National level influencing activities by Beyond 2015 lead agencies in 2014 and 2015
Africa
● Democratic Republic of Congo: the
national lead agency conducted several
activities focusing on priorities of
Beyond 2015, including 2 tribunals for
popular expression, 7 radio shows, and
a multi-stakeholder dialogue that
attracted over 50 participants including
2 parliamentarians. The lead agency
became the national focal point for
Congolese civil society on issues
related to sustainable development
and the MDGs, which contributed to
consolidation the national position.
This resulted in the lead agency
becoming a member of the National
Steering Committee of the post-2015 consultation process, under the Ministry of Planning,
as a representative of civil society.
● Kenya: In 2014, the national lead agency worked with others in organizing, hosting and/or
facilitating ten national and regional workshops where proposed Beyond 2015 values and
targets were shared and used in developing campaign and advocacy position papers. It also
mobilized Kenyan CSOs to participate in development and dissemination of Beyond 2015
responses to the draft Focus Area Document by the UN OWG, zero draft of the proposed
SDGs by the UN OWG and the final draft of the proposed SDGs. These responses were
shared with relevant officials in the ministries of foreign affairs, environment and
devolution and planning. Efforts to mobilise CSOs saw the number of organizations
engaged directly with the post-2015 development agenda increase from about 13 to over
60. Taking advantage of a visit to Kenya by the Co-Chair of the UN OWG, Ambassador
Kamau Macharia, the lead agency discussed with him Beyond 2015’s response to the Focus
Area Document. They organized a media interview with him that was aired on two TV
station and one FM radio station, and given a one-page space in a local daily newspaper.
Policy makers in Kenya are consulting Beyond 2015 on matters related to content of Post
2015 development agenda, and acknowledged using the information in policy
development. In 2015, the national lead agency maintained an interactive relationship with
policy makers in Nairobi and officials at the Kenya mission in NY. It received many verbal
confirmations from both the New York Based negotiating team as well as the Kenya based
policy makers that their participation messages were not only accepted but they also found
our analysis sound and of high quality. Probably, the greatest indication of their impact was
a letter from the Principal Secretary to the Ministry of Planning asking for three members
of the CSO coalition to be included in the government negotiation to NY. This is
unprecedented in Kenya history for CSO actors to be included in government delegation.
The lead agency held media talk shows in three radio stations, created a list of media
contacts with who they shared all the content developed by Beyond 2015, and developed a
song that communicated the process to the central Kenya tribe in their own language
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J12pyQnQOvk. It also participated in the AU regional
meeting on Financing for Development in Addis Ababa in May 2015 where the Beyond
2015 FfD paper was shared with civil society organizations and government delegations
that were present. Bilateral discussions were held with the delegations from South Africa,
Sudan, Egypt, Nigeria, Rwanda and the Gambia who were requested to support Beyond
2015 messages both at the AU and in NY.
● Liberia: the lead agency convened two national forums on the post-2015 framework where
a call was made for CSOs to constructively engage the national government for the
sustainability of peace and, as well as to address poverty and injustice in the country.
Beyond 2015 VPVC were shared, and discussions focussed on poverty and equity, human
rights, environment, accountability and peace and security. Through use of media publicity
and advocacy, awareness created around the post-2015 process, e.g. through radio talk
shows (Sky FM/ TV radio, Voice FM, Power FM/ TV radio station and the UNMIL radio
stations) and newspaper articles when Beyond 2015 advocacy messages were shared. Civil
society actors, private sector, academics and students were amongst the participants in the
two forums that were held against a backdrop of an outbreak of Ebola in the country and
region. The outcome from the forums and Beyond 2015 positions were shared with
relevant government ministries/agencies, especially the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
● Morocco: In 2014, the national lead agency convened two regional and one national
consultation workshop, attended by CSOs and government (High Commission for Planning
and the Ministry of foreign Affairs), to share perspectives on the post-2015 process as well
as priorities for national development. In 2015, the national lead agency was not supported
as its proposed workplan was not approved for funding.
● Nigeria: In 2014, three meetings if the national hub were convened where Beyond 2015
reactions to the outcomes of the Open Working Group on the SDGs were shared with CSOs
and government representatives. Awareness on the post-2015 process was raised through
local radio stations such as Diamond FM and Splash FM, a website they created
(www.campaign2015plusinternational.org), a Facebook advocacy page
(https://www.facebook.com/Campaign2015International), and a list serve
(campaign2015plusnigeria@yahoogroups.com). The lead agency mobilised CSOs to join the
campaign, resulting in its membership increasing from less than 100 member organizations
to 156. They published a book titled “A Compendium of Deliberations on Post-2015
Development Agenda”, and produced a documentary on their grassroots deliberations
across five geo-political zones. The lead agency engaged with government, especially the
office of the Special Assistant to the President on MDGs, and the House Committee on
MDGs, and shared Beyond 2015 advocacy messages and positions. As the attention of
policy makers was diverted because of 2015 general elections, they traced the key ones to
their constituencies to deliver advocacy positions and recommendations on the post-2015
process to them. To raise awareness on the post-2015 process, the national lead agency
published in a book in 2015 titled “A Compendium of Deliberations on Post-2015
Development Agenda” that was distributed amongst CSOa, government and development
partners including UN Millennium Campaign (UNMC), UNDP, WaterAid, Save the
Children, and ActionAid Nigeria. Over 140 people from CSOs, NGOs/INGOs, development
agencies and the media participated in a national conference on “Governance Beyond
2015: Setting an Agenda for Inclusive and Sustainable Development in an Era of Change”.
