Download UNDP`s role in promoting democratic governance

DAV Model United Nations
Conference 2012
Committee: United Nations
Development Programme
DAV Model United Nations 2012 Conference
UNDP
Study Guide
Executive Board
Amogh Dhar Sharma | Pragya Maini
1
Letter from the Executive Board
Dear Delegates
Welcome to the simulation of UNDP at DAVMUN 2012. We hope that by now your research is well
on its way and you have gained a fair idea about the agenda at hand. Kindly go through this study
guide and make note of the pointer questions and research links provided as they shall be of utmost
importance in ensuring a high level of debate during committee proceedings and it shall be expected
that the delegates steer the discussion on those lines. However, the given list of topics is not exhaustive and it is not intended to be. The list is simply indicative of pressing issues and topics of concerns
which must be addressed and will give you a bird’s eye view of the gist of the issue. The delegates
are at full liberty to bring up any other relevant point for discussion.
We understand that MUN conferences can be an overwhelming experience for first timers and a tiring one for those who are familiar with the concept. We strongly suggest the first time MUNers to
participate fully in the conference and if any doubt persists in their minds (either substantive or related to parliamentary procedure), they do not hesitate to clarify the same. The success of UNDP as a
committee depends on each and every delegate of the committee.
Apart from the research on the agendas that shall be required of all the delegates in the committee,
we would like to emphasize the importance of ensuring that the delegates are aware of their country’s
historical background and current situation in the global politics and international relations. It is imperative that the delegates come to the conference with a clear and decisive foreign policy as the representative of their respective countries.
On a final note we must advice all delegates to act in the capacity of representatives of their respective countries and thus conduct themselves with proper decorum and diplomacy.
Please feel free to contact the executive board if any doubts persist.
Best Wishes.
Amogh Dhar Sharma
Chairperson
[email protected]
Pragya Maini
Vice-Chairperson
[email protected]
2
Introduction to the committee
United Nations Development Programme-Role and Mandate
UNDP is the UN's global development network, an organization
advocating for change and connecting countries to knowledge,
experience and resources to help people build a better life. It is on
the ground in 166 countries, working with them on their own solutions to global and national development challenges. As they
develop local capacity, they draw on the people of UNDP and its
wide range of partners.
World leaders have pledged to achieve the Millennium Development Goals, including the overarching goal of cutting poverty in
half by 2015. UNDP's network links and coordinates global and
national efforts to reach these Goals. Their focus is helping countries build and share solutions to the challenges of:





Democratic Governance
Poverty Reduction
Crisis Prevention and Recovery
Environment and Energy
HIV/AIDS
The annual Human Development Report, commissioned by UNDP, focuses the global debate on key development issues, providing new measurement tools, innovative analyses
and often controversial policy proposals. The global Report's analytical framework and inclusive approach carry over into regional, national and local Human Development Reports,
also supported by UNDP.
In each country office, the UNDP Resident Representative normally also serves as the Resident Coordinator of development activities for the United Nations system as a whole.
Through such coordination, UNDP seeks to ensure the most effective use of UN and international aid resource
3
Agenda: Creating Climate ChangeResilient Development Pathways with
Special Focus on Sustainable Energy
for All
Climate Change: The Challenge
Climate change is clearly the greatest development challenge of the 21st Century. It is
known to have severe impacts on agriculture, water resource, energy and industry over the
short as well as long term which could adversely affect food and water supplies, human
health, ecosystems and biodiversity.
Due to limited capacity to adapt to change, developing countries and subsistence societies
which are largely dependent on natural resources, are affected directly by climate variability and change
Climate change acts as a huge obstacle in the development process and compounds existing
crisis. It has implications for poverty eradication and adversely affects the ability of countries to meet their Millennium Development Goals.
The impacts of climate change may push people beyond their capacity to cope and adapt,
because of an increasing magnitude, frequency or rate, particularly of weather-related disasters such as storms, drought, and floods. Climate-induced changes to resource flows will
affect the viability of some livelihoods unless effective measures are taken to protect and
diversify them through adaptation.
Climate change would also indirectly lead to reliance on the informal sector, limited formal
safety nets, weak infrastructure and healthcare, frequent disasters, environmental degradation and poverty. Thus, unless we significantly address vulnerabilities in the countries
and communities hardest hit, climate change alone may prevent attainment of sustainable
energy for all.
4
The Energy Crisis
Although there seem to be no physical limits to the world’s energy supply for at least the
next 50 years, today’s energy system is unsustainable because of equity issues as well as
environmental, economic, and geopolitical concerns that have implications far into the future. Aspects of the non-sustainability of the current system include:
 Modern fuels and electricity are not universally accessible, an inequity that has
moral, political, and practical dimensions in a world that is becoming increasingly
interconnected.
