Critical agents of change’ in the 2030 Agenda: Youth-inclusive governance indicators for national-level monitoring

 

Download here the document: Critical Agents of Change – Youth-Inclusive Governance Indicators for National-Level SDG Monitoring

In September 2015, all 193 countries of the United Nations (UN) agreed on a new set of development goals that will follow up on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) which end in 2015.These new Sustainable Development Goals form a framework for development in all countries, not just developing countries as was the aim of the MDGs.

There are 17 goals and 169 targets, covering a wide range of topics promoting sustainable development. There is one specific goal focusing on water, and several targets linked to water issues. Countries and development partners are already expected to support the implementation now the Goals are accepted. Young people can play a big role in this regard, and many things are already being done.

One activity focuses on implementation and monitoring. Each country is expected to develop a strategy and roadmap to implement the SDGs and monitor progress. The idea behind it is that if you don’t monitor, countries will have little incentive to work on the Goals.

“The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) should be monitored in a way that both captures the experiences and views of youth and includes young people in processes that hold governments to account for these global commitments. The Working Group on Youth-Inclusive Governance Indicators1 has identified a list of nationallevel indicators and methods for monitoring Goal 16 Targets 16.6, 16.7 and 16.10 of the SDGs. These targets were chosen for their focus on core aspects of governance – effective, accountable and transparent institutions; responsive, inclusive, participatory and representative decision-making; access to information and protection of fundamental freedoms – which if achieved, will enable progress across the sustainable development agenda. Our recommendations contribute to a ‘basket’ of Goal 16 indicators and encourage the use of multiple and diverse data sources, including civil society and citizen-generated data, to monitor progress. The recommendations seek to complement and support global-level review processes and to ensure that national-level monitoring is youthsensitive, by taking into account the role, position and experiences of children and young people.”

This paper has been pulled together by the Working Group on Youth-Inclusive Indicators. This group has been working together since May 2015 and includes UNDP, Plan International, Restless Development, the Children’s Environments Research Group (CUNY) and the Centre for Children’s Rights at Queen’s University Belfast. The group has worked with a number of young people, including those in the Youth Governance and Accountability Task Team, to develop these proposals. It is endorsed by 44 organisations.

Please find more information in the document ‘Critical agents of change’ in the 2030 Agenda: Youth-inclusive governance indicators for national-level monitoring’, on top of this page.

2015-07-21-SDGs