GLOBAL COOPERATION NEWSLETTER
June 2011
In this edition

Leading the way to a sustainable futureInternational Labour Conference June 2011
UNICEF Social and Economic Policy Update
Denmark’s aid funding and policies set good examples
UNRISD E-News
Blurring the boundaries: Citizen action across states and societies
Leading the way to a sustainable future(From DESA News June 2011 - Vol. 15, No. 6)
http://www.un.org/en/development/desa/newsletter/2011/june/feature.shtml#fea1
Mr. Sha Zukang Under-Secretary-General for UN Departmentof Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) shared his experience,vision and hopes with DESA News. Mr Sha is leading the workthat will culminate in Rio+20 (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil 4th to 6thJune 2012. Mr Sha is the Secretary-General of Rio+20 - the2012 UN Conference on Sustainable Development.
What is your vision as Secretary-General of the 2012 UN Conference on SustainableDevelopment?
“I am a strong advocate of sustainable development and I think, if there is a future for ourcivilization, it will be through achieving sustainable development across the globe. As a conference
dedicated to sustainable development, I hope Rio+20 will re-launch our world on a sustainable
trajectory. That, in short, is my vision.”
What message would you like to convey to governments and organizations around theworld, as we prepare for Rio+20?
“I believe that Rio+20 is one of the most important events of this decade. It is an event for thewhole world; it is about tomorrow, about the future. And sustainable development should be ourcommon future. History has given all of us an opportunity to make a difference. Let us do it,together.
Rio+20 can be captured in 1, 2, and 3:- One focused political document on the outcome;- Two themes - a green economy in the context of sustainable development and poverty eradicationand the institutional framework for sustainable development; and- Three objectives - renew political commitments, assess gaps in implementation and identify newand emerging challenges.
Overall, I would like to see governments and organizations produce two kinds of results - at thepolitical level, renewing their political commitment to sustainable development; at the action level,
launching concrete initiatives in support of implementation. These initiatives could be country-led,
supported by multi-stakeholders; or led by UN organizations; or by business and civil society.

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Rio+20 should be a milestone event, with broad participation at the grass root level. We owe it toourselves and to future generations.”
What are the chances for success in Rio? Are you optimistic?
“A large international conference like Rio+20 is often a difficult and complicated process, because it
is seeking to address broad, inter-linked challenges. But I am optimistic. I see enthusiasm andpassion for Rio+20 on the rise. Governments are becoming more engaged. They are setting up
national coordination committees or task forces. Businesses are also engaged. They have set up a
dedicated mechanism for Rio+20. And civil society groups are active. Many are preparing to launch
initiatives in the lead-up to Rio or at Rio.
Equally important, Rio+20 offers a timely opportunity to take sustainable development forward.
Rio+20 can, and I hope, will live in history as an event that provided the momentum to re-launch
the world on the pathway to sustainable development.
While gaps remain on how to proceed, Governments agree that the current international
environmental governance is fragmented and there is need for a better balance between
governance for the three pillars of sustainable development. While there is concern over green
economy, in the area of trade, aid and capacity building, countries agree that a green economy in
the context of sustainable development and poverty eradication can be an important avenue toaccelerating sustainable development.”
What in your view are the new challenges?
“During preparatory discussions, delegates identified a number of new, emerging challenges.
Though many are long-known challenges, they have taken on new dimensions. One example is theneed for enhancing disaster preparedness, in view of the increased frequency and severity ofnatural disasters.
Others include energy (energy access, energy efficiency, renewable energy), water (water stressand shortage), land degradation (soil loss), population dynamics, urbanization, sustainableagriculture, ocean and fisheries (the blue economy) and others.
I think Rio+20 will need to address these new challenges. Agreement is needed on measures andcommitments that can accelerate implementation in meeting them.”
How is your job as Conference Secretary-General?
“Not easy. It is hard work, but I am not afraid of hard work. I do work hard. However, there arelots of frustrations. Lack of funding is an important one.
Despite frustrations, I also have a strong team working with me and supporting me, which makes
this job more enjoyable.”
For more information:
The 2012 UN Conference on Sustainable Development, Rio+20: http://www.uncsd2012.org/rio20/
Sha Zukang, Secretary-General of the 2012 UN Conference on Sustainable Development andUnder-Secretary-General of DESA: http://www.un.org/en/development/desa/usg/index.shtmlInternational Labour Conference June 2011
At the conclusion of the 100th annual Conference of the International Labour Organization (ILO) theILO Director-General Juan Somavia referred to “a new era of social justice”. He said "I believe that
future delegates will proudly look back and say: it was at the 100th ILC where the roots of a newera of social justice started to emerge … where the dignity of domestic workers was upheld, when
the new notion of a social protection floor took hold, when we were told once again by importantworld leaders that our voice, values and actions were needed for a more stable world."
In his report to the ILC Mr Somavia referred to the 1995 Copenhagen Declaration on Social
Development which said at the beginning: “We acknowledge that the people of the world haveshown in different ways an urgent need to address profound social problems, especially poverty,
unemployment and social exclusion that affect every country. … We share the conviction that social
development and social justice are indispensable for the achievement and maintenance of peaceand security within and among our nations. … We are deeply convinced that economic
development, social development and environmental protection are interdependent and mutually

