GLOBAL COOPERATION NEWSLETTER
April 2012
In this edition
Stockholm Joint World Conference Social Work Social Development
UN Social Work Day Geneva
Social protection in the Arab World
Fiftieth session of the Commission for Social Development
Civil society forum on social protection
Drop in development aid in 2011
Development goals after 2015
UNICEF publications
Combating violence against indigenous women and girls
Sweden - new funding for HIV and Aids in sub-Saharan Africa
Sweden - review of Swedish civil society organisations
Stockholm Joint World Conference Social Work Social Development
Registrations are rolling in and Stockholm hotels are filling. Early bird registration finishes on 30thApril so register now. http://www.swsd-stockholm-2012.org/
The Conference webpage lists the main speakers http://www.swsd-stockholm-2012.org/InvitedPlenar-Speakers.aspx
UN Social Work Day Geneva
Mr Assane Diop, Head of Social Protection, International Labour Organisation was the guest speakeron the occasion of the UN Day of Social Work held at the Palais de Nations, Geneva, 26thMarch
2012. Mr Diop said “It is an honour for me to address you on behalf of the Director-General of theILO on the occasion of the UN Day of Social Work. I am even more honoured to receive on behalf ofthe ILO – and in fact on behalf of the Joint Social Protection Floor Initiative of the United Nations –the “Global Agenda for Social Work and Social Development” of the International Federation ofSocial Workers, the International Association of Schools of Social Work and the International
Council of Social Welfare. Together, you represent hundreds of thousands of social workers,
hundreds of Schools of Social Work and tens of thousands of organizations working in socialwelfare.
This document is thus an Agenda for action of the three perhaps most powerful international civilsociety organizations whose mission is social justice, social peace and social development. It is not
only fully compatible with the mandate of the ILO and the UN at large – it is also a formidable
support for the transmission of that mandate into reality.
Social Protection in the Arab World
A collective work entitled "Social Protection in the Arab World: Comparative Politics" has been
published in Arabic as the first publication of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region ofICSW.
The book, coordinated by Mr Driss Guerraoui, Regional President of the ICSW MENA region consistsof the contributions made by experts and stakeholders in Arab civil society who met in Casablanca
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in May 2011. This was the first meeting of the MENA region of ICSW. The volume focuses on theexperiences of Morocco, Mauritania, Tunisia, Egypt, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia and Algeria.
Meeting the challenge of enabling social development in the Arab world is a challenge. Despite thewealth generated by energy, mining and natural resources most Arab countries suffer from chronic
deficits in key human development indicators, particularly in education, health, employment,
housing, basic infrastructure, medical care and welfare. Rural areas, women, children, people withdisabilities
andtheelderly
aremostaffectedbythesedeficiencies.
The publication of 243 pages outlines the possible social strategies that will improve the living
conditions of people in Arab Countries. The book will be available later in French and English.
Fiftieth session of the Commission for Social Development
At its fiftieth regular session, held from 1st to 10th February 2012, which was the policy year of abiennial cycle, the Commission for Social Development considered the priority theme “Povertyeradication”. The theme takes into account its interrelationship with social integration and fullemployment and decent work for all. The Commission also reviewed relevant United Nations plansand programmes of action pertaining to the situation of social groups, and the social dimensions of
the New Partnership for Africa’s Development.
During its two-week session, the Commission convened two high-level panel discussions — one on
the priority theme, and the other on the emerging issue of “Youth: poverty and unemployment” —and a special event on the theme “Financing of social development”.
The Chair’s summaries of the discussions on the priority theme and on the emerging issue of youth
poverty and unemployment, as well as the special event on financing of social development, can beaccessed at http://social.un.org/index/CommissionforSocialDevelopment/.
