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Por qué es relevante la Agenda 2030 de Desarrollo Sostenible de las Naciones Unidas para El Salvador?

Embajador Carlos García | CG Global Consultant

 

La Agenda 2030 de Desarrollo Sostenible de las Naciones Unidas fue adoptada por la Asamblea General en Septiembre de 2015, mediante la resolución A/RES/70/1 titulada: “Transformando nuestro mundo: la Agenda 2030 para el Desarrollo Sostenible”, la cual consta de 17 clusters con alrededor de 169 metas específicas, y a diferencia de los Objetivos de Desarrollo del Milenio (ODM) la Agenda 2030 de Desarrollo Sostenible tiene un alcance universal, es decir, no está limitada únicamente a los países en desarrollo, sino a la implementación de la misma en todo el mundo.
 

En términos políticos esta particularidad ha abierto una nueva perspectiva dentro la concepción del desarrollo dentro de las Naciones Unidas, entendiendo por primera vez el desarrollo como un proceso amplio e integral que evoluciona en espiral y no de forma lineal, y reconociendo que el desarrollo no tiene un techo, sino es un proceso continuo.

Este cambio de paradigma es fundamental para los países como El Salvador, que enfrentan una serie de desafíos relacionados con su propio desarrollo, y que por lo general existe muy poca discusión pública sobre las alternativas del mismo.

La Agenda 2030 de Desarrollo Sostenible hace un llamado a todas las sociedades e individuos a involucrarse directamente en la tarea del desarrollo. No es un tema exclusivo de los gobiernos, los organismos internacionales o las organizaciones no gubernamentales. Es un tema en el que se requiere de la participación creativa de todos los sectores de la vida nacional, por esta razón es fundamental que la sociedad salvadoreña haga propia la Agenda 2030 de Desarrollo Sostenible.

Es una agenda que transforma al individuo, al planeta y a la prosperidad, mediante el “empoderamiento" de los individuos y los coloca como sujetos de la acción colectiva, al centro del desarrollo.

Si bien la preocupación inmediata de la sociedad salvadoreña está relacionada con el tema de la seguridad ciudadana, hay que comprender que la superación de este desafío está íntimamente vinculada con la implementación de un enfoque amplio e integral en materia de políticas públicas que aborden la marginalidad y la exclusion social; y que al hacerlo tengan en consideración el crecimiento económico, el desarrollo social y la protección ambiental.

La Agenda 2030 de Desarrollo Sostenible es un “mapa de ruta” que orienta la evolución del desarrollo, pero depende de los actores de una sociedad determina, el rumbo y la implementacion de la misma.

El Salvador tiene mucho que ganar, si se logra involucrar a toda la sociedad en este cambio de paradigma.

 

Actualmente, la sociedad civil salvadoreña se ha estancado en la vorágine del debate político partidario, y ha perdido de vista los temas de interés nacional. La Agenda 2030 de Desarrollo Sostenible puede contribuir a superar esa situación y posicionar nuevamente los temas de interés estratégico al centro del debate político nacional. Los medios de comunicación alternativos, las redes sociales, y sobre todo las iniciativas creativas de la sociedad pueden constituir la fuerza motriz que se requiere para ello. En nuestras manos está nuestro propio desarrollo.

Uniting Nations to Change a Life

“UNITING NATIONS TO CHANGE A LIFE” 

New model for prevention of violence and building a Culture of Peace 


 

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 


Background

 Citizen Security in the "northern triangle" of Central America: El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras is in an accelerated deterioration that threatens to become the main challenge for these companies in this decade process.

Similarly, but in different proportions, the deterioration extends to different cities in Mexico, the United States and Canada. 
 Multiple factors determine the situation of violence and insecurity currently facing in the sub region: drug trafficking, has moved and expanded its operations increasingly the sub region strengthened efforts to evade national and international police in Mexico, Colombia and Caribbean; the culture of violence that is installed on every level of society; youth gangs and their impact on criminal activities, including killings and extortion. 


The results of these factors are clear: Honduras, El Salvador and Guatemala are the first, second and eighth in rates of intentional homicides in the world in 2011, with the aggravating circumstance that - given the high impunity - those responsible for crimes violence are rarely brought to justice; Also, according to the Center for the Study of Women, Guatemala and Honduras have the first and second highest rates of domestic femicide in Central America, as more women become victims and victimizers of drug violence and organized crime.


In response to these challenges, the Central American governments are making efforts to improve the level of coordination of approaches, policies and activities to address the problems of public safety. 