 The current energy system is not sufficiently reliable or affordable to support
widespread economic growth.
The productivity of one-third of the world’s people is compromised by lack of
access to commercial energy, and perhaps another third suffer economic hardship
and insecurity due to unreliable energy supplies.
 Negative local, regional, and global environmental impacts of energy production and
use threaten the health and well-being of current and future generations.
Energy and Climate
Climate change is a challenge interlinked with the opportunity of providing sustainable energy for all. Fossil fuels currently account for a vast majority of the world’s primary energy
mix; this source of energy is a finite resource experiencing increasing demand, which is not
equally available throughout the global economy. These same fossil fuels also contribute to
a majority of the total annual global increase in carbon emissions, a major driver of climate
change. This duality has resulted in the global challenge of mitigating catastrophic climate
change while protecting the most vulnerable communities from negative climate impacts
and providing equitable access to energy. In this sense, ensuring sustainable energy for all
and addressing climate change are essential to achieving development, peace and security,
as well as economic market stability.
The private sector has a crucial role to play in sustainability, both in reducing negative impacts and providing solutions, with respect to both climate and energy, while simultaneously generating attractive financial returns.
The Business sector is uniquely positioned to address the environmental, social and developmental challenges related to energy and climate, particularly in the following areas:
5
• Increasing the energy efficiency of operations and developing products that support other
sectors in becoming more energy efficient;
• Promoting renewable technologies, including through sourcing renewable energy to
power the company’s own operations;
• Reducing, and developing products that allow others to reduce, direct and indirect nonenergy related greenhouse gas emissions from industrial processes, agriculture, and waste;
• Developing solutions that help all, but especially the most vulnerable, communities and
stakeholder groups adapt to climate change; and
• Investing in the development and roll-out of modern energy infrastructure and services.
Role of UNDP:
The United Nations Development
Program assists national and subnational governments to help countries develop climate change resilient pathways.
UNDP is uniquely positioned to assist countries in integrated planning
and programming by addressing
development, climate and ecosystem sustainability priorities.
It also strengthens nations to manage the environment in a sustainable manner to advance
poverty reduction efforts. With country teams in 135 developing countries, it helps to
build the capacity to integrate environmental considerations into development plans and
strategies, establish effective partnerships, secure resources, and implement programmes
to support sustainable, low-carbon, climate-resilient development pathways, which are
economically attractive as well.
Through initiatives funded by the Least Developed Countries Fund (LDCF), Special Climate
Change Fund (SCCF) and Strategic Priority on Adaptation (SPA), UNDP is working to
strengthen the capacities of national partners to adjust to the reality of climate change. Advisers from UNDP’s Environment and Energy Group, together with UNDP Country and Regional Office staff, are helping countries identify their adaptation needs and catalyze financing to implement effective responses.
6
UNDP is working with its national partners on several fronts to combat climate change and
its impacts, helping countries to lower their Green House Gas emissions while at the same
time reducing vulnerabilities. UNDP’s policy and technical advisers in its headquarter, regional and country offices are supporting more than 100 countries to design, finance and
implement projects and policy frameworks that develop capacities to manage the causes
and consequences of climate change consistent with national development priorities.
Until recently, climate change measures have followed a largely thematic approach, with
funding and projects designated as either mitigation- or adaptation- focused. Recognizing
that climate change is a multifaceted problem that requires holistic responses, UNDP is
shifting to support countries with a low-emission climate-resilient development (LECRD)
approach that integrates both mitigation and adaptation into sustainable development
goals and planning processes. Within this context, UNDP is promoting pro-poor and progrowth adaptation that encourages climate-resilient economic development and sustainable livelihoods by supporting countries to integrate climate-related risks and opportunities
into national planning and poverty reduction initiatives, especially addressing the needs of
poor and vulnerable populations. UNDP will work with countries to create an enabling environment to attract additional financing. It is expected that changes in policy frameworks,
institutional strength, leadership and learning will better position countries to leverage additional support for their long-term climate-resilient development.
Sustainable Energy for All
Improving global access to sustainable, affordable and environmentally sound energy services and resources is a pre-requisite for a healthy future. In the present scenario, one in
three persons in the world does not have reliable access or any access at all to electricity.
Three billion people depend on traditional biomass and coal to cook and heat their homes,
resulting in millions of deaths caused by smoke pollution every year. Fossil fuel-based energy also contributes significantly to climate change.
The consequences of this lack of modern energy services, and of climate change, are predominantly borne by the world’s poor. Providing sustainable energy for all will improve
equality, power sustainable economies preserve the environment and reduce the risks of
climate change. Achieving sustainable energy for all is both necessary and feasible, if what
needs to be done is known.
