Institutions and integrated and inclusive approaches

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UN Photo/JC McIlwaine

The SDGs provide an integrated and multidisciplinary policy framework whose implementation requires whole-of-government and whole-of-society approaches. This entails a paradigm shift in governance to enable integrated and inclusive approaches for decision-making and service delivery where governments work across policy sectors and in cooperation and partnership with different parts of society. Institutions and leaders at all levels of government and public administrations need to focus on people, innovation, partnerships and data to enable a shift from traditional policy and delivery tools to ones that are more conducive to experimentation and citizens feedback. To deliver on the SDGs, most countries will need to establish new, multi-sectoral coordination structures across different ministries, departments, agencies and centers of government to cover a wider range of topics and balance between sometime competing goals. They will also need institutions and public servants to develop new competencies and skills to engage with multiple stakeholders and innovate existing processes to support more integrated, participatory decision-making and service delivery.

WHAT we offer

 

UN DESA promotes institutional development and public service delivery systems that can support the implementation of the SDGs. SDG 16 provides the overarching framework for this work, which aims to foster national institutions, processes and leadership that support integrated, inclusive and innovative approaches for the implementation of the 2030 Agenda.

The Department  produces and provides access to a wealth of resources – from good practices to practical toolkits, e-learning, training courses and other tools – that can assist countries in developing capacities for transformational leadership, access to information, transparency, accountability, anti-corruption, and participation. These are intended to enable public administrations and public servants to manage integrated, inclusive and innovative approaches, including through whole-of-government approaches, accountability and transparency initiatives, multi-stakeholder engagement, and e-government.

UN DESA also supports institutional arrangements for policy coherence, innovation for public service delivery and digital government, building on the 11 principles of effective governance for sustainable development formulated by the UN Committee of Experts on Public Administration (CEPA) and endorsed by the UN Economic and Social Council.

Tools and Resources on Institutions and Integrated and Inclusive Approaches

 

UN DESA leverages its knowledge resources and products to support governments, UN resident coordinators, and UN country teams to strengthen national institutions and public service delivery for the SDGs through various modalities.  

These include knowledge-sharing platforms, technical advisory services, and online and in-person capacity development training on a broad range of governance and public administration issues, which include:  

  • Transformational leadership and public servants’ capacities for the SDGs; institutional transparency and accountability;  

  • Whole-of-government approaches and institutional arrangements for policy coherence, inclusive governance, and public participation; 

  • Innovation in public service delivery; and  

  • E-government. 

 

Transformational Leadership and Public Servants’ Capacities to Implement the SDGs 

 

Transparency, Accountability, and Participation 

  • Transparency, Accountability, and Ethics in Public Institutions, Training of Trainers Toolkit intends to promote public servants' ethical awareness and transform mindsets for ethical behavior and decision-making, enabling them to become change agents and lead on integrity transformations. Online course – upcoming; 

  • Mini Online Course on Transparency, Accountability, and Ethics in Public Institutions - This course shows what corruption is and who may become involved, identifies where there is a risk of corruption and what impact it has. Assessing and monitoring corruption is another topic that the course covers, including a corruption risk assessment and its needed tools. 

  • Citizen Engagement Self–Assessment Questionnaire contains a self-assessment questionnaire that will help leaders in the public sector in taking stock of progress in terms of regulation, preparation, organization, and evaluation of citizen engagement activities at the national level. 

  1. English version: https://publicadministration.un.org/Portals/1/UNPAN94954.pdf;  

  1. Arabic Version: https://publicadministration.un.org/Portals/1/UNPAN94955.pdf 

  • METRP - Measurement and Evaluation Tool for Citizen Engagement and e-Participation - UN DESA developed this self-assessment questionnaire in response to an emerging need for stronger and deeper participation in citizen engagement by all stakeholders, as identified in the Rio+20 Summit Report, Realizing the Future We Want for All, and the work of the UN Task Team on the Post-2015 Development Agenda. 

  • Open Government Data (OGD) Readiness Assessment was created to assist Governments in assessing how prepared a country is for adopting and implementing an OGD initiative. Specifically, the assessment helps governments to identify specific areas for improvements and potential niches for the initial start-up of OGD initiatives. Based on key factors, the assessment can assist governments in adjusting their respective plans to consolidate strengths and address weaknesses. 

  • Guide on Lessons for Open Government Data Action Planning for Sustainable Development. This project enhanced awareness of OGD requirements among government officials and other stakeholders while addressing capacities needed for developing action plans for implementing OGD initiatives in Bangladesh, Nepal, Panama, and Uruguay. 

  • Guidance on how to audit SDG preparedness provides ‘how to’ advice to SAI audit teams in using a whole-of-government approach to planning, conducting, and reporting on ISSAI-based performance audits of government preparedness for implementing the 2030 Agenda. 

  • Handbook on How Supreme Audit Institutions Can Assess and Address Budget Credibility through External Audits [Upcoming] 

  • How to Design and Implement Institutional Mechanisms to Promote Better Monitoring of the Sustainable Development Goals [Upcoming] 

  • RBM Institutional Perspectives (e.g., Ecuador Project) [Upcoming] 

 

Whole-of-Government 

 

Innovation and e-government 

 

Local Governance 

  • Local Online Service Index (LOSI) - The United Nations E-Government Development Database (UNeGovDD) is a benchmarking tool that provides a comparative assessment of the e-government development of UN Member States. It offers an interactive snapshot of each country’s e-government development from a regional and global perspective. 

  • Effective National to Local Public Governance for SDG Implementation, Training of Trainers Toolkit is designed around the often-expressed challenges of strengthening national to local government coordination and institutional effectiveness for the SDGs. Therefore, this toolkit aims to break these barriers for more effective achievement of the SDGs and highlights the role of local government. Online Course [Upcoming]; 

  • Handbook on Effective National to Local Governance for Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation (coming soon) 

  • Handbook on “Strengthening Resilience in Cities and Local Communities through Innovation and Digital Government” (coming soon) 

  • Handbook on "Promoting Local Innovation for Inclusion of People in Vulnerable Situations and Leaving No One Behind" (coming soon) 

  • Handbook on "Digital Transformation in Local Government: Leadership, Human Resources, and Organizational Structure" (coming soon) 

  • Handbook on "Fostering Collaborative Public Administration for Local Governments" (coming soon) 

  • Handbook on "Social Value in Local Governments" (coming soon)