ADA Newsletter- February 2021
Writer secretariat 21-03-02 05:47 count 5 Reply 0
Myanmar coup: Deadliest day of protests as police open fire – February 18, 2021
Civil disobedience and campaigns against the military coup of February 1 have been the biggest in decades. “The military is trying to stifle the people’s voices by shutting down the internet – a clear violation of the right to freedom of expression. But Myanmar people will not be silenced,” reports the collective Support Myanmar. Police have fired on protesters in Myanmar killing at least 18, the UN human rights office says, on the deadliest day of anti-coup rallies.
Deaths were reported in several cities including Yangon, Dawei and Mandalay as police used live rounds and tear gas.
Security forces began the violent crackdown on Saturday, after weeks of largely peaceful protests against the 1 February military takeover.
ADA -APSD Webinar Series – February, 2021
ADA in partnership with APSD organized a weekly webinar on SDG 16 plus and People’s scorecard review. Participants from 12 Asian countries shared their draft SDG 16 Plus reports highlighting challenges within the scope of the study. During this peer learning webinar, participants analyzed and provided feedback to the country report. ADA will launch this 12 countries SDG 16 Plus report during an official side event in Asia Pacific Forum on Sustainable Development on March 22, 2021.
9th Glocal Advocacy Leadership Academy ; 23-25 February, 2021
ADA organised its 9th GALA training program on Linking SDGs with Democracy and Human Rights with a focus on SDG 16 Plus on 23-25 February 2021. The training program was organised virtually due to the COVID Pandemic. 45 participants from more than 18 countries from Asia and Pacific participated. The training began with presentations on SDGs roadmap in Asia-Pacific by the UNESCAP followed by 18 countries presentations on SDG 16 Plus and 6 presentations on SDG nexus approach. The training program was made interactive and the participants were trained on forming SDGs 16 national indicators based on their country’s context and existing global indicators. SDG 16 was the focus of the training program considering the fact that #SDG16 is the enabler and accelerator of all the other goals and a need to review the same just like SDG 17.
Social Networking Site (SNS) Toolkit Launch – February 26, 2021
ADA and JANIC Organised the social Networking site Toolkit entitled ‘Online Privacy Guide’. This guide is for activists and members of civil society who are concerned about protecting their communications and browsing activity when using the Internet. This document will explain the basic process of determining who is threatening the reader and how, as well as the various things the reader can do to increase the privacy of their behavior online. Because everyone deserves to be able to use the Internet safely, no matter their level of technical skill, the authors have made a conscious effort to present the information as simply and approachable as possible.
Download the Toolkit Here
Watch the Video here
“Ensuring the impactful implementation of SDG 16 at global, regional and national levels” – February 22, 2021
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Worth a Read!!
Offline and Online, Protests Are Sweeping Across Asia- An Article by Forus and ADA
From Nepal to India, Thailand to Myanmar, people are taking to the streets – or social media – to demand change – The Diplomat
The abrupt end to Malaysia's democratic awakening
Announcements
URGENT: Preparation for Peoples Forum and APFSD - Registration and Call for Workshops – Deadline , March 3, 2021
- Open Call for Workshop at the Peoples' Forum - Peoples' Forum in November had workshops only for constituency, thematic working group and subregional grouping. Please note that Peoples' Forum 2021 is having an OPEN CALL for Asia Pacific CSOs, movements, to apply for their own workshops at the Peoples' Forum. Please see the details below:
- We have 3 different themes for the workshops this year:
- Theme 1. People's’ Priorities for Development Justice: Unpacking the Goals and addressing systemic barriers to reclaim Peoples’ Rights
- Theme 2. Looking at Sustainable Development from an Accountability and Monitoring Lens
- Theme 3. Harnessing the Power of Peoples’ Movements for a Fairer, Just and Equitable Asia Pacific
- Please read the instruction in the Call for Workshop Concept Note carefully.
- Please register through this link: https://forms.gle/Woyrf7kc4KRPyTCF7
- Deadline: Monday, 8 March 2021
- Announcement: Wednesday, 10 March 2021
- We have 3 different themes for the workshops this year:
- Please don't foget to register to Peoples' Forum and APFSD - please be informed that ESCAP and APRCEM have moved the deadline from Sunday, 28 February to Wednesday, 3 of March. Please see the details to be able to participate in these following events:
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- Youth Forum for the Asia-Pacific Forum on Sustainable Development: 14-16 March 2021
- The Asia-Pacific People’s Forum on Sustainable Development: 17-21 March 2021
- Asia-Pacific Forum on Sustainable Development 2021 (APFSD 2021): 23-26 March 2021
Please review the call for participation carefully and apply online for both Peoples' Forum and APFSD at https://www.unescap.org/Call-for-participation-APFSD-People-Forum-2021 (deadline 3 March 2021). For more information, please visit 8th APFSD 2021 website at https://www.unescap.org/apfsd/8 or ESCAP at escap-cso-apfsd@un.org.