In the area of ​​regional integration process, the Central American Integration System (SICA) launched in June 2011 with the support of the United States, Mexico and Colombia and other countries and multilateral organizations, a comprehensive strategy that included 22 projects to address insecurity, where four principal dimensions include: prevention, combating crime, social rehabilitation and institutional strengthening. 


In addition, governments in the region are exploring new approaches to address the problem more comprehensively, articulating approaches to prevention, control, institutional reforms. Also are exploring ways to involve citizens in the design and implementation of public security policies at different levels of public action, and especially at the local level, recognizing the important role that civil society, the private sector and political parties can play in strengthening democratic processes and public safety.

In this context, the active participation of civil society and the private sector have begun to identify various ways to address this issue, but in an uncoordinated and isolated manner, by implementing interesting projects that can contribute to empower youth and motivate them to become agents of positive change for society, but with limited impact. 


In this regard, it should be noted that the interest and support from various organizations representing the Diasporas from these countries, mostly from El Salvador and Guatemala, who reside in the United States is also highlighted in this effort. This involvement is not casual; if you consider that the city of Los Angeles is considered the first in the world where the largest number of youth gangs is. Moreover, in this city reside about 1.2 million Salvadorans; statistics suggest that one in three Salvadorans have a family member, acquaintance or friend gang related. The two most dangerous and fastest growing are the "Mara Salvatrucha" and "Barrio 18", which have expanded in the United States, at least 13 states of the Union, including Washington DC and New York where they live close to a million Salvadorans. 


Bearing in mind the complexity and multidimensionality of this phenomenon, last May 14, 2015, CG Global Consultant organized a meeting at the offices of South-South News in New York, with a view to presenting some 20 civil society organizations of this city, the project led by FEPADE, entitled "Solutions". 


This project was created in 2012 under an agreement of $ 20 million from USAID El Salvador and leverage $ 22 million additional dollars from the private sector, for a total contribution of $ 42 million is expected, which will be invested in 5 municipalities and 55 communities in El Salvador.
 "Solutions" is an alliance of five major Salvadoran foundations, which have joined forces to prevent crime and violence, in support of the target 11 of "Partnership for Growth", are them the Business Foundation for Educational Development (FEPADE); Salvadoran Foundation for Economic and Social Development (FUSADES); National Development Foundation (FADE); Salvadoran Foundation for Health and Human Development (FUSAL); and Glasswing.

Of these institutions, FEPADE is the administrator of the partnership and liable to USAID, for all the technical, financial and administrative aspects of the project.

Together the five organizations of the alliance have the knowledge and experience in the areas of education, health, economic development, research, prevention of crime and violence, and youth development to join forces and work on prevention of crime and violence El Salvador, through the following components: 

1. To strengthen the prevention of crime and violence at the municipal level.

2. Increase social investment by the private sector in El Salvador to prevent crime and violence.

3. Research, publish and disseminate research on strategies and best practices for the prevention of crime and violence.

Moreover, from January 2011 to May 2014, the Centro Escolar Distrito Italia, located in Tonacatepeque, El Salvador has been promoting a series of initiatives and programs to prevent violence and build a "Culture of Peace" with the support of the Permanent Mission of El Salvador to the United Nations in New York, through its "Art Inspiring Action" (2010-2014)
 

In this program, we were able to mobilize and motivate non-governmental organizations both in New York and El Salvador, and the Office of Economic and Cultural of Taipei in New York to support and / or implement various initiatives, taken as a together they have created the necessary conditions for significant changes related to the prevention of violence and building a culture of peace in that school. 


Among the most notable achievements was the construction of the "pool for Peace", making the Centro Escolar Distrito Italia the unique public school in El Salvador, which has its own pool facilities. Additionally, they were created and / or strengthened paint and drawing, music, theater, visual health, a computer room with 50 computers, solar cookers, bakery, farming tilapia, jewelry, pottery, home gardening, education of the brain and the STEM program, among others.



Considering these experiences gained in the field, and coupled with the development vision promoted by the United Nations, particularly from the perspective of the implementation of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and the progress in defining the Agenda Post-Development 2015;and the collective vision developed by the various organizations attended the workshop from May 14, 2015, in South-South News, the conditions were created for the CG Global Consultant (New York), SOAR Method (San Francisco) and the Mayan Foundation (Los Angeles), to schedule an event entitled "A Day in LA, East meet West", to be held on September 12, 2015, at UCLA (University of California, Los Angeles).

However, in light of a broaden support received by several organizations and individuals in New York, it was decided to have the launching of this initiative in August 12, 2015 at the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in New York (TECO) under a new umbrella that were flexible enough to host several groups and nationalities...the Global Program "Uniting Nations to Change a Life" was born. 


