Moving beyond the Millennium Development Goals. Seeking a new way to define human progress. Phil Vernon – 8th June 2010

Figure 1: The evolution and expansion of Alert’s thinking on aid. Next: “Development” needs to be re-thought and understood differently. Why and What?, as well as How?”... The institution of aid needs radical overhaul: How? ..Not How Much? Aid should include resources for peacebuilding Conflict sensitivity Figure 1: The evolution and expansion of Alert’s thinking on aid.

Figure 1. United Nations Millennium Declaration Values and principles Promote dignity, freedom, equality, equity, solidarity, tolerance, respect for nature, shared responsibility and the sovereignty of nations. II Peace, security and disarmament Be more effective in maintaining peace and security by providing the resources and means necessary for conflict prevention, dispute resolution, peace-keeping, post-conflict reconstruction and peacebuilding, and disarmament. III Development and poverty eradication Promote and create global and national environments conducive to development and to the eradication of poverty, and make sufficient resources available. IV Protecting our common environment Promote the principles of sustainable development. V Human rights, democracy and good governance Support countries to implement democracy, promote a respect for human rights and fight all forms of discrimination and violence against women. VI Protecting the vulnerable Ensure the protection of civilians in emergency situations and strengthen international cooperation and coordination of humanitarian assistance. VII Meeting the special needs of Africans Assist Africans to bring about poverty eradication, sustainable development, lasting peace, through debt cancellation, better market access, enhanced aid, and increased foreign direct investment. VIII Strengthening the United Nations Increase the effectiveness of the UN in order to fight poverty, disease, injustice, violence, terror and encourage development for all people.

The Millennium Development Goals Poverty Primary school attendance Gender empowerment Child health Maternal mortality HIV/AIDS, Malaria etc. Environmental sustainability Global partnerships

The MDGs Too narrow Ends vs. Means Unrealistic Global measures of local change Perverse incentives

Access to justice, equality before the law Voice and legitimate leadership Economic opportunity Freedom from insecurity Well-being and aspiration THE VISION

Access to justice, equality before the law Strengthened institutions and values which underpin peace and enable human progress Access to justice, equality before the law Voice and legitimate leadership Economic opportunity Freedom from insecurity Well-being and aspiration THE VISION

A model for thinking about how progress happens Strengthened institutions and values which underpin peace and enable human progress Access to justice, equality before the law Voice and legitimate leadership Economic opportunity Freedom from insecurity Well-being and aspiration Opening access to political and economic opportunity Democratisation The establishment of nation-states with a strong sense of membership by the people, and whose governments adopt “developmental” goals and policies Evolution from personal to impersonal forms of participation in the economy, politics and civil society Sustained, shared economic growth A culture which encourages initiative and supports creativity The establishment, practice and extension of the rule of law THE VISION DEVELOPMENT PROCESSES The transfer of control of organised violence from powerful factions to the accountable state A model for thinking about how progress happens

Conclusions A new narrative of human progress A newly coined purpose to suit the narrative: to inspire and for accountability Institutions fitter for purpose

Conclusions Vision-based Enabling change Specific about “how” A new narrative of human progress Vision-based Enabling change Specific about “how” Role of values & institutions Multi-discplinary Humanitarian vs development A “big conversation”

Conclusions Vision-based Not just adding to the MDGs – a new model A newly coined purpose to suit the narrative: to inspire and for accountability Vision-based Not just adding to the MDGs – a new model Subsidiarity – take context as the starting point for strategies which show how they fit the vision In time for 2015 to replace MDGs

Conclusions Not limited to “aid”: e.g. trade, R2P Institutions fitter for purpose Not limited to “aid”: e.g. trade, R2P Engage politically – work with the grain to change the grain; and on complex societal issues Engage OECD tax payers in a new way Long term perspective Harness the potential of the middle class Accountable within the vision/purpose and be self critical Enshrine subsidiarity Pass the McKinsey test

Conclusions A new narrative of human progress A newly coined purpose to suit the narrative: to inspire and for accountability Institutions fitter for purpose