SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT DIPLOMACY: THE WAY FORWARD FOR POLITICAL PARTIES IN NIGERIA – BY KAZEEM ADEMOLA ADIO
A few
years ago, I was in Driebergen, Netherlands as a Nigerian participant at the
19th International Programme on Managing Sustainability (IPMS 2012) where
participants from different countries had the opportunity of sitting together
to cross-fertilise ideas, improve and build capacity on managing
sustainability.
The issues discussed and pondered upon, constantly brought my thoughts homewards to the political developments in Nigeria. It dawned on me clearly that we have been doing so many things unsustainably for too long, hence the urgent need to start enshrining in our policies and actions, the culture of sustainable management.
When we ask our politicians whether their decisions, activities, and institutions within their various political Parties are premised around meeting the ‘needs of the present without compromising that of the future’? I am sure that there sincere answer would be “NO”.
Sustainability describes a state of society that is socially, economically and environmentally enduring into the indefinite future, hence the need to address Issues through Sustainable Development Diplomacy.
“Sustainable Development diplomacy emphasises the importance of identifying and addressing the underlying causes of a problem rather than addressing symptoms. Whether the issues are economic, social or environmental (and usually involve elements of all three), the underlying cause is often associated with unsustainable practices”. (CBI 2012)
To assist in this process, a set of principles are being advocated to identify the components of a successful framework for addressing any specific issue. Then one can create policies, measures and/or technologies that can successfully address the problems of concern.
These principles, according to the Consensus Building Institute also referred to as the “Sustainable Development Diplomacy” are as follows;
1. Reframe issues into a Sustainable Development context.
2. Engage those who are directly affected, state and non-state actors, in the process.
3. Assemble the best available scientific, economic and political information to identify the underlying causes of a problem or issue.
4. Identify the multiple issues that intersect the issue of concern, and identify a portfolio of actions from other regimes and by governments and non-state actors to achieve the stated goals.
5. Create a mutual gains agreement that engages and benefits as many state and none-state parties as possible while effectively addressing the issue of concern.
6. Develop living, flexible instruments that are able to respond effectively to new information and the evolving context as actions proceed.
7. Develop a structure for an agreement that is compatible with the complexity and scope of the issue.
Therefore, once an issue needs to be resolved, it is essential to conduct a diplomatic process that will result in an enduring agreement that meets some interests of all parties in the issue.
© Kazeem Ademola Adio
The issues discussed and pondered upon, constantly brought my thoughts homewards to the political developments in Nigeria. It dawned on me clearly that we have been doing so many things unsustainably for too long, hence the urgent need to start enshrining in our policies and actions, the culture of sustainable management.
When we ask our politicians whether their decisions, activities, and institutions within their various political Parties are premised around meeting the ‘needs of the present without compromising that of the future’? I am sure that there sincere answer would be “NO”.
Sustainability describes a state of society that is socially, economically and environmentally enduring into the indefinite future, hence the need to address Issues through Sustainable Development Diplomacy.
“Sustainable Development diplomacy emphasises the importance of identifying and addressing the underlying causes of a problem rather than addressing symptoms. Whether the issues are economic, social or environmental (and usually involve elements of all three), the underlying cause is often associated with unsustainable practices”. (CBI 2012)
To assist in this process, a set of principles are being advocated to identify the components of a successful framework for addressing any specific issue. Then one can create policies, measures and/or technologies that can successfully address the problems of concern.
These principles, according to the Consensus Building Institute also referred to as the “Sustainable Development Diplomacy” are as follows;
1. Reframe issues into a Sustainable Development context.
2. Engage those who are directly affected, state and non-state actors, in the process.
3. Assemble the best available scientific, economic and political information to identify the underlying causes of a problem or issue.
4. Identify the multiple issues that intersect the issue of concern, and identify a portfolio of actions from other regimes and by governments and non-state actors to achieve the stated goals.
5. Create a mutual gains agreement that engages and benefits as many state and none-state parties as possible while effectively addressing the issue of concern.
6. Develop living, flexible instruments that are able to respond effectively to new information and the evolving context as actions proceed.
7. Develop a structure for an agreement that is compatible with the complexity and scope of the issue.
Therefore, once an issue needs to be resolved, it is essential to conduct a diplomatic process that will result in an enduring agreement that meets some interests of all parties in the issue.
© Kazeem Ademola Adio
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