Kirjahaku

Improving the Sustainable Development Goals evaluates the Global Goals (Agenda 2030) by looking at their design and how they relate to theories of economic development. Adopted unanimously by the member states of the United Nations (UN) in 2015, the goals are remarkable for the global commitment on a set of targets to reach by 2030, but also for the lack of a strategy of implementation. The choice of appropriate action is handed over to individual governments, some of which are limited by their lack of resources. This book explores how implementation of the sustainable development goals (SDGs) can be developed, especially in developing countries. The content, strengths and weaknesses of the SDGs are critically examined, alongside their relationship to ongoing academic research. The authors also investigate the actions of governments over the past three years by looking at the national strategies they have presented at annual meetings of the UN High-Level Political Forum. Improving the Sustainable Development Goals takes a critical but constructive approach, pointing out risks as well as possible remedies. The SDGs are seen as an opportunity for a global conversation on what works in solving some fundamental problems relating to poverty and environmental degradation. With the inclusion of a chapter by Tobias Ogweno, former member of the Kenya’s UN mission, this book will appeal to all those who are interested in policy analysis with a focus on development issues.

Improving the Sustainable Development Goals evaluates the Global Goals (Agenda 2030) by looking at their design and how they relate to theories of economic development. Adopted unanimously by the member states of the United Nations (UN) in 2015, the goals are remarkable for the global commitment on a set of targets to reach by 2030, but also for the lack of a strategy of implementation. The choice of appropriate action is handed over to individual governments, some of which are limited by their lack of resources. This book explores how implementation of the sustainable development goals (SDGs) can be developed, especially in developing countries. The content, strengths and weaknesses of the SDGs are critically examined, alongside their relationship to ongoing academic research. The authors also investigate the actions of governments over the past three years by looking at the national strategies they have presented at annual meetings of the UN High-Level Political Forum. Improving the Sustainable Development Goals takes a critical but constructive approach, pointing out risks as well as possible remedies. The SDGs are seen as an opportunity for a global conversation on what works in solving some fundamental problems relating to poverty and environmental degradation. With the inclusion of a chapter by Tobias Ogweno, former member of the Kenya’s UN mission, this book will appeal to all those who are interested in policy analysis with a focus on development issues.

The European Union has high ambitions in relation to Africa and in achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals. One example is the new Africa Strategy, where the EU wants to have a strong partnership with the African Union. Other European policies contribute to the lofty objectives of the EU, which is the world’s largest donor of development aid.The high ambitions are not matched by the implementation. The European policies, shaped by the Commission and the member states, are partly contradictory and hard to fulfill locally in Africa. Furthermore, they are focused on intentions rather than outcomes. The European policies need to be decentered to allow for the African context to play a larger role in the design and execution of policies.The Sustainable Development Goals call for fundamental transformations, where political and economic development are of great importance to reach the social and environmental goals. This implies greater attention to the drivers and barriers for political and economic transformation in Africa. It also calls for a greater interest in the relationship between donors and recipients, to build trust and to find mutual gain. The EU needs to recognize that it is dependent on its African partners, while it simultaneously wants to influence and revise some of the African policies.

Förstudie – behövs det verkligen? Inför en tänkt förändring är det värdefullt att göra en förstudie för att titta närmare på vilka möjligheter som står till buds, och vilka konsekvenser de för med sig. Ganska ofta finns det en motvilja mot denna typ av utredningsarbete. Vanliga motargument är: ”Utreda behoven – vi vet ju redan vad vi vill ha!” ”Det snabbaste och enklaste är att skaffa en paketlösning, då får vi ju en redan fungerande lösning.” ”Vi har ju inte all tid i världen på oss. Kör igång och utveckla direkt!” ”Förstudier är bara till för att konsulterna skall kunna ta ut mer pengar.” ”Det blir bara ett evigt utredande – jättedyrt och en massa producerade papper som ingen orkar sätta sig in i.” Många förändringsprojekt har startats med ovanstående eller liknande argument i bakgrunden, utan att man tagit reda på vad man egentligen vill och bör göra, innan man sätter igång på allvar med utvecklings- och förändringsarbete. En kund vi träffade för några år sedan gav den bästa beskrivningen, när han efter en stunds förklaring och diskussion sa ”Så detta görs alltså för att vi skall få en klar bild av vilka möjligheter och alternativ vi har innan vi beslutar om att eventuellt investera”, och det är precis vad det handlar om. Nyckel till framgång i utredningar av denna typ är att inte göra mer än vad som behövs, d v s tillräckligt lite, men samtidigt såpass mycket att man kan fatta beslut utifrån kunskap mer än grova gissningar, och nyckeln till framgång för läsaren är att öppna denna bok för att få veta hur det går till. Författaren har arbetat med förstudier sedan mitten av 1980-talet i ett flertal företag. Han har också gedigen erfarenhet av metodutveckling inom området, och har under perioder varit instruktör vid företagsutbildningar i ämnet.