Moreover, access to sustainable energy is critical for making societies more equitable and
inclusive, and for encouraging green growth and sustainable development overall
7
Sustainable Development and Climate Change
Slow and rapid climatic changes pressure natural resources, risking a shift in some ecosystems into new states, with severe ramifications for human wellbeing as tipping points are
crossed. Long-term climate change increases stress on natural resources and leads to loss
of biodiversity and productive ecosystems and thus hinders development.
In 2007, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) noted that climate change,
combined with other drivers (such as land use and overexploitation) will likely exceed the
capacity of ecosystems to adapt, thus posing a threat to the services they currently provide.
Climate change is expected to impact terrestrial and marine ecosystems and alter distribution, rate of extinction, causing potential loss of biodiversity and irreparable damages to
ecosystems. Sea level rise could increase inundation and saline water intrusion and accelerate coastal erosion, severely undermining the stability of interconnected coastal and marine ecosystems such as wetlands, mangroves and coral reefs. Oceanic acidification and increased surface water temperatures are expected to affect fish stocks, indirectly affecting
the marine trade and hampering employment opportunities in this sector.
UNDP’s focus on climate change adaptation measures that support national and local capacities and prioritize country-driven development goals pays a double dividend in both
addressing the impacts climate change and advancing sustainable development, consistent
with the ultimate objective of securing low-emission climate-resilient development.
8
Involvement at Local Level
Climate change is a multi-scalar environmental, economic and social problem, which affects
different sectors. Over the years, adaptation concerns tend to be discussed largely at a
global level through international policy and scenarios of change but the impacts of climate
change are experienced at the local level. It is therefore critical to ensure effective participation, capacity and empowerment of under-developed communities. Climate change is
likely to exacerbate social inequalities due to the uneven distribution of the costs of damage, necessary adaptation and mitigation efforts.
Climate Change and Human Development
Climate change and human development are inextricably linked. Development can both
contribute to climate change and reduce vulnerabilities to its impacts
If left unchecked, climate change will impair the international community’s ability to meet
the MDGs by altering the natural environment as well as social and economic conditions
needed to sustain growth.
9
With the impact of climate change already apparent and Green House Gas emission levels
continuing to increase such that, at the current pace, ongoing efforts to mitigate the causes
of climate change must be accompanied by adaptation measures that reduce and manage
its adverse impacts.
As part of its commitment to promoting low-emission climate-resilient development, UNDP
supports countries to achieve pro-poor and pro-growth sustainable economic development
and livelihoods in the face of climate change. This is done through strengthening adaptive
capacity and enabling environments to create robust and responsive state institutions, capable public and private sector management, and skilled human resources to innovate,
adapt and deliver to the changing conditions
National and sub national systems are enhanced to leverage sources of public finance to
catalyze private financing to effect a transformational change on economic growth. While
climate change is likely to derail progress toward each MDG, the goals related to food security and poverty, gender equality and energy and environmental sustainability are particularly vulnerable
Fighting Poverty by Reducing Climate Vulnerability
The link between climate change, poverty and hunger is myriad. In the long -term changes
in temperature and precipitation are likely to manifest in changes to ecosystems and the
10
services they provide, including crops, usable water, soil formation, forest products and
fish. Decline in the quality and quantity of these services affect the output and growth rate
of various sectors and livelihoods linked to these systems.
Moreover, increased variability in weather endangers assets such as crops, homes and livestock further threaten food security and livelihoods. UNDP’s adaptation services are helping countries meet their target by supporting increased adaptive capacities to safeguard
food security and enhance income and employment opportunities.
Assistance focuses on developing climate information and dissemination systems;
strengthening legislation and frameworks related to food production and ecosystem resilience; integrating climate considerations into planning for sectors such as agriculture, fisheries, forestry, environment and finance; and engaging and building capacities in communities for identification and adoption of technologies and practices for productivity and sustainable livelihoods.
Barriers to Climate Change Adaptation
11
1. Systematic Barriers
 Institutional barriers- They typically involve the absence of appropriate
institutional arrangements; governance structures; mandates; technical and
managerial capacity of staff in key institutions; and coordination and partnerships
across various institutions, agencies, and civil society needed to create or contribute
to an improved enabling environment for managing the uncertainties of climate
change.
 Policy Barriers- Policy barriers typically concern national, subnational and local
regulations, policies, directives and other formal and informal declarations for
managing key sectors and/or regions to support both planned and autonomous
management of the uncertainties of dynamic climate change risks and
opportunities.
 Barriers to behavioral change- They include lack of awareness, understanding,
capacity and incentives at the individual and community level that hinders uptake
of adaptive practices. Systemic behavioral adjustments are also concerned with
compliance measures, accountability, organizational structures and procedures.
 Financial barriers- They typically involve the allocation of resources within
national and sectoral budgeting mechanisms and systems to incorporate climate
change risk reduction; regulatory and fiscal structures to promote low-emission
climate-resilient growth; access to innovative financial and risk transfer
mechanisms; and sustainability of the financing sources that support long-term
adaptation.
