What has been the impact of the MDGs and what are the

options for post-2015?

Andy Sumner
a.sumner@ids.ac.uk

Meera Tiwari
m.tiwari@uel.ac.uk

CPRC Conference, Manchester, Sept. 2010

 1. Taking stock of MDG experience
Strengths Weaknesses
 as a ‘rallying call’ for actors; as a  defining human development
common/shared understanding of outcomes rather than opportunities
poverty reduction; to achieve outcomes;

 targets and indicators to guide and  limited unifying theory on the

motivate policy decisions, and – in structural causes of poverty; weak
principle – accountability; on social justice – equity, rights,
vulnerability and exclusion.

 pressure for more data on poverty;  a (mis?) perception donor-led; and

distorting impacts – transient vs.
chronic poor.
 2. Types of MDG impacts and evidence

• adoption (in policy);

• adaptation (to locally defined goals, indicators
and targets);
• allocation (of resources);
• aberrations (and unintended distortions);
• acceleration of MDG progress in actual poverty
reduction outcomes.
3. Global poverty: What’s new?

Sumner (2010)
 4. Options for a post-2015 architecture: How radical?
More of the same Build on MDGs Something more
radical?
Idea/narrative Extend the Build on progress Global solidarity -
deadline – to made with the beyond aid to
2020/2025. MDGs and expand climate fin and
local ownership. global ‘new deal’.
Indicators Existing MDGs MDG ‘inner core’ MDG8-like; climate
with minimal indicators + locally adaption, univer-
changes. defined ‘outer sal coverage global
core’ indicators. public goods, etc.
Architecture Existing RBM and Post-bureaucratic Certain levels of
architecture – architecture; deprivation trigger
donor/recipient existing co-ordinated
country architecture + response (as
relationship, etc. state/citizen, etc. humanitarian aid?)
 What has been the impact of the
MDGs and what are the options for
post-2015?

Andy Sumner
a.sumner@ids.ac.uk

Meera Tiwari
m.tiwari@uel.ac.uk