In connection with the review of relevant United Nations plans and programmes of action pertaining
to the situation of social groups, the Special Rapporteur on disability presented his report to theCommission. The Commission adopted draft resolutions entitled “Poverty eradication”, “Futureorganization and methods of work of the Commission for Social Development”, “Mainstreaming
disability in the development agenda”, “Preparations for and observance of the twentiethanniversary of the International Year of the Family” and “Social dimensions of the New Partnershipfor Africa’s Development”, and recommended to the Economic and Social Council their adoption. In
its resolution on its future organisation and methods of work, the Commission decided that thepriority theme for the 2013-2014 review and policy cycle should be “Promoting empowerment ofpeople in achieving poverty eradication, social integration and full employment and decent work forall”.
ICSW was represented at the Commission by Christian Rollet President, Braema Mathiaparanam,Regional President for South East Asia and the Pacific and Eva Holmberg-Herrström RegionalPresident for Europe and Chair of the organising committee for the Joint World Conference on
Social Work and Social Development.
http://social.un.org/index/CommissionforSocialDevelopment/Sessions/2012.aspx
and for draft resolutions
http://social.un.org/index/CommissionforSocialDevelopment/Sessions/2012/DraftResolutions.aspx
Civil society forum on social protection
Before the Commission for Social Development session in New York the NGO Committee on Social
Development conducted a civil society forum on 31st January on the social protection floor initiative.
The speaker presentations including that if ICSW Regional President for South East Asia and thePacific, Braema Mathiaparanam are available at:
http://www.ngosocdev.net/index.php/2012-commission-on-social-development/
The papers related to the International Year of Cooperatives are available at:
http://social.un.org/coopsyear/documents/NGOPaperGiagnocavo.pdf
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http://social.un.org/coopsyear/documents/AlmeriaPaperGiagnocavo.pdf
You can also view the recording of the Forum at:
http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLBF1458BC100032A4
OECD Media release on drop in development aid in 2011
Major donors’ aid to developing countries fell by nearly 3% in 2011, breaking a long trend of annual
increases. Disregarding years of exceptional debt relief, this was the first drop since 1997.
Continuing tight budgets in OECD countries will put pressure on aid levels in coming years.
In 2011, members of the Development Assistance Committee (DAC) of the OECD provided USD
133.5 billion of net official development assistance (ODA), representing 0.31 per cent of their
combined gross national income (GNI). This was a -2.7 % drop in real terms compared to 2010,
the year it reached its peak
http://www.oecd.org/document/3/0,3746,en_21571361_44315115_50058883_1_1_1_1,00.html
Development Goals after 2015.
U.K. Prime Minister David Cameron has accepted the UN Secretary General’s invitation to chair anew U.N. committee that will establish a fresh set of development goals after 2015. The
implications are yet to emerge. Devex quoting the Guardian ponders whether with Cameron aschair “the focus of post-2015 goals will veer away from mother and child to economic
development. The prime minister and U.K. Secretary of State for International Development
Andrew Mitchell have wanted to shift the debate toward economic development.”
http://www.devex.com/en/blogs/the-development-newswire/next-set-of-mdgs-ask-david
cameron?mkt_tok=3RkMMJWWfF9wsRolu6jOZKXonjHpfsX54uopW6GylMI%2F0ER3fOvrPUfGjI4AScV
rI%2FqLAzICFpZo2FFcH%2FaQZA%3D%3D Source Devex 12th April 2012
Jenny Lei Ravelo also writing in Devex on 5th April 2012 says the consultation process for post MDG
planning is past the deadline and things seem in disarray. Ravelo quoting the Catholic Agency forOverseas Development (CAFOD), which co-chairs the Beyond 2015 campaign, says the UN has notreleased concrete details of the consultation process. It is due to start in May.
