CIVIL SOCIETY STRATEGY FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS (SDGs) IN NIGERIA 1. INTRODUCTION The challenge of eradicating poverty in all its forms and dimensions, including extreme poverty and inequality; and ensuring sustainable development is arguably the greatest challenge facing humankind. Over the years, scholars, activists, politicians, development workers as well as local and international institutions have engaged with this challenge. In September, 2000, at the largest ever gathering of Heads of States, the United Nations Millennium Declaration was adopted committing countries both rich and poor to do all they can to eradicate poverty, promote human dignity and equality and achieve peace, democracy and environmental stability. They adopted the eight millennium development goals with targets to eradicate poverty, achieve universal primary education, promote gender equality, reduce child mortality, improve maternal health, combat HIV, malaria and other diseases, ensure environmental sustainability and develop a global partnership for development. As at the end date of 2015, there was a lot of progress but billions of citizens were still living in poverty and denied a life of dignity with rising inequality within and among countries. A process was therefore put in place for a successor to the MDGs. In September, 2015, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGS) was adopted to end poverty in our generation. The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) proposes a new global partnership requiring people, countries and participants in the global partnerships to play specific roles to achieve the SDGs. The SDGs is a resolve to between 2015 and 2030 end poverty and hunger everywhere, to combat inequalities within and among countries; to build peaceful, just and inclusive societies; to protect human rights and promote gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls; and to ensure the lasting protection of the planet and its natural resources. 1 It is also a resolve to create conditions for sustainable, inclusive and sustained economic growth, shared prosperity and decent work for all, taking into account different levels of national development and capacities. Civil society organisations occupy a pivotal place in the process of preparation, implementation and evaluation of the SDGs. For CSOs to play the roles envisaged, there is the need for strategy to guide CSO intervention in the implementation and evaluation of SDGs in Nigeria. This Strategy paper outlines the strategic focus and direction for civil society intervention in the implementation and evaluation of SDGs in Nigeria. But first, we explicate the concept of CSOs, provide an understanding of the SDGs and give contextual analysis of Nigeria. 2. CONCEPT OF CIVIL SOCIETY
1
United Nations Resolution adopted by the General Assembly on 25 th September, 2015 at the 70 th Session of the General Assembly on Transforming our World: The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
1
The concept of civil society (including NGOs) has been variously described by scholars as imprecise, ambiguous, controversial, nebulous and one of the key words of this epoch. 2 Some scholars have contended that the rise of civil society is associated with strategies of rolling back the state and has contributed to de-legitimising post-colonial nationalism and re-enforcing neoliberal theories of the separation of State and society. This is probably why civil society assumed more significance with the end of the cold war in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Civil society plays very crucial roles. Many scholars have expounded on the roles of the civil society. According to Keane, civil society has two main functions: precautionary against the State-to balance, reconstruct and democratize it, and advocating, expansion of liberty and equality in civil society itself.3 In a similar vein, it has been pointed out that increased role for civil society is seen as a way of assuring accountability through more efficient service delivery and of putting pressure on political rulers- thus creating “participation” and “empowerment” in terms of giving voice to people’s demand for influence and welfare. 4 According to Shils, the idea of civil society has three main components: The first is a part of society comprising a complex of autonomous institutionseconomic, religious, intellectual and political- distinguishable from the family, the clan, the locality and the State. The second is a part of society possessing a particular complex of relationships between itself and the State and a distinctive set of institutions which safeguard the separation of State and civil society and maintain effective ties between them. The third is a widespread pattern of refined civil manners.5 In African countries, as a result of combination of a lot of factors, the State is increasingly incapable of maintaining law and order and providing for the welfare of citizens. As