Promoting participative policy coherence for sustainable development

Abstract

English Abstract: Coherence for Sustainable Development (PCSD) has promoted sustainability through policy coordination, but to what extent does it respond to the needs of local communities? Scholars of PCSD have acknowledged how it has been considered as an end in itself rather than a means to achieve normative impact. A major limit of PCSD has been its institutionalized nature, as mechanisms for social participation have not been highlighted in implementation strategies. This article addresses this issue. It proposes “pull-push-match” as a methodology for the establishment of participative PCSD. The article, co-authored by a team of researchers and practitioners from Mexico, addresses PCSD in relation to Indigenous communities.Spanish Abstract: La Coherencia de Políticas para el Desarrollo Sostenible (CPDS) ha promovido la sostenibilidad mediante la coordinación de políticas, pero ¿en qué medida responde a las necesidades de las comunidades locales? Los estudiosos de la CPDS han reconocido que ésta se ha considerado un fin en sí misma más que un medio para lograr un impacto normativo. Uno de los principales límites del CPDS ha sido su carácter institucionalizado, ya que los mecanismos de participación social no se han destacado en las estrategias de implementación. Este artículo aborda esta cuestión. Propone el “pull-push-match” como metodología para establecer un CPDS participativo. El artículo, elaborado por un equipo de investigadores y profesionales de México, aborda la CPDS en relación con las comunidades indígenas.French Abstract: La cohérence des politiques de développement durable (CPDD) favorise la durabilité par la coordination des politiques, mais dans quelle mesure répond-elle aux besoins des communautés locales? Les chercheurs dans ce domaine ont montré que la CPDD est considérée comme une fin en soi plutôt que comme un moyen d’avoir un impact normatif. L’une des principales limites de la CPDD a été sa nature institutionnalisée, car les mécanismes de participation sociale n’ont pas été mis en évidence dans les stratégies de mise en oeuvre. Cet article aborde la question et propose la méthode “pull-push-match” pour l’établissement d’une CPDD participative. Il est co-écrit par une équipe de chercheurs et de praticiens au Mexique et traite de la CPDD en relation avec les communautés indigènes.

A participatory framework to evaluate coherence between climate change adaptation and sustainable development policies

“…Despite the need, only a few studies adopted a participative approach to evaluate policies coherence, especially for environmental themes (Koff, Villada Canela, et al, 2022).…”

“…The different stakeholders' perceptions of priorities and challenges for promoting a transformative pathway also represent a barrier to policy implementation. Their involvement is strongly recommended to “identify challenges, set priorities, contribute to the development of laws and regulations, align policies and actions, and mobilize resources for sustainable development (OECD, 2021, p. 40).” Despite the need, only a few studies adopted a participative approach to evaluate policies coherence, especially for environmental themes (Koff, Villada Canela, et al, 2022).…”

Whose policy coherence counts? Assessing sustainable fisheries in Ghana and the European Union's engagement

“…Barry et al, 2010), but the nature of this analysis does not examine how such “recipients” of OECD preferences interact with and respond to these policy preferences. Recent research has begun to explore PCSD in relation to national policy‐making in developing countries, such as the applicability of the concept to South African policy‐making (Mbanda & Fourie, 2020) and the potential of inclusive policy processes for PCSD in Mexico (Koff et al, 2022). While presenting important reflections and evidence on PCSD in non‐OECD country contexts, these and other contributions do not analyse how these national policy‐making processes interact with the policy preferences determined and pursued by other states and international organizations.…”

“…In terms of the potential normative starting points of such a relational assessment of PCSD, Häbel and Koff (2022, p. 4) provide a helpful typology that groups the 17 SDGs into seven material, seven relational, and three communal goals. Although the first seven concern material and investment‐related goals that can be pursued by freeing up additional means and using these effectively, the second group of seven requires rethinking development understandings and priorities—thus moving away from “business as usual.” The final three goals, namely climate action, life on land, and life below water, all concern natural resources that belong to or affect the global community as a whole, and therefore by definition can only be effectively tackled through international co‐operation.…”

Normative coherence through social entrepreneurship: Fostering women’s empowerment in Myanmar

“…A coherent implementation of the SDGs requires mechanisms for dialogue and engagement whereby governments and key stakeholders can come together to identify challenges, set priorities, contribute to the development of laws and regulations, align policies and actions, and mobilize resources for sustainable development. (OECD, 2021, p. 40) Koff et al (2022) have implemented a "pull-push-match" methodology for establishing participative PCSD which aims to improve its responsiveness to the needs of communities through stakeholder engagement. By focusing on community needs, this methodology includes NGOs in PCD/PCSD/NCD discussions.…”