Meetings were held with policy makers, including members of the national assembly both
on MDGs, Office of Senior Special Assistant to the President on MDGs (SSP/MDGs); Office
of the Vice President of Nigeria, etc. to share CSO and Beyond 2015 positions on the post2015 agenda.
● Senegal: The national lead agency work plan was not approved for funding.
 Zimbabwe: The national focal point was turned into a national lead agency in 2015 to
replace Senegal. Focus during the year was on building capacity and increasing awareness
civil society and the media on the Post – 2015 agenda. From this, a network of 117
organizations was established, and it actively engaged with government. This is evidenced
by the participation of senior officials, including Ministers and parliamentarians, at some of
its meetings, and their active participation in the formulation of national position paper on
SDGs a national draft strategy on the implementation of the SDGs, climate resilience
consultations, etc. A national dialogue they convened gave birth to the National
Coordination on the Implementation of the SDGs (NACOS) Initiative (www.nacos2030.org)
that has gained much attention and support from various local players. The country
coordinator participated in the February 2015 IGN session in New York where, amongst
other things, he called for people’s participation to be considered as a principle in the post2015 framework as well as a strategy means of implementation
(www.youtube.com/watch?v=QLWB1_XuSIc
Asia
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Bangladesh: the lead agency organised a national seminar on “Post 2015 Development
Agenda: Towards a Transformative and Rights Based Development Framework” that was
attended by stakeholders including NGOs, academics, civil society organizations, trade
unions, women groups, rights organizations, students and members of parliament. Speakers
indicated that growing inequality between rich and poor and among countries was as huge
challenge that must be addressed in the post-2015 framework, and called for a sustainable
agenda for the world based in equality and redistributive justice for all, enshrined by human
rights.
The lead agency also organized a public dialogue where the Bangladeshi State Minister for
Women and Child Affairs called on the UN to emphasize women’s rights in the post-2015
development framework, and demanded that government includes gender equality and
women rights as priority area. The State Minister also participated in a roundtable titled
“Post Development Framework: Women’s Rights and Participation” that was co-organised
by the lead agency. In addition, they convened two public events on “Post-2015
Development Framework: People’s Right and Participation” that was attended by
stakeholders including NGOs, CSOs, trade unions, women groups, rights organizations,
youth, lawyers and cultural groups. The dialogues called for a stronger commitment by
global leaders to reduce the gap between rich and poor, and ensure justice for all.
Just before the 69th Session of the UN General Assembly, the lead agency convened a press
briefing that called for a people-centered post-2015 development framework that would
ensure the meaningful participation of all concerned stakeholders in the process leading up
to post-2015 Summit. They also called for a post-2015 framework that would reinforce
international human rights commitments, fight injustice and embrace a rights-based
approach to development based on equality, equity and non-discrimination, and ensure the
rights of people to participate fully in society and in decision-making.
Cambodia: the national lead agency lobbied the United Nation Country Team (UNCT),
development partners, and embassies to influence government to develop post-2015
Cambodia development agenda. It conducted a public campaign through radio, press
releases, campaign at universities, and biking around the capital city to call for public
attention on post-2015 Cambodia development agenda. In collaboration with the UNCT and
provincial NGO networks, two regional and one national consultation workshops were
conducted. Participants at the three workshops jointly released a communique that called
for commitment by government and other development actors to be involved in the post2015 development framework with genuine and meaningful partnership (e.g.
http://vodhotnews.com/21642 and
http://thekhmerdaily.com/?page=detail&ctype=article&l_id=28&id=15116&lg=kh).
Meetings were also held with relevant stakeholders such as the government line ministries
(especially the Ministry of Planning and Council of Minister), representatives from local and
international NGOs, representatives from development partners and private sector to
update them about the progress of Cambodian Millennium Development Goals (CMDG) and
of the post-2015 development agenda.
As a result of these initiatives, the national lead agency is regarded as the only NGO in
Cambodia that facilitated the post-2015 consultation process within the civil society sector
in the country. With its additional roles as Asian Regional Coordinator for Beyond 2015, the
lead agency has become a knowledge bank for all information related to the process.
Indonesia: Together with Asia Development Alliance and Asia Democracy Network, the lead
agency convened a side-event, alongside UNGA 69 in New York on 22 September, which was
hosted by Open Society on “Ensuring Justice and Governance in the Post-2015 Development
Goals”. The event was officiated by Dr Kuntoro Mangkusubroto, Head of the Presidential
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Working Unit for the Supervision and Control of Development under the Indonesian Ministry
of Foreign Affairs. Amongst his key remarks was that “it is proven that the physical aspects
of development must go hand in hand with developing human capacities through good
governance, ensuring inclusive societies and providing access to justice”. Desra Percaya
(Indonesian Permanent Ambasador for United Nations) and Ambassador Hahn Choong-hee
(Deputy Permanent Representative of Korea to the United Nations) were some of the
discussants. The side event was aimed at ensuring Justice and Governance was a goal of post
-2015 development; sharing Indonesia’s experiences and lessons learned into global policy
discussion, especially for the issues that related to Justice and Governance; learning from
the experience of other countries; and providing space for engagement of policy makers
from Indonesia with representatives from other countries.