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reinforcing components of sustainable development, which is the framework for our efforts toachieve a higher quality of life for all people.” (Paragraph 53). To read Mr Somavia’s full report http://www.ilo.org/ilc/ILCSessions/100thSession/reports/reports-submitted/WCMS_155656/lang-en/index.htm (in all UN languages)
Social protection, social security
The Conference included a discussion on one of the ILO's strategic objectives, social protection,
focusing specifically on social security. The Conference report entitled "Social Security for Social
Justice and a Fair Globalization", served as the basis for discussions in a tripartite Conference
committee, summarizes the main trends in social security worldwide and identifies key issues forthe future of social security, including the extension of social security coverage and the UN Social
Protection Floor initiative; the adaptation of social security systems to changing demographic,
economic and social structures and crises; sustainable financing of social security, which includes
effective and equitable cost-control measures in countries with mature social security systems;
options to extend fiscal space for social protection in developing countries; and ensuring theeconomic and social adequacy of social security.
http://www.ilo.org/ilc/ILCSessions/100thSession/on-the-agenda/social-protection/lang-en/index.htm (Arabic, Chinese, English, French, German, Russian and Spanish)

UNICEF Social and Economic Policy Update June 2011
The June issue of the UNICEF update focussed on social protection. In recent years, social
protection has emerged as a major new focus in efforts to reduce poverty around the world. The
food and economic crisis have highlighted the urgency to protect populations from shocks and theneed to build up comprehensive systems during the current recovery period. UNICEF is supporting
governments' social protection efforts in 76 countries.
Documents and publications on social protection•Social Protection: Accelerating the MDGs with Equity, Isabel Ortiz, Gaspar Fajth, Jennifer
Yablonski and Amjad Rabi http://www.unicef.org/socialpolicy/index_55915.html•Social Protection for All - An Agenda for Pro-Child Growth and Child Rights, Timo Voipio
http://www.unicef.org/socialpolicy/index_57385.html•Enhancing Social Protection for HIV Prevention, Treatment, Care and Support, UNAIDS andUNICEF http://www.unicef.org/aids/files/Social_Protection_Brief_LowresOct2010.pdf•Malawi: Impact Evaluation Report, External Evaluation of the Mchinji Social Cash Transfer Pilot,
Candace Miller, Maxton Tsoka and Kathryn Reichert
http://childresearchpolicy.org/images/Impact_Evaluation_Report_Final_August.pdf•Statement on Child-Sensitive Social Protection, available at
http://www.unicef.org/socialpolicy/index_53801.html in English, French and SpanishSocial Protection Floor Costing Tool
The UNICEF-ILO Social Protection Costing Tool allows costing of different social protection measuresand helps examine the affordability and sustainability of increasing the scope and extent of social
protection coverage by providing concrete quantitative figures over a 20 year period. The tool canbe used to analyse both existing and planned social protection benefits.
http://www.unicef.org/socialpolicy/index_56917.html

Denmark’s aid funding and policies set good examples(Extracts from What’s new from the OECD 1 June 2011)
Denmark’s Official Development Assistance stands at USD 2.87 billion, or 0.90% of its grossnational product. One of the five most generous donors as a percentage of its total economy,Denmark has surpassed the UN aid target of 0.7% of GNI every year since 1978. It is also a leader
in its approach to development - working with fragile states, delivering effective humanitarian anddevelopment aid, and focusing on gender equity and climate change.
In line with good development practice, Denmark is paring down the number of countries andmultilateral organisations it supports and its aid is transparent and predictable. It is also taking

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more ‘risks’- working with fragile states on governance concerns, expanding its focus on
employment, gender equality, democracy and environment. The review recommends advanceplanning as Denmark withdraws aid from some countries and better training for staff going into
high-risk areas.
In order to encourage continued public support for development, the Review recommends that
Denmark provides evidence that it is improving the lives of people in poor countries. These ‘goodnews’ stories would be useful for development staff as they communicate to the public through themedia. Denmark should also seize the opportunity of its 2012 EU presidency to ensure that EU
policies support the aspirations of developing countries. The Review was written by the OECDsecretariat and peer reviewed by DAC members Luxembourg and New Zealand. To obtain a copy ofthe Review - http://www.oecd.org/document/59/0,3746,en_2649_37413_47834427_1_1_1_37413,00.html

UNRISD E-NewsUN Research Institute for Social Development produces a most interesting “enewsletter” which youcan also receive by contacting info@unrisd.org In the latest issue Katja Hujo reports on sustainablefinancing for social policies. “Policy debates on implementing and expanding social policies indeveloping countries often revolve around costs and affordability. Some contend that poor
countries cannot afford to provide public social services due to a lack of fiscal resources. Yet
UNRISD research shows that universal social policies are not only more cost-efficient but also havebetter delivery with regard to social development.” Read more.
(http://www.unrisd.org/unrisd/website/newsview.nsf/(httpNews)/D81C0EF0D98B7BFBC12578A200596D4F?OpenDocument To read the full newsletter go to:
http://www.unrisd.org/80256B3C005C2802/(Newsletters)/62F53A20BBB66D2FC12578A200590E74?OpenDocument

Blurring the boundaries - Citizen action across states and societies
A ten-year global-grassroots research project found 150 different examples of how citizens crossthe boundary between state and society to affect the institutions that affect their lives.
Researchers from the Development Research Centre on Citizenship, Participation andAccountability spent a decade working with citizens from around the world who are taking action tosway the institutions that affect their lives. The researchers were led to dozens of local
associations: cooperatives, women’s groups, religious assemblies, and other civic organisations.
They visited the offices of movements and networks that are pressing national governments andinternational actors for change on their behalf. They observed the public forums where
the state has invited citizens to voice their concerns and interests, discuss solutions andcollaborate - an array of participatory arenas such as health councils, local legislative bodies andpolicy forums. A simple yet important discovery was made in the process. The most effective
citizens are the most versatile: the ones who can cross boundaries. They move between thelocal, the national and the global, employ a range of techniques, act as allies and adversaries ofthe state, and deploy their skills of protest and partnership at key moments and in different
institutional entry points.
The lessons from this unique project are summarised in one report. Visit www.drccitizenship.org to download this report or other resources.
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