1. Engaging parliaments on the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs: representation, accountability and implementation
Special webinar: the value of engaging with parliaments to realize the 2030 Agenda, 6 December 2018

2. Engaging parliaments on the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs
Parliaments and CSOs can facilitate and support each other to promote sustainable development
Handbook aims to help civil society understand how they can engage with parliaments on the 2030 Agenda
Includes:
Chapter 1: The case for engaging with parliaments
Chapter 2: Parliamentary spheres of influence
Chapter 3: Concrete ways in which civil society can engage with parliaments
Also highlights: cases studies, resources and strategies for success throughout
Chapter 1: The case for engaging with parliaments - In their work on national development and political process, legislatures and CSOs play complementary roles. Through different means, parliaments and CSOs both play a role in keeping the government accountable as key oversight actors while creating feedback loops between government and citizens. Both can work to ensure the participation of the poorest, most vulnerable and marginalised people in the decision making process. Both have at their disposal different, but complementary, powers and tools to push for change. In all these objectives and functions, they can support and facilitate each other’s work.
Chapter 2: Parliamentary spheres of influence - different areas of parliamentary life that offer civil society actors opportunities for intervention: law-making, budgets, oversight of how the executive is implementing the SDGs
Chapter 3: Concrete ways in which civil society can engage with parliaments – hearings, meetings, cross party groups and caucuses, crowdlaw, campaigning and more
The handbook emphasizes:
The importance of working together - working in coalition can improve your chances of success. Bringing civil society partners together and speaking with a unified voice carries more weight and has a higher chance of successfully influencing change.
The importance of developing a practice of mutual respect and dialogue - while the views and agendas of some CSOs may be at variance with those of parliament or its individual members, open lines of communication can help create the social consensus that is required to pass draft laws. The 2030 Agenda comes with an understanding that all parts of society have an important role in ensuring the SDGs are achieved across the globe and that, through a constructive working relationship, both parliaments and CSOs can play an effective role.