New Publication: 'Breaking with Business as Usual'

Dr Mark Collins of the Commonwealth Foundation

'Breaking with Business as Usual - Perspectives from Civil Society in the Commonwealth on the Millennium Development Goals' is a new publication by the Commonwealth Foundation, which takes a look at the trends in progress to date of some Commonwealth countries from various regions across the globe in attaining the MDGs.

The publication presents the views of civil society activists, researchers and academics based on the country papers prepared by non-governmental organisations in 14 Commonwealth countries: Cameroon, Ghana, Grenada, Jamaica, Malawi, New Zealand, Pakistan, Samoa, Sierra Leone, Sri Lanka, Trinidad and Tobago, Uganda, United Republic of Tanzania and Zambia. 

These papers were prepared from official and civil society policy and strategy documents, research and reports, official statistics, interviews with government and civil society officials, and focus group meetings. They draw together and compare official and wider societal perspectives on the MDGs and on the development contexts within which the goals are being pursued. The extent and context of civil society involvement, the level and success of partnership, and the internal or external challenges being faced are also examined.

The chapters focus on the role of civil society and the impact of poverty, natural disasters, conflict, human resources and aid on the achievement of the MDGs by these Commonwealth countries.

Dr Mark Collins, the Foundation's Director said this publication presents civil society's perspectives on the constraints faced by some Commonwealth countries to attain the MDGs and points the way forward.

"Civil society organisations which work at the grassroots level, have been very effective in delivering services on the ground. Their experiences, analysis and feedback are valuable as they enable governments and development agencies to deliver the right kind and the right quantity of aid and technical assistance to those in need, which will avoid any wastage of resources."

This publication recommends that the MDGs be integrated into national strategic plans. It advocates putting equity at the centre of the development paradigm and urges developed countries to help create a fair trading environment, including market access for poor countries. It also emphasises the need to help developing countries address concerns related to relief from crippling levels of debt.

ISBN: 0-903850-60-5; 92 pages; price: £10.00

HOW TO ORDER

This title can be bought from the Commonwealth Foundation at http://www.commonwealthfoundation.com/ or at the Commonwealth Foundation, Marlborough House, Pall Mall, London SW1Y 5HY. UK.

Tel: +44(0)20 7930 3783; Fax: +44(0)20 7839 8157. E-mail: geninfo@commonwealth.int

 

CNIS - Commonwealth News and Information Service Issue 251, 7 September 2005

Secretariat Links:

• Commonwealth Secretariat Publications