a result, great expectations are being placed on the civil society to promote participation, empowerment, transparency, accountability and good governance. As noted above, there is no agreement among scholars on the conceptualization of the term civil society. In this briefing paper, we adopt Diamond’s conceptualization of civil society as “the realm of organized social life that is voluntary, self-generating, (largely) self-supporting, autonomous from the State”.6 . Civil society therefore encompasses professional organizations, town development unions, trade unions, ethnic organizations, student associations e.t.c. In this conceptualization, civil society include NGOs which are non-profit organizations formed by certain persons who have some vision and mission to pursue and elicit the support of others to pursue usually on specific issues such as environment, human rights, women’s rights, democracy, development, debt, children’s rights, rights of the disabled e.t.c. In this copnceptualisation, NGOs are a subset of civil society organizations. This is in tanden with the position of the UN which refers to “the accreditation and participation of civil society, including NGOs.” 7
Beckman, B., Hansson, E. and Sjogren, A. (Eds) Keane, J. (1988), 4 Sjogren, A. (2001) 5 Quoted in J. Ibrahim (2001) 6 Diamond, L. (1994) 7 Quoted in Grant, W. (2002) 2 3
2
There are many ways by which CSOs can be classified. First, CSOs can be classified based on their positioning on development issues. Civil society positioning is influenced by a lot of factors including ideological orientation of the founder and/ or leadership, knowledge and training. The positioning of civil society organizations with respect to development issues can be categorized into four groups: abolitionist, transformist, reformist and conformist. 8 The Abolitionists argue that the structures and systems in place to deliver on development are illegitimate and constrain freedom and capacity of individuals to bring about development. They recommend the abolition of all structures including governmental structures, private companies, e.t.c. and replacing them with completely new structures. Many of these people will not participate in any government committee or commission because they believe that nothing positive will be achieved until the entire structure is abolished. The abolitionists will therefore not participate in any conference called by government. The Transformists are of the view that that there are fundamental problems with the structures and mechanisms in place to bring about development. They argue that the processes that emanate from the structures and mechanisms are oppressive and exclude the poor. They suggest a fundamental restructuring of the structures and mechanisms to deliver development. The transformists will not participate in a conference called by the government if the process of convocation is not participatory, democratic, open and transparent. The Reformists see nothing fundamentally wrong with the structures and mechanism. They argue that the problem is with leadership and performance. They suggest that good leadership, discipline and proper management can bring about the desired development. The reformists will participate in any conference or committee set up by government no matter how illegitimate it is in the eyes of civil society. The reformists believe in entreism i.e. that they can go into government by whatever means (election or appointment) to bring about the desired changes. The Conformists see nothing wrong with the system. They just want to be part of the system. Their greatest argument is for the involvement of the civil society in governance and development projects. The conformists are always lobbying for positions in government. They are mostly opportunists. Secondly, CSOs can be classified into three models according to how they were formed and the membership i.e. traditional model, membership model and entrepreneurship model. In the traditional model, one person or a few people who have a particular vision employ other people as staff to actualize this vision. Because of requirements of funding agency or to have credibility in the eyes of the public, a “Phantom Board� made up of a coterie of friends is appointed. The board rarely meets and do not formulate policies or exercise any form of control in the running of the CSO. The membership model is made up of members who have a shared vision and they volunteer their time, energy and resources to pursue the vision. The officers of such CSOs are usually elected and they operate through democratic principles. Finally, in the entrepreneurial model, some people with vision and entrepreneurial skills employ staff that share in those vision to bring it to reality. Most of the ones in this model have functional boards. 8
This categorization is an adaptation of categorization by Ramesh Sighn, CEO of ActionAid International at the Induction of New Country Directors in Johanesburg in December, 2004.