General Purpose:

To contribute to the prevention of violence due to illegal gang activity and the creation of a culture of peace everywhere, through the development of new models to heal the social wounds caused by violence, and the promotion of ecosystems to change the fibers of local communities.

 Specific

Objectives: 


• Show the advantages and the broad impact of the reproduction of the ecosystem to change the fibers of local communities, through a pilot project on a small scale, prevention of violence and the creation of a culture of peace, using a format style show Los Angeles, California, also connecting New York and El Salvador, in a first stage, but with a view to multiply everywhere, to create a chain reaction that can "unite nations to change a life" and finish together with the violence.



• Strengthen links between civil society, the private sector and local governments in the United States, Canada, Mexico and the countries of Central America and the Caribbean, who are interested in this project, in order to move together the implementation of new models to heal the social wounds caused by violence, among others, derived from illegal gang activity, and creating a culture of peace at local, national and regional level. 


Ecosystem to change the fiber of local communities: 


The idea of ​​implementing an ecosystem to change the fiber of local communities is based on sacred geometry (fractal expansion) and critical mass, ie the importance of addressing prevention of violence through a multidimensional approach to building bridges between communities

They are threatened by transnational organized crime, youth gangs and violence, in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean; and in any other place on earth.

In this context, the two main characteristics that should be taken into consideration for the effectiveness of this model are:

• Concurrency
• Comprehensiveness

Annex

Reflexiones sobre los Acuerdos de Paz en El Salvador

"Reflexiones sobre los Acuerdos de Paz en El Salvador"

Embajador Carlos Garcia, 16 de Enero de 2015

No cabe duda que a 23 años de haberse suscrito los Acuerdos de Paz, se impone una revisión crítica de los mismos, tanto de sus logros como de sus vacíos y los desafíos actuales que la violencia social impone a nuestra sociedad. A mi juicio, la mayor contribución de los Acuerdos de Paz fue terminar con el enfrentamiento armado en el país, y desmontar las estructuras militares irregulares (la guerrilla del FMLN) para convertirla en Partido Político. 

En el caso de la fuerza armada, disminuir el número de sus miembros y la eliminación de las fuerzas élites, sobre las que cayó la responsabilidad de una serie de violaciones masivas, masacres y otros actos que violaron los derechos humanos de nuestra población.

Adicionalmente, se crearon instituciones nuevas como la Policía Nacional Civil (PNC), la Academia de Seguridad Pública, la Inspectoría de la PNC, y la reforma de la Constitución de la República, para permitir una nueva institucionalidad democrática en nuestro país.

Estos son algunos logros importantes que permitieron una apertura democrática, que se ha ido consolidando desde entonces. No fueron logros menores, fue un paso histórico en el desarrollo de El Salvador que merecen destacarse y reconocer su contribución al desarrollo de nuestro país.

En relación a los vacíos evidentes de los Acuerdos de Paz, a mi juicio el principal de todos, fue su incapacidad de cambiar el poder oligárquico de nuestro país, lo que ha continuado siendo el principal obstáculo para lograr un sistema económico y social más equitativo, que supere la marginación social y eleve el nivel de vida de los salvadoreños, fortaleciendo las clases medias del país, y beneficiando más ampliamente a nuestras clases populares con las remesas recibidas de nuestros compatriotas viviendo fuera del país, que a la fecha representan el 20% del PIB.

Adicionalmente, los gobiernos posteriores a la firma de los Acuerdos de Paz, incluido el actual, han sido incapaces de abordar el tema de la reconciliación nacional, ni siquiera desde la perspectiva de la "salud mental" y muchos menos se han planteado la importancia de contar con una "Política Nacional de Salud Mental", que permita asimilar los efectos emocionales, sicológicos, traumas y otros desequilibrios que impiden aún a una gran parte de la población, perdonar y seguir adelante.

Este factor emocional que se magnifica en la psiquis colectiva, en lugar de superarse se ha ido deteriorando progresivamente, como consecuencia de la inseguridad y la violencia social representada por el accionar ilegal de las pandillas. Las cuales, en un principio, estuvieron relacionadas directamente con la política de repatriación forzada, impuesta por el gobierno de los Estados Unidos, a los migrantes indocumentados; pero que desafortunadamente han mutado, hasta convertirse en aliados y gatilleros del crimen transnacional organizado, reflejado en los carteles mexicanos y sudamericanos que se han acomodado en Centroamérica, como consecuencia de las acciones militares impulsadas por los Estados Unidos, en cooperación con Mexico, Colombia, Ecuador, Bolivia y Peru, en los carteles de narcotráfico, que operan en sus territorios.

