Thursday, August 27, 2009

UNDP's New Framework for Measuring Democratic Governance

I have long been interested in policy frameworks and indicators to measure progress related to women. David Stillman's doctoral dissertation on "Population-related Policies in Togo and Ghana: A Framework for Analysis" identified some 70 types of policies that influenced fertility, mortality or migration, whether or not that was their intended consequence. He went on to carry out research at the United Nations on policies relating to the advancement of women. I was a member of a WHO Committee on Family Health Indicators, and also worked on research methodology for quality of care. I was therefore very interested to read about the new UNDP framework for selecting "pro-poor" and "gender sensitive" indicators, to be used at the national and sub-national levels. Sixty-pages long, it is intended to assist policymakers to monitor and evaluate democratic governance at the country level. The full title is:
Measuring Democratic Governance: A Framework for selecting pro-poor and gender sensitive indicators One question is -- How does this framework relate to the MDGs and monitoring of achievement of MDGs #1 on poverty and # 4 on gender equality?

Well laid-out and clearly written, the framework starts with two basic principles of democracy drawn from International IDEA’s Democracy Assessment Framework (the State of Democracy Project), which have been used to identify the democratic values that underlie pro-poor and gender sensitive indicators. The values are: 1. Popular control over public decision making and decision makers and 2. Equality between citizens in the exercise of that control. Mediating values include participation, representation, accountability, transparency, responsiveness, efficiency and equity.

Two definitions are important: Pro-poor monitoring focuses on those living in poverty. The authors note the following governance indicators that might be considered pro-poor: (i) Disaggregated by poverty status (ii) Specific to the poor (iii) Implicitly pro-poor and (iv) Chosen by the poor. Gender sensitive monitoring should track changes in women’s empowerment and in gender equality. The following ndicators might be considered gender sensitive: (i) Disaggregated by sex (ii) Gender specific (iii) Implicitly gendered, and (iv) Chosen separately by men and women.

The framework then gives examples of application to parliamentary development; electoral systems and processes; human rights; justice; decentralised governance for development; and public administration reform and anti-corruption. A final section discusses the process for selecting indicators, including stakeholders to be involved.

UNDP has long experience with its Human Development Index, which results in its annual Human Development Reports, and with country-level sub-reports and the regional Arab Human Development Report (2002). It will be interesting to learn how the new framework for measuring democratic governance stacks up, how it will be used, and by whom.

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

CEDAW - the Convention for the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women

Today I called my Senator's office -- that of Senator Kirsten Gillibrand of New York, one of only 17 women in the US Senate. I was stunned to learn that the staffer who answered the phone had never heard of CEDAW - the Convention for the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women - whether the acronym or the full title. He was sure the Senator would support something having to do with women, and knew that it was Women's Equality Day (must have received phone calls about that???). This made me wonder how many constituents had called the office in support of CEDAW, and whether I had happened to chance upon someone ignorant on the issue.

I explained the Treaty to the staffer, gave him my name, address and email address at his request, and hope to hear from the Senator sometime soon. This underlines how very important it is for all of us to make our voices known where policy is made, as well as among the general public.

A colleague at the Queens Chapter of the United Nations Association of the USA has created a video about CEDAW and uploaded it onto YouTube. (Thanks, Arnold!) You can view it here.

Thursday, August 13, 2009

“A New Course in the World, a New Approach at the UN”


On August 12, US Ambassador to the UN Susan Rice gave a major policy speech at New York University on US-UN Relations. In "A New Course in the World, A New Approach at the UN" she offers thoughts about how the United States is changing its course in the world, and particularly and dramatically the US approach to the United Nations. She notes three core premises: (1) "...the global challenges we face cannot be met without U.S. leadership." (2) "While U.S. leadership is necessariy, it's rarely sufficient." and (3) "Others will likely shoulder a greater share of the global burden if the United States leads by example, acknowledges mistakes, corrects course when necessary, forges strategies in partnership and treats others with respect."
These premises are consistent with the mission of the United Nations Association, namely, "educating, inspiring and mobilizing Americans to support the principles and vital work of the United Nations, strengthening the United Nations system, promoting constructive United States leadership in that system and achieving the goals of the United Nations Charter."

Rice goes on to say, "..as President Obama has said time and again, America’s security and wellbeing are inextricably linked to those of people everywhere..." Citing examples in Haiti, Liberia and the Congo, she notes that "Building the capacity of fragile states is a major part of our work every day at the United Nations, since it is the UN that is leading the charge in many of the toughest corners of the world. At its best, the UN helps rebuild shattered societies, lay the foundations of democracy and development, and establish conditions in which people can live in dignity and mutual respect."

She further states, "When the United States joins others to confront these challenges, it’s not charity. It’s not even barter. In today’s world, more than ever, America’s interests and our values converge. What is good for others is often good for us. When we manifest our commitment to tackling the threats that menace so many other nations; when we invest in protecting the lives of others; and when we recognize that national security is no longer a zero-sum game, then we increase other countries’ will to cooperate on the issues most vital to us."