2. Discrete Barriers

Technological barriers- They include the absence or failure to use climate-resilient
soft and hard technologies and practices such as efficient irrigation systems,
drought resilient seeds and improved livestock management techniques. Lack of
scientific and technical capacity also hinders access to and promotion of climateresilient technologies and practices.

Informational barriers- They involve the lack of access to the information
necessary for the planning and management of climate change uncertainty,
including climate scenarios; results of integrated (science, biophysical and
economic) modeling; vulnerabilities; and risks. This includes barriers in technical
capacity to generate and incorporate this information and in management and
planning systems.
12
Delegates are encouraged to brainstorm other possible challenges.
International Action
Sustainable Energy for all was an initiative launched by the United Nations SecretaryGeneral that brings all key actors to the table to make sustainable energy for all a reality by
2030. Developed countries face the combined challenge and opportunity of transforming
existing infrastructure, and developing countries have the opportunity to adopt cleaner,
more efficient technology from the start.
To this end, the UN Secretary General has set three objectives for the international community to achieve by 2030:
• Ensure universal access to modern energy services
• Double the rate of improvement of energy efficiency
• Double the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix
These three objectives reinforce each other in many instances, and achieving the three together will power opportunity, maximize development benefits and help stabilize climate
change.
Conclusion
Climate change is now an inescapable reality. Human activity is leading to ever increasing
levels of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and steadily compromising the natural resources
needed to maintain the health of the planet. Without a secure natural environment, sustainable human development is impossible. The climate change crisis has the potential to
reverse development gains already made and block achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) if it is not adequately addressed.
Climate change is a multifaceted problem, which, although environmental in nature, has
consequences on all spheres of existence on our planet. It either impacts on- or is impacted
by- global issues, including poverty, economic development, population growth, sustainable development and resource management. Achieving sustainable energy for all will reduce energy poverty, and help combat climate change.
Energy is the golden thread that connects economic growth, increased social equity and
preserving the environment. The challenge in hand is to build a new sustainable energy
future, a future that harnesses the power of technology and innovation in the service of
people and the planet. The ongoing liberalisation and restructuring of energy market sand
13
sectors offer an important window of opportunity in which to make many of the needed
changes. Growing energy demands in the developing world provide further impetus to
make changes sooner rather than later. Energy systems generally take decades to change.
If we fail to initiate changes now, it will become more difficult and more costly to undertake
them at some later date
There is a dire need for energy access initiatives to pay attention to the energy security implications to develop energy access pathways that are resilient to energy security challenges. Thus, the roadmap to creating climate change resilient development pathways with sustainable energy for one and all shall come from all disciplines and fields of research and development.
Questions to Consider
1. Identifying the key issues: what do we want to change?
2. Analyzing information: what do we already know about the issue and whom do we
want to influence?
3. Setting objective: what are our specific advocacy objectives?
4. Defining audiences: whom do we want to influence and what is our call to action?
5. Identifying allies: with whom can we work?
6. Developing the messages and selecting the tools: how can we best reach our
audiences?
7. Monitoring and evaluating: how can we measure the impact of our efforts?
8. Who all need to commit?
9. How can we develop national capacities for climate change adaptation and
mitigation?
10. What are the substitutes for fossil fuels in existing energy supply infrastructure
which do not contribute to build up of green house gases?
11. How can low income households in developing countries be made to switch from m
lower efficiency to higher efficiency (but more expensive) energy devices?
