International Advocacy IAP2 and the United Nations
When I joined IAP2 over 10 years ago the foundations laid by many beforehand were beginning to deliver a world of opportunities. I was excited to join the association and connect with many like-minded passionate people to share and learn about all things ‘engagement’. This was a time, for me when in my organisation we were still spending a lot of time convincing people that community and stakeholder engagement was more than just a nice to have, but critical to the success of projects, big and small. Of course this advocacy and promotion still needs to happen, when I hear people say that IAP2 is ‘the best kept secret’.
So whilst I championed engagement locally, I also thought about how I might play a role in advocating for engagement and raising the profile of IAP2 globally that will in turn provide increased opportunities for practitioners. I thought if more people know about what IAP2 can offer then this will translate into a need for more local learning and professional development opportunities.
In 2016, an MOU was agreed between the IAP2 International Board and United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and Pacific (UN ESCAP) to explore ways to develop engagement practise in support of the 2030 Agenda on Sustainable Development (17 Sustainable Development Goals). The IAP2 International Board endorsed IAP2 Australasia and Indonesia to lead this initiative on behalf of IAP2 International. For me this was the chance for IAP2 to start big – at the United Nations – to advocate for public participation internationally.
As a result of the collaborative partnership with the UN ESCAP, IAP2 has been appointed as a Global Organising Partner for the Non-Government Major Groups. So let me explain this in context.
Since the first United Nations Conference on Environment and Development in 1992 – known as the Earth Summit, it was recognised that achieving sustainable development would require the active participation of all sectors of society and all types of people. The 17 Sustainable Development Goals and 169 targets announced by the UN in September 2015 are a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure all people enjoy peace and prosperity. UN member states are expected to frame their agendas and political policies through to 2030 around these goals.
Agenda 21, adopted at the Earth Summit, drew upon this sentiment and formalised nine sectors of society as the main channels through which broad participation would be facilitated in UN activities related to sustainable development. These are officially called “Major Groups” and include the following sectors: Women, Children and Youth, Indigenous Peoples, Non-Governmental Organisations, Local Authorities, Workers and Trade Unions, Business and Industry, Scientific and Technological Community, Farmers and Persons with disabilities.
Major Groups and other stakeholders (MGoS) have a high level of engagement with intergovernmental processes at the UN, collaborating with these groups through the Organising Partners. Essentially the Organising Partner role is one of facilitating communication and engagement; ensuring processes are in place to maximise participation with UN engagement practices and procedures. As we build relationships with the UN and related organisations, opportunities will arise for members to contribute and become more involved.
One way members can become involved now is to join the ‘movement’ to support the call for an International Year of Engagement be declared by the UN.
IAP2 is collaborating with UN ESCAP to call for an International Year of Engagement with a view to focusing on engagement and promoting action on three fronts:
1. Building awareness and focus attention on other aspects of an enabling environment – for e.g. legislation, institutional mandates, education;
2. Building capacity for engagement, benefitting from proven methods; and
3. Helping support the achievement of the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals.
We are currently finalising building the online resources to collect ‘partners’. Visit www.iap2.org.au/About-Us/International-Year-of-Engagement to join the movement.
The call for an international year is one of a number of initiatives from the collaborative partnership with UN ESCAP which to date also includes working with countries in the region to build a planning and assessment tool to support engagement practice; participation at regional forums to promote IAP2 tools and resources and building relationships advocating for engagement at both global and national levels.
With members across the world, IAP2 is a global resource that can make a significant contribution to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda. As our international advocacy activities continue to raise the profile of IAP2 we will become less of a ‘best kept secret’ and more of a key influencer advancing the practice of community and stakeholder engagement internationally.
Leanne Hartill
