1. Indicator

(a) Name: Representation of Major Groups in National Councils for Sustainable Development.
(b) Brief Definition: The composition of national stakeholders in sustainable development, including groups representing non-govermental organizations (NGOs), academia, business, media, and grassroots organizations.
(c) Unit of Measurement: The number of members representing major groups in national councils for sustainable development, as a proportion of the total.

2. Placement in the Framework

(a) Agenda 21: Chapters 23-32: Strengthening the Role of Major Groups.
(b) Type of Indicator: Response.

3. Significance (Policy Relevance)

(a) Purpose: The indicator identifies the involvement of major groups in institutional mechanisms that have been created at the national level for the implementation of sustainable development.

(b) Relevance to Sustainable/Unsustainable Development: The genuine involvement and participation of all social groups in decision making is critical to the achievement of sustainable development. The participation of major groups through their representation on national councils for sustainable development is one of the ways of ensuring their involvement in decision making.

(c) Linkages to Other Indicators: Other institutional indicators that are closely linked to this one include national councils for sustainable development, and representatives of ethnic and indigenous people in national councils for sustainable development.

(d) Targets: Not available.

(e) International Conventions and Agreements: Not available.

4. Methodological Description and Underlying Definitions

(a) Underlying Definitions and Concepts: Agenda 21 has distinguished nine major groups: Women, Trade Unions, Children and Youth, Business and Industry, Indigenous People, Local Authorities, NGOs, Scientific and Technological, and Farmers.

National councils for sustainable developments can have a multitude of names: commission, committee, round table, forum, task group or otherwise. Two types can be distinguished. Multi-sectoral bodies, who's members include representatives from government agencies, NGOs, academic and research institutions, the productive sector, and others. This last sector includes both representatives from workers' unions and organizations as well as companies and enterprises. Secondly, primarily governmental initiatives consist largely of representatives of often more than one ministry or governmental agency, and may include partial participation of NGOs and other civil society groups.

(b) Measurement Methods: The information needed for the composition of the Directory of National Councils of Sustainable Development was gathered through contacts with United Nations country missions, United Nations Development Programme regional offices, embassy attaches, members and advisers of the Earth Council, non-governmental organizations and national government officials. Contact was made through letters, telephone calls and faxes.

(c) The Indicator in the DSR Framework: Representation of major groups in national councils reflects a societal Response to sustainable development.

(d) Limitations of the Indicator: The information provided is still basic and does not necessarily reflect the effectiveness of the participation of major groups in the process of policy making within national councils. There may be other channels through which major groups can participate in decision making related to sustainable development, particularly at the local level. The type of national council, its mandate, and the process of selecting members will vary considerable among countries.

(e) Alternative Definitions: Not available.

5. Assessment of the Availability of Data from International and National Sources

(a) Data Needed to Compile the Indicator: The membership compositions of national councils for sustainable development

(b) Data Availability: The data are limited. Information is pending for most African countries, although updates have been received for several countries after the printed edition of the Directory Of National Councils for Sustainable Development was released. This information can be accessed on the Internet, in which all new data are incorporated.

(c) Data Sources: The Directory of National Councils for Sustainable Development, 1st edition, April 1995, Earth Council.

6. Agencies Involved in the Development of the Indicator

(a) Lead Agency: The lead agency is the New Economics Foundation, with the following contact point: Indicators Programme Coordinator, fax no. (44 171) 377 5720.

(b) Other Organizations: Other organizations include: the Earth Council in collaboration with the World Resources Institute, and the Natural Resources Defence Council.

7. Further Information

Earth Council. Directory of National Councils for Sustainable Development. 1st edition, April 1995.

 

REPRESENTATIVES OF ETHNIC MINORITIES AND INDIGENOUS PEOPLE IN NATIONAL COUNCILS FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
Institutional	Chapter 23-32	Response

1. Indicator

(a) Name: Representatives of Ethnic Minorities and Indigenous People in National Councils for Sustainable Development.
(b) Brief Definition: If existing national councils for sustainable development includes one or more representatives of ethnic minorities and/or indigenous people.
(c) Unit of Measurement: Yes/no.

2. Placement in the Framework

(a) Agenda 21: Chapter 40: Information for Decision Making.
(b) Type of Indicator: Response.

3. Significance (Policy Relevance)

(a) Purpose: This indicator determines the participation by ethnic minorities and indigenous people in a country's sustainable development planning and decision-making processes.