3
Thirdly CSOs can be classified according to the motivation of the practitioners. There are those who are interested in transforming society and they see CSOs as avenues to accomplish this. There are also those who build their career as CSO workers. They therefore see CSO work as a career or profession just like any other career or profession. In addition, there are those who utilize civil society activism as a means of survival. They have no job and have no option but to hang on to CSO work as a means of survival. They are prepared to leave CSO work as soon as they get a better job. Finally, there are stooges who utilize CSOs or NGOs to promote the interest of government or individuals (popularly called GONGOs-Government NonGovernmental organisations). Finally, there are quasi- government CSOs formed principally by wives of President, vice-President, Governors and Local Government Chairmen. Fourthly, CSOs can be classified according to their approaches to development work. We can delineate at least four distinct approaches to development work. First there are CSOs who utilize the welfare/service delivery approach. This approach seeks to provide short term relief to the poor and excluded or to people in emergency situations. This approach merely provides relief and does not look at the factors, structures and institutions that created the problem in the first instance. This approach provides temporary relief to the poor and excluded but will not lead to poverty eradication because it does not tackle the root causes of poverty. Secondly, there are CSOs who go beyond the provision of relief to build the capacity of communities to deal with situations in which they find themselves. For instance, the CSOs will seek to enable communities to improve their agricultural systems so as to deal with the problem of food shortage. Initially, this approach to development was largely externally driven. Thirdly, there are CSOs who utilise the participatory development approach. This approach to development improves on the development approach by giving room for the poor and excluded to participate in the definition of the problem as well as designing context specific responses to the problem. Finally, there are CSOs who utilise the rights based approach, a participatory development approach that recognizes the rights of the poor and excluded people as well as the duty of government to meet these rights. Rights Based Approach (RBA) recognizes that the poor and excluded people are entitled to fundamental human rights solely by reason of being human. These rights are not privileges. They are not depended on grace or benevolence of rulers. These rights are fundamental, inalienable, universal, interdependent and indivisible.
That the rights are fundamental means that they are basic for human existence. That the rights are inalienable means that they are entitlements which cannot be denied or taken away form an individual without an injury being done to the dignity of that person. That the rights are universal means that they are recognized in every human society across regions of the world. That the rights are interdependent means that the loss of one right is a denial of other rights, and the promotion, protection and fulfillment of human rights in one area support other human rights. That the rights are indivisible means that they should be addressed as one body; whether they are civil, political, economic, social, cultural, solidarity or collective and respect for them is all encompassing. 4
The range of rights recognized by RBA can be categorized into: civil and political rights e.g. right to life, personal liberty, fair hearing, freedom of movement etc Social and economic rights e.g. right to education, health, work, housing e.t.c Right to development These rights have been documented and codified and draw principally from three main sources:
1. International conventions, agreements and charters 2. National Constitutions 3. National laws and other statutory enactments The RBA is premised on the recognition that the rights of individuals impose obligations on the State. It is widely recognized that states have obligations in civil and political rights. But some people argue that there is less obligations in terms of social and economic rights. But we argue that there are three levels of obligations in matters of social and economic rights: obligations to respect, protect and fulfill. The obligation to respect requires states to refrain from interfering with social and economic rights e.g. refrain from forced eviction. The obligation to protect requires states to prevent violations by third parties e.g. ensure that private employers comply with labour standards. The obligation to fulfill requires states to take appropriate legislative, administrative, budgetary, judicial and other measures towards the full realization of such rights. It is important to note that apart from the State, other duty bearers are necessary in every society for the enjoyment of rights. These include individuals, families, communities, NGOs, donor agencies, international community and the private sector. The role of CSOs in RBA is to create awareness, educate in rights and obligations, build capacity of rights holders, organize and mobilize rights holders, advocate for pro-poor policies and provide alternatives. Whenever services are provided by CSOs, it should be to serve as entry points for the CSOs to perform the roles mentioned above more effectively. It is apt to note that there is a culture that is required to deliver RBA including the need to act as facilitators, enablers or catalyst, empowering others, persistency, analysis and activism. RBA requires challenging of structures and powers of oppressive State officials and institutions as well as traditional systems with risks of possible arrest, intimidation and repression from the state and traditional structures. It therefore requires skills in mobilization, campaigning, advocacy, analysis, communication, research, networking and activism. 3. UNDERSTANDING THE SDGs Over the past several decades, there are a lot of lessons that has been learnt which helped in crafting a post 2015 development agenda. In 1990, the United Nation’s human development report focused on development and pointed out that people are the real wealth of nations. In 2010, the UN human development report reviewed the progress for the past two decades and made some conclusions that will be very helpful in the development of any nation. First and foremost, the report shows that human development is about sustaining positive outcomes 5