Rice ends her speech with a promise: "We work with passion and resolve, because we know that the change that has come to America can also change the world. The time for action is now. The challenges we face are vast. But the opportunities are even greater. And we will seize them—because the United States is back."

The idea of the United States being "back" is a starting point for all those passionate in supporting the UN. The US is paying its back dues, and there are prospects for timely payment to the UN in future in the month of January, rather than end-of-year payments. That kind of support to the UN shows the world indeed that "the United States is back."

Important steps for the US on the world stage will take place in September, when President Obama will address the UN General Assembly on the morning of September 23 at its opening. In September too the US takes its turn for a month as chair of the Security Council. President Obama will chair a high-level meeting of the Security Council on nuclear non-proliferation and nuclear disarmament on September 24th.

It is ever more important for those of us who support the UN and a strong, positive role of the US in it, to educate all Americans about the work of the UN and its importance to UN foreign policy and to the world we leave for our children.

Monday, August 10, 2009

Health Care for All



The World Health Organization, the health arm of the United Nations, came into being when its constitution came into force in 1948. The constitution states, "The enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health is one of the fundamental rights of every human being without the distinction of race, religion, political belief, economic or social condition." Further, according to the WHO, "The right to health means that governments must generate conditions in which everyone can be as healthy as possible. Such conditions range from ensuring availability of health services, healthy and safe working conditions, adequate housing and nutritious food. The right to health does not mean the right to be healthy."

In September 1978 in the city of Alma Ata, then little known outside the Soviet Union, the global community came together and adopted the Declaration of Alma Ata, at the International Conference on Primary Health Care. The year 2000 was the target date for achievement of many of the goals. The Declaration could be called one of the precursors of the UN Millennium Development Goals.

Then, as now, the United States has lacked universally available primary health care affordable by all. Take the example of infant mortality rates, a sensitive indicator of good health and good health care. According to the estimated 2009 figures (CIA World Fact Book), the U.S. has higher infant mortality than not only the Nordic nations--well-known for their health care--, but also than countries including Cuba, Italy, Greece, Canada, Belgium, Austria, the United Kingdom, Australia, the Czech Republic, South Korea, Slovenia, Israel, France, Japan, Hong Kong and a number of others.

Let's consider chronic diseases -- now the major cause of death and disability worldwide. Noncommunicable conditions, including cardiovascular diseases (CVD), diabetes, obesity, cancer and respiratory diseases, now account for 59% of the 57 million deaths annually worldwide and 46% of the global burden of disease.

Here in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, "Chronic diseases—such as heart disease, cancer, and diabetes—are the leading causes of death and disability in the United States. Chronic diseases account for 70% of all deaths in the U.S., which is 1.7 million each year. These diseases also cause major limitations in daily living for almost 1 out of 10 Americans or about 25 million people." Further, "Although chronic diseases are among the most common and costly health problems, they are also among the most preventable. Adopting healthy behaviors such as eating nutritious foods, being physically active, and avoiding tobacco use can prevent or control the devastating effects of these diseases."

As reported in a story on Forbes.com, "The conundrum, highlighted earlier this year when the Dartmouth Institute for Health Policy and Clinical Practice released its analysis of Medicare data, is a focus of this summer's health-reform debate. While it's estimated that Americans spent $2.4 trillion on health care last year and spending is expected to comprise 48% of the GDP by 2050, there is scant evidence to show that rising costs have led to improved health." To read more, click on this link.

President Obama's health care initiative seeks to bolster preventive care as well as curative health care. I strongly believe that we as Americans deserve a strong health bill that will curb costs, strengthen use of technology and wasteful duplicative recordkeeping, and offer excellent care to all, with choices for private or public payment. I believe this will increase competitiveness of our workforce and also of our businesses. A healthier population will be able to learn, to study, to challenge itself to a brighter future for our children.

Americans CAN come together for this reform of our health system. It is too important for us not to do! We voted for this in 2008 and now must act.

Sunday, August 9, 2009

Hope for Madagascar

There is new hope for resolving the political crisis in Madagascar. Madagascar may be on its way toward a path to a new government, bringing to a close the drama that unfolded over several months earlier this year, in which President Marc Ravalomanana was ousted in a coup.

Various news agencies have reported on a meeting this weekend (August 8-9) in Maputo, Mozambique, which brought together Ravalomanana and his rival, former mayor of Antananarivo Andy Rajoelina, who led the coup and has been functioning as head of a "High Transition Authority" government. Others in the meeting included former presidents Didier Ratsiraka and Albert Zafy.

Led by the former president of Mozambique and with participation of a United Nations Mediator, the meeting also included the African Union, the Southern African Development Community and the International Organization of French-Speaking Countries.

In the agreement, there will be a political transition government for 15 months, representing all parties, while preparations are made for nationwide elections.

The United States and most European countries stopped all but humanitarian aid months ago because of the illegal coup. Madagascar is a least-developed country. Earlier in this blog I reported an appeal for funds for humanitarian needs, relating to the devastation of several cyclones and continued malnutrition of many children.