Civil Society and Diminished Capacity of Vulnerable States

By Jackie Jacobsen

Representatives from least developed countries and the UN gathered on Monday, June 26, 2006 to evaluate the progress made by least developed countries in attaining the goals set out by the Programme of Action, as agreed in Brussels in 2001. The role of civil service organizations was particularly highlighted by leaders and speakers as critical to the overall success of the programme.

“You bring to our deliberations the reality of a world where millions of women, children and men are overwhelmed by poverty and disease,” said General Assembly President Jan Eliasson, addressing the many delegates from the non-profit sector, who had gathered in New York to attend this conference.

The Ten Year Programme of Action, ratified in 2001 in Brussels, declared the primary concern of 49 least developed countries to halve the number of citizens suffering from extreme hunger and poverty in half by 2010. The other five objectives included in this programme included a commitment to develop institutions to cultivate sustainable development, enhance productive capability to better provide for citizens, create economic growth, be more environmentally responsible, and reduce malnutrition. In accomplishing this milestone, the Programme also hopes to integrate the economies of vulnerable countries more fully into the global financial system. The Programme came on the heels of the Paris Programme of Action, which focused exclusively on domestic economic reforms and privatization of major industries.

In a 2003 document assessing the progress of LDCs in meeting these goals, LDC Watch, an official monitor of the Programme of Action, hails the successes of various nations in advancing towards these goals, and calls the attention the areas which need improvement. LDC Watch notes that several African nations, such as Zambia, Malawi, and Guinea-Bissau have created national forums and drafted national policies to further include citizens in policy-making endeavors. In Asia, Bangladesh has eliminated all tuition fees for girls, while the Samoan government has significantly increased its spending on health and education programs. Economically, Sierra Leone is making full use of the USA Africa Growth and Opportunity Act to encourage greater development, while Nepal is committed to fortifying the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation.

However, the authors note that much still needs to be done in order to meet the objectives of the Brussels Programme of Action. LDCs are still in need of more privatization, so that they may devote more resources to social policy. Corruption is still endemic in many vulnerable nations, which limits their capacity to tackle pressing health and education issues. In several states, the economy is simply not strong enough to allow for substantial economic and structural reform. In other areas, most frequently in sub-Saharan Africa, the climate is too political instable to create effective policy.

“Much more is needed if we are to counter the adverse effects of extreme poverty, prevent the marginalization of LDCs from the world economy, and accelerate sustainable economic growth and development in the LDCs,” emphasized Eliasson. Because of the diminished capacity of many vulnerable countries to effectively create and implement policy, it is left to civil society and non-governmental organizations to fill this breach. “Everyone stands to gain when governments, NGOs, and the private sector work together,” said Simon Idohou, Chairman of the LDCs Group and Permanent Representative of the Republic of Benin to the United Nations.

Conference participants agreed that greater cooperation of NGOs and other civil society actors, including individuals and academics, could provide considerable assistance to LDCs in meeting the Brussels Programme objectives and better providing for citizens. Greater CSO involvement has led to less corruption, greater cooperation within political parties and between nations, and stronger support for new policies. “”The unique capacity of civil society to forge grand coalitions that transcend borders needs to be put to the service of the development cause of LDCs,” said Anwarul K. Chowdhury, the UN High Representative for LDCs. “Indeed, civil society, NGOs, and the private sector are already playing a big role, but I encourage greater engagement with the specific needs of the world’s poorest nations.”