Financing for Development: Inter-linkages

The issue of inter-linkages refers to the decisions on sustainable development from previous conferences and summits and the financial and human resources and effective mechanisms for the eradication of poverty already identified. In the latest Financing for Development Draft Outcome document prepared by the Facilitator (September 17, 2001) the content on inter-linkages has been incorporated into each section. This move has served to weaken the current draft as against the previous draft in which the issue was included as a separate section.

What is to be done?

The Facilitator’s Report must restate and recommit to the goals already identified. A coherent and holistic approach towards the eradication of poverty must be clearly and unequivocally stated. Through the Ffd process and agreements, timetables must be established and benchmarks set; implementation channels must be identified and accountability established.

This FfD process has the potential to develop a systemic approach to poverty eradication through sustainable development, gender equity, a healthy environment, and the right to development. The goals emerging from the UN held series of world conferences and summits in the last decade of the 20th century, and the Millennium Declaration, are therefore the logical set of references for a NEW global framework for global governance.

It is urgent that the Facilitator’s report includes a clear statement of intent for systematic coherence in delineating implementation of previous commitments by UN, UN related agencies, nations, and regions. The commitments, clearly stating goals and timetables as well as the corresponding inter-linkages, should be contained in a working document that is regularly updated. Affirming the right to self-determination and sustainable development, the document should be a holistic frame of reference to guide all stakeholders.

An accompanying document should be developed to clearly state the relationship of FfD to the International Covenant on Social, Economic and Cultural Rights, to gender equality and equity, sustainability and sustainable development, ecological environment and the eradication of poverty based on human development. This document must also establish the key role of FfD procedures and processes for the accomplishment of these goals.

FfD must effectively address human development and gender equity, economic justice and poverty eradication. In this context it must assure that all international financial and trade institutions will abide by Human Rights covenants and conventions, guided by the principles of ecological sustainability, social justice and gender equity.

It is imperative that all industrialized nations fulfill their obligation to increase ODA to 0.7 percent of GNP, and that the concept of ODA be revised to develop a better relationship between donor countries and recipient nations, including more nation to nation decision-making on the quality and amount of ODA.

The framework of FfD presents an opportunity for coordinating the work of the major international financial institutions—the World Bank, International Monetary Fund and World Trade Organization—with that of the United Nations. An International System to this effect should be structured into the work of the Commission on Sustainable Development for maximum impact in the lead-up to the World Summit on Sustainable Development 2002, and beyond. We consider of key importance the active participation of the WTO, World Bank, IMF, ILO, UNCTAD, OECD, UNDP, UNIFEM. All these agencies and institutions must continue to participate, listen, and actively contribute to the dialogue.

For us it is equally urgent that women, indigenous/aboriginal peoples, youth, laborers, farmers, rural peoples, and any other impoverished groups are incorporated to FfD processes and mechanisms, and guaranteed relevant presence and participation at all levels. A clear and inclusive definition of the role and rights of all stakeholders is required to facilitate their effective and active participation at national and international levels. Stakeholders must have clear channels through which they can have a voice in identifying needs and priorities, designing programs, and impacting decision.

We affirm that all issues are women’s issues and that women must play a defining role in attaining development that is sustainable. This means active promotion of women’s analysis and definitions, as well as proposals for our effective inclusion and participation. In this regard, the Women’s Caucus strongly recommends that this process take the following steps:

• Identify women as stakeholders, ensuring their presence and visibility as beneficiaries of processes, designers of programs and decision-makers at all levels of all development processes, and in all national and international institutions, within the frame of gender equity.

• Specify the appropriate spaces and processes for capacity building among women, in order to strengthen their ownership of and effective participation in determining needs, program and policy design and decision-making.

• Facilitate processes and resources to create effective inter-linkages between women geographically, and across the various sectors and racial and class lines of society, and as a means of building adequate representation in decision making.

The WEDO/UNIFEM FfD Women’s Consultation Briefing Paper series is an advocacy tool compiled for the Third Financing for Development Preparatory Committee in New York City, October 15-19, 2001.
Women’s Environment & Development Organization (WEDO) - www.wedo.org