Advocacy & Partnerships
Keeping the spotlight on the MDGs and ensuring they remain high on the political agenda will be critical to their achievement, particularly as the 2015 target date draws near. As Governments change we need to continuously engage in efforts that encourage leaders at all levels to be accountable to their citizens, particularly poor and excluded groups.
We have articulated an Advocacy & Communications strategy that aims to help us advance on our main goal of accelerating progress on the MDGs and related goals while advancing collaborative UN efforts. It responds to the demonstrated need to strengthen citizen’s participation in development efforts and have clear advocacy interventions that push for more inclusive and responsive public policy and practice.
The strategy has one overall goal, three outcomes and will be implemented within participating countries, globally and in Spain.
Overall Goal
Accelerate progress on the MDGs by raising awareness, strengthening broad- based support and increasing citizen engagement in MDG related policy and practice.
OutComes
Increased awareness and support for the MDGs and the Fund
- Strategic partnerships with media for advocacy and accountability
- Key dates and events: used to highlight the MDGs and ongoing work (e.g.2010 MDG Review)
- Link with and support citizen groups in advocacy efforts
- Work with UN Communication Groups for joint messaging on MDGs
Programmes are leveraged for increased MDG results and citizen engagement in MDG policy is strengthened
- Strengthen citizen participation in MDG policy and practice
- Encourage adoption of positive policy frameworks based on programme results
Improved accountability and transparency towards all partners
- Clear and consistent information about MDG-F to all partners including citizens, Governments, Donor and UN.
CITIZENS AND CIVIL SOCIETY ACTION
The Fund recognizes citizens’ participation as a key element to achieve the MDGs. As such, it promotes the active participation of citizens and civil society in the MDG-F funded joint programmes in which they play an important advocacy role and can participate in the implementation of activities. Additionally, the Fund aims to strengthen the role of citizens in the creation of a Multilateral Development Agenda and awareness of the MDGs.
In 2009 a US$ 1.7 million agreement was signed to support the initiative, ‘Human Development Platform 2010: Civic Participation for the MDGs and New Multilateralism’, a programme led by the Civil Society Unit of UNDP in collaboration with the United Nations Millennium Campaign.
OUR PARTNERS
Our partners are what make our work. Through our collaborative approach we have increased dialogue and coordination not only between different UN Agencies, but also amongst Government Ministries. The following chart illustrates the number different partners we bring together revealing a clear focus on the local level where over 600 municipal governments are at the forefront of our work.