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The Bergen Seminar Series 2003: Achieving the MDGs: Strengthening Mutual AccountabilityThe 2003 Seminar was a follow-up to the 2002 seminar on Accountability for Poverty Reduction. It was therefore designed to discuss the findings from the previous seminar, and the commitment to hold high level discussions on MDG 8. The theme of the 2003 Seminar, mutual accountability, was understood as the basis for a global partnership in development. In an opening address, Mark Malloch Brown framed the theme of the conference, asking how developed countries could be measured for their contribution to achieving the MDGs. He commented that the developed world had been slow to establish benchmarks by which its role in achieving the MDGs could be measured. A global partnership for development should be based on mutual and symmetrical accountability. The conference explored three sub-issues to strengthen mutual accountabilty: (1) policy coherence, (2) processes and mechanisms, and (3) communication and mobilisation. Over 60% of UNDP’s programming resources at the country level are dedicated to democratic governance programmes. In advancing this practice area worldwide, UNDP brings people together within nations and around the world, building partnerships and sharing ways to promote participation, accountability and effectiveness at all levels. It helps countries strengthen electoral and legislative systems, improve access to justice and public administration, and develop a greater capacity to deliver basic services to those most in need. Strengthening accountability to the poor was a central theme of 2002 Human Development Report, and is a core service line in the UNDP practice of democratic governance at the country level. The Chr. Michelsen Institute is a private social science research foundation working on issues of development and human rights, primarily in sub-Saharan Africa, Asia, the Middle East and the Balkans. CMI is committed to carrying out both basic and applied research. Its basic research normally focuses on key issues in development and on development trends in specific regions and countries. In applied research, the aim is to provide work of high quality and relevance that can assist policy and promote public debate on international issues. The critical importance of democratic governance for poverty reduction in the developing world was highlighted at the Millennium Summit, where the world's leaders resolved 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." A consensus was reached which recognized that improving the quality of democratic institutions and processes, and managing the changing roles of the state and civil society in an increasingly globalized world must underpin national efforts to reduce poverty, sustain the environment, and promote human development. The
Bergen Seminar of 2003 looks at the governance of poverty, and within that at
the issue of mutual accountability. It will seek to learn from the experience
of MDGs so far and start to answer the global governance questions related to
the nature of the ‘global compact’ embedded in MDG 8. Issues addressed
will include the mechanisms that can anchor commitments in practical action, and
the possible metrics through which the mutual accountability framework that lies
at the heart of MDGs can be tracked.
Papers & Presentations
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memoire
Progress on Doha, Monterrey & HIPC: a review