How Local Governments Can Help Deliver MDGs

Commonwealth Deputy Secretary-General Florence Mugasha

Local governments should be engaged if the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) are to be delivered, Commonwealth Deputy Secretary-General Florence Mugasha told members of the Commonwealth Local Government Forum African Symposium Board on 26 April 2006 in Kampala, Uganda. It is local governments which have a direct effect in improving the lives of ordinary Commonwealth citizens.

“Local democracy helps to ensure that people living in poverty can be involved in the decisions that affect their lives, so that solutions are practical, appropriate and effective,” Mrs Mugasha said.

In her speech on ‘The Challenge for the Commonwealth in Promoting Local Democracy, Good Governance and Localising the MDGs’, Mrs Mugasha said the Commonwealth had made the first MDG goal of eradicating extreme poverty and hunger “the foundation of our efforts to support pro-poor policies at the grassroots in our member states.”

She also emphasised the link between democracy and development, and outlined the importance of effective intergovernmental relations, good governance and local government capacity.

“This is essential if the process of building strong democracies is to continue to enjoy widespread popular support. Our democracy-building activities at all levels are strengthened by a trade policy which aims to increase the competitiveness of Commonwealth member states in international trade. We believe that the most powerful way to combat poverty is to increase trade opportunities of the developing countries.”

Mrs Mugasha also highlighted the MDG goals for education and health as major challenges.

“These fall under the Millennium Development Goals 2 (achieve universal primary education), 4 (reduce child mortality), 5 (improve maternal health) and 6 (combating HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases). On education, the Commonwealth approach has been to support member countries in achieving universal primary education and in the elimination of gender disparities in education. Our health-related MDG focus is on reducing child mortality, improving maternal health and combating HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases.”

Mrs Mugasha noted that the Commonwealth Secretariat and Commonwealth Local Government Forum had contributed to getting democracy at local levels further established. She stressed that democracy and development could and should be mutually reinforcing: democracy, she said, should play its full part at all levels to eradicate poverty, improve the lives of ordinary people and open up new possibilities and opportunities for individuals and entire communities which development brings.

“When considered in their totality, MDGs are designed to address the basic needs of the people and to improve the delivery of basic services to the poor. This has been at the heart of our activities around the Commonwealth particularly at the grassroots level where we are constantly challenged to make a meaningful difference in the lives of our peoples.”

To strengthen local democracies, Mrs Mugasha said partnerships within the Commonwealth have to be prioritised with a focus on poverty eradication, and with good practice as a guideline.

 

CNIS - Commonwealth News and Information Service Issue 282, 26 April 2006

Secretariat Links:

• The challenge for the Commonwealth in promoting local democracy, good governance and localising the MDGs