12. Roadmap to achieving sustainable energy for all
13. Responding appropriately to emerging human development, economic and
environmental challenges
14
Links for Further Research
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
http://www.undp.org/content/dam/aplaws/publication/en/publications/environment-energy/www-eelibrary/sustainable-energy/world-energy-assessment-energy-and-the-challenge-ofsustainability/World%20Energy%20Assessment-2000.pdf
http://www.undp.org/content/dam/aplaws/publication/en/publications/environment-energy/www-eelibrary/climate-change/adapting-to-climate-change/UNDP_Adaptation_Annual_Report_2010.pdf
http://unfccc.int/resource/docs/convkp/conveng.pdf
http://www.undp.org/content/dam/undp/library/Environment%20and%20Energy/Climate%20Strategies/
UNDP-LECRDS-Guidebook-v17-web.pdf
http://www.undp.org/content/undp/en/home/librarypage/results/fast_facts/ff_environment_energy/
http://www.un.org/millenniumgoals/pdf/AGECCsummaryreport[1].pdf
http://hdr.undp.org/en/reports/global/hdr2007-2008/papers/osbahr_henny.pdf
http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs//2011/ga11084.doc.htm
Bibliography
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
http://unfccc.int/essential_background/items/6031.php
http://www.undp.org/content/dam/undp/library/Environment%20and%20Energy/Climate%20Strategies/
UNDP-LECRDS-Guidebook-v17-web.pdf
http://www.un.org/en/sustainablefuture/
http://www.un.org/en/
http://www.undp.org/content/undp/en/home/ourwork/environmentandenergy/focus_areas/climate_strat
egies.htmlhttp://www.undp.adaptationlearning.net/reasearch/undp-adaptation-annual-report-2010adapting-climate-change
http://www.un.org/millenniumgoals/pdf/AGECCsummaryreport[1].pdf
http://unfccc.int/essential_background/items/6031.php
http://www.undp.org/content/dam/aplaws/publication/en/publications/environment-energy/www-eelibrary/climate-change/adapting-to-climate-change/UNDP_Adaptation_Annual_Report_2010.pdf
http://www.undp.org/content/dam/aplaws/publication/en/publications/environment-energy/www-eelibrary/sustainable-energy/world-energy-assessment-energy-and-the-challenge-ofsustainability/World%20Energy%20Assessment-2000.pdf
http://www.sustainableenergyforall.org/actions-commitments
http://hdr.undp.org/en/reports/global/hdr2007-2008/papers/osbahr_henny.pdf
http://www.undp.org/content/undp/en/home/ourwork/environmentandenergy/focus_areas/sustainable
-energy.html
http://www.unglobalcompact.org/docs/news_events/upcoming/RioCSF/RioCorpSustForum_Outcome_21
June12.pdf
Agenda: Strengthening Electoral
and Legislative Systems
15
Key Terms:
(Representative) Democracy: Broadly speaking, democracy is a political system in which
the supreme power lies in a body of people’s representatives who are elected by the majority of the nation possessing suffrage rights. (Please note that different democracies across
the globe have different characteristics and a one size fits all definition is improbable).
Legislature: It is that part of the government assembly that has the power to formulate, pass, amend and repeal laws that
are applicable in the nation.
Universal (Adult) Franchise/Suffrage: It
refers to a policy where every adult rich or
poor irrespective of their religion caste or
education, religion, color, race, economic
conditions is free to vote. Generally, such a
right is restricted to the adult population of
the nation but may be extended to the minors as well. Although suffrage has two necessary
components: the right to vote and opportunities to vote, the term universal suffrage is associated only with the right to vote and ignores the other aspect. The extension of the right
to vote to females is an important component of universal suffrage.
Populism: It is a socio-political doctrine that supports the rights and powers of the common people in their struggle with the privileged elite. It carries both positive and negative
connotation since it might be used to strengthen the participation of all sections of the society in the nation building process or as a means to promote partisanship.
Local Government: Local government units are institutional units whose fiscal, legislative
and executive authority extends over the smallest geographical areas distinguished for administrative and political purposes.
Capacity Building: It involves building abilities, relationships and values that will enable
organizations, groups and individuals to improve their performance and achieve their development objectives.
Introduction
Strengthening democratic governance via electoral system and setting up of legislative systems, backed by a fair and transparent judiciary and other institutions of a democratic
framework has been one of the many projects under taken by the UNDP across the globe.
16
With increasing democratizing of nation states across the globe, more and more countries
face a challenge to develop institutions and processes that are more responsive to the
needs of ordinary citizens, including the poor, and that promote development. UNDP helps
countries strengthen electoral and legislative systems, improve access to justice and public
administration and develop a greater capacity to deliver basic services to those most in
need. Through its programmes, UNDP brings people together within nations and around
the world, fostering partnerships and sharing ways to promote participation, accountability and effectiveness at all levels. These three remain as the focus points of good governance:
1. Participation: Aiming to maximize the involvement all sections of the society in the
democratic set up and the electoral process of the country. This would include
insuring access to the political process to members of all sex, religion, caste, income
groups etc. This ensures ‘inclusive’ participation.
2. Accountability: To ensure the existence of a legislative system that is responsive to
the needs and aspirations of the citizens of the nation with proper checks and
balances in place.
3. Effective: Ensuring that the legislature has power in real terms, maximizing capacity
building exercises for all while minimizing influence of muscle and money power in
electoral politics.
UNDP supports efforts to advance democratic governance in four main areas:
1. Expanding people's opportunities to participate in political decision-making, particularly those of women and the poor
2. Making democratic institutions more accountable and responsive to citizens,
supporting national parliaments, public
administrations and rule of law
3. Promoting the principles of democratic
governance — in particular, anticorruption, human rights, women's empowerment and equal opportunity
4. Supporting country-led democratic governance assessments that help countries to
assess their needs, monitor their progress and achieve their goals.
Aspects of democratic governance:
A. Access to information and global governance:
17
One of the key features of healthy and fully functional democratic governance is the
freedom of expression of thoughts as well adequate access to relevant information for the
common citizens of the nation. This information ensures that the democracy remains fair,
accountable and transparent. With great strides in the field of information technology, the
provision of information is virtually costless and can be obtained in a fraction of a second.
