By Yasmin Tramannoni, RACI
In September 2015, the international community witnessed the culmination of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and the approval of a new set of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). These goals will define the new global development agenda.
The 17 SDGs are universal and cross-cutting targets. They focus on the social, environmental and economic dimensions of development, and aim to eradicate poverty by the year 2030.
The process of adapting the SDGs to Argentina’s local context has begun, based on the guidelines and lessons learned from the implementation of the MDGs.
On behalf of the Government, the National Council for Coordination of Social Policies (Consejo Nacional de Coordinación de Politicas Sociales – CNCPS) will hold consultations at district level on how best to adapt the SDGs to each local context and, once adapted, how to track indicators.
The Red Argentina para la Cooperación Internacional (RACI – Argentine Network for International Cooperation) is made up of more than 100 independent and non-profit national civil society organisations. We work together to transform society through collective action, and to raise awareness of the importance of the SDGs for the national agenda.
Throughout 2015, RACI organised round tables and debates among representatives of civil society, government, enterprises and academics. We created a joint agenda to work towards the achievement of SDG16 on peace, justice and strong institutions.
This initiative was the starting point for social organisations to work in greater synergy with institutions from different sectors, and also to initiate a broader public conversation with sectors not yet familiar with the new sustainable development agenda.
The challenges are numerous as there is a lack of knowledge around the SDGs. However, through partnerships with different actors, RACI has carried out awareness campaigns to encourage citizens to hold the Government to account to achieve the SDGs.
We have been campaigning in public spaces since last year’s Global Day of Citizen Action. At a public demonstration in Buenos Aires, citizens advocated the importance of freedom of speech, association and action.
For these activities we received support from CIVICUS, an international alliance that protects the rights of civil societies by strengthening them and their influence in different spheres.
RACI is a member of CIVICUS and Guillermo Correa, our Executive Director is a member of the alliance’s executive board.
Civil society in Argentina plays a key role in raising awareness on topics of national interest. The increase in people from civil society taking up roles with the new administration is helping get the message across to the Government. It will also help create a bond of open communication and greater interaction between the two sectors.
Alongside recent multilateral efforts to promote international cooperation for development, RACI continues to research opportunities to align the combined global effort with what is happening in Argentina.
Making the connections between all financing sources for development is incredibly important, as is the exchange of reliable and transparent information between government, business, academics and civil society. If we do not align our knowledge with our resources, it will be very difficult to achieve all of the goals by 2030.
This is why RACI invites all Argentinian citizens to learn about the new sustainable development agenda and to make the commitment to align our day-to-day actions with the SDGs.
Agenda 2030 is not unattainable. It is a hard task, but not impossible, provided we shoulder the responsibility to take care of our home, our world.
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