(b) Relevance to Sustainable/Unsustainable Development: This indicator is relevant to sustainable development from the following perspectives: (i) the overall emphasis of Agenda 21 on broad-based participation in implementing and monitoring sustainable development; (ii) capitalizing upon and further develop ethnic and indigenous knowledge to reduce negative environmental, social, and economic impacts of development strategies and plans; and (iii) increasing participation of ethnic and indigenous people at the national level.

(c) Linkages to Other Indicators: Topical linkages exist under such issues as land use, biodiversity, sustainable agriculture, hazardous waste, human settlements and health. Linkages with specific indicators include representatives of major groups in national councils for sustainable development, sustainable development strategies, and national councils for sustainable development.

(d) Targets: There are no existing international targets to observe whether or not ethnic or indigenous representation on national councils exists. An immediate target could be to have at least one such representative in each national council. The appropriate number of representatives should preferably reflect the ratio of ethnic and indigenous people in the national population. This could prompt a government to decide on a ratio of representation by population as a measurement of this indicator.

(e) International Conventions and Agreements: The following conventions and agreements are relevant to this indicator: Human Rights Commission (HRC) 1995/28, 1995/32, and from the Economic and Social Council 1992/256 of 20 July 1992; General Assembly Resolution 49/214 December 1994 on the International Decade of Indigenous Peoples (particularly article 19d which "encourages governments to support the decade by establishing national committees or other mechanisms involving Indigenous People to ensure that the objectives and activities of the decade are planned and implemented on the basis of full partnership with Indigenous people."); Draft Declaration of the Rights of the Indigenous People; and Convention No. 169 Concerning Indigenous and Tribal Peoples in Independent Countries.

4. Methodological Description and Underlying Definitions

(a) Underlying Definitions and Concepts: An indigenous population are "peoples in independent countries who are regarded as indigenous on account of their descent from the populations which inhabited the country, or a geographical region to which the country belongs, at the time of conquest or colonialisation or the establishment of present state boundaries and who, irrespective of their legal status, retain some or all of their own social, economic, cultural and political institutions." (Convention 169). Ethnic minorities are people who retain customs, habits, creeds, and institutions which distinguish them from the rest of national society. A national council for sustainable development is a body established to coordinate implementation of Agenda 21 at the national level. Experience to date shows that national councils established so far are composed of representatives from national agencies and in some cases non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and other major groups.

(b) Measurement Methods: Currently there is no mechanism that systematically takes stock of the composition of the national councils in terms of ethnic and indigenous representation. However, the on-going work of a non-governmental consortium of the National Resources Defence Council (NRDC), World Resources Institute (WRI), and the Earth Council provides information on the existing national councils and their membership when the information is available.

(c) The Indicator in the DSR Framework: Having ethnic and indigenous people or their representative in national councils for sustainable development recognizes the contribution Indigenous Peoples are making towards achieving sustainable development. In the DSR Framework, the indicator is one of Response.

(d) Limitations of the Indicator: This indicator will be difficult to quantify in many countries. It does not reveal anything about the quality of the inputs of ethnic or indigenous people, or the impact of their participation. The selection criteria will vary from country to country.

(e) Alternative Definitions: Other potential indicators of the participation of ethnic and indigenous people in sustainable decision making could be the number of appointments to relevant decision making positions, or the existence of networking and capacity-building programs for ethnic and indigenous people.

5. Assessment of the Availability of Data from International and National Sources

(a) Data Needed to Compile the Indicator: Information on existing national councils and comparable government institutions; and their composition.

(b) Data Availability: National reporting and independent studies executed by NGOs such The Directory of National Commissions on Sustainable Development compiled by World Resources Institute, Earth Council, and Natural Resources Defence Council.

(c) Data Sources: Indigenous peoples, national governments, and major ethnic groups.

6. Agencies Involved in the Development of the Indicator

(a) Lead Agency: The lead agency is the United Nations Department of Policy Coordination and Sustainable Development (DPCSD). The contact point is the Director, Division of Sustainable Development, DPCSD; fax no. (1 212) 963 4260.

(b) Other Organizations: The indicator will be further developed in cooperation with the United Nations Environment Programme, United Nations Development Programme, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, the United Nations Commission on Human Rights, United Nations Centre for Human Settlements, the International Labour Office (ILO), The World Bank, national councils, indigenous and ethnic networks.

7. Further Information

(a) Further Readings:

Declaration of Principles of Indigenous Rights.

ILO, Convention No. 169: Concerning Indigenous and Tribal Peoples in Independent Countries.

1994: International Year of the Family.

The United Nations Draft Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples .

International Decade of the World's Indigenous People.

Initiating Project for the United Nations' International Decade of the World's Indigenous People.

(b) Other Contacts:

The Centre for Indigenous Environmental Resources (CIER), Canada.