It empowers people to take an active part in political decision-making, including the free
and open debate essential to sustain pluralistic regimes. Tolerance for multiple views
within a democracy is healthy functional sign of the state.
B. Access to Justice and Rule of Law:
The foundation upon which any democracy is built is the respect to all individuals of the
society and equal and adequate provision of rights along with redressal mechanism. To
ensure this it is necessary to have the provision of a fair, efficient and non-partisan
judiciary and an overall legal framework within which the state and the citizens operate. In
the absence of access to justice, people are unable to have their voice heard, exercise their
rights, challenge discrimination or hold decision-makers accountable.
UNDP works with national partners to:







Develop national strategic plans and programmes for justice reform and service delivery
Support justice needs and capacity assessments to analyze demand and supply for
services, creating a baseline for monitoring and evaluation
Empower the poor and marginalized to seek response and remedies for injustice
Improve legal protection, legal awareness, legal aid and counsel, adjudication, enforcement, and civil society and parliamentary oversight
Respond to immediate justice needs including the protection of women's rights and
access to legal services
Address grave challenges in the justice sector such as police brutality, inhumane
prison conditions, lengthy pre-trial detention, and impunity for perpetrators of sexual and gender-based violence
Strengthen linkages between formal and informal structures
C. Anti-Corruption
UNDP has over two decades worth of experience in helping countries combat inflation.
Corruption in political systems is a fetter on economic development and is by and large
18
anathema to an accountable and transparent state. Corruption needs to be removed not
only from the public sector and legislative functionaries but also from the private sector
which too hampers overall economic growth and welfare. Corruption also strikes at the
heart of democracy by corroding rule of law, democratic institutions and public trust in
leaders. For the poor, women and minorities, corruption means even less access to jobs,
justice or any fair and equal opportunity. Corruption takes place not only in the form of
monetary bribes but also in terms of gross favoritism, bias and lopsided allocation of
services. Not only UNDP, United Nations as a whole is committed to the task of anticorruption. To combat this global menace of corruption, the UN Convention Against
Corruption (UNCAC) was adopted by the UN General Assembly through Resolution 58/4 in
2003 and entered into force in December 2005. UNCAC is the first legally binding
instrument against corruption.
UNDP, through the Global Programme on Anti-Corruption for Development Effectiveness
(PACDE), regional and country-level programmes, is a major provider of anti-corruption
technical support to approximately 103 countries. UNDP provides advisory services to
programming countries; engages in advocacy and global awareness raising on anticorruption; builds synergies with the initiatives of relevant partners; synchronizes global
and regional activities with emerging demands from the countries involved; and develops
knowledge products on anti-corruption to assist anti-corruption programming at the
country level. In addition, UNDP also addresses the costs of corruption to development by
developing pro-poor policies, supporting increased public participation in decision-making,
and monitoring of budgets, public services and infrastructure development by
mainstreaming anti-corruption in its current work and other development processes.
D. Civic Engagement:
The 1993 UNDP Human Development Report describes civic engagement as "a process, not
an event that closely involves people in the economic, social, cultural and political
processes that affect their lives."
UNDP supports governments to create mechanisms for citizens' engagement in policy
processes, including marginalized sections of the population. It also focuses on increasing
the capacities and skills of civil society organizations to effectively participate and engage
in decision making processes and hold states to account. This engagement of the civil
society occurs not only through contesting elections but by equally (and at times more)
important forms such as NGOs, interest groups, support groups, political lobby, journalism,
advisory councils etc.
E. Electoral System and Processes:
19
Elections are a strategic tool in global democratic governance. The selection of
representatives by the people using a fair and direct electoral process with or without
universal adult franchise and universal suffrage is a hallmark feature of modern
democracies. Elections should also be combined with equal protection to all people,
removing all instances of muscle and money power (use of strength and money to contest
and win elections). This work is often carried out in collaboration with the Electoral
Administration Division of the United Nations Department of Political Affairs.
F. Local Governance:
Decentralization and adoption of a multi-layered federal structure is based on the growing
acceptance of the fact that power to grass root political bodies can have a greater impact on
growth than concentration of power in a few hands. The increased focus on decentralization reforms and good local governance is explained by its potential contribution to improving social service delivery, natural resources management, and local economic development, all factors that are important for achieving the MDG’s and improving rural livelihoods. Democratic decentralization, as well as other public sector reforms change governance relations between the central and the local level and between actors at the local level.
They provide opportunities for establishing new forms of more horizontal collaboration
and accountability. UNDP focuses its work in local governance on strengthening the inclusiveness and accountability of sub-national governments, ensuring they have the capacity
to manage the opportunities and responsibilities created by decentralization and devolution.
