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UN Inter -
Agency Working Group on Decentralisation |
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The Inter Agency Working Group on Decentralisation
The Group
The UN Inter Agency Working Group on Decentralisation (IAWG-D)
was kick-started in February 2000 after the successful UNDAF (United
Nations Development Assistance Framework)-India presentation was made to
the joint meeting of the executive boards (UNDP, UNFPA, UNICEF, WFP) in
New York in January 2000. UNDAF, which is a framework for collaboration
with the Government of India’s development programmes, has identified
‘strengthening of decentralisation’ as one of the two areas of key
importance for India’s future development. IAWGD was launched to translate
this spirit of UNDAF into action. The Inter-Agency Working Group on
Decentralisation aims to integrate strategies on strengthening
decentralisation by UN Agencies.
As IAWG-D attempts to adopt a common approach amongst
the UN agencies in India in the field of decentralisation, it embraces a
wider definition of ‘decentralization’. Decentralization encompasses the
activities not only aimed at strengthening of PRIs (Panchayat Raj
Institutions) and ULBs (Urban Local Bodies) but also of other local
development partners- NGOs, community groups, women groups etc.
IAWG-D along with the IAWG on Database and the IAWG on Gender and
Development is one of the three core groups for the UN in India
Partner
Organisations
The IAWG-D is co-chaired by UNDP and UNFPA.
Other member organisations are APCTT (UNESCAP), FAO,
ILO, UMPSA (UNCHS), UNAIDS, UNCTAD, UNDP, UNDCP, UNESCO, UNFPA, UNIDO,
UNICEF, UNIFEM, WFP, WHO, WSP-SA, and the World Bank. Each member
organisation has a
Focal
Point, who participates in the meetings of IAWGD and is
responsible for ensuring the commitment of his/her agency to the
activities of IAWGD.
Objectives
The group’s main objective is to act as the resource
group for information exchange on decentralisation issues in India.
- To discuss and exchange information on issues and programmes in the
field of decentralisation with special emphasis on administrative and
financial devolution, gender, decentralisation in scheduled areas, and
linkages with civil society organisations
- To explore the possibilities of joint interventions between the UN
system and bilateral agencies with government departments, institutions
and non-governmental organisations
- To create opportunities for inter-state learning through
consultations and action research
Previous and
Ongoing Activities:
Research
Studies
Good Urban Governance
Campaign
Learning
Event-Public Hearing (jan sunvai) on urban development expenditure
Currently IAWG-D acts primarily as a coordination
mechanism on decentralisation initiatives being carried out by UN
agencies, Government of India, bilaterals and civil society organizations.
An e-group on decentralisation has been set up to facilitate exchange of
information related to various aspects of decentralisation
IAWGD is still in its formative stage, it is planned
that sub-themes of decentralisation would be identified for focussed
attention over a time-period. Learning events, e-discussions, and specific
activities/projects would be taken up on the sub-themes. A lead agency
would take charge to coordinate with other interested members on a
particular sub-theme.
Contact us:
Co–chair:
maurice.dewulf@undp.org
Convenor:
pradeep.sharma@undp.org
Coordinator:
happy.pant@undp.org
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