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MDGs and Local Urban Observatories

Report

Day / Time Monday, June 19th / 16:30 - 18:30


Event Description

The main objectives of this event are twofold: to identify critical issues related to mainstreaming L-MDG action plans into existing local development plans, programming and management instruments; and to optimize the design, indicators and data management for urban monitoring systems, relating to the L-MDG. A representative from a local authority with experience in urban development and planning, with in-depth knowledge of the MDG and urban information and monitoring systems, will act as moderator. Three professionals will present their experiences and emerging issues arising from the setting up of L-MDG process and observatory/monitoring system.


Session Language

English

Spanish


Speakers

Municipalities of Belo Horizonte and Nova Iguaçu ( Brazil )

Municipality of Guayaquil ( Ecuador )

Caribbean Region


Host Organization

UN-Habitat, GUO, ROLAC


Host Organization Description

UN-Habitat is the UN Agency for human settlements. It is mandated to promote socially and environmentally sustainable towns and cities with the goal of providing adequate shelter for all. UN-Habitat has initiated a programme on Localising the Millennium Developments Goals (L-MDG). Its initial phase aims at engaging local authorities and stakeholders in developing local action plans to meet the MDG and at building their capacity to achieve the MDG. Millennium Developments Goals collaborates with cities in developing countries in the establishment of Local Urban Observatories (LUO) so that they can get an accurate picture of their situation, monitor progress, and collect and process relevant information and indicators for this purpose. LUO are a key input for follow up to the MDG. The Regional Office for Latin American and the Caribbean (ROLAC) of UN-Habitat collaborates with L-MDG and GUO in the implementation of the regional component of both programmes, presently working in over 8 countries of the region.

 

Report

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Title of Event:

Name of Organisation:

Date and time of the session:

MDGs and Local Urban Observatories

UN-Habitat/ ROLAC


June 19th, 16:30 - 18:30

 

Key Highlights

  1. Estimated no of participants: 60
  2. Stakeholder group representation at the event: local authorities, local urban observatories, national governments and observatories, academic institutions, non-governmental organizations, community based organization, international cooperation agencies.
  3. What were the expected objectives:
  • To i dentify critical issues related to:
  • the mainstreaming of L-MDG action plans into existing local development plans and programming / management instruments; and
  • the optimization in the design of indicators and data management for urban monitoring systems, in particular in relation to L-MDG.
  1. What did the networking event achieve:
  • the dissemination to practitioners of the process for the formulation of the MDGs local profiles;
  • it acknowledged the importance of the indicator tools for local planning;
  • it began the discussion on the necessity to create structures for information sharing and dissemination within the municipality, to internally coordinate planning activities, and to formulate urban development policies with the participation of relevant municipal and secretariats;
  • it strengthened the Observatory's concept as a mechanism for inter-institutional coordination;
  • it acknowledged the municipalities' need to establish their own goals and development objectives with a fixed timelines, as well as monitoring systems for policies and their achievement.

2. What were the core issues identified in your event as they relate to the theme and sub-themes of WUFIII?

Municipalities are working to elaborate MDGs Profiles and MDGs Action Plans. The Action Plans will guide the achievement of MDGs at local level. This process is being developed through participatory methodologies that involve all sectors of society. Inter-institutional structures are being generated within municipalities to achieve the process' institutionalization and to guarantee sustainability.

3. What were the main points raised by panellists and participants in relation to these different issues? What new ideas have been generated as a result of the discussion?

The discussion was mainly around the municipalities' difficulties, mainly the smallest ones, to access reliable information about their own territory, as well as the tools and training to work with that information. Another important issue discussed was about the participation of civil society in the process of identification of challenges and action planning. It was pointed out the need to build the capacity of the actors involved through thematic training to ensure its effective participation and to maximize their potential for knowledge transfer and creation.

4. What process steps have been identified in your event that could help turn ideas into operational reality?

The creation of inter-municipal networks that work around the programme;

The participation of civil society organizations in the process, including validation from community representatives;

The creation of external networks to involve data producing institutions.

 

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