G. Parliamentary Development:
Parliament which is the centre of all legislative processes in the nation and hence a healthy
democracy requires an efficient and effective parliament. UNDP provides technical assistance to more than 60 parliaments around the world in their efforts to:
Build the capacity of legislators and technical staff
 Promote institutional reform
 Strengthen parliaments' relationships with the executive and judiciary branches of
government and with civil society
 Enhance the effectiveness of women members of parliament and improve their ability to caucus and learn from one another

UNDP acts as the nodal point for the exchange of best practices across nations; it has developed various standards and benchmarks to evaluate the functioning of a parliament and
20
undertakes capacity building initiatives. UNDP promoted parliamentary development
through a variety of ways such as:
1. Constitutional reforms and institutional changes to ensure adequate power to the
government.
2. Training and advice to administrative forces.
3. Policy support and legislative scrutiny of laws.
4. Political part reforms; and many other operations.
H. Public Administration:
By providing citizens with a critical space for interaction, public administration acts as a
bridge between government and society, and plays a fundamental role in shaping legitimate state-society relationships. UNDP focuses its support in four priority areas:
Public administration and democratic change: UNDP promotes incremental steps
towards reform, supporting the efforts of developing countries to shape public administration institutions into robust, representative, responsive and democratic institutions.
 Public administration and the MDGs: Public administration can play a key role in the
equitable distribution of benefits and opportunities to all — especially the poor,
women and minorities — which is of particular significance in areas directly linked
to the achievement of the MDGs.

21

Public administration for state- and peace-building in post-conflict societies: UNDP
seeks to increase attention to public administration and civil service management
as an essential component of state-building in post-conflict societies.

Public administration for environmental sustainability: UNDP works to strengthen
public administration to better address climate change challenges, environmental
sustainability and disaster risk reduction.
Elections and Electoral Assistance:
The UN system is engaged in a wide range of activities that are intended to support the
efforts of Member States to promote democratic electoral processes and build sustainable
democratic institutions. Member States often request advice and assistance on the legal,
institutional, technical and administrative aspects of organizing and conducting elections
or seek election observation, or coordination of observers, by the UN. The objectives of UN
electoral assistance are three-fold:
(a) To assist Member States in their efforts to hold democratic elections in accordance
with obligations, principles and commitments outlined in universal and regional
human rights instruments;
(b) To contribute to building, in the recipient country, a sustainable institutional
capacity to organize democratic elections that are genuine and periodic and have
the full confidence of contesting parties and candidates and the electorate; and
(c) To reduce the potential for election-related violence.
Special Challenges:
1. Participation of Women and Minorities:
The importance of female participation in legislative procedure across the global is
immense since female participation in politics is shockingly low. Women continue to be
under represented in all forms of governance and this leads to a necessity in gender
mainstreaming in legislature. Though a gender equality strategy, UNDP seeks to eliminate
gender biases in national and international development; incorporate gender awareness
into policies, programmes and institutional reforms; involve men to end gender inequality;
and develop gender-sensitive tools to monitor progress and ensure accountability.
22
Delegates are encouraged to study the concepts of gender mainstreaming and gender
responsive budgeting independently.
Similarly the adequate representation of minorities, either directly or indirectly ensures
that the interest of these groups are taken into account while forming legislature, The
absence of such a situation is a recipe for civil unrest and social conflicts. At the same time
politicization of caste and religion creates problems of its own and needs to be guarded
against.
2. Avoiding Vote Bank Politics
While the minorities and the oppressed class of the society need to be promoted and given
space in the electoral and legislative procedures of governance, what must be avoided is
the communalization and caste based political stratification. Failure to accomplish this
leads to a situation of ‘vote bank politics’ wherein political parties use the aspirations,
needs and anger of opposing sections of the society in order to exercise political leverage
and to win elections by trying to arouse personal sentiments of a particular group. While an
effective political tool it often needs to an anarchist set up which serves only to deepen
cultural fault lines that may be present in the nation.
Delegates are encouraged to brainstorm ways in which minority groups can be given
adequate representation without political polarization.
3. Synergizing Youth Participation
All nations recognize the role of youth in the overall nation building process, especially the
continual involvement of the young adult age group in politics. One of the most crucial requirements is that the youth should attain political consciousness with respect to the political atmosphere of the nation. They need to be encouraged to take active part in electoral
debates, exercising the right to vote and either directly being part of the political process by
contesting elections or indirectly through youth activism. At the same time the polity of the
nation should be responsive to the aspirations of the youth. Education in schools, youth
councils, youth-led-media and student politics are effective ways of roping the youth population in the political and legislative process of a nation.
