalto be applied to both developed and developing countries, it would have to strike a commondenominator high enough to be meaningful to all but low enough to be reachable by all. Itshould be accompanied by a set of targets as well as qualitative and quantitative indicatorsto help track progress. Elements of democratic governance should also be integrated in allthe other goals of the new development framework.The new proposed governance goal could be formulated in global terms, but targets andindicators could be formulated to account for differences in regional and/or nationalcontexts as well as different starting points (baselines).Thetargetsof a “democratic governance” goal could be formulated in functional, ratherthan institutional, terms. Such an approach may look at central features of democraticgovernance such asparticipation, transparencyandaccountability[see box for anillustration]. These targets would not focus on parliament alone, but would cut across otherconstituent elements of governance: representative institutions, public administration,state audit institutions, the rule of law and justice systems, civil society, media, anti-corruption bodies, etc.The IPU is well placed to proposeindicatorsto track how parliaments improve democraticgovernance. The IPU would work closely with parliaments as well as with the statisticalcommunity in developing qualitative and quantitative measures that are relevant toparliaments’ contribution towards achieving democratic governance. A repertory ofindicators that are already available from authoritative sources could be compiled to assistin future discussions.Parliamentary indicators would need to be simple to understand, based on ‘hard’ data fromobjectively verifiable sources, and as much as possible applicable to sustainabledevelopment processes and policies. Indicators that focus on results and developmentoutcomes as opposed to processes should also be considered.
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Example of a functional approach to targets and indicators under a comprehensive democraticgovernance goal to be included in the new Sustainable Development GoalsNote: the bullet points represent examples of areas in which measurable indicators could be developed. This provisionalselection, to be further elaborated, includes indicators that touch on various dimensions of governance as well asindicators that are specific to parliaments.
Target 1: Participation for fair representation of interests and constituenciesA national multi-stakeholder body is set up to plan for and oversee implementationCitizens / civil society groups are involved in planning and implementationLocal ownership is developed through participatory planning processesMinority and indigenous communities are consultedParliament participates in formulating the national development planAll citizens, including the poor, have access to justice systemsWomen participate in politics both as voters and as candidates
Target 2: Transparency to improve trust in government and sound decision-makingA national plan for implementation of the post-2015 framework is publishedThe budget proposal is published in accessible language and national hearings with constituenciesheldAmount of money earmarked for SDG implementation is clearly identifiedGovernment procurement decisions and expenditures are widely advertisedPublic database of SDG implementation activities and results is maintainedFinancing sources of political parties are made public
Target 3: Accountability to improve results and planning for developmentExample of a functional approachcommunities for the environmental impact of their activitiesPrivate companies report to localto targets and indicators under a comprehensiveParliament receives annual reports on SDG progress from governmentMinisters appear before parliamentary committees upon requestDevelopment cooperation from civil society organization is reported on the national budgetThe supreme audit body reports annually to parliament on budget executionNational reports to the UN on implementation are scrutinized by parliamentOnline databases to track government activities, legislative mandates and correspondingexpenditures are developed
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