UNDP Engagement with Civil Society

Civic Engagement for Multilateralism & Human Development

The process of globalization has given rise to new networks of non-state actors that are active in development and have transformed the relationship between state and society. The participation of new actors — civil society, private sector, communities, local action networks, and social entrepreneurs — is fundamental to solving today’s development challenges.

Against this background, UNDP has launched Platform HD2010 as a forum to mobilize civil society and other stakeholders to contribute to the emerging vision of a new multilateralism and to foster civic engagement in human development and the Millennium Development Goals. The two-year programme will promote reflections and debate between the United Nations and a range of civil society actors in developed and developing countries, engaging them in national and global level policy dialogues, and increasing transparency and accountability for development results in poverty reduction.

"Climate change and the current global economic crisis bring an unprecedented opportunity to transform global governance, which must start giving priority to human development and citizen engagement". This was one of the main conclusions of a two-day consultation between the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and 25 representatives of civil society organizations and foundations in New York on June 4 and 5, 2009, as part of Platform HD2010. Read the news article on the civil society consultation, June 4-5, 2009 >>

Kumi Naidoo, from the Global Call to Action Against Poverty , South Africa, explains how the current economic crisis and the climate change challenges open space for opportunity: it is time for a new global governance.

Gigi Francisco, from the Development Alternative with Women for a New Era (DAWN ) Philippines, talks about the role of gender networks in a new global governance.