In the last few weeks, two major global forums took place. Both were trying to address relatively similar challenges, and a common thread—the urgent need to change—ran through both. The first was the United Nations High-Level Political Forum (HLPF). The HLPF brings UN Member States together to oversee the implementation of the 2030 agenda, also known as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The SDGs provide a plan of action to address many of the challenges faced by our generation. The second was the World Social Forum (WSF) which is held once every two years. The WSF is the largest global gathering of civil society trying to find solutions to the same challenges.
The HLPF was highly formal, at times superficial and based on the rules and etiquettes of the United Nations. Civil society was involved and had official space to interact with the intergovernmental platform; however, this space was very limiting with little chance to influence the debate. Twenty- two countries volunteered and presented their “voluntary national reviews” on progress made on the SDGs. These reviews varied in methodology and quality. There was scanty use of indicators to measure progress on the SDG targets. Most countries, if not all, are yet to begin work on domesticating the global indicators to their own national context and circumstances. Some counties did make attempts to involve civil society and other stakeholders in these review processes. Too often, however, they just made a litany of promises on what they intend to do.
