until we end aids

The Post 2015

Development Framework:

J U LY 2 0 1 5

What you can do now (#4)

ADVOCACY

ALERT

The Post 2015 Development Framework:

W H AT Y O U C A N D O N O W

J U LY 2 0 1 5

65 Wellesley St. E., Suite 503

Toronto, ON Canada M4Y 1G7
tel

until we end aids

fax

+1.416.921.0018
+1.416.921.9979

www.icaso.org
icaso@icaso.org

In partnership with:

Interagency
Coalition on AIDS
and Development

Coalition
interagence sida
et dveloppement

F I V E U R G E N T A C T I O N S Y O U C A N TA K E N O W

For the past several months, national, regional and international

discussions and consultations have been taking place regarding the
design of a new development agenda to succeed the Millennium
Development Goals (MDGs) from 2000. The Post-2015 discussion has
included a broad array of perspectives, ambitions, needs and priorities
in the context of a rapidly changing landscape. At this key moment, it
is critical that like-minded civil society advocates present a united and
coherent voice on the future of the development agenda.

The post-2015 Summit will take place on September 21-23, 2015.

draft resolution from September 2014 includes provisions
The
for civil society and Major Groups in the context of the Summit itself,
its interactive dialogues and preparatory processes. Civil society must
be able to attend and participate in discussions in order to advocate
on our topics and issues, in tandem with work in the capitals. Several
Report of
reports have been developed and shared, including the
the Open Working Group on the Sustainable Development Goals
Secretary Generals Synthesis Report.
and the
Zero draft of the outcome document for the UN
Recently, the
Summit to adopt the Post-2015 Development Agenda was released.
It maintains the 17 goals agreed by the OWG, and within them several
targets each to measure progress. It also provides details on the means
of implementation.
Human rights are not included in the goals and targets, so it is critical
that human rights be included in the preamble and introduction of the
outcome document. For example, the inclusion of human rights and
gender equality in paragraph 15 is very important. These references
are key not only to the strength of the document but to the ability to
achieve the goals of the new development agenda. Our additional input
includes ways to strengthen and promote the inclusion of human rights
and gender equality throughout the outcomes document. Your support
is needed now during the remaining negotiations of the outcomes
document. Five actions you can take now to support the strengthening
of human rights and gender equality in the outcomes document are
listed below.
P O S T- 2 0 1 5 S U M M I T M O D A L I T I E S A N D
C I V I L S O C I E T Y PA R T I C I PAT I O N

Many advocates have called for an inclusive post-2015 process that

meaningfully involves civil society. Ambassador Ashe, President of the
General Assembly, has urged civil society to continue engaging in the
post-2015 process.

Five Urgent Actions You

Can Take Now
1

ACTION

Zero draft of the outcome document and carefully

Download the
review the sections. Pay particular attention to the topics and issues
you work on (for example, human rights, sexual and reproductive health
and rights, HIV, youth, etc.) and analyze the current gaps in the text and
ways to fill them. Share your analysis and inputs by sending an email
to: Post2015MDG@icaso.org. The current language in the goals and
targets will not be discussed or negotiated, so particular input on the
preamble, the introduction, and the follow-up and review sections are
our priorities.

ACTION

Find out who in your government is responsible for the post-2015

process at the capital level and at the United Nations level in your
countrys Mission to the UN and which individuals have attended the
different preparatory and negotiation meetings. This might very well be
people in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; many countries also have a
Post-2015 Taskforce.

ACTION

Reach out to your government representatives and share the Zero Draft
of the Outcome document and your analysis of gaps and opportunities.
Work with other organizations in your country to urge your government
to resist efforts to streamline the current text, and encourage them to
continue pushing for the key issues for your constituency, including
human rights, gender, marginalized groups and key populations, sexual
rights, etc.

ACTION

Contact the persons responsible for the post-2015 process in your

government and try to meet them, asking them what are their goals for
the post-2015 process specifically it is important to find out what are
their priorities, what they oppose and their positions for the inclusion of
human rights and gender equality.