Japan: the national lead agency successfully established the “Post-2015 NGO Platform”, a
network including CSOs working on environment (climate change and biodiversity),
development, gender, disability, development financing (FTT etc.), and DRR (disaster risk
reduction). By creating this network, Japanese CSOs made coherent advocacy to influence
the Government of Japan’s policy for post-2015. In 2014 it convened 6 dialogues between
CSOs and the government’s chief negotiator for post-2015, ministry of foreign affairs and Ms
Amina Mohammed, where civil society raised one voice to urging government to provide
support for poverty eradication, and promoting equity (leave no one behind). It energized
“Beyond MDGs Japan” (BMJ), an inter-sectoral network including some governmental
sectors such as JICA and research sectors like Japan Society of International Development,
and held several symposia and events to encourage people in these sectors to raise voices
for a better post-2015 framework. Throughout the OWG process, the government took a
progressive policy to support poverty eradication, promoting equity, prioritizing
marginalized population and support women’s rights as a result of the strong and sustained
civil society advocacy efforts. In 2015, regular dialogues continued to be held with Ministry
of Foreign Affairs and parliamentarians on SDGs, resulting in the Japanese government
taking positive and progressive positions on SRHR, gender, equality (especially inequality in
country level), and civil society participation. They had a dialogue on March 17 with Ms
Amina Mohamed, the UN Special Representative for Post-2015, who was attending the
International Conference on Disasters in Tokyo. Ms Mohamed said “The dialogue is one of
the best meetings which I experienced. Japanese civil society is well-organized, and working
effectively with diverse sectors such as private sector and academics, and the quality of the
discussion is very high”. They also had a dialogue event in the Parliament on “The Japan and
the World we want in 2030: a dialogue between parliamentarians and 15 youths of 15 years
old” just after the adoption of Agenda 2030 by the UN. In attendance were about 20
parliamentarians and more than 100 observers, including key MPs like Hon. Mr. Keizo
Takemi (Senator) who is a key actor on global health policy and Hon. Mr. Masahiko
Shibayama (Lower House Member) who became a new Special Advisor of the PM Shinzo
Abe. The national lead managed to have two dialogues with new chief negotiator for SDGs
and FFD3, as well as with the Director of Global Issues Cooperation Division of MoFA, which
is the division directly in charge of IGN.
Philippines: The lead agency convened a conference that brought approximately 20 civil
society representatives together to take stock of the post-2015 agenda, discuss the outcome
of the 69th session of the UNGA, the final UNSG Synthesis Report on the post-2015
development agenda, and strategizing for the crucial and final year of the post-2015
negotiations. CSOs welcomed the positive elements in the SG synthesis report, e.g. the
universal principles of human rights, global solidarity, right to development, recognizing the
free prior informed consent of indigenous peoples, common but differentiated
responsibilities, and an aim to achieve climate justice. However, they agreed that the report
fails to provide a truly transformative framework, as does not commit to dismantling the
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root causes of the gross inequalities of wealth, power, and resources between countries,
between rich and poor, between men and women and other social groups. If a is not put in
place in the post-2015 agenda, then such an agenda will just be wearing a new coat but will
essentially carry the policies that have led the world’s people in multiple, long-running and
far-reaching crises. The conference was followed by a round-table discussion aimed at
facilitating dialogue between Beyond 2015 Philippines and representatives from NEDA,
Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), legislators (Philippine Congress and Senate), UN in the
Philippines and other government agencies, and influence the Philippine government's
positions relating to the post-2015 agenda following the Asia-Pacific Forum on Sustainable
Development, the OWG meetings and other United Nations initiatives in the country and the
Asia-Pacific Region. NEDA shared that they are drafting the Philippine Sustainable
Development Framework 2016-2046 (30 years).
South Korea: The lead agency raised awareness in the country on the post-2015 process in
2014, and helped citizens’ better understand international issues around poverty, inequality
and climate change. Outcomes from discussions on the post 2015 agenda with Korean CSOs
were shared with government, together with Beyond 2015 advocacy positions. All this work
resulted in the lead agency becoming the advocacy center for Korea CSOs the post-2015
agenda. They ran a social media campaign that saw more than 300 citizens participating and
uploading their wishes for the next 15 years and sharing or (re)twitting their messages. In
2015, they had meetings with
the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
as well as the Prime Minister’s
office. Beyond 2015 positions
were widely shared with key
national government ministries
(e.g. Ministry of Employment
and Labor, Ministry of
Environment, and Korea Land
and Housing Corporation,
Ministry of Commerce,
Industry, and Energy, Ministry
of Health and Welfare, Ministry
of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Prime Minister's
Office). A key success was initiation of dialogue on implementation of SDGs at national level,
since the government was not taking leadership on this. Expert opinion on implementation
of all SDGs except #17 was gathered and discussed with government.