4. Free and Fair Elections
A true and honest democracy with effective governance can only exist if they were preceded by free and fair elections. The fairness is ensured by allowing all citizens of a certain age
the right to vote with a ‘one person one vote’ policy. The framework of the nation should
23
also allow two things. Firstly, there should be adequate choice for the voters to choose
from. This also means that a citizen’s right to enter the field of politics and to contest elections should not be restricted by those in power. Secondly, there should be a level playing
field between all who are contesting the elections. Often the media is bribed or coerced into
campaigning for a particular political section whereas an independent media is one to the
most important aspects of electoral debate and deliberations.
5. Revolutions and Populist Movements
Democracy is characterized by
(amongst other things) a strong dialogue between government (people’s representatives) and the citizens of the nation. Often this dialogue plays out in the form of revolutions and populist movements.
When the government remains unresponsive to the demands of the
people, the people may openly organize themselves and protest
against the government or another section of the society (which is generally assumed to be
the ‘elite’ or ‘privileged’ class). Such revolutions and populist movements have become
ubiquitous in modern societies. Examples range from Tiananmen Square Protests of 1989
to the Occupy Wall Street Protests in 2011.
While such movements and protest at times help in raising awareness, catching attention of
the government, and achieving a good cause, they can also lead to an anarchic state. The
government should be able to identify good causes from faulty ones and the movements
themselves need to be streamlines to strengthen democracy rather than facilitating in the
creation of a parallel oligarchy.
UNDP’s role in promoting democratic governance:
Over the years, UNDP has promoted democratic governance in nations through its various
institutions and programs. Here is a brief review of a few of them:
1. The Oslo Governance Centre (OGC):
24
This body conducts surveys and analysis in governance in different parts of the world
and offers suggestions and guidelines to governments. The Global Programme seeks
to assist developing countries in producing governance indicators that enable national stakeholders to better monitor performance toward democratic governance reforms.
2. Democratic Governance Thematic Trust Fund:
It is a mechanism through which donor partners channel contributions to UNDP’s activities on democratic governance. The main function of this funding mechanism is to
provide country offices with discretionary funds to explore innovative approaches in
democratic governance in politically sensitive environments and within the areas of
inclusive participation, responsive institutions or international principles.
3. Global Programme for Parliamentary Strengthening:
At the global level, GPPS has supported the efforts of inter-parliamentary organizations to identify the strong points of effective democratic governance. It is also supporting the development of the first multi-lateral Parliamentary Development Web
Portal where parliamentarians, parliamentary staff, development practitioners and
national actors can access information, enhance coordination and seek advice with
regard to the functioning of open and transparent parliaments.
4. ACT-Against Corruption Today:
An UNODC and UNDP initiative that has developed a joint global campaign, focusing
on how corruption hinders efforts to achieve the internationally agreed upon Millennium Development Goals and impacts education, health, justice, democracy, prosperity and development.
All UNDP publications with respect to promoting democratic governance can be found
here:
http://www.undp.org/content/undp/en/home/librarypage/democratic-governance.html
Questions to Consider
1. What assistance to new democracies require: physical, financial, logistical, functions?
2. What institutions are needed for strengthening electoral and legislative systems?
25
3. How can minorities’, youth’s and women’s role be strengthening in law making and
electoral participation?
4. What are the growing challenges to democracies and how to tackle them? (Some
problems have been discussed in this guide. Delegates are encouraged to brainstorm more.)
5. What are the characteristics of good governance and administration?
6. How can people’s participation in the political sphere be maximized?
This list is merely indicative and not exhaustive. Delegates are free to bring up new point of
discussion in committee as long as they pertain to the agenda.
Bibliography & Links for Further Research
1. http://www.undp.org/content/undp/en/home/ourwork/democraticgovernance/overview.html
2. http://www.undp.org/content/dam/aplaws/publication/en/publications/democraticgovernance/dg-publications-for-website/guidance-note---uncac-self-assessments-going-beyondthe-minimum/UNCAC_Self_Assessment_Guidance_Note.pdf
3. http://www.undp.org/content/undp/en/home/librarypage/democratic-governance.html
4. http://www.undp.org/content/dam/aplaws/publication/en/publications/democraticgovernance/dg-publications-for-website/new---note-of-guidance-on-electoralassistance/Note%20of%20Guidance%20Final%20September%202010.pdf
5. http://www.ndi.org/files/1321_gov_strengthlegis_undp_1020001.pdf
6. http://www.ndi.org/files/governance-parliamentary-monitoring-organizations-surveyseptember-2011.pdf
7. http://204.200.211.31/Publications/Governance/Gov_Prac_doc/UNDP%20and%20Electoral%20
Systems%20and%20Processes.pdf
8. Read UNDP official documents number: DP/2012/21 and DP/2012/22
Can be found at:
http://www.undp.org/content/undp/en/home/operations/executive_board/documents_for_se
ssions/adv2012-second.html
26