Coordinating Body for the Indigenous Peoples Organizations, Ecuador.

Earth Council, Costa Rica.

Indigenous Development International, England.

Indigenous Law Institute, USA.

Indigenous World Association, USA.

International Work Group for Indigenous Affairs, Denmark.

Natural Resources Defence Council, USA.

New Economics Foundation, U.K.

Rainforest Foundation International, USA.

Sahabat Alam Malaysia (Sarawak), Malaysia.

Support Group of Indigenous Peoples (KWIA), Belgium.

UNAAQ, Canada.

World Council of Indigenous Peoples, Canada.

World Resources Institute, USA.

CONTRIBUTION OF NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS TO SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
Institutional	Chapters 23-32	Response

1. Indicator

(a) Name: Contribution and role of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that represent one or more major groups in sustainable development.
(b) Brief Definition: The number of NGOs that represent one or more major groups involved in the development, implementation and/or monitoring of national strategies for sustainable development.
(c) Unit of Measurement: Number of groups.

2. Placement in the Framework

(a) Agenda 21: Chapters 23-32: Strengthening the Role of Major Groups.
(b) Type of Indicator: Response.

3. Significance (Policy Relevance)

(a) Purpose: This indicator shows the level of participation in sustainable development by major groups represented by NGOs.

(b) Relevance to Sustainable/Unsustainable Development: The genuine involvement and participation of all social groups in decision making is critical to the achievement of sustainable development. Chapter 23 of Agenda 21 calls for broad public participation in decision making as a fundamental prerequisite for the achievement of sustainable development. Chapter 27 advocates strengthening the role of non-governmental organizations as partners for sustainable development in a participatory democracy. The credibility of NGOs lies in the responsible and constructive role they play in society. Governments are encouraged to consult NGOs and establish mechanisms to ensure their participation in decision-making processes at the national level.

(c) Linkages to Other Indicators: This indicator is linked to other institutional measures including sustainable development strategies, national councils for sustainable development, and representation of major groups in national councils for sustainable development.

(d) Targets: No targets exist for this indicator.

(e) International Conventions and Agreements: Not available.

4. Methodological Description and Underlying Definitions

(a) Underlying Definitions and Concepts: Major groups are distinguished by Agenda 21 as follows: Women, Trade Unions, Children and Youth, Business and Industry, Indigenous People, Local Authorities, NGOs, Scientific and Technological, and Farmers. Participation is defined by the Human Development Report 1993 as follows: "Participation means that people are closely involved in the economic, social, cultural and political processes that affect their lives...Participation...is an essential element of human development."

(b) Measurement Methods: There is no institutionalized measurement method for this indicator, but surveys such as the one that has recently been carried out by the Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD) could serve this purpose. The CSD Survey of Major Groups has been sent to over 1100 NGOs and major group organizations around the world. One section of the survey enquired which major group(s) are represented in the NGO and which formal relationships it has with several international bodies, including UN agencies. The third section focused on the respondent's activities related to the individual chapters of Agenda 21. The fourth and, for this indicator, most relevant section contained detailed questions about the level and type of participation of the respondent in national sustainable development strategies, and the reasons, if applicable, why the respondent did not take part in these.

Further measurement methods could be the investigation of participatory mechanisms in constituencies of both governments and NGOs, and/or national reports related to sustainable development reporting.

(c) The Indicator in the DSR Framework: The indicator assesses the Response activities that are undertaken by major groups, and particularly by their NGO representatives with respect to sustainable development.

(d) Limitations of the Indicator: The main limitation of this indicator is that measurement by surveys relies entirely on the response to those surveys, which is unlikely to yield representative samples on an individual country basis.

(e) Alternative Definitions: Mechanisms established by government for the participation of NGOs at any stage in national strategies for sustainable development, for example, in receiving and commenting on drafts of national reports. Adopting this alternative indicator would put the emphasis rather on the opportunities national authorities create for NGOs to participate instead of the use that Major Groups make of those opportunities.

5. Assessment of the Availability of Data from International and National Sources

(a) Data Needed to Compile the Indicator: The data needed for this indicator are twofold: first, which NGOs represent major groups; and second, in what way are these NGOs participating in national strategies for sustainable development.

(b) Data Availability: Currently no data are available on a regular basis.

(c) Data Sources: The CSD represents a potential source of data.

6. Agencies Involved in the Development of the Indicator

(a) Lead Agency: The lead agency is the New Economics Foundation, with the following contact point: Indicators Programme Coordinator, fab no. (44 171) 377 5720.

(b) Other Organizations: Other organizations include the CSD.

7. Further Information

Not available.