Dicho lo anterior, hay que considerar los desafíos actuales y de cara al futuro. El principal de todos es la necesidad histórica de reducir el poder de la oligarquía y crear un contra poder, que equilibre de alguna manera, la influencia determinante de ésta en la vida económica y social del país. Este tema es fundamental, porque no se trata de formar un "puñado" de nuevos ricos, aislados del resto de la sociedad, como esta ocurriendo en la actualidad. Se necesita crear las condiciones para que un mayor número de salvadoreños mejoren sus condiciones de vida material, como en Brasil, que elevo las condiciones de vida de su población en pobreza extrema en por lo menos un 89% en los últimos diez años.

Por la experiencia vivida fuera de El Salvador por más de 18 años, estoy convencido que los "hermanos lejanos, cercanos o como quieran llamarnos" estamos obligados a contribuir a la construcción de esa masa crítica que potencie las clases medias de El Salvador, junto con un gobierno que impulse un verdadero programa de desarrollo nacional, con una política exterior abierta al mundo.

No es una tarea fácil, pero no hay otro camino. El Salvador cada día es menos viable, debido a la alta polarización política y la continua profundización de un sistema económico y social que permite a los ricos ser más ricos, y a los pobres más pobres, con el agravante del desgaste de la clase media, que su aspiración de progreso se diluye al ver que sus condiciones de vida se disminuyen constantemente.

Hay mucho camino que recorrer aún, no hay soluciones fáciles ni mágicas que cambien este panorama de la noche a la mañana, pero lo que si se puede hacer ya, es forjar nuevos líderes políticos que motiven a nuestra población a ver hacia adelante, que contribuyan a forjar una visión común, aunque tengan distintos puntos de vista políticos, a aprovechar las oportunidades de contar con un ingreso constante del 20% del PIB, por medio de las remesas, pero que estas se inviertan de manera más racional, se que se han hecho algunos esfuerzos en esta materia, pero no han tenido los resultados esperados, se necesita "pensar", "analizar" y "proponer" nuevos caminos, esa es la responsabilidad histórica de nuestra generación, cuando hablamos de renovar la política, somos nosotros quienes debemos promover ese cambio.

Los Acuerdos de Paz de 1992 cumplieron con una etapa de desarrollo del país. Se han agotado y no son adecuados para enfrentar los retos actuales y futuros de El Salvador, por tanto, esta en nosotros dar el siguiente paso....estamos dispuestos a hacerlo?

"Reflexion on the Peace Accords of El Salvador"

by Amb. Carlos Garcia, 16 January 2015

No doubt that 23 years of the Peace Accords have been signed, a critical review of them, both his achievements as to its accuracy and current challenges that social violence imposed on our society. In my view, the greatest contribution of the Peace Accords was to end the armed conflict in the country, and remove the irregular military structures (the FMLN guerrillas) to convert Political Party.

In the case of armed force, to reduce the number of its members and the elimination of the elite forces, which fell responsibility for a series of mass rapes, massacres and other acts that violated the human rights of our people.

Additionally, new institutions such as the National Civil Police (PNC), the Public Security Academy, the Inspectorate of the PNC, and reform of the Constitution of the Republic was created, to allow a new democratic institutions in our country.

Here are some important achievements that have a democratic opening, which has been consolidated since. Were not minor accomplishments, was a historic step in the development of El Salvador that deserve recognition and acknowledge their contribution to the development of our country.

Regarding the apparent gaps in the Peace Accords, in my opinion the main of all was its inability to change the oligarchic power of our country, which has remained the main obstacle to achieving a more equitable economic and social system, that overcomes social marginalization and raise the standard of living of Salvadorans, strengthening the middle class of the country and benefiting our widely popular classes remittances received from our compatriots living abroad, which to date represent 20% of GDP.

Additionally, following the signing of the Peace Accords governments, including the present, have been unable to address the issue of national reconciliation, even from the perspective of the "mental health" and far fewer have raised the importance of have a "National Mental Health Policy" to assimilate the emotional, psychological effects, traumas and other imbalances that prevent even a large part of the population, forgive and move on.

This emotional factor that is magnified in the collective psyche, rather than overcome has deteriorated progressively, as a result of insecurity and social violence represented by the illegal actions of gangs. Which, initially, were directly related to the policy of forced repatriation, imposed by the government of the United States, undocumented migrants; but unfortunately have mutated to become allies and gunmen of organized transnational crime, reflected in Mexican and South American cartels have been accommodated in Central America as a result of military actions taken by the United States, in cooperation with Mexico, Colombia, Ecuador, Bolivia and Peru, where drug cartels operating in their territories.