steadily over time and combating processes that impoverish people or underpin oppression and structural injustice hence the principles of equity, sustainability and empowerment are important.9 Secondly, the report shows that almost all countries of the world have progressed in human development measured by the human development index (life expectancy, schooling and income). Of 135 countries studied, only three-the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Zambia and Zimbabwe- have a lower HDI in 2010 than in 1970.10 Thirdly, the report shows that there is no significant correlation between economic growth and improvement in health and education. In other words, economic growth can occur without improvement in the health and education of citizens. In similar vein, there can be substantial improvement in the condition of citizens without fast growth with the right policy, innovation and citizen participation. For instance, the Indian State of Kerala, Costa Rica, Cuba and Sri Lanka attained much higher human development than other countries at their incomes. Fourthly, the report shows that institutions are a key determinant of human development. However, “the policies and reforms compatible with progress vary widely across institutional settings and depend on structural and political constraints.” 11 In addition, the report argues that “markets are very bad at ensuring the provision of public goods, such as security, stability, health and education.”12 It therefore advocates regulation which requires a capable state as well as political commitment. Finally, the report opines that human development is not only about health, education and income-it is also about people’s active engagement in shaping development, equity and sustainability, intrinsic aspects of the freedom people have to lead lives they have reason to value.13 The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) drew a lot of lessons from two decades of experience especially the in implementation of the MDGs and from the inputs gathered through an open and inclusive process. There is no doubt that the MDGs achieved a lot. It has been argued that the thirteen years since the millennium declaration (2000-2013) have seen the fastest reduction in poverty in human history. 14 The SDGs is carrying forward the spirit of the Millennium Declaration and the best of the MDGs, with a practical focus on things like poverty, hunger, water, sanitation, education and health care. But it goes beyond the MDGs to focus on issues that the MDGs did not address sufficiently like reaching the very poorest and the most excluded people; conflict and violence; good governance and institutions; inclusive growth; integration of economic, social and environmental aspects of sustainable development and the need to promote sustainable patterns of consumption and production. 15 The SDGs is a universal agenda driven by five big, transformational shifts: 1. Leave no one behind: to move from reducing poverty to ending extreme poverty and ensuring that no person regardless of ethnicity, gender, geography, disability, race or other status is denied universal human rights and basic economic opportunities. UNDP (2010) Op cit Ibid 11 Ibid p.5 12 Ibid p. 5 13 Ibid p.6 14 A New Global Partnership: Eradicate Poverty and Transform Economies through Sustainable Development: The Report of the High Level Panel of Eminent Persons on the Post-2015 Development Agenda. 15 Ibid 9
10
6
2. Put sustainable development at the core: to halt the alarming pace of climate change and environmental degradation; bring about more social inclusion; foster new technologies; reduce unsustainable consumption and promote green economy. 3. Transform economies for jobs and inclusive growth: shift to sustainable patterns of consumption and production, harnessing innovation and technology and drive sustainable and inclusive growth. 4. Build peace and effective, open and accountable institutions for all: to recognize peace and good governance as core elements of well-being and for all governments to encourage rule of law, property rights, freedom of speech and the media, open political choice, access to justice, and accountable government and public institutions. 5. Forge a new global partnership: shift to a new spirit of solidarity, co-operation and mutual accountability and forge a new partnership based on a common understanding of our shared humanity, underpinning mutual respect and mutual benefit involving governments, people living in poverty, persons with disabilities, women, civil society, indigenous and local communities, traditionally marginalized groups, multi-level institutions, local and national governments, the business community, academia and private philanthropy. There is also the need for the international community to implement a swift reduction in corruption, illicit financial flows, money laundering, tax evasion, and hidden ownership of assets and champion free and fair trade, technology innovation transfer and diffusion and promote financial stability.16 The SDGs represent one universal and transformative agenda for sustainable development, underpinned by rights and with the people and the planet at the centre. 17 The SDG agenda is framed and reinforced by six essential elements: 1. Dignity –to end poverty and fight inequality. 2. People – to ensure healthy lives, knowledge and the inclusion of women and children. 3. Prosperity: to grow a strong, inclusive and transformative economy. 4. Planet: To protect our ecosystems for all societies and our children. 5. Justice: To promote safe and peaceful society and strong institutions and 6. Partnership: To catalyze global solidarity for sustainable development. The implement of the SDGs requires a synergistic framework including financing, technology and investment in sustainable development capacities. In addition, in implementation requires shared responsibility. It has also been recognized that young people will be the torchbearers of the sustainable development agenda trough 2030. In the process of crafting the Sustainable Development Goals, a lot of lessons from the past two decades was taken into consideration. They include: 1. 2.