Latin America
● Bolivia: in 2014 they convened two national meetings that discussed the proposal
documents from the OWG and Beyond 2015's reactions to them, and also assessed the
achievement of MDGs in the country. One of the main negotiators from the Bolivian
government participated in the second national meeting, and the civil society platform was
able to discuss their views on the post-2015 process and the main themes directly with him.
They sent to the government all the campaign's documents with key messages, and
developed promotional videos (www.beyond2015.org/news/beyond-2015-videos-bolivia).
In 2015, the lead agency convened several workshops for key decision makers at the
national level, including with officials from Ministries (Foreign Affairs, Development
Planning), civil society and municipal authorities in capital cities, and used Beyond 2015
advocacy messages to push for a strong national position of the post-2015 framework.
Together with the Participatory Research Group, they published an article “Building
citizenship in the context of the debate on the post-2015 agenda in Bolivia” that was
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published in the international Community Development Journal
(http://cdj.oxfordjournals.org/content/50/4/571.abstract”. From their experience working
with seven of the poorest municipalities in the country, they developed a methodological
guide for training in impact on the implementation of SDGs at local and national levels
together with Christian Aid and Beyond 2015.
Brazil: The lead agency translated the outcome documents of the OWG into Portuguese and
disseminated them. It also published news and articles on the Beyond 2015 campaign and its
repercussion in Brazil on its website (www.abong.org.br), and organized three virtual
meetings/webinars on the post-2015 agenda with national CSOs. One of the meetings
focused on the outcome document of the OWG, and in particular on goal 16 (Brazilian
government positioning) and the threat of being a weak document on various human rights
issues. Two meetings were held with government stakeholders to discuss key policy issues
arising from national CSO consultations (www.secretariageral.gov.br/noticias/2014/05/1505-2014-governo-brasileiro-e-centro-rio-divulgam-relatorio-de-dialogos-sobre-agenda-pos2015 and www.secretariageral.gov.br/noticias/2014/05/26-05-2014-sociedade-civiliniciativa-privada-e-convidados-discutem-os-objetivos-de-desenvolvimento-sustentavel-daonu0).
Chile: the lead agency started from the premise that the post-2015 agenda was an unknown
process since MDGs had gathered much traction in the country, particularly among civil
society. In view of this, it established a government-CSO roundtable on the post-2015
agenda, as well as a CSO roundtable on climate change, the other major issue under the
post-2015 agenda. Focus was placed on explaining the post-2015 in the agenda and it
implications for Chile as a country and as a member of the international community, as well
as the value it has for CSOs. The climate roundtable was established as a working group to
follow the COP negotiations and provide advocacy channels between civil society and the
government. The group produced a proposal document on climate change that will be
presented to the Ministry of Environment before the UN climate summit
(http://accionag.cl/noticias/articulada-desde-la-sociedad-civil-nace-la-mesa-ciudadanacontra-el-cambio-climatico/).
This approach gathered momentum with the arrival of a new center-left government whose
positions were largely in line with the views that are conveyed by the post-2015
development agenda. Concurrently, there was a greater degree of openness to civil society
participation, which allowed the lead agency to establish solid relations with the new team
at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the permanent delegation at the UN. In working with
government, the lead agency found a willing interlocutor in Ambassador Galvez, the General
Director on multilateral and global affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (and former
Chilean representative to the Expert Committee on Sustainable Development financing).
Also worth highlighting is Chile’s positive statement at the UN GA that reflected many
Beyond 2015 positions (http://statements.unmeetings.org/GA69/CL_EN.pdf).
Colombia: In 2014 the lead agency convened dialogues in different regions of the country to
inform local CSOs about progress by Beyond 2015 in influencing the post-2015 development
agenda. In addition, bilateral meetings were held with to the Mayor of Bogotá, Ministry of
Environment, National Planning Department, National Federation of Municipalities, as well
as organisations working on development and peace, and private sector organisations.
CCONG used these advocacy opportunities to monitor the agreements of different national
and multilateral actors in the new post-2015 development agenda. In 2015, a total of 18
organizations working in the territories on issues of the development agenda as
environmental sustainability, peace and security, sexual and reproductive rights, and equal
opportunities for everyone were mobilised to participate in the campaign. Through 12
meetings with these organisations, the importance for them to understand the new
development agenda and their role in its implementation, monitoring and follow up was
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discussed. Beyond 2015 advocacy messages were
disseminated the Presidency of the Republic, the
Foreign Ministry, the National Planning
Department, the Mission of Colombia in United
Nations , representatives of UNDP, UN
Volunteers, as well as local authorities, academia
and representatives of civil society. The lead agency also targeted candidates for governor
and mayor positions, asking them if they had incorporated the new development agenda in
their government plans and encouraging them to commit to this in their development plans
once they were elected. They encouraged the government to create more opportunities for
dialogue with civil society and enable the participation of local actors in the formulation of
public policies relating to SDGs. A key achievement is that the President of the Republic
issued Decree 0280 that established a High Level Inter-Institutional Commission for the
preparation and effective implementation of the post 2015 Development Agenda. Working
with environmental agencies, they reviewed SDGs on environmental issues and found them
to be far more ambitious than the country can achieve. For example, the National
Development Plan envisages no action on oceans or decisive action against deforestation.