That said, consider the current and the future challenges. The principal of these is the historical necessity of reducing the power of the oligarchy and create a counter power to balance somehow the decisive influence of the latter in economic and social life of the country. This issue is critical because there is forming a "handful" of new rich, isolated from the rest of society, as is happening today. You need to create the conditions for a greater number of Salvadorans improve their material living conditions, as in Brazil, which raised the living conditions of the population in extreme poverty by at least 89% in the last ten years.

By the experience outside El Salvador for over 18 years, I am convinced that we are obliged to contribute to building that critical mass that enhances the middle classes of El Salvador "distant, close or whatever you call us brothers" along with a government that promotes a true national development program, with an open foreign policy on the world.

It is not an easy task, but there is no other way. El Salvador every day is less viable because of the high political polarization and the continuous deepening of economic and social system that allows rich get richer, and the poor poorer, aggravated wear middle class, its aspiration to progress is diluted to see that their living conditions are steadily declining.

There is a long way to go yet, there are no easy or quick fixes to change this panorama overnight, but what if you can already do, is to forge new political leaders to motivate our people to look forward, to contribute to forge a common vision, though they have different political views, to take advantage of opportunities to have a steady income of 20% of GDP, through remittances, but these are invested in a more rational way, which have made some efforts in this area, but have not had the expected results, you need to "think", "analyze" and "propose" new roads, that is the historical responsibility of our generation, when we renew the policy, we who we should promote that change.

The Peace Accords of 1992 met a stage of development. Are exhausted and are not suitable to meet current and future challenges of El Salvador, therefore, is in us take the next step .... we are willing to do?

http://www.southsouthnews.com/south-south-news/ssn-features/448-un-coverage/un-main-bodies/36074-un-chief-hails-23-years-of-peace-in-el-salvador

“The importance of building a Culture of Peace for a Sustainable Future”

by H.E. Ambassador Carlos Garcia, Founder & CEO CG Global Consultant

New York, 13 November 2014

Bearing in mind that the desire for peace is universally recognized and also has been expressed and illustrated throughout history, documents and activities shown that peace is deeply rooted in the human culture.

Peace as a human need and aspiration means not only a decrease in all types of violence: direct, structural and cultural, but the indispensable condition for conflict can be transformed creatively and nonviolently. So we contribute to the building of peace, to the extent that we are able to transform conflicts into cooperation, positively and creatively, recognizing opponents and using the method of dialogue.

In this regard, it is noteworthy that peace is multidimensional and therefore requires not only efforts to achieve disarmament but also to achieve true human development, to strengthen respect for human rights, to resolve conflicts and curb environmental degradation, among others.

As we all are aware of the creation of a culture of peace, dialogue among civilizations and Humane Sustainable Cities are intertwine processes that presupposes above all a general effort to change mindsets and attitudes with the aim of promoting peace. It means transforming conflicts and prevent them, to prevent them beget violence and to actively restore peace and confidence of our citizens and between states and civilizations.

Assuming the practice of values and attitudes that promote peace is a personal decision in the first instance, but that makes more sense when expressed collectively. The willingness to talk, share, be supportive, listen to what others have to say, accept the ideas of others but not this agree with them, be understanding and tolerant, must arise from within the people as part of a reflection staff on how to become a builder and peacemaker and later extended to the collective memory of our peoples and civilizations.

At present, the human right to live in peace is the cornerstone of all other rights. As a human right, peace is everyone's construction.

Therefore contribute to the construction of a new vision of peace by developing a culture of peace, dialogue among civilizations and Humane Sustainable Cities, are processes based on the universal values of democracy, respect for life, liberty, justice, solidarity, tolerance, human rights and equality between men and women, are one of the most important tasks and challenges of our time.

It is everyone's responsibility, therefore, to realize the common fate of humanity, so as to promote  and putting into practice common policies to ensure justice in the relations of human beings to each other, as in a harmonious relationship between humanity and nature, and the various states together.

Consequently, peace building is now more important than ever, through science, culture, education, communication and solidarity, in order to effectively address the threats of exclusion, discrimination, intolerance and violence that defies cohesion of society and inevitably lead to armed conflict.

Since the founding of the United Nations, in June 26, 1945, in San Francisco, the firm resolve of Member States and Peoples of this organization to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war, has been confronted by a series of armed conflicts in various degrees and for various other reasons have hit the consciousness of humanity and have thwarted the aspirations and hopes of millions of human beings to live in peace and harmony together.

The international situation in the early years of the new millennium seems to bring gloomy predictions about the globalized expectations of millions of human beings, that despite the indisputable and significant advances in communication technologies gives the impression that there is no room for dialogue and understanding between peoples and governments anymore. So, as of the XXI century a new paradox has emerged and says that according to Member States conflicts could be resolved only by a strong dose of political will and awareness and renewed creation of a "culture of peace" not only for future generations but also for present generations as well. This should be a conscious effort among peoples and civilizations to promote respect for cultural diversity and advance the dialogue for peace and peaceful coexistence.