16 17
Progress has been made across the world towards the eradication of poverty. Middle income countries have become new engines of global growth, lifting many of their own citizens out of poverty. A New Global Partnership Op Cit The Road to Dignity by 2030: Ending Poverty, Transforming all lives and Protecting the Planet. Synthesis Report of the Secretary General on the Post-2015 Sustainable Development Agenda.
7
3. 4. 5. 6. 7.
8. 9.
10. 11.
Wages have increased, social protection has been expanded, green technologies have taken root and educational standards have advanced. We are living in an ageing world, as people live longer and healthier lives with increasing urbanization. New technologies have opened up more sustainable approaches and more efficient practices. Sustainable development read to be inclusive and people – centred. Development agenda need to be universal, integrated and human right based, addressing economic growth, social justice of environmental stewardship; and highlighting the link between peace, development and human rights- an agenda that leaves no one behind. Development agenda need to have a rigorous monitoring and evaluation with better and more disaggregated data and goals and targets that are measurable and adaptable. Development agenda need a transformative shift to leave no one behind; put sustainable development at the core; transform economies for jobs and inclusive growth; build peace and effective, open and accountable pubic institutions; and forge a new global partnership. Development agenda need to adopt a science based and action oriented agenda, integrating four independent dimensions of sustainable development (economic, social environmental and governance). The need for businesses and companies to change how they do business and to contribute by transforming markets from within and making production, consumption and the allocation of capital more inclusive and sustainable.
The SDG agenda is therefore a plan of action for people, planet and prosperity; to end poverty and hunger for the people, protect the planet from degradation and ensure that all human beings enjoy prosperous and fulfilling lives.18 The plan envisages that it will be implemented by all countries and all stakeholders in a collaborative partnership. The plan seeks to build on the MDGs and complete what they did not achieve. The United Nations resolution on the SDGs commits to leave no one behind. The SDGs is a new agenda with 17 goals and 169 associated targets that are universal, integrated and indivisible. The agenda is human rights based and recognize the responsibilities of all states to respect, protect and promote human rights and fundamental freedoms for all, without distinction of any kind. The agenda recognizes that gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls is crucial to progress across all goals and target. It commits to empower people are vulnerable especially children, youth, persons with disabilities, people living with HIV/AIDs , older persons, indigenous peoples, refugees, Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and migrants. The agenda seeks to build strong economic foundation for all countries ensuring sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth. The agenda consists of making fundamental changes in the way that our societies produce and consume goods and services to ensure sustainability. The agenda commits to sustainable management of our planet’s natural resources including sustainable urban development. The 18
United Nations Resolution adopted by the General Assembly on 25 th September, 2015 at the 70 th General Assembly. Transforming Our World: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
8
implementation of the agenda requires partnership, concrete policies and actions. Each country is expected to be responsible for its own economic and social development and this will require the formulation of nationally owned sustainable development strategies, a robust monitoring and evaluation system supported by integrated national financing frameworks. Each country is expected to develop practicable ambitious national response and transit to the SDGs while building on existing planning instruments. Each country should conduct regular and inclusive reviews of progress at national and subnational levels while involving stakeholders including the private sector & civil society. The Parliament is expected to support the process. 4. CONTEXTUAL ANALYSIS The context of the world at the adoption of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is quite different from the context when the Millennium Development Goals were declared in 2000. First and foremost, in 2000, there was relative stability, prosperity and coherence when western economies were on the rise and the conditions were good for forging agreements on global targets for development. 