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Launch of the 2021 Civil Society Rome Declaration

In 2019, when SDG16 was reviewed for the first time, civil society organisations from across the globe came together to express their concern on the lack of progress towards peaceful, just and inclusive societies.  

The resulting Rome Declaration highlighted key civil society priority areas, recommendations, and an urgent call-to-action to achieve the real transformative potential of SDG16+. After finalisation and launch of the Declaration at the 2019 Rome Conference, the declaration received endorsement from over 130+ civil society organisations and networks. 

Now, in 2021, with the imminent, second review of SDG16 - which has only encountered additional setbacks due to the ongoing pandemic - civil society has revisited this original Rome Declaration. Spearheaded by Namati, CSPPS, the TAP Network, and GPPAC, a 2021 Addendum to the original Rome Declaration is now brought to the fore: A Renewed Call for Strengthening Commitments, Partnerships, and Accelerated Action for SDG16+ - 2021 Rome Civil Society Declaration on SDG16+.  

Today, we call upon all civil society organisations for your broad support in endorsing and sharing this new declaration widely within your organisation and networks, ahead of its official launch.

The 2021 Rome Addendum can also directly be endorsed by your organisation here.  

Join us for the official launch on the 7th of July during the upcoming UN HLPF 2021, by registering here.

2021 Voices of SDG16+: Stories for Global Action video campaign

Resilient Recovery through Local Action on SDG16+ / HLPF side event for the 2021 Voices of SDG16+ : Stories for Global Action video campaign

About this event

In the context of the 2021 United Nations High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development, this third edition of the Voices of SDG16+ : Stories for Global Action video campaign will feature local civil society voices from around the world to showcase how their work on SDG16+ is contributing to resilient recovery from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In addition to showcasing stellar contributions from civil society, this virtual side-event during HLPF 2021 will also provide an opportunity to engage with the community of local voices of SDG16+. The Voices of SDG16+, started in 2019, provides a unique and dynamic opportunity to call for accelerated action and increased awareness on the work of local civil society partners in this domain. Featured videos will exemplify how the global goal towards more peaceful, just and inclusive societies is being implemented and is invaluable in positively impacting people’s lives – despite the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.

For more information and to register: 2021 HLPF Side-Event - Voices of SDG16+ (voicesofsdg16plus.org)

The Escazú Agreement: An Opportunity to Advance Global Peace through a Human Rights-Based Approach

Join GPPAC member CCC in an informal roundtable discussion in the light of the 2021 High-Level Political Forum to explore the opportunities presented by the Escazú Agreement for peacebuilding and development in Latin America and beyond. 

The Escazú Agreement  – a regional framework that tackles climate change through a human rights-based approach sponsored by the ECLAC – entered into force in April 2021 to respond to the increased impact of climate change in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) on people, their livelihoods, and their interactions with each other. 

We are pleased to be joined by:

• Laura Becerra, Executive Director, Equipo Pueblo AC
• Daniel Zapico, Human Rights Officer, United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR)
• Daniel Martín, Director of Sustainable Development, CCC

The informal roundtable discussion will provide a learning space for representatives of national governments, regional organizations, the UN and civil society. Civil society representatives will present case studies from national contexts and outline some practical avenues for coordination and joint action to ensure that the Agreement lives up to its full potential. 

The discussion will be guided by the following questions:

• What are the opportunities that the Escazú Agreement offers for peacebuilding and development in LAC? 
• Who are the stakeholders to support the realisation of the Agreement’s full potential?
• What opportunities exist to ensure the implementation of the Agreement?
• How can local civil society across LAC engage in the implementation of the Agreement?

Please RSVP to un.office@gppac.net

The Role of Civil Society in Contributing to Peaceful, Just and Inclusive Societies

Together with DCAF and the Costa Rican Permanent Mission to the United Nations, we are hosting a side-event at the HLPF to highlight the role that civil society organizations (CSOs) can play in implementing SDG16, and holding their governments accountable for their commitments to SDG16 and the wider 2030 Agenda.

SDG16 highlights that security is an enabler of development and that good governance principles are imperative for the achievement of this goal. CSOs are an important channel through which citizens can participate in the development of public policies concerning the security sector. CSOs can contribute to security sector governance in five ways: awareness raising; advocacy; monitoring and public oversight; fact-finding, research and analysis; and service provision.

At this HLPF side event, members of civil society from three countries: Costa Rica, Mexico and South Africa will showcase the ways in which they have directly contributed to SDG16 and promoted more peaceful, just and inclusive societies.

Opening Remarks 
•    Ambassador Rodrigo Carazo, Permanent Representative of Costa Rica to the United Nations
•    Ambassador Thomas Guerber, Director of DCAF
Speakers
•    Louise Edwards, Director of Programmes and Research, African Policing Civilian Oversight Forum (APCOF), South Africa
•    Representative of Center for Civic Collaboration (CCC), Mexico
•    Representative of Civil Society Organization in Costa Rica (TBC)
•    Alexandra Preperier, Research Assistant, DCAF
Moderator 
William McDermott, Project Coordinator, DCAF

Simultaneous interpretation will be provided in Spanish. 

 

To register for this virtual event, click here