Post-2015 governance and peace indicators (GSDRC Helpdesk Research Report 1013)

This report considers indicators on Good Governance and Effective Institutions and Stable and Peaceful Societies

Abstract

Query

Please identify (a) existing indicators and (b) literature proposing possible new indicators that could be used to measure the targets in illustrative goals 10 and 11 of High Level Panel Report on Post 2015 Development Agenda. Please provide an assessment of the indicators in terms of (i) the extent to which there is evidence that they are conceptually linked to the goal and (ii) the practical considerations of measuring the indicators as a basis for a global framework.

Key findings

The post-2015 High Level Panel (HLP) produced a report in May 2013 which outlined their recommendations for moving the development agenda beyond the Millennium Development Goals. The report contained 11 illustrative goals which the UN might consider for adoption. This report considers potential indicators for the new Goals 10 and 11, which are: 10. Ensure Good Governance and Effective Institutions; 11. Ensure Stable and Peaceful Societies.

This report is divided into thematic sections. The first section on each goal looks at the various proposals for indicators on this goal, drawing on literature which makes a direct and explicit link to the post-2015 process. These sections therefore contain some proposals for targets and indicators which are not in the HLP report. The second section on each goal looks at the HLP’s proposed targets, listed above, and suggests already existing datasets which could be used to measure these.

There is generally a strong literature on both themes of governance and peace and security, and a large number of existing measurement sources which could be used for new goals. Plenty of literature on post-2015 identifies governance and peace and security as priorities to address in any new framework, and occasionally identifies targets; but much less literature has identified clear and viable indicators. Nevertheless, the literature shows a deep consistency over what should be tracked and there are well-developed datasets which can be merged with the post-MDG process.

Citation

Browne, E. Post-2015 governance and peace indicators (GSDRC Helpdesk Research Report 1013). Governance and Social Development Resource Centre, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK (2013) 19 pp.

Post-2015 governance and peace indicators (GSDRC Helpdesk Research Report 1013)

Published 1 January 2013