This inalienable right of peoples, strengthened by the daily actions of governments, the private sector and civil society organizations could be the beginning of a long and ruinous but necessary and indispensable way to build the foundations of a new international architecture based on full respect for life, the ending of violence and promotion and practice of non-violence through education, dialogue and international cooperation.

A full respect for the principles of sovereignty, territorial integrity and political independence of States and non-intervention in matters which are essentially within the domestic jurisdiction of any State, in accordance with the United Nations Charter and international law are principles of our organization that still valid today.

There are many tasks to complete, the time is approaching a tipping point in the deterioration of several unresolved conflicts, the suffering of millions of human beings because of poverty, hunger, illiteracy, lack of medical care and attention timely, social injustice, violence, lack of freedom and the weakness of truly democratic institutions are major obstacles to be overcome as soon as possible or it may be significant factors in the destruction of our civilization

We agree however to recognize that this effort must go global to achieve a "critical mass" that would make the necessary changes and adjustments in the scale of individual and collective values oriented towards building a true culture of peace and honest dialogue among civilizations.

In this context, the political will of states coupled to individual attitude change is necessary to achieve that purpose.

The United Nations is expected to play a key role in this process, not only as a reflection of the collective will of governments, but also as a voice for the voiceless, for it is necessary to perform structural and institutional changes to enable it achieve the expectations and hopes of the people. The United Nations is therefore destined to renew themselves and of humanization lead efforts in this new millennium.

I am convinced that this strategic task remains valid and precisely for the devastating consequences caused by armed conflict, human suffering and needless loss of thousands of lives of men, women, children and elderly, it is essential not to give-up in this endeavor.

Peace, as we have often recognized, it is not just the absence of conflict, but requires a positive, dynamic participatory process where dialogue is encouraged and conflicts are solved in a spirit of understanding and international cooperation.

Salvadorans are faithful witnesses that peace is only possible when we travel down this road. Honest dialogue, the political will of the parties, the urgent need to invest scarce resources in development tasks are just the minimum conditions and to advance on the path of national reconstruction and reconciliation requirements.

I also recognize the vital role of education, especially in the field of human rights, in the construction and consolidation of a culture of peace and the deepening of efforts to advance the dialogue among civilizations, laying the structural foundation for a truly alliance of civilizations and a Humane Sustainable Cities.

Cities Thrive on the Energy of Their People - South-South News

Cities Thrive on the Energy of Their People - South-South News

Round table to commemorate the "World Cities Day", October 31, 2014

Round table to commemorate the "World Cities Day", to be held on October 31, 2014
by H.E. Ambassador Carlos Garcia, Director of United Nations Relations, Enviro Board Corporation
www.enviroboard.com


By its resolution 68/239, the United Nations General Assembly decided to designate 31 October of every year, beginning in 2014, as "World Cities Day", and invited Member States, the United Nations system, in particular UN-Habitat, relevant international organizations, civil society and all other relevant stakeholders to observe and raise awareness of the Day.

"World Cities Day" is expected to greatly promote the international community's interest in global urbanization and increase cooperation among countries in meeting opportunities and challenges in urbanization and contribute to urban sustainable development around the world.

In this regard, the Permanent Missions to the United Nations of Sri Lanka and Kazakhstan, together with Enviro Board Corporation and several other stakeholders from civil society, academia and private sector are joining as co-sponsors of this event, to be held on October 31, 2014 from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. at Conference Room 8 and later a reception will follow from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at South Delegate's Dining Room, 4th Fl at the United Nations.

The theme of this round table is "The New Urban Agenda of the United Nations towards the building of a Human Sustainable Cities".

It's important to recall that at the twenty-seventh session of the High-level Committee on Programmes of the United Nations System Chief Executives Board for Coordination (CEB), held in Santiago de Chile on 17 and 18 March 2014, UN-Habitat proposed the introduction of an agenda item on "A new United Nations urban agenda". Following positive feedback, a working group was established in early July 2014 and began its work.

On the basis of the report of that working group, it is expected that the High-level Committee on Programmes will prepare draft policy recommendations on a new United Nations urban agenda for preliminary consideration by CEB in November 2014. It is also envisaged that, after approval by the Board, the final recommendations will be submitted to the Habitat III Preparatory Committee in December 2015 as the formal input of the United Nations system organizations to the preparatory process.

