This book explores the record of the UN development system (UNDS) over more than 70 years as a fount of ideas and concepts in development; as a contributor to development thinking and strategy; and as the principal source of global development goals from the first UN Development Decade to the SDGs. It also examines the more mixed record of the UNDS in its operational role and asks how the ideational and operational functions can be more successfully aligned, and what changes such an alignment would imply.The chapters consider: The logic of global governance through international organizations The origins, functions, structure of the UN development systemUN contributions to development thinkingThe UN’s development agendas, 1960s to 2015 Reforming the UN development systemThe future of the UN and multilateralismThe book will be of great use for students and scholars studying political science, international organizations, the UN, and development, as well as for practitioners associated with the UN, including member-state missions, UN staff, and development cooperation professionals.
Stephen Browne is Co-Director of the Future UN Development System (FUNDS) Project, Senior fellow of the Ralph Bunche Institute for International Studies at the Graduate Center of the City University of New York, and visiting lecturer at the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies in Geneva.
Introduction 1. Origins, structure, functions, and funding of the UN development system 2. UN contributions to development thinking 3. UN goal-setting 4. Making the UN fit for purpose 5. The future (of the) UN development system Select bibliographyAnnex I: Principal UN Goals and Targets, 1960-2015Annex II. Principal UN Development Conferences and Summits
'There is much to praise in this book–and much to debate–especially how to balance meeting the SDGs with fulfilling rights and the effectiveness and importance of collaboration versus coordination.' - Sir Richard Jolly, Honorary Professor and Research Associate of the Institute of Development Studies, University of Sussex, UK
Anoulak Kittikhoun, Susanne Schmeier, Laos) Kittikhoun, Anoulak (Mekong River Commission, The Netherlands) Schmeier, Susanne (IHE Delft Institute for Water Education