Living up to the Capacity Development Challenge
Democratic governance is central to the achievement of the MDGs, as it provides the ‘enabling environment' for the realization of the MDGs and, in particular, the elimination of poverty. Recognizing this, world leaders undertook in the Millennium Declaration to “spare no effort to promote democracy and strengthen the rule of law, as well as respect for all internationally recognized human rights and fundamental freedoms including the right to development”. They resolved to “strengthen the capacity of all countries to implement the principles and practices of democracy and respect for human rights”. According to the UN strategy document on the MDGs (see 'The United Nations and the MDGs: a Core Strategy'), "the MDGs have to be situated within the broader norms and standards of the Millennium Declaration", including those on 'Human rights, democracy and good governance'.
Democratic governance is valuable in its own right. It can also advance human development and the achievement of the MDGs for the following reasons:
- When more than economic growth is considered, democracy can work to put in a political dynamic to respond to the social and economic priorities of people and contribute to reducing poverty and promoting human development.
- Democracies contribute to political stability and thus to human security because open space for political contests allows for more peaceful resolution and management of conflict.
- Democratic institutions and processes that give voice to people, and hold rulers accountable, as well as open competition for power, make politicians more likely to respond to the needs of ordinary people.
Efforts to achieve the MDGs are supported within the democratic governance practice area as follows:
Parliamentary Development
Support to parliamentary development relates to the achievement of the MDGs in the following ways: Firstly, through the process of reinforcing the role of the parliament in holding government accountable for policy commitments and the use of budget resources for poverty reduction goals. In particular, the budget analysis capacity of the parliaments' budget committee can be strengthened to help it ensure that national allocations match MDG plans and commitments. The same capacity can be reinforced in Women's caucuses; health and education committees of parliament to ensure that progress toward MDG achievements are on course and appropriately resourced. These interventions can strengthen the national democratic process of oversight and accountability for MDG's. MDG country reports submitted to strong, functioning parliaments for scrutiny mean that governments will be held better accountable for their poverty reduction commitments, budget allocations will be scrutinized to ensure allocation of budget resources in most effective possible support to MDG's.
Electoral Systems and Processes
Support to electoral systems and processes are linked to the achievement of the MDG's in the following ways. Firstly through Civic and voter education programmes which expand democratic participation, particularly for women and other under-represented segments of society. Secondly, by reducing the cost of electoral processes on the national budget and as a proportion of donor contributions, more resources are freed up for direct poverty reduction programmes. Thirdly by strengthening the independence and capacity of institutions responsible for the conduct of elections, there will be less frequent rejection of the outcomes and more peaceful transitions of power. Increased security and stability contribute directly to less disruption in the economic lives of the poor and to more resources becoming available for service provision, even during and after election periods. In addition better progress on the MDGs creates an environment more conducive for better governance.
Access to Justice and Human Rights
Support to human rights and access to justice are linked to the achievement of the MDGs in the following ways. Firstly operational activities in support of country level efforts to achieve the MDGs will be anchored in a human rights-based development framework and support for constitutionally enshrined national human rights institutions. Secondly, supporting a functioning, accessible and transparent justice system and institutions means that the poor have protection, representation and recourse to hold the powerful accountable for commitments to provide the services included in the various MDG's and targets. Thirdly, promoting the effective use of public interest litigation and legal aid for the poor helps create precedent, empowerment and knowledge where the poor and disempowered can successfully use the formal legal system to ensure that corporations and governments deliver on commitments and actually pay redress for violations of the same to poor citizens. Good examples of the types of linkage come from successes in South Africa and India.
Access to Information
For citizens to be able to hold governments accountable they need valid, reliable information. Information about poverty, trends, well-being, corruption, growth, HIV-AIDS, disasters and much more. Without this information, a citizens right to choose his or her representative, or question a government action, is not fully exercised due to the likelihood of making a poorly informed choice. Support to strengthening access to information is linked to the achievement of the MDG's in the following ways. Firstly, by supporting the production and dissemination of reliable independent information on critical issues of poverty and development. UNDP leads at the country level in this respect through NHDR's and other policy analysis and advocacy instruments. Secondly, by strengthening the professional capacity of national journalists and media sectors, citizens will have sustainable national bases on which to rely for making informed choices themselves and understanding policy positions and decisions of governments and party leaders. Thirdly, access to information about aid flows, commitments, budgets and the use of resources strengthens the accountability of public office holders to citizens for achieving MDG's and targets.
Local Governance and Decentralization
Improved local governance and decentralization is linked to MDG achievement in the following ways. Firstly through the promotion, for example, of participatory planning and monitoring in UNDP will help address the question of how globally selected indicators (e.g., the MDGs) can be made relevant at the local level. Albania 's pioneering work in advocating the MDGs, through regional tours and local visits, and incorporating MDGs in local initiatives can help serve as a model for other countries. Secondly, local level representative bodies and councils are responsible for local budget allocation and expenditure can be strengthened in their capacity to ensure that resources and services to the poor are being delivered in accordance with local poverty reduction goals. Thirdly through support for local elections, more democratic local party structures, strengthened citizens groups, local level transparency and democratic processes citizens can ensure that results are achieved, resources are allocated according to commitments and public servants at the local level are held accountable for poverty reduction achievements.
Public Administration and Civil Service Reform
Support to modernizing state institutions is linked to achieving the MDGs in the following ways. First, by reducing the costs and improving the efficiency of the public administration, more resources in poor countries can be used better in pursuit of MDG goals. Second, by increasing transparency and eradicating corruption, fewer scarce resources in poor countries will be misdirected away from achieving MDG goals. Third, a public administration that is responsive to the needs of citizens is critical to ensuring the sustainability of the achievements within the rubric of the MDGs. Finally, increasing the accountability of state institutions is an essential feature of governments' strategies to close the democratic deficit, which is key to achieving the MDGs within the context of the broader Millennium Declaration.