19 In 2015, the world is encountering more complex problems of climate change, population pressures, increasing urbanization, multi-polar world and increasing breakdown of the division of the world into North and South, East and West. 20 Secondly, the geography of poverty has also changed. The Brookings Institute notes that only 10 percent of the global poor live in stable, low income countries, 40 percent live in fragile and conflict-affected countries and 50 percent in middle income countries.21 The institute also showed that within these countries, the distribution of poverty demonstrates huge inequities across different population groups and fragile states, which are home to some 1.2 billion people are largely off the track to meet the MDGs.22 Furthermore, the period is characterized by multiple crisis, instability and terrorism. It is therefore not surprising that the SDGs are more comprehensive than the MDGs. It is instructive that the past five decades have witnessed monumental changes in the world. Global economic wealth has increased sevenfold and average incomes have tripled. 23 Yet, poverty has increased to record high levels. The major problem is that wealth is concentrated in the hands of a few people while majority of the people live in abject poverty. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in its 1998 report documented that the three richest people in the world have assets that exceed the combined Gross Domestic Product of the 48 least developed countries. In 2014, eighty-five richest people in the world had the same wealth as the poorest 50 percent (3.4 billion people). By 2015, 80 richest people have the same wealth as the poorest 50 percent. In the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries, income inequality is at its highest level in the last fifty years. The average The World we want-Beyond 2015: A toolkit for National Deliberations (2012). GCAP, Beyond 2015 and UN Millennium Campaign 20 Klugman, Jeni (no date), The MDGs and Beyond 2015: Pro-Poor Policy in a Changing World 21 Joe Costello T. D. Beyond 2015: Where Next for the MDGs 22 Ibid 23 Watkins, Kevin (2000), The Oxfam Poverty Report. An Oxfam Publication 19
9
income of the richest 10 percent of the population is about nine times that of the poorest 10 percent.24 It has been documented that the drivers of inequalities include globalization, skilled biased technological change and changes in countries policy approaches (ascendancy of neoliberalism). It is against this background that it has been recognized that millions of CSOs worldwide contribute in unique and essential ways to development as innovative agents of change and social transformation. 25 Globally, there is a consensus that CSOs roles in development should be to act to direct engagement and support for communities, the poor and marginalized groups; deliver basic services and essential infrastructures; empower marginalized grassroots communities and people living in poverty, particularly women; engage communities, civil society, the private sector, local government authorities and other development actors to collaborate; enrich the public policy agenda; monitor government, donor policies and development practices; educate and shape social values of democracy, solidarity and social justice; encourage domestic and international volunteering engagement; find and leverage sources of financing and human resources for development and connect and network CSOs within and between civil societies.26 But there are huge challenges for the civil society movement across the world. As the 2013 Civil Society Index (CSI) report indicated, a shocking 57 percent of the world’s population live in conditions where basic civil liberties and political freedoms are curtailed; civil society groups speaking against entrenched partriarchy and religious fundamentalism in fragile and conflict ridden states are increasingly becoming targets of armed groups; communities that traditionally relied on rivers, forests and communal grazing grounds for their subsistence are faced with being displaced by big corporations-including extractive industries, construction firms and agribusiness and with the lines between business and politics blurring, we are increasingly seeing civil society voices being relegated to the margins. 27 This is why organized civil society needs deep introspection to realign itself with people’s needs and voices and to rebuild its legitimacy and trust with the people. Since return to civil rule in 1999 in Nigeria, government recognition of CSO is growing. 28 The legal environment for the operation of CSO is generally stable in Nigeria but organizational capacity is declining. Financial viability is low and is decreasing as a result of use of consortium and profit making organisations by development partners in Nigeria. The infrastructure supporting CSO sector is poor but the public image and level of advocacy is quite high. Meanwhile, the election of President Muhammadu Buhari in May, 2015 under the platform of the All Progressives Congress, a party with political philosophy of social democracy and campaigned under the banner of change presents a policy and advocacy moment for CSOs. The Oxfam Open Forum for CSO Development Effectiveness: The SIEM REAP CSO Consensus on the International Framework for CSO Development Effectiveness agreed by the Second Global Assembly Open Forum for CSO Development Effectiveness, Siem Ream Cambodia 28-30 June, 2011. 26 Ibid 27 Naido, Jay (2013) Foreword to State of Civil Society 2013: Creating an Enabling Environment. 28 USAID (2013) CSO Sustainability Index for Sub-Saharan Africa. 24 25
10