In my view, this early discussion among different stakeholders on the "New Urban Agenda of the United Nations towards the building of a Human Sustainable Cities", even before CEB agreed on the preliminar draft policy recommendations, it's a clear indication that this is a real issue for the international community beyond formal discussions among CEB.

The seventh session of the World Urban Forum, convened by UN-Habitat, was highly successful, in terms of relevance, outcomes and participation. It was attended by more than 22, 000 persons from more than 140 countries, gathered together to seek ways of promoting inclusive urban development in all parts of the world. The spirit and main recommendations of the Forum were captured in the Medellin Declaration, the key outcome document of the session.

This extraordinary meeting set the platform to participants at the World Urban Forum to acknowledged that, when equity is an integral part of the development agenda, the deep structural problems and challenges of cities can be better addressed. Equity is both a moral obligation and a central element of social justice, and becomes part of transformative change.

This is precisely the reason why we chose the theme for this round table "The new urban agenda of the United Nations towards the building of a Human Sustainable Cities". We, at Enviro Board Corporation, are fully convenced that technical and environmental solutions for housing should not been disconnected with the needs of vulnerable groups. So, as other stakeholders may like to bring their own perspective on this regard, I can see how we are building a bridge between two worlds that has been separated in the past by an old dilema: urban development versus rural development.

Hopefully not this time at Habitat III, where Equity has been identify as a key component of sustainable development. But more than that, several other agencies, funds and programs are working on the ground on this issue for quite a lot time. I can think of ECLAC and its trilogy of Time for Equality: Closing Gaps, Opening Trails (2010, Brasilia); Structural Change for Equality: An Integrated Approach to Development (2012, San Salvador); and Compacts for Equality: Towards a Sustainable Future (2014, Lima).

In the document presented in Lima, ECLAC proposed to discuss two major challenges to development in Latin America and the Caribbean today: to achieve greater equality and to make development sustainable for future generations.

On the other hand, its important to highlight that the framework of the post-2015 development agenda was identified as an opportunity to reaffirm the universal relevance of well-planned and well-managed cities as real drivers for change.

A working group on Habitat III, established by the World Urban Campaign Steering Committee in September 2012, met in April and September 2013 to reflect on past conferences, initiate a strategy and draft a position on the "City we need" as a contribution to the conference. The consensus document on the "City we need" was launched in New York in March 2014 by key partners, including the Special Envoy of the United Nations Secretary-General for Cities and Climate Change, Michael Bloomberg, in collaboration with the Ford Foundation.

Finally, this upcoming round table to commemorate the "World Cities Day" would be a very good opportunity for Member States, United Nations system, civil society, academia and private sector to exchange view points on how to built a strong connection and promote a real dialogue among infrastructure and human being.


Mesa redonda para conmemorar el "Día Mundial de las Ciudades", el 31 de octubre 2014 
por S.E. Embajador Carlos García, Director de Relaciones con las Naciones Unidas, Enviro Board Corporation.
www.enviroboard.com


En su resolución 68/239, la Asamblea General de las Naciones Unidas decidió designar el 31 de octubre de cada año, a partir de 2014, como el "Día Mundial de las Ciudades", e invitó a los Estados Miembros, el sistema de las Naciones Unidas, en particular las Naciones Unidas-Hábitat, internacional pertinente organizaciones, la sociedad civil y todas las demás partes interesadas pertinentes para observar y dar a conocer el día.

Se espera que "el Día Mundial de las Ciudades" promueva en gran medida el interés de la comunidad internacional en la urbanización global y aumentar la cooperación entre los países en el cumplimiento de las oportunidades y los desafíos de la urbanización y contribuir al desarrollo sostenible urbano en todo el mundo.

En este sentido, las Misiones Permanentes ante las Naciones Unidas de Sri Lanka y Kazajstán, junto con Enviro Board Corporation y otras partes interesadas de la sociedad civil, la academia y el sector privado se están uniendo como co-patrocinadores de este evento, que se celebrará el 31 de octubre , 2014 3:00-6:00 p.m. en la Sala de Conferencias 8 y más tarde una recepción seguirá de las 6:30-8:30 p.m. al Comedor Sur de Delegados del 4 piso, en las Naciones Unidas.

El tema de esta mesa redonda es "La Nueva Agenda Urbana de las Naciones Unidas hacia la construcción de Ciudades Humanas Sostenibles".

Es importante recordar que en el vigésimo séptimo período de sesiones del Comité de Alto Nivel sobre Programas de la Junta de los jefes ejecutivos del sistema de las Naciones Unidas para la Coordinación (JJE), que se celebró en Santiago de Chile el 17 y 18 de marzo de 2014, ONU-Hábitat propuso la introducción de un tema del programa sobre "una nueva agenda urbana de las Naciones Unidas". A raíz de la retroalimentación positiva, un grupo de trabajo se estableció a principios de julio de 2014 y comenzó su trabajo.