Guatemala: In 2014 the lead agency worked with other CSOs, government and development
partners to formulate a proposed agenda called “Guatemala Beyond 2015”. It focused on
government priorities in the post-2015 around inequality, poverty, women empowerment,
and worked with CSOs that include organizations of indigenous and rural women, rural
organizations, etc. OWG outcome documents and Beyond 2015 reactions were discussed,
and 1,000 copies of a summary of draft zero of SDGs were distributed during the Guatemala
2014 International Book Fair. Seminars were convened (e.g.
www.congcoop.org.gt/noticias/218-taller-de-deliberacion-regional-a-osc.html) and press
conferences held on a range of issues including women empowerment and access to
preventive health services. Activities in 2015 several interactions with the Chancellery,
Presidency of the Republic, Directorate General of International, Multilateral and Economic
Relations of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Mission in New York where Beyond 2015
advocacy messages were shared in an effort to influence the final SDGs. Several press
releases targeted topical issues, e.g. the social, environmental and cultural rights of peasants
and indigenous peoples. Three workshops resulted in about 100 women being trained on
the post-2015 agenda
Mexico: The lead agency focused on creating spaces for dialogue between CSOs and the
Mexican government, particularly the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to share and present CSO
positions, Beyond 2015 key messages, and recommendations on building the post-2015
development agenda. Key contacts in the Foreign Affairs Ministry were officials from the
Directorates for civil society coordination and for Global Affairs. In 2014, they convened a
dialogue forum between CSOs and members of the federal Government (executive and
legislative branches) was convened on November 25 at the Secretariat of Foreign Affairs.
The Forum enabled them to coordinate CSOs and gave them an opportunity to engage with
people in the permanent mission to the UN, particularly the Directorates for Global Affairs
and the for CSO liaison, within the Secretariat of Foreign Affairs, as well as the Senate
Committee on Foreign Affairs and NGOs. They also promoted and involved CSOs in
monitoring government positions, and in acquiring information from foreign policy makers
for advocacy purposes through thematic or sectoral proposals. Achievements in 2015
include nine dialogue sessions for CSOs with the Foreign Ministry and other government
institutions such as the Office of the Presidency, the Mexican Agency for Cooperation and
the Secretariat of Finance and Public Credit to share positions and influence government
positions during the IGN process. They convened a panel discussion on the role of the
Mexican state and civil society in the implementation and monitoring of Agenda 2030 for
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sustainable development, which was attended by representatives from agencies of the
federal government and the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean
(ECLAC). The lead agency believes that it managed to influence government representatives,
participating in intergovernmental negotiations at the United Nations, through regular
meetings and sharing Beyond 2015 campaign positions.
Peru: The lead agency, which brings together more than 70 non-governmental development
agencies in Peru, continued in 2014 to strengthen the work of the national hub they built in
the first phase of the campaign, and convened two dialogues and a roundtable on fighting
against poverty and hunger. The roundtable was a joint initiative between government and
civil society organizations, and it has established the post-2015 agenda as one of its areas of
focus. The lead agency also managed to establish good relationships with UNDP, the Social
Development Ministry and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, e.g. they were invited by UNDP
and the Peruvian government to participate in the consultative commission on participative
monitoring and accountability, and were nominated to be the main evaluators of the
process. In 2014 the lead agency held consultations with civil society in 13 sub-regions in
partnership with the Roundtable for Poverty Reduction, as well as a national workshop with
journalists from alternative media. The lead agency also sat on an advisory committee
established by the Foreign Ministry, Ministry of Social Inclusion and UNDP to collect best
practices and conduct a national consultation on a Participatory Monitoring and
Accountability mechanism for SDGs. In March 2015, the Foreign Ministry and UNDP,
sponsored by the governments of South Korea and Canada, held an international event
called "Participatory Monitoring for Accountability" where 8 countries participated.
Uruguay: The national lead agency, which brings together over 100 CSOs from across the
country, convened a multi-stakeholder national dialogue that identified three targets to be
prioritized in the country, namely eradication of structural poverty and social inequality,
promoting non-formal education, and promoting the participation of the civil society in the
design, implementation and monitoring of public policy. Civil society called for poverty to
not only be regarded as an economic phenomenon, but to also consider its social impact.
Uruguay had national elections scheduled for October 2014. The lead agency sought
meetings with candidates from different political parties for president, vice-president and
parliament to advocate for combating inequity and social exclusion, and promoting quality
education and greater space for civil society to engage with government. They managed to
meet candidates from 4 political parties.
Venezuela: The lead agency reprinted a summary report around the fulfilment of the MDGs
and the recommendations of CSOs, attended a television interview
(http://globovision.com/venezuela-cumple-las-metas-del-millenium/), published an article in
the national press (www.el-nacional.com/sociedad/Venezuela-alejade-ObjetivosMilenio_0_419358155.html) on this, and used social media to share information on the
campaign (e.g. www.iberoamerica.net/venezuela/prensa-generalista/elnacional.com/20140602/noticia.html?idUvHLH82). Results from beyond 2015 VPVC process
were shared within the national hub. It has been working with CSO alliances, and sought
meetings with local personalities to deliver relevant information. The network of Venezuelan
CSOs was used as a platform for exchanging information and plans for the post-2015
development agenda.