declining oil revenue and jobless growth for the past one and a half decade presents another opportunity for CSOs to mobilise, advocate and campaign. The high level of corruption, poor development index, high level of poverty and inequality, insecurity and social degeneration defines the work for CSOs in Nigeria. The increasing availability of technology and internet facilities presents opportunity for CSOs in Nigeria. 5. ROLE OF CSOs IN SDGs We have argued elsewhere that CSOs have great roles to play in the implementation and evaluation of the SDGs and the roles can be discussed under the following headings 29: 5.1 Advocacy CSOs should popularise the goals and targets of the SDGs and advocate for applying the SDGs to the context of Nigeria. The advocacy should be directed at government officials, political parties, legislators and businesses. In addition, all tiers of government should be targeted (Federal, State and Local Government Areas). The advocacy strategy should be with the active involvement of communities at the local government areas with linkages to the state and Federal Government. There is an urgency for the civil society to scale up advocacy for the SDGs because of the policy and advocacy moment in Nigeria. There is a new government inaugurated on 29th May, 2015 which campaigned on the mantra of change. The SDGs is premised on fundamental shifts on the way government and business is done. Meanwhile, the government is yet to formulate a national development strategy. This is the time to advocate for SDG based development strategy. 5.2 Multi-Stakeholder Mobilisation The SDGs recognises that the achievement of the goals and targets will depend on multistakeholder participation of governments, people living in poverty, persons with disabilities, women, civil society, indigenous and local communities, traditionally marginalized groups, multi-level institutions, local and national governments, the business community, academia and private philanthropy. Many governments especially in Africa are still skeptical about the participation of civil society, the poor and excluded in governance and development. CSOs can play a big role in mobilising the relevant stakeholders to play their roles in the implementation of the SDGs. 5.3 Strategic Communication Strategic communication is an important pillar to achieve the SDGs. Raising awareness, campaign, mobilisation and advocacy are necessary to mobilise support for the SDGs by the relevant participants in the development process. Strategic communication is necessary to generate action and commitment to the SDGs. Strategic communication can be referred to as effectively using communication, aiming at increasing the level of awareness and creating 29
Igbuzor, O (2015), Civil Society Briefing Paper on Sustainable Development Goals. A paper prepared for Open Society Initiative for West Africa (OSIWA) and the Millennium Campaign
11
change in behaviour of actors and the relationship amongst and between actors.30 CSOs can create awareness of the SDGs through campaigns and advocacy. This can make the actors to understand what the SDGs are and what needs to be done to achieve them. Strategic communication can be carried out through different means including informing and persuading the people with ideas and information as well as information exchange and interaction. 5.4 Policy and Programme Monitoring Policy and programmes are required to implement the SDGs. CSOs can contribute to identifying policy priorities to implement MDGs in Nigeria. This will require new policies on poverty eradication, social protection, climate change, food security, health, education, water and sanitation, energy, economy innovation etc. In addition, CSOs can contribute to programme design in terms of the kind of programmes that can be implemented to achieve the SDGs including the institutional mechanism that will serve as a successor to the MDGs and help to deliver the SDGs. In addition, CSOs have a lot of roles to play in monitoring and evaluation. CSOs can devise ways to monitor the achievement of the targets of the SDGs. CSOs can also participate in the monitoring system of the government at all levels. 5.5 CSO’s role in Financing and Budgeting CSOs have a lot of role to play in financing and budgeting for the SDGs. The SDGs envisages that CSOs will be involved in service delivery in the implementation of the SDGs. Civil society have roles to play in mobilising finances to implement programmes that will help in the achievement of the sustainable development goals. CSOs can mobilise resources from development partners and individuals. In addition, CSOs have roles to play in government financing of the SDGs. As a result of the fall in oil prices, the Nigerian government need to diversify the economy and look for more avenues of internally generated revenue. CSOs can play roles in identifying ways of diversification of the economy including agriculture, solid minerals, tourism, manufacturing and services. In addition, CSOs can advocate for progressive taxation including the introduction of property taxes. 6. STRATEGIC DIRECTION 6.1 Strategic Objectives Based on the contextual analysis and the envisaged role of CSOs in the implementation and evaluation of SDGs, CSOs in Nigeria will be guided by the following strategic objectives: I. II. III.