Sobre la base del informe de ese grupo de trabajo, se espera que el Comité de Alto Nivel sobre Programas preparará proyecto de recomendaciones de políticas sobre una nueva agenda urbana de las Naciones Unidas para su examen preliminar por la Junta en noviembre de 2014. También se prevé que, después de la aprobación por la Junta, se presentará las recomendaciones finales al Comité Preparatorio de Hábitat III en diciembre de 2015, la entrada formal de las organizaciones del sistema de las Naciones Unidas para el proceso preparatorio.

En mi punto de vista, esta discusión temprana entre las diferentes partes interesadas en la "Nueva Agenda Urbana de las Naciones Unidas en materia de construcción de Ciudades Humanas Sostenibles", incluso antes de que la Junta acordó el proyecto de recomendaciones de preliminar de política, es una clara indicación de que se trata de una verdadera problemática para la comunidad internacional más allá de las discusiones formales entre CEB.

El séptimo período de sesiones del Foro Urbano Mundial, convocada por ONU-Hábitat, tuvo un gran éxito, en términos de relevancia, los resultados y la participación. A ella asistieron más de 22, 000 personas procedentes de más de 140 países, se reunieron para buscar la manera de promover el desarrollo urbano inclusivo en todas las partes del mundo. El espíritu y las principales recomendaciones del Foro fueron capturados en la Declaración de Medellín, el documento de resultado clave de la sesión.

Esta reunión extraordinaria establece la plataforma para los participantes en el Foro Urbano Mundial a reconocer que, cuando la equidad es una parte integral de la agenda de desarrollo, los profundos problemas estructurales y desafíos de las ciudades pueden ser mejor atendidos. La equidad es una obligación moral y un elemento central de la justicia social, y se convierte en parte de un cambio transformador.

Esta es precisamente la razón por la que elegimos el tema de esta mesa redonda "La nueva agenda urbana de las Naciones Unidas hacia la construcción de Ciudades Humanas Sostenibles". Nosotros, en Enviro Board Corporation, estamos plenamente convencidos que las soluciones técnicas y ambientales para la vivienda no deberían estar desconectadas con las necesidades de los grupos vulnerables. Así que, como otros actores interesados pueden traer su propio punto de vista en este sentido, puedo ver cómo estamos construyendo un puente entre dos mundos que se han separado en el pasado por un viejo dilema: el desarrollo urbano en comparación con el desarrollo rural.

Esperemos que esta vez no en Hábitat III, donde la equidad ha sido identificada como un componente clave del desarrollo sostenible. Pero más que eso, varios otros organismos, fondos y programas están trabajando sobre el terreno en este tema durante bastante tiempo. Al respecto, puedo pensar en la CEPAL y su trilogía de la hora de la igualdad: brechas por cerrar (2010, Brasilia); Cambio estructural para la igualdad: Una visión integrada del desarrollo (2012, San Salvador); Compactos para la igualdad: Hacia un Futuro Sostenible (2014, Lima).

En el documento presentado en Lima, la CEPAL propuso discutir dos grandes retos para el desarrollo en América Latina y el Caribe hoy: como lograr una mayor igualdad y lograr el desarrollo sostenible para las generaciones futuras.

Por otro lado, es importante resaltar que se identificó el marco de la agenda de desarrollo post-2015 como una oportunidad para reafirmar la relevancia universal de ciudades bien planificadas y bien administradas como verdaderos impulsores del cambio.

Un grupo de trabajo sobre Hábitat III, establecido por el Comité Directivo de la Campaña Urbana Mundial en septiembre de 2012, se reunió en abril y septiembre de 2013 para reflexionar sobre conferencias pasadas, iniciar una estrategia y elaborar una posición en la "Ciudad que necesitamos", como una contribución a la conferencia. El documento de consenso sobre la "Ciudad que necesitamos" fue lanzado en Nueva York en marzo de 2014 los socios clave, entre ellos el enviado especial del Secretario General de las Naciones Unidas para las Ciudades y el Cambio Climático, Michael Bloomberg, en colaboración con la Fundación Ford.

Por último, esta próxima mesa redonda para conmemorar el "Día Mundial Ciudades" sería una muy buena oportunidad para que los Estados Miembros, el sistema de las Naciones Unidas, la sociedad civil, la academia y el sector privado puedan intercambiar puntos de vista sobre la manera de construir una relación fuerte y promover un verdadero diálogo entre la infraestructura y el ser humano.

Enviro Board Latin America