III.D: Strategic Direction
Chart the course Other Information:
27. In a world of expanding affluence and exploding inequality, ‘inclusive growth’ will serve as the connecting theme for
UNDP work for 2008-2011. That connecting theme recognizes that while overall progress of productive capacity is necessary
and must be accelerated, particular attention must be placed on how growth distributes this productive capacity and how those
who are being left farthest behind can be included in the process of growth. The fight against poverty cannot be won by charity,
but by a restructuring of the economic process that leads to greater inclusion. An effective, coherent United Nations system
at the country level can be a powerful agent to help countries achieve accelerated, inclusive human development. 28. A concerted
and collective focus on human development and the MDGs is crucial to long-term results. UNDP and its partners should continue
to help monitor the progress of the MDGs and direct resources to where they are most needed. Improving the collection and
quality of data will be essential, and UNDP will work closely with its partners, particularly DESA, United Nations regional
commissions and the World Bank. 29. Global and collective advocacy efforts can help boost awareness – and indeed progress
– in meeting development goals. Publications such as the Human Development Report, the World Development Report, and The State
of the World’s Children are powerful advocacy tools serving the interests of the poor. All partners have noted the need for
more consistent follow-up on these reports and better coordination and cooperation to further leverage their impact on development.
30. The strategic plan lays out the UNDP shift in approach in its governance efforts, which will now be more aligned to serve
the needs of the poor. UNDP work on poverty will be built around the provision of more effective support to countries to design
and implement policies and programmes that can contribute to economic growth and national capacity development, and to the
reduction of various forms of inequality. UNDP will support programme countries in strengthening their capacity to regulate
markets for goods and services in ways that ensure equity and access for the poor, for women and for marginalized groups.
Likewise, work in crisis prevention and recovery and environment and sustainable development will include stronger and more
explicit strategies for promoting gender equality, promoting women’s security and empowerment, and protecting marginalized
groups. 31. Capacity development, as the overarching UNDP contribution, and the development effectiveness principles of national
ownership, effective aid management, and South-South cooperation will guide UNDP interventions. Capacity development is particularly
relevant to the needs of least developed countries in Africa and elsewhere. Work on capacity development includes helping
countries to diagnose capacity assets and constraints and cost and support capacity development strategies. UNDP increasingly
provides capacity development services through South-South cooperation, by linking and sharing the experiences, expertise,
institutional resources and knowledge among developing countries. 32. The promotion of gender equality – including the empowerment
of women – is the key integrating dimension of the strategic plan. UNDP integration of this principle is intended to ensure
not only that mainstreaming takes place in all areas of operations and programming, but that real progress is made in helping
countries reduce gender inequalities and improve the lives of women.
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