Sustaining development in small states in a turbulent global economy

1. Sustaining development in small states in a turbulent global economy 6-7th July, 2009Marlborough House

2. Objectives of the session Overview of Human development issues and STPD response Examine the impact of the global economic and financial crisis on financial indicators Present a review of the progress and constraints of small states in achieving MDG and proposed measures Commonwealth Secretariat

3. Social Transformation Programmes Division Education - Health - Gender The division leads and implements the Secretariat’s agenda with regard to Human Development, working with governments and other stakeholders to address issues and challenges in education and health, and for a world where women and men are equal partners, with equal opportunities and equality of outcomes. Commonwealth Secretariat

4. Social Development:MDGs Goal 1: Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger Goal 2: Achieve universal primary education Goal 3: Promote gender equality and empower women Goal 4: Reduce child mortality Goal 5: Improve maternal health Goal 6: Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases Goal 7: Ensure environmental sustainability Goal 8: Develop a Global Partnership for Development Commonwealth Secretariat

5. MDGs synthesise, in a single package, many of the most important commitments made separately at the international conferences and summits of the 1990s; recognise explicitly the interdependence between growth, poverty reduction and sustainable development; acknowledge that development rests on the foundations of democratic governance, the rule of law, respect for human rights and peace and security; are based on time-bound and measurable targets accompanied by indicators for monitoring progress; and eighth Goal, the responsibilities of developing countries with those of developed countries Commonwealth Secretariat

6. Impact on MDGs • Lack of progress and regression • Countries impacted by global markets/recession • Food security • Public sector impacted • by reduction in GDP of own country • Reduction in GDP of partner countries • Currency fluctuations • Aid remittances • Emphasis on economic indices • Luxury of gender and equity issues Commonwealth Secretariat

7. MDGs More than half of all developing countries could experience a rise in number of extreme poor in 2009 The financial crisis will result in up to 400,000 additional infant deaths a year from 2009-2015 The global unemployment rate for women will rise more than for men – 22 million women will be plunged into unemployment Total aid commitment dropping 200 million more in poverty, malnourishment, hunger and deprivation 700 million adults to remain illiterate by 2015 World’s progress towards MDGs could be set back by three years In over 50 countries more than half of all children will not complete primary schooling cycle Gender parity goal already missed in 113 countries in 2005 Current trends predict that only 18 countries will meet primary and secnday level full enrolment Commonwealth Secretariat

8. Interrelationship of recession on public sector and gender implications Human development is social, economic, political, cultural, technological development • Health • Malnourishment • Reduction of safety nets • Impact on maternal and child mortality • NCDs • Climate change • Education • Drop in enrolment • Gender implications • Unemployment • Low achievement • Social unrest Commonwealth Secretariat

9. Interrelationship of recession on public sector and gender implications Gender • Impact of social sector cuts • Malaise/frustration may impact negatively • Loss of jobs – manufacturing, and services • School enrolment/completion • Maternal health • HIV and AIDS • Prostitution Commonwealth Secretariat

10. Issue of human resources Migration – loss of human capital Increased mortality (women & children) Diminished capacities Loss of revenue Food Insecurity Commonwealth Secretariat

11. CHMM Noted that current global crisis was threatening health gains, because of impact on public and household expenditure Focus programme drawing on comparative advantage, resource base, capacity, and in partnership Heightened need for more efficient and effective use of resources and for evidenced based policy/action Commonwealth Secretariat

12. CHMM- planning Endorsed focus on health related MDGs – maternal and infant mortality Financial resources Human resourcing and Code of Practice continuing priority Lifestyles and diets Noted the importance to support Governments in addressing climate change impact on health Commonwealth Secretariat

13. 17 CCEM Communiqué focus Noted with concern the effect of the global economic downturn on social sectors, particularly in the poorer countries and small states. Ministers recognized that education provides a fundamental tool for self improvement and national development and is a basic human right It also helps countries to prepare for recovery by helping people re tool and develop the necessary skills to meet the future needs of the economy The need to main both the quantity and flow of resources and aid commitments was noted and for national governments and international community to work together to mitigate the risks Commonwealth Secretariat

14. CCEMforward planning Need to prioritise to take account of global trends Advancing education in small states Continuing work on Teacher Protocol School leadership Gender related work and boys underachievement Education for sustainable development – climate change Enhancing the delivery of multi-grade Strengthening HIV and AIDS education Emphasised importance of respect and understanding CSFP Access to students of smaller states to higher education in the CW Developing and utilising partnership with a range of stakeholders Commonwealth Secretariat

15. Gender2010 - WAMM • Look at impact of global crisis – work already in Uganda • Transferable and non transferable skills • Climate change – gender dimensions • Continued emphasis on four critical areas • Gender, democracy, peace and conflict • Gender, human rights, and law • Gender, poverty eradication • Gender and HIV and AIDS • Mid term review of Plan of Action Commonwealth Secretariat

16. Action Given our comparative advantage in terms of small states, convening power, dealing with inequities, STPD will focus more on small states from CCEM mandate, will be looking at migration and its impact and working to support specific areas of gender and conflict, will be focusing on partnership Commonwealth Secretariat

17. Action • Maintain a pro-poor focus on inequities in education, health expenditures, and gender equity • Maintain focus on MDGs and their interrelationship • Maintain strong advocacy • Add value through knowledge increase - targeted research in niche areas, and interpretation re Commonwealth and policy implications • Add value through partnership and clearly defined areas and ways of working • Division and across division Multi-sectoral responses • Migration • Gender • Small states specific • Working with Human rights and Youth • Working with other divisions Commonwealth Secretariat