Social cohesion with a focus on SDG16+ in Central America and the Dominican Republic
Thursday, September 8, 2022, was the airing of episode three of the DatAction mini-season on social cohesion and citizen security. This final mini-series episode was dedicated to the report "Social cohesion with a focus on SDG16+ in Central America and the Dominican Republic. Bases for its measurement in the sub-regional context," prepared as part of the UNDP InfoSegura Regional Project and the outcome of joint work between the Governance and Peace, and Inclusive Growth and Poverty Reduction clusters of the UNDP Regional Hub for Latin America and the Caribbean.
This episode featured introductory remarks by Jairo Acuña, Regional Team Leader, Governance, Latin America and the Caribbean at UNDP, and the presentation of the study results by María Montoya Aguirre, economic analyst in the UNDP Bureau for Policy and Programme Support and Carolina Ávalos, economist and expert in social policies. Commentary was provided by Celia Rosell, director of the Andalusian Agency for International Development Cooperation, and Carlos Mataix, of the Technological Institute of Human Development of the Polytechnic University of Madrid.
"The issue of social cohesion is of utmost importance, considering the context of recovery from the effects of the pandemic in Latin America and the Caribbean. The third of a trilogy on social cohesion, the report sets out comprehensive policy measures to move towards safer, more cohesive, more inclusive and more peaceful societies," said Jairo Acuña.
According to the study, social cohesion is crucial for advancing towards democratic governance, inclusion and gender equality; indispensable for Sustainable Development and achieving the 2030 Agenda.
The report also notes that reaching greater levels of social cohesion and citizen security in Central America and the Dominican Republic requires the following:
- Differentiated comprehensive policies for social cohesion
- Enhanced citizen security
- Building peaceful, inclusive and resilient cities, within the framework of effective governance
- Modernizing public administration for evidence-based policymaking
- Deepening a subregional and comprehensive vision of social cohesion and citizen security by strengthening spaces for dialogue
In addition, the paper notes that a Social Cohesion Index covering aspects of citizen security and SDG16+ is indispensable for conducting comprehensive analysis, designing multisectoral policies and monitoring and evaluating public-policy implementation.
"Citizen security as a public good, human right and condition for human development, translates into a comprehensive policy framework for the subregion," advised Carolina Ávalos.
For her part, Celia Rosell, director of the Andalusian Agency for International Development Cooperation, emphasized that "the work that UNDP InfoSegura does reinforces that the right path is commitment to social cohesion policies. It is of special interest to the Andalusian Cooperation that the issue of social inclusion and citizen security be addressed."
In conclusion, the report states that social cohesion with an emphasis on SDG 16+ is central to draw up a new social contract in the sub-region, within the framework of effective governance. Through consensus building, this new social pact will make for an inclusive and sustainable economic recovery, the consolidation of universal social protection and health systems and labour markets, the establishment of a justice system with effective access for all people, generating opportunities for peaceful coexistence and the resolution of social conflicts.