Europe
● Finland: In 2014 the lead agency produced a video clip in English (http://youtu.be/uIVCSAkeko) and Finnish (http://youtu.be/ouE2SG6fc44?list=UU9467_1A72sHv8AcYjUfeYQ),
which primarily targets the general public and CSOs in Finland, to raise awareness on
inequality as one of the biggest challenges today that is hindering sustainable development.
In the clip, different perspectives on economic, social, and environmental aspects on
inequality are presented by three different civil society actors from Save the Children
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Finland, Fairtrade Finland, and a Chief of the Emberá-Wouna Indigenous Territory in
Panama. The video clip was shown during the 2014 Annual Development Policy Day
organized by KEPA, Beyond 2015 national lead agency for Finland. Approximately 200
participants that include CSO actors, civil servants, MPs, researchers, students and
journalists attended the event whose theme was on inequality. In addition, KEPA also
produced a compact Post-2015 information pack for journalists, including information about
additional material like videos, publications etc. on KEPA’s websites. The material will also be
sent to members of parliaments. In 2015, a strong link was established between the national
hub and the formal preparatory process of the 2015 negotiations when the Post-2015 NGO
Task Force facilitated by the national lead agency partnered with the Ministry for Foreign
Affairs (MFA) in convening a national Post-2015 coordination group. For example, together
they organized a hearing on Post-2015 indicators, with approximately 70 participants from
civil society, academia and various ministries. The event raised overall awareness on the
process of drafting indicators for the SDGs, and provided an opportunity for the NGO Task
Force to launch its position paper on SDGs and their indicators. Also, they actively
participated and provided comments to any available texts through the Ministry, e.g. EU
positions on both FfD and Post-2015, as well as the actual outcome document drafts of both
summits. The Task Force also organized a multi-stakeholder event on Goal 17 and the
implementation of SDGs, and published a paper (focusing on five SDGs: food security,
education, energy, sustainable consumption and production, and governance and security)
comparing universal targets in Finland and its partner countries that was disseminated to
stakeholders in Finland. The national hub disseminated joint positions of Finnish CSOs to
decision makers (on indicators, coordination mechanism and the Post-2015 Summit),
provided collected joint comments to the draft FfD and Agenda 2030 outcome documents,
as well as the EU position, and disseminated Beyond 2015 positions on for example the zerodraft and accountability, monitoring and review. Participation in a roundtable discussion on
the Post-2015 Education Agenda prepared the ground for successful advocacy in two
international occasions that followed - the World Education Forum in Korea in May and a
Global Citizenship Education event in June.
France: In 2014 the lead agency organised a seminar on “Measuring Sustainable
Development”, which served as culmination of a process that had started with an online
survey, and had allowed an engaging conversation among French CSOs on the need to
design the right indicators for the post-2015 agenda. Participants at the seminar (including
international solidarity organisations, human rights organisations, organisations to promote
the rights of the marginalised, environmental organisations, unions, etc.) identified the three
major dimensions that indicators should capture: access to essential goods and services and
respect of rights; environmental impact; and transparency and democracy. Based on these,
the outcome document from the seminar puts forward eight principles that must underpin
the choice of indicators for a Post-2015 framework, including participation, communicability
or flexibility to name but a few. The full report of the seminar is available here and an
overview of the conclusions can be found here). The lead agency set up four working groups
around different themes of the post-2015 agenda that, amongst other this, conducted
studies and advocacy texts/letters that were shared with government. For example, the
group on “the role of international migration in the post-2015 agenda” has sent a letter to
the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and the Interior, drawing their attention to the lack of any
serious focus on this issue in the SDGs, and demanding its consideration. In 2015, four
special meetings were held with the Ministry of Foreign to discuss the position of France in
the negotiations and share recommendations from French NGOs and Beyond 2015.
Particular focus was on financing and indicators, as well as implementation and monitoring
of Agenda 2030. Representatives attended the April session of intergovernmental
negotiations in New York as well as the 3rd Conference on Financing for Development in
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Addis Ababa, where they lobbied French policymakers and shared position papers. A major
achievement was mobilisation of about 30 French CSOs interested in monitoring the Agenda
2030, including some focusing on sustainable development and climate change.
Hungary: despite shrinking for CSO space in the country, the lead agency convened a
national hub consisting of 24 CSOs, and produced and disseminated advocacy material
around the campaign. They had meetings with and built connections to the Hungarian
ambassador to the UN, Ambassador Korosi, who was the Co-Chair of the Open Working
Group on Sustainable Development Goals, and his senior advisory team. They lobbied in
person 2 state secretaries, 1 ex-state secretary, 1 ex-minister, and several ambassadors,
senior officials and NGO leaders. Their efforts were acknowledged by senior officials, e.g. by
the Chief of Department for Development and Humanitarian Affairs (at previous MFA) who
said this helped him to appreciate the importance of the UN OWG and Hungary’s role. The
Hub sent an open letter to the new Foreign Economy and Foreign Affairs Minister and other
relevant public servants in the ministry, including the Head of Department and
Parliamentary State Secretary. The main purpose of the letter was to draw the newly elected
decision-makers’ attention to the importance of the process and to emphasize Hungary’s
obligations as a member-state in different international organizations. They believe the
Hub’s open letter to the new MFA contributed to the responsible state secretary giving wellfocused interviews on the post-2015 process and the important focus areas for Hungary.
