The United Nations development system, with its around 40 agencies, stands at an important crossroad. New powerful players from the global South have emerged, new global development challenges have risen and there has been a change in the distribution of power between states, markets and citizens. This has resulted in profound consequences for the understanding of poverty and of economic, social and environmentally sustainable development.
Multilateral and international cooperation is more needed than ever. At the same time the UN development system, run by member states, has not transformed itself at the same pace. Consequently, the UN today is facing a reality with an urgent need to adapt to the changing world around in order to remain relevant for the goals set by member states for the UN system to achieve.
The main questions raised in the seminar are:
- What challenges does the UN development system face today?
- Which strengths are there to build on?
- What kind of reform is needed in order for the UN development system to be relevant in a changing world?
- How should Sweden’s support to the UN development system be designed in order to adapt to the future?
This seminar was organised by Dag Hammarskjöld Foundation and Global Reporting. The seminar consists of two parts, starting with a panel of experts with current or previous experience from the UN development system (in English). The second part is a panel conversation with representatives of Swedish political parties with a focus on Sweden’s relation to the UN system, our contribution and what we should aim to achieve (in Swedish).
Participants:
Bruce Jenks: Author of the report “UN Development at a Crossroads”.
Nicola Harrington-Buhay: UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative in the Republic of Moldova.
Kinda Mohamadieh: Policy Advisor at Arab NGO Network for Development in Beirut and Policy Advisor at South Centre, Geneva.
Panel discussion
The seminar ends with a panel discussion in Swedish with representatives from the Swedish parliament and the political parties.
Martin Ängeby (fp), Secretary-General of Swedish International Liberal Centre.
Hans Linde (v), Member of Parliament, Foreign Policy Spokesperson.
Kenneth G Forslund (s), Member of Parliament, Spokesperson on International Development cooperation.
Pernilla Stålhammar (mp), Convener of International Committee of the Green Party.
The seminar is moderated by Annika Söder, Dag Hammarskjöld Foundation, and Mia Laurén, Global Reporting.