ACTION

Work with other organizations in your country to encourage your

government to support the inclusion and strengthening of specific
language in the document:
HUMAN RIGHTS

In the Preamble, for example add: and respect,

protect and fulfill human rights for all without
distinction of any kind, leaving no one behind

Also in the preamble, you could add after Strengthen

governance and promote peaceful, safe, just and inclusive
societies, and the respect, promotion and protection
of all human rights and fundamental freedoms.

In paragraph 1 of the introduction add in conformity with

all human rights and fundamental freedoms for all.

On paragraph 11, you can ask your government to support the

inclusion of more international treaties and covenants, and also
text to affirming the principle that human rights are inalienable,
indivisible, interdependent and interrelated, and that will guide
our implementation, follow up, review and accountability efforts.

Paragraph 13 can be strengthened by adding:

including gender inequality, respecting, protecting
and fulfilling the human rights of all people.

In the follow up and review sections, paragraphs 2 and 3a can

be strengthened by adding: and which takes into account
international human rights principles and standards

The inclusion of the references to the Doha Declaration

and therefore to TRIPS flexibilities is important and
critical for UHC and should be preserved, particularly
regarding HIV and emerging diseases.

GENDER EQUALITY

Include a reference to the ICPD and the Beijing Platform

for Action in paragraph 10 of the Introduction

Paragraph 18 can be strengthened by the addition of The

economic rights of women and girls, including their rights to land,
inheritance, and other resources, their rights to participation and
leadership in decision-making at all levels across political, social,
economic and cultural life, and to justice, must be upheld.

Paragraph 21 can be strengthened by the addition of

Women and girls in all these groups are subject to
multiple and intersecting forms of discrimination that
exacerbate their risk of exclusion and violence.

Paragraph 35 can be strengthened by the addition of We commit

to promote that these institutions are fully aligned with human
rights, gender equality and sustainable development principles.

In the Follow-up and Review, paragraph 3a can be

strengthened by adding with particular attention to gender
equality and the human rights of women and girls.

You can ask your government to include gender

equality throughout the introduction, particularly
in paragraphs 12, 13, 17, and 25

Share your experiences and success stories by

writing to Post2015MDG@Icaso.org

A N N E X 1 : T E M P L AT E L E T T E R F R O M C I V I L S O C I E T Y T O
M I N I S T E R O F F O R E I G N A F FA I R S ( O R E Q U I VA L E N T )

Mr. /Ms. [insert name]

Minister of Foreign Affairs
Your Excellency
On behalf of [insert name of organization or group], we are respectfully writing
to you to request our involvement in the preparation for the upcoming Post-2015
discussions. Specifically, we would like to request that your office supports civil
society access to all official meetings, information and documents throughout the
intergovernmental process in New York, including upcoming negotiations.
The Post-2015 process represents an important opportunity for all stakeholders
to identify sustainable development priorities that are evidence-based and rightsbased. [insert your organizations priorities for the Post-2015 process]
As an example:
[Specifically for our organization, it is important that human rights and gender equality
be enshrined in the MDGs and the 2015 Outcomes Document. Given the historical
significance of this Agenda and the fact that human rights is one of the key pillars of
the United Nations, a reference to human rights and fundamental freedoms should
be included, in line with the principles and purposes of the Charter (Article 1) and
the Universal Declaration for Human Rights. Additionally, it is important to include
the ICPD Programme of Action and the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action
as critical contributions toward sustainable development, recognizing that their full
and effective implementation will be necessary if we are to achieve the SDGs and the
new sustainable development agenda. The ICPD Programme of Action, the Beijing
Declaration and Platform for Action and the outcomes of their review conferences
have recently been reaffirmed by member states through their 20-year reviews and
their links to the new agenda explicitly recognized. We also encourage you to continue
pushing for the inclusion of the Doha Declaration, which has enabled the provision of
life-saving medicines to people in low- and middle-income countries.]
As a way to ensuring our government plays a leadership role in the negotiations in
New York, we would like to invite you to create a diverse, multidisciplinary and, multistakeholders Post-2015 Taskforce.
In closing, we would welcome an opportunity to meet with you and any relevant
staff at the Ministry to discuss these issues. We offer to organize a meeting with key
stakeholders and contact your office to find a mutually agreeable date and time
Sincerely,
Your Name
Your Organization
[Contact information]