Poverty and PRSPs
The Millennium Development Goals: towards a civil society perspective on reframing poverty reduction strategies in Southern Africa
Attitudes of Southern African CSOs towards Millenium Development Goals, PRSPs and Nepad
Authors:
N. Gabriel
Publisher:
Southern African Regional Poverty Network , 2003
This paper argues that inspite of civil society playing an active role in PRSP processes in Southern Africa and being aware of the Millenium Development Goals (MDGs), they did not see the MDGs as directly relevant to their interests in the PRSP process. However, while bemoaning the macroeconomic constraints on PRSPs, they all welcomed PRSP decisions that went beyond the constraints of a typical structural adjustment framework, such as ring-fencing of social development expenditure allocations and the provision of free primary education.
The author suggestst that a Southern African Civil Society adoption of and focus on the MDGs can provide a useful methodological base from which to ensure upward policy coherence in PRSP processes. If used effectively by CSOs, this would have the potential to reframe PRSP processes. He also emphasises the emergent need for a targeted communication strategy on the MDGs amongst CSOs in Southern Africa. [adapted from author]
