15 Seconds of Fame: Why the UN’s post-2015 process doesn’t need more ‘participation’

TLDR: This article takes a close look at the true nature of the channels of participation opened in the post-2015 process, and how the UN can do more to foster an environment where citizens are encouraged to make real change in their own communities.

Abstract: The Millennium Development Goals suffered from a lack of inclusivity in their drafting, and as they expire the United Nations hopes to correct this in the new post-2015 agenda. This article takes a close look at the true nature of the channels of participation opened in the post-2015 process. The UN’s current commitment to the participation of marginalized populations is commendable, but genuine empowerment and ownership of development is about more than just poll-taking of the poor and a seat at the table for a lucky few NGOs. It involves sustainable, structural changes of a political nature – changes that are messy, naturally resist timelines and targets, and only slowly move towards the better systems of governance necessary to sustaining development. Although the UN is not an actor equipped to make these changes, it can do more to foster an environment where citizens are encouraged to make real change in their own communities.