In a report released 6th April CAFOD said the global body does not even have half the needed funds
to complete the consultations. In addition, U.N. coordinators were being left to decide forthemselves who they should include in the process. Worse, the poorest people might not even getto have a voice in the consultations — which CAFOD calls a must if the world wants to meet successwith the post-MDG framework. The report, titled 1,000 Days: An End and a New Beginning, made alist of what the international community can do to make sure no “last minute rush” happens incoming up with a post-MDG framework. http://neo-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/news/Final-PDF1000daysdocument.pdf
UNICEF publications
A Recovery for All: Rethinking Socio Economic Policies for Children and Poor Households
has just been published. Authors are Isabel Ortiz, Associate Director, Policy and Practice, UNICEF
and Matthew Cummins, Social and Economic Policy Specialist, UNICEF and the foreword is by Sir
Richard Jolly. A recovery for all is recommended by Duncan Green, Head of Research, Oxfam GB,
Jayati Ghosh, Executive Secretary, International Development Economics Associates (IDEAs), SarahCook, Director, United Nations Research Institute for Social Development (UNRISD), Bob Deacon,
Emeritus Professor of International Social Policy, University of Sheffield, and founder of the journal
Global Social Policy, Roberto Bissio, Executive Director, Third World Institute, and Coordinator,
Social Watch and Michael Cichon, Director of Social Security Department, International Labour
Organization (ILO). The book is available for free download at
http://www.unicef.org/socialpolicy/index_62107.html

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Child Poverty and Inequality: New Perspectives
This new publication draws on over two years of UNICEF’s collaboration with innovative and leading
thinkers on these matters. Contributors include Armando Barrientos, Sarah Cook, Andrea Cornia,
Sir Richard Jolly, Jomo K.S., Naila Kabeer, Nora Lustig, among many others. They argue formultidimensional poverty measurements, describe current trends on global poverty and inequality,and present policies to reduce poverty and inequality, such as socially-responsive macroeconomic
and sector policies, including social protection, good governance and human-rights, as well as
addressing systemic issues like inequalities among and within countries.
http://www.unicef.org/socialpolicy/index_62108.html
Combating violence against indigenous women and girls
In January 2012, the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII) held anInternational Expert Group Meeting at UN Headquarters entitled “Combating violence against
indigenous women and girls: Article 22 of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights ofIndigenous Peoples.” NGLS e-Roundup reports on the outcomes of the International Expert Group
Meeting and features various interviews with leading experts on indigenous issues.
More information is available http://www.un-ngls.org/spip.php?article3783
Sweden - new funding for HIV and Aids in sub-Saharan Africa
Sweden has set aside 700 million Swedish kronor ($79.5 million) for efforts to stop the spread of
AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa and to promote the rights of homosexual, bisexual and transsexual
people.
The funds will support the new regional strategy Sweden adopted on the 2nd April to guide its
efforts to fight AIDS and address other sexual and reproductive health concerns in sub-SaharanAfrica. The strategy also outlines ways Sweden can contribute to protecting the human rights ofhomosexual, bisexual and transsexual people across the regions.
Sweden’s efforts in the region will be led by the HIV and AIDS team based in its embassy in
Lusaka, Zambia. The team is expected to work in close coordination with Norway, the AfricanUnion, various regional organizations, local civil society groups and the region’s businesscommunity. http://www.sweden.gov.se/sb/d/16086/a/189943
Review of Swedish civil society organisations
The Swedish Agency for Public Management will examine the suitability of the long-term frameworkagreements Sida has entered into with a number of Swedish civil society organisations. Issues
including effectiveness, transparency and diversity will be illuminated. Forms for the possibility of
new actors to enter into framework agreements with Sida, follow - up and control will receive
particular attention, as well as whether the level of self - financing affects the organisation's qualityand results. The assignment is to be reported by February 2013 at the latest. Over the past years,
more than one third of the development assistance from Sida has gone to and through Swedish andforeign civil society organisations. The Minister for International Development Cooperation Gunilla
Carlsson said "The Government has instructed Sida to this year increase its support to vulnerable
civil society organisations and their possibilities to continue their work, particularly regarding theright to freedom of peaceful assembly and association"
The content of this Global Newsletter may be freely reproduced or cited provided the source isacknowledged. Views do not necessarily represent policies of ICSW.
Newsletter Editor: Denys Correll Executive Director
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