The Role of Women in Climate Change Adaptation- Register Here (8-12 March 2021
Registration link: https://apanforum.hubilo.com/community/#
On the occasion of International Women's Day and in the framework of the 7th Asia Pacific Climate Adaptation Forum, we are pleased to invite you to the online SmarTalk "THE ROLE OF WOMEN IN CLIMATE CHANGE ADAPTATION", organized by the Embassy of Italy in Bangkok in partnership with UN Women and Jobel Art for Earth.
Because of gender disparities, women are most often those who take the brunt of the dangerous effects of climate change in our daily life. The event aims to highlight how women's leadership can effectively impact the way our society adapts to climate change. In doing that, short engaging interventions of the panelists will be alternated by artistic performances on the subject, in order to inspire the audience emotionally and intellectually and to stimulate a deeper reflection on the topic.
NGO Major Group Updates
NGO MG Updates and Resources
1. Calendar of tentative NGO MG Meetings – First meeting on Wednesday, March 10 at 10am EST – Zoom Link to the meeting to be shared soon
2. NGO MG Global and Regional Organizing Partners ‘contact details – Northern Africa Regional Organizing Partner just updated
3. Participation of NGO MG members in 2021 VNRs
4. NGO MG Donations / Contributions – Thank you for the contributions received!
UN (and international organizations) Updates
1. Regional Forums for Sustainable Development in preparation for the 202 HLPF convened by UN Regional Commissions
2. Letter from the co-facilitators for the Ministerial Declaration of HLPF 2021 and timeline of consultations
Other NGO Updates and Opportunities
1. UNMute Civil Society: “Opening the (Digital) Doors for Civil Society at the UN” -- Webinar, Recommendations and Endorsement
2. NGO CSW/NY Forum – Virtual, 15-26 March 2021
3. IISD / SDG Knowledge Hub Story: “ESCAP Paper Reflects on Benefits of Second-Generation VNRs”
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NGO MG Updates and Resources
1. Calendar of tentative NGO MG Meetings – First meeting on Wednesday, March 10 at 10am EST – Zoom Link to the meeting to be sent out soon
The first 2021 open meeting for all NGO MG members will be on Wednesday, March 10th at 10 am EST. A Zoom link will be sent out in a separate email soon.
Tentative calendar for next NGO MG monthly meetings:
- Wednesday 7th April 8am EST
- Wednesday 5th May 9am EST
- Wednesday 2nd June 10 EST
2. NGO MG Global and Regional Organizing Partners ‘contact details – Northern Africa Regional Organizing Partner just updated
Global Organizing Partners (ngomajorgroupopny@gmail.com):
Jessica Bridgers (jessica.bridgers@wfa.org)
M. Victoria Espada (mariavictoria.espada@dianova.ngo)
Oli Henman (oli.henman@action4sd.org)
Regional Organizing Partners:
Eastern Africa: Henry Oriokot (henrycidc@gmail.com)
Northern Africa: Hagar Monsif (h.monsif@maatpeace.org) – JUST UPDATED
Southern Africa: Joseph Mihaye (aminiac15@gmail.com)
Western Africa: Kofi Kankam (eri@eri.kabissa.org)
Caribbean: Donovan McLaren (kevoy1@yahoo.com) and Joseph Severe (unascadhaiti@gmail.com)
North America: Kehkashan Basu (kehkashanbasu@greenhopefoundation.com)
South America: Rosario Diaz Garavito (r.garavito@themillennialsmovement.org)
Asia: Jyotsna Mohan (jyotsna@ada2030.org)
Central Asia: Artem Stepanenko (a.stepanenko@eca-ces.ru)
Europe: Lara-Zuzan Golesorkhi (golesorkhiwow@gmail.com)
Middle East/North Africa: Anis Brik (anisdago@gmail.com)
Pacific: Emeline Siale (siale@piango.org)
3. Participation of NGO MG members in 2021 VNRs
We are now counting down to the 2021 HLPF and we are looking forward to working with many of you to ensure strong independent reporting and civil society participation in the VNRs. You can check if your country is under review here: Voluntary National Reviews Database.
We have access to a number of useful toolkits and good practice to help you in the process, if you are planning to engage on the VNR in your country please have a look at the resources on the A4SD website and get in touch with Oli (NGO MG Global Organizing Partner): oli.henman@action4sd.org and the NGO MG (ngomajorgroupopny@gmail.com).
Regional Forums for Sustainable Development in preparation for the 2021 HLPF will be convened by the Regional Commissions. Check the dates, venues and formats down below. Should you like to contact your NGO MG Regional Organizing Partner, please check the contact details on #2. NGO MG Global and Regional Organizing Partners ‘contact details.
4. NGO MG Donations / Contributions -- Thank you for the contributions received!
Please check the link for information on donations / contributions to NGO Major Group.
We suggest a contribution of US$50.00, but please feel free to adjust the amount to your organization´s or individual capacities. Please have in mind that everything we have done thus far has been on a voluntary basis - imagine what more we could do if we had a little bit of funding!