30
To mobilise key stakeholders for the implementation of SDGs in Nigeria To advocate for SDG based national, sectoral and cluster development strategies. To advocate for laws to domesticate the SDGs and other laws that will promote the SDGs.
Klaverweide, D. M (2006), Strategic Communication and the United Nations Millennium Development Goals
12
IV. V.
To monitor the implementation of the SDGs with special focus on budget, policy programmes and international treaties. To produce reports on the implementation of SDGs in Nigeria.
6.2 Key Actions and Key Outcomes Objective One: To mobilise key stakeholders for the implementation of SDGs in Nigeria Key Actions
Education of citizens (SDG literacy) Mobilisation of multi-stakeholder participation Mobilisation of political will
Key Outcomes Objective Two: To advocate for SDG based national, sectoral and cluster development strategies. Key Actions
Advocacy for SDG based national development strategy Advocacy for sectoral and cluster strategies that are SDG based
Key Outcomes
SDG based national development strategy for Nigeria SDG based sectoral and cluster strategies
Objective Three: To advocate for laws to domesticate the SDGs and other laws that will promote the SDGs. Key Actions
Advocacy for domestication of SDGs Advocacy for domestication of other laws eg Climate Act, Budget Law, etc
Key Outcomes
SDG domesticated by National Assembly New laws to create enabling environment for implementation of SDGs in Nigeria
Objective Four: To monitor the implementation of the SDGs with special focus on budget, policy programmes and international treaties. Key Actions 13
Monitoring of resource use (Budget Monitoring) Monitoring of budget allocation to core SDG issues Monitoring of Policy Formulation and implementation
Key Outcomes
Improved resource use Better oversight on budget Effective monitoring and tracking of SDGs in Nigeria
Objective Five: To produce reports on the implementation of SDGs in Nigeria. Key Actions
Civil society annual report on SDGs Development of national, zonal and state indexes in terms of ranking reporting across all clusters.
Key Outcomes
Regular monitoring of SDGs in Nigeria with civil society shadow reports Better understanding on regional variation and intervention of SDG programming in Nigeria
7. ORGANISATIONAL IMPLICATION For civil society organisations to implement this strategy for sustainable development goals (SDGs), there will be the need to reposition the CSOs in several areas. The areas include governance and management, human resources development, resource mobilisation and financial management, communication, information technology and documentation. 7.1 Governance and Management There is no umbrella organisation for CSOs in Nigeria. But over the years, CSOs that engaged the MDG process and the post 2015 development agenda process are well known. The organisations will be divided into the following clusters:
Education Health Gender and Inequality Power and Infrastructure Climate Change and environment Governance, Peace and Accountability Financing and Partnership
14
Each cluster of CSOs will be led by a cluster anchor with sufficient convening power, partnership orientation, flexibility, agility and adaptability. The cluster lead will mobilise resources for implementation of the roles of CSO in that sector as envisaged in this strategy paper. 7.2 Human Resources Development The Capacity of CSOs in all the clusters will be built on the SDG principles and role of CSO. Technical issues in each of the clusters will be dealt with. The CSOs capacility will also be built on leadership, project management, report writing, rights based approach, gender analysis and monitoring and evaluation. 7.3 Resource Mobilisation and Financial Management The Cluster anchor will lead the process of mobilising resources for intervention in the sector. Capacity of CSOs to mobilise resources will be built. 7.4 Communication A communication strategy will be put in place to communicate among the CSOs involved in the SDG intervention and development partners. The communication strategy will deal with both internal and external communication. Communication channels will be agreed to disseminate news, information and knowledge on the SDGs. This will include both conventional media and the social media. 7.5 Information Technology The CSOs participating in this intervention will be encouraged to deploy and use ICT in the implementation of this strategy. The capacity of CSOs to utilise new approaches on ICT will be continuously built. New media will be given priority. 7.6 Documentation Documentation plan will be put in place for every cluster. CSOs will be trained on proper documentation
15