They also participated in the annual gathering of green NGOs where they reached out
directly to over a hundred green NGOs to raise awareness the post-2015 process and
Beyond 2015 positions.
The lead agency captured a video on an interview carried out with Ambassador Korosi
(www.youtube.com/watch?v=C7fC8NuTsnQ&feature=youtu.be). In the interview,
Ambassador Korosi says “You did a very good job. […] The civil society […] were the most
vocal participants. They were the most ambitious actors, the most vocal actors, and the
most critical actors, and their criticism was very valuable. You have referred to the climate
change goal. Without a very strong push from civil society one climate goal, on human
rights, on peace and security as a component of sustainable development and transparency
of the functioning of our institutions, we wouldn't have been able to achieve those
transparency goals that we have today, even in their present imperfect shape. You did a very
good job!”
Ireland: Amongst other things in 2014, the national lead agency developed two position
papers, contextually adapted from Beyond2015 papers, aimed at influencing the Irish
Government. They also had 4
meetings with senior officials of
the Department of Foreign Affairs
and Trade, developed a good
relationship with the Irish Aid
officials involved in the post-2015
process at both the EU and the
UN, and ran a media campaign to
create awareness of the
Post2015 process (e.g. see here).
Through specific briefings and hosting of specialist research launches, provided material
which CSOs used to leverage their own advocacy and lobbying. One major highlight was CSO
meetings they arranged with Amina J. Mohammed (UN Special Adviser on Post-2015
Development Planning) and Federica Mogherini (High Representative of the European Union
for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy).
Italy: In 2015, the national lead agency shared its positions, based on Beyond 2015 global
and European campaigns, in four meetings of the multi-stakeholder national forum on
develop ment cooperation named “Cross Institutional Development Cooperation Table”
(CITDC) that provides space for dialogue between government and non-state actors in the
country. GCAP Italy directly organized two high level sessions on issues related to the
implementation of the 2030 Agenda, and co-organized two thematic conferences
respectively on gender equality and women empowerment and food security and the right
to food in the post 2015 Agenda, both of which were attended by senior government
officials. A representative of the national lead agency was part of the Italian Government
Official delegation to the UN General Assembly of September 2015. These initiatives were
aimed at pushing for Italy to lead European countries in taking ambitious commitments
toward the achievement of the new goals and targets, and to define how to implement the
new development Agenda at local level.
North America
● Canada: In 2014, the lead agency established a broad and informal network of organizations
comprised of over 100 people from across Canada to engage around the post-2015 agenda
through a monthly newsletter, working groups, thematic coalitions, provincial and regional
councils, etc. Meetings with almost 90 Canadian civil society organizations were organized in
Toronto, Montreal and Ottawa to discuss plans for post-2015, with call-in facilities for others
in Canada. In addition, the lead agency identified the key players in the Canadian
government and their emerging positions and priorities. Four meetings were organized with
the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade, and Development (DFATD) and CSOs to gather
intelligence on Canadian positions and priorities, and to share both Beyond 2015 and
Canadian CSOs positions on post-2015. A 15-page background document explaining the
international process leading up to post-2015 and sharing Canadian priorities and positions
was published in English (http://ccic.ca/media/news_detail_e.php?id=328) and in French.
Informed by the intelligence gathered, the lead agency developed the basis for public
engagement, communications, and an action plan for post-2015. They also organized two
webinars: one on a presentation on Africa and the post-2015 process by Sering Falu Njie,
Deputy Director of the UN Millennium Campaign, in collaboration with the Africa-Canada
Forum; and another for presentations on the post-2015 process and Canadian priorities in
collaboration with The North-South Institute. CCIC also organized an academic panel at the
Canadian Association for the Study of International Development annual meetings on post2015, and was also invited to speak about the post-2015 process and Canadian positions on
a panel at the first Peoples’ Social Forum held in Canada. A blog (in French) on the post-2015
process was published in the Huffington Post in June. In 2015, they launched a national
campaign and a website (www.wecandobetter2015.ca) focused on the themes of inequality
and human rights, gender equality and women’s rights, and climate change and
environmental sustainability, with a strong focus on universality. They has regular meetings
with government officials on post-2015, and produced and updated a backgrounder on the
process, current state of play and emerging Canadian positions. They also organized a
conference on the campaign’s themes, engaging a broad spectrum of domestic and
international groups, government and Members of Parliament from the four major parties.
Pacific
 Australia: In 2015, the national lead agency focused on engaging the Department of Foreign
Affairs and Trade on the national position throughout the SDGs and financing negotiations. It
convened a civil society forum that discussed the role of CSOs in the formulation and
implementation of the post-2015 framework, as well as a parliamentary briefing that
discussed the importance of SDGs in domestic policy and aid programme. ACFID President
was included as the only civil society representative in the official government delegation to
the UN Summit in September. The lead agency issued several media releases on SDGs, e.g.
on alignment of the country’s domestic and international policy with SDGs.
