Improving Social Justice

23 December 2011

A project on improving good governance supported by the European Union and UN has been launched in Kyrgyzstan

Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan (Dec. 21, 2011) – A kick off meeting of “Operationalizing Good Governance for Social Justice” project took place on 21 December 2011 in a conference hall of the UN House. This project is implemented by UNDP, UNICEF, UN Women and UNESCO. The European Union co-finances this programme together with the above-mentioned UN agencies.

Mr. Alexander Avanessov, UN Resident Coordinator, UNDP Resident Representative in the Kyrgyz Republic and H.E. Chantal Hebberecht, Ambassador, Head of the EU Delegation to the Kyrgyz Republic raised the issue of importance of good governance in applying social justice in the Kyrgyz Republic. The UN Head pointed that it would be an excellent cooperation example between EU and UN. Welcoming the kick off meeting participants the EU Ambassador stressed that the main focus of the project would be on building capacities of local self-governance bodies to provide vulnerable population with access to quality public services. She also noted that the area based concept aimed on complex development of regions would be a good approach to be used within the project.

“Operationalizing Good Governance for Social Justice” Project started in October of 2011 and it will be implemented during 36 months until 2014. The project aims to increase democratic space in the country and institutionalize good governance at local and national levels. The purpose of the project is to increase and render more equitable access to priority public services to most vulnerable population in three target groups (women, youth, and children) in 30 selected municipalities in seven regions of Kyrgyzstan through local and national good governance processes. The project will also enhance the capacities of rights-holders and duty bearers at individual, organizational and institutional levels for inclusive decision-making and quality service delivery.

UN agencies collaborate to contribute specific inputs towards above-mentioned goals. Thus, UNICEF will focus on children and their families to provide them with social services via working on supporting the Government to improve legal and budgetary framework and capacity building of the Institute of Ombudsman on monitoring and report on child rights violation and civil society networks on advocacy, policy analysis and children rights. UN Women will provide gender expertise to review programme interventions from gender equality perspectives and to ensure incorporation of gender issues into documents and methodologies developed within the project. UNESCO will work towards diversity of media sources and disseminate information among local population through introduction of community radio in pilot municipalities. UNDP will build up the capacity of the Government agencies and Ayil Okmotus to provide good quality and addressed services and enhance civil society and the youth participation in good governance dialogue. The Social Justice Demonstration Fund will be established within the project to finance service delivery improvement interventions in the following areas: mechanisms of legislation, policy development, planning and budgeting, coordination, resource allocation, oversight/accountability and recourse.

Additional information regarding the project you can get from Anara Alymkulova, Project Manager of “Operationalising Good Governance for Social Justice” EU-UN Project by phone 31-64-11 (ext. 43) or by e-mail aa@dgov.undp.kg

Permanent link: http://en.unesco.kz/improving-social-justice