African Monitor hosts a Voluntary National Review (VNR) Civil Society Symposium

African Monitor, in partnership with the Commission for Gender Equality (CGE) and Centre for the Study of Violence and Reconciliation (CSVR), will host a symposium to give voice to civil society with South Africa participating in the United Nations (UN) Voluntary National Review (VNR) 2019.

The symposium, scheduled for 12-14 June 2019 in Johannesburg, will be in support of the South African CSO Working Group on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Given that South Africa is participating in the VNR 2019, the symposium will be an important opportunity for civil society and other non-state actors to contribute to the VNR 2019 report and showcase innovative solutions to achieve the SDGs in South Africa.

In preparation for the VNR, African Monitor is spearheading the consultative process and the writing process of the report, and thus organising the symposium for civil society in South Africa.

Countries that are participating in the VNR are expected to submit comprehensive written reports that will be made available in the UN VNR database. In addition, each country will also be expected provide main messages summarising their key findings.

These reviews are supposed to draw on contributions from indigenous peoples, civil society, the private sector and other stakeholders.

However, this role is often hindered because civil society and citizens remain without voice, influence or presence in spaces where decisions are made about SDGs implementation and monitoring. In South Africa, this is particularly the case as government (thus far) has made little progress to engage with civic actors.  Since South Africa announced that it will participate in the VNR 2019, it has become critical for civic actors to raise their voice and shape the process.

Through this symposium, findings on SDGs progress will be presented by civil society, business, academia and different spheres of government.  The South African government will also present the draft national VNR report, thus creating opportunity for engagement with non-state actors.

ISSUED BY: AFRICAN MONITOR

For more information, contact  Joyce Moholola on 021 447 0211 / 0829749222 or email at media@africanmonitor.org.