Looking Forward

NGOs would like to see major improvements in the most crucial issues that affect the poor and vulnerable, concretely:

¨       Continuous work towards equitable growth: an increased focus on the structural causes of poverty, in-depth analysis of poverty impacts and coordination of all policies (including macro-economic, fiscal, trade, social and environmental policies).  The benchmark to evaluate success or failure of the reform programs must be what happens to the most vulnerable groups.

The need for further analysis is recognized, though measures to ensure that growth is equitable may require further thought.

¨       Radical improvements in the culture of impunity and effective anti-corruption measures.

The problem of impunity is not included.

¨       Poverty reduction strategies that put at their center the people for whom they are intended, allowing them to participate in all phases and at all levels of the process (including policy, implementation and evaluation).

Requires further elaboration.

¨       Enforced standardized government procedures for all new and modified legislation.  These procedures should require all government agencies to establish timeframes and opportunities for public consultation at all stages of the legislative and regulatory process.

Not included.