UN (and international organizations) Updates
1. Regional Forums for Sustainable Development in preparation for the 202 HLPF convened by UN Regional Commissions
Regional Forums for Sustainable Development will be convened by the Regional Commissions. The regional forums will assess progress and exchange knowledge, good practices and policy solutions to support the implementation of the 2030 Agenda, in line with regional priorities and specificities.
Dates, venue and format as follows:
- Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA): Regional Forum on Sustainable Development, 1-4 March 2021, Brazzaville, Republic of Congo (hybrid),
- Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC): Regional Forum on Sustainable Development, Foro de los países de América Latina y el Caribe sobre el Desarrollo Sostenible, 2021, 15-8 March 2021, Costa Rica (virtual),
- Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE): Regional Forum on Sustainable Development, 17-18 March 2021, Geneva (hybrid),
- Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP): Regional Forum on Sustainable Development, 23-26 March 2021, Bangkok (hybrid),
- Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (UNESCWA): Regional Forum on Sustainable Development, 29-31 March 2021, Beirut (virtual)
UNDESA will organize substantive preparations for the thematic reviews of the HLPF 2021 notably through expert group meetings organized together with relevant UN system partners. Check the 2021 HLPF Timeline.
2. Letter from the co-facilitators for the Ministerial Declaration of HLPF 2021 and timeline of consultations
Please find attached and here a letter for the 2021 Ministerial Declaration from the co-facilitators (Finland and Iraq) which also contains a timeline of consultations.
Other NGO Updates and Opportunities
1. UNMute Civil Society: “Opening the (Digital) Doors for Civil Society at the UN” -- Webinar, Recommendations and Endorsement
Dear friends & colleagues,
Thank you to everyone who was able to join and contribute to our webinar session yesterday: ‘Opening the (Digital) Doors for Civil Society at the UN’.
This was the first of a webinar series 'UNmute Civil Society'; where we will jointly find ways for meaningful inclusion of civil society at the UN in light of covid-19. The webinar series builds on the momentum created by governments and civil society in 2020 to improve participation of civil society at the UN, leading to an overall set of recommendations-
· You can watch the whole webinar again here
· You can find the Recommendations paper here
· Please endorse the Recommendations here
Prepared by the Permanent Mission of Denmark, the Permanent Mission of Costa Rica, UN Foundation, CIVICUS, Action for Sustainable Development, Global Focus, Action Aid International and Forus, the paper sets out a series of specific recommendations on ways to strengthen participation of civil society at the UN in light of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The recommendations include ways to bridge the digital divide, ensure meaningful engagement in key steps at the UN and the call for a special envoy for civil society engagement across all UN processes.
The paper is open for endorsement until 10 March 2021 and will then be presented to the UN Secretary General for his consideration, alongside more detailed reflections from webinars on each UN process.
A group of CSOs, including A4SD, Forus, CIVICUS, TAP, CAN, Together 2030, ISHR, SID, Global Focus and the MGoS Coordination Mechanism, convened this dialogue and will host a series of further webinars, addressing inclusion at various UN meetings throughout 2021.
Please get in touch if you would like any further information-
Very best,
Oli
Global Coordinator, Action for Sustainable Development
Global Organizing Partner, NGO Major Group
2. NGO CSW/NY Forum – Virtual, 15-26 March 2021
NGO CSW/NY organizes the civil society side of the UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW). The NGO CSW Forum runs parallel to the official session taking place at the UN Headquarters. This provides civil society the opportunity to engage in the processes and CSW sessions without ECOSOC-accreditation or a UN grounds pass.
Over the two weeks of the UN CSW, NGO CSW/NY will organize more than 600 events that inform, engage and inspire grassroots efforts and advocacy needed to empower women and girls.
This year, the NGO CSW65 Forum will be entirely virtual due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Attending the Forum is totally free and open to the public. However, you MUST register and log into a profile on the platform to attend any and all events.
3. IISD / SDG Knowledge Hub Story: “ESCAP Paper Reflects on Benefits of Second-Generation VNRs”
Story highlights:
- A note by the ESCAP Secretariat explains the potential of second-time VNRs to provide deeper analysis of the root causes of challenges that governments have experienced, and help advance a country’s capacity to enact and measure progress towards the 2030 Agenda.
- The paper also presents examples of good practice in Asia-Pacific government’s second VNRs conducted to date.
- The Asia-Pacific Forum on Sustainable Development is one of five regional sustainable development forums convening in March 2021 as regions prepare for the July 2021 session of the HLPF.
Read the full story here.
- ADA's official website has been renewed. All the information related to the implementation of SDGs in Asia and actions conducted by Asian CSOs will be accumulated on this website. Please visit www.ada2030.org
- ADA's Facebook page has been activated! The page will channel useful information among civil society actors in Asia. Feel free to tag @Asia Development Alliance in future collaboration. The page is accessible with this web address: https://www.facebook.com/ada2030/
- ADA Twitter account @alliance_asia
