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Since all of us share the same set of limited natural resources, North-South cooperation on environmental and development issues is essential. Why has the concept taken so long to appear on the global agenda? |
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It has been a matter of time. Today, we live in a different world, with a mindset that can clearly see the ever-increasing inequality between the rich and the poor, the assault on our natural resources, the impact of climate change, population growth and crippling poverty. Such issues can no longer be ignored through ideological differences.
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Given their differences in language, culture and resources, how can Northern and Southern youth begin working together towards common goals? |
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Today's young people are made global citizens by an ability to speak and learn languages and by an appreciation and adoption of each other's cultural diversity. A partnership between youth of the North and South can open new prospects and access to opportunities in education, training and skill developments through exchange programmes and other forms of solidarity. |
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Many joint North-South projects seem to become mired in personality conflicts, miscommunication and financial and logistical difficulties. What key elements are needed for forming and sustaining successful partnerships? |
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Where is no one formula, but if a partnership is built around a genuine effort to address local conditions, conflicts and misperceptions can be avoided. If the goal is to provide access to water, food, sanitation, shelter or education, the partnership should have a clear plan of action, leadership, a timeline, a source of funding and - above all - active stakeholder participation. Lasting partnerships can be built if all those involved listen to one another, understand needs and differences, and keep their engagement simple and as free from bureaucratic procedures as possible.
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Aren't many North-South partnerships just new forms of imperialism? |
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If cooperation is imposed, or presses the views and perspectives of one country upon others - or is purely based on the search for one side's interest - then there is a problem. Acceptable partnerships promote health care services, education, agriculture, transfer of new technology and information, and foster economic development and prosperity. |
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How are UN agencies encouraging equitable partnership between Northern and Southern member states? |
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| The United Nations is the leading world body in promoting and implementing international cooperation between the countries of the North and South. Its agencies and programmes offer platforms for them to discuss, debate, address and decide on such extremely important issues as protecting the environment; health; education; international aid, trade and debt; human rights and security; the empowerment of women; and peace building. At the 2000 Millennium Summit, world leaders came together and committed themselves to halving dire poverty by 2015 and attaining development for all through partnership between developing and developed countries. |
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Critics say that globalization is unfairly stacked against poorer countries. How can we ensure that its benefits are universally distributed? |
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| In principle, the growing integration and interdependency of economies and societies around the world could be a good sign of development and partnership. But if poor countries are just seen as sources of raw materials and potential markets for export goods, that is the kind of false partnership that has caused increased inequality and unprecedented environmental degradation. Rich countries should share their wealth and knowledge with poorer ones, and offer them better opportunities. This is the key to helping them break free of poverty and to putting us all on the path of sustainable growth and development. |
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Do you have questions on environment and development issues that you would like the experts at UNEP to answer? Please send them to cpiinfo@unep.org, and we will try to answer them in future issues.
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