Coordination of the Beyond 2015 national lead agencies in the Pacific (Fiji, Kiribati, Papua New
Guinea, Samoa and Solomon Islands) was done through Pacific Islands Association of NonGovernmental Organisations (PIANGO), the host organization for the Regional Coordinator. Activities
carried out through this coordination include:
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Dissemination of Beyond 2015 messages to Pacific Island Governmental representatives and
National Lead Agencies
Online advocacy campaign through Social media (Facebook and Twitter)
Media awareness on Beyond 2015 campaign via radio programmes (PNG/Solomon Islands)
and TV interviews (Fiji)
Forums convened in various countries focusing on bringing together both civil society and
government leaders to discuss the post-2015 development agenda and Beyond 2015
messages/papers/positions
Contribution by lead agencies to Beyond 2015 papers and positions
Key activities by the lead agencies in 2014 include the following:
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Fiji: Benefiting from being in the same country as the Regional Coordinator, the national lead
agency managed to carry out the majority of activities from the region under the campaign,
e.g. through a co-hosting arrangement for two CSO forums that attracted participants from
across the region. It was the only one from the Region that managed to participate in a
webinar with the Participate initiative conducted on 13 November 2014. The others failed
due to communication challenges. Together with PIANGO, the lead agency convened a
workshop on the post-2015 agenda on 18 – 19 November 2014 on “Rethinking
Development, Reshaping the Pacific We Want for CSO Partnership for Development
Effectiveness Beyond 2015”. Representatives from Tonga, Samoa, Fiji, Cook Islands and New
Zealand/Niue participated in the meeting where Beyond 2015 campaign and its red flags on
the NGSG synthesis report and outcomes from the Beyond 2015 CSO conference in
Copenhagen were shared. A news reel on the event was aired on Fiji TV (start viewing from
31:54).
Again with PIANGO, the lead agency co-hosted workshop with particular focus on Beyond
2015on “Aid Monitoring, CSO Accountability & Post 2015 Development Agenda”, that was
held on 20 – 21 November 2014. During the workshop, they co-hosted a Beyond 2015 Lead
with the Leaders webinar on 21 November that was attended by over 20 participants from
Cook Islands, Tonga, Solomon Islands and Fiji.
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The lead agency is a member of MDG Taskforce under the national Ministry of Strategic
Planning, National Development and Statistics, and used the opportunity to share Beyond
2015 Red Flags paper with them as well as stressing the importance of Civil Society
participation in the post-2015 development agenda.
Kiribati: the lead agency only managed to convene one CSO forum and failed to actively
engage the national government, an issue that will be addressed in 2015. Pelenise Alofa
from the national lead agency attended the 69th UNGA where she addressed a side event on
climate change, and cited in a daily newspaper The Fiji Times.
Papua New Guinea: the lead agency was very successful in its advocacy efforts through the
use of social media (Facebook page “Beyond 2015 Sustainable Development Goals”) and a
media campaign using radio talk back shows (e.g. “Monin Tru”) and Facebook focusing on
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the post-2015 development agenda. They also successfully convened a “Learning Luncheon”
for leaders and youth on the post-2015 development agenda. Letters containing Beyond
2015 Red flags paper and Copenhagen Outcomes Document were sent to all 109 Members
of Parliament with a view to informing and influencing them to ensure that the national
submissions to the UN on the post-2015 development agenda were people centred.
Solomon Islands: the lead agency sent out letters to Government officials involved in
contributing to national positions on the post-2015 development agenda, including the
Minister of Foreign Affairs, and engaged with them via one-on-one meetings. Awareness
was raised at the community level to its members in the provinces, etc. newspaper columns
(Solomon Star), a radio programme and social media. It is to change in tactic in 2015, with
the focus shifting to lobbying government officials, and more specifically the Foreign Affairs
Ministry, Prime Minister’s office, etc. Difficulties in internet connectivity hinder
communication as well as participation in skype conference calls and webinars convened by
the campaign. Letters containing Beyond 2015 messaging were sent to the Foreign Affairs
Ministry through UN Desk Officer in New York prior to the 69th UNGA, and another to
congratulate the newly Elected Prime Minister.
Samoa: Despite challenges due to personnel changes, the lead agencies managed to carry
out planned activities that include convening CSO forums and engaging national government
leaders on Beyond 2015 positions and messages on the post-2015 agenda. They convened 4
meetings, including 2 CSO forums, and shared Beyond 2015 Red Flags paper with the Prime
Minister (also the Minister for Foreign Affairs), Minister for Education, and the Minister for
Women, Community and Social Development. Evidence of their impact is from the Regional
Coordinator’s experience with visiting the Samoa Permanent Representative to the United
Nations, H.E. Mr. Allioaiga Elisaia, in New York in January 2015. The meeting was extremely
positive, with the Samoa Permanent Representative stating that he found the Beyond 2015
Reaction to the SG Synthesis Report very useful, and would definitely use it in the
preparation of the Samoan response. He also stated that the campaign was welcome to send
his office any resources or materials at any time.