Europe & CIS

Regional Human Development Report on Social Inclusion 2010

Date of issue: Forthcoming in 2010

The Regional Human Development Report on Social Inclusion for the Europe and CIS countries will examine social exclusion, both as processes and outcomes, in the region around four different types of exclusions that people in the region can experience: Exclusion from economic, social, cultural and political life of the society where they live.

In the new HDR, we envisage developing a conceptual and methodological framework for better linking poverty and exclusion, which will be applied in Kazakhstan, FYROM Macedonia, Moldova, Serbia, Tajikistan, Ukraine and Uzbekistan. The report should be an original effort to expand, or bridge, the measurement of poverty and social inclusion with our capabilities based human development paradigm. 

The project

The methodology and outline

Stakeholder consultation process

Events

Team

The Project

The overall objective of the project "Regional Human Development Report on Social Inclusion" in Europe and CIS (hereinafter "RHDR") is to operationalise the powerfull social exclusion concept into a practical policy-making tool for addressing social exclusion that can be applied throughout the region.

The RHDR will consist of a regional report and 7 individual country studies that are being drafted by regional and country teams. The country studies cover Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Ukraine, Moldova, Serbia and FYROM Macedonia. A quantitative survey will be designed to provide necessary input data for the proposed social exclusion indicators (outcomes and drivers). These will complement existing data as evidence for formulating answers to the regional report’s key research questions:

1. Who are the excluded in terms of economic, social, cultural and political exclusion in the different countries or types of countries of the region? What patterns emerge in terms of typology of groups and countries?
2. How are they excluded? What are the levels and dynamics of exclusion and multiplying effect from one domain on to another?
3. Why are they excluded? Which barriers do groups and individuals face? What role do institutions and policies play in generating exclusion? In post-socialist countries specifically, how is social exclusion related to the dynamic interaction between legacies and transition policies?
4. What are the implications of these exclusions in terms of outcomes in other domains, for human development, for social cohesion, etc.?
5. What needs to be done? What strategies are needed to overcome these barriers?

More information about the project can be found in the Project document.

The methodology and outline

The RHDR will provide countries with an analytical and monitoring indicators framework that will illustrate typologies of exclusion patterns and practices (the status/outcome and magnitude of social exclusion) and related drivers (multi-dimensional factors contributing to the status of being excluded). This framework will help understand the specific patterns of exclusion in countries with transition experience, will shed light on their pre-transitional roots and will offer a basis for future evidence-based inclusive policy design and monitoring.

The survey's objective is to fill current data gaps and provide quantitative and comparable data on social exclusion in the participating countries. It will address social exclusion as a phenomenon resulting from inequalities in terms of access to economic resources, education and employment opportunities, access to and quality of social services, social networks, and political, cultural and civic participation. Instead of defining “excluded groups” and sampling them individually during the survey, larger representative samples will be interviewed (2,700 individuals per country) to identify various types and magnitude of exclusion drivers. A polling agency carries out the survey in all participating countries using a common questionnaire and the same sampling methodology. 

More details about the methodology can be found in the Outline and methodological note.

Stakeholder consultation process

These consultations have five aims: (a) hear stakeholders’ perspectives and experiences relating to the theme, (b) consider the broad contours identified, sharpen and guide the direction and scope on specific issues, (c) provide validation for the particular position that the RHDR is to take, (d) promote buy-in and capacity building among the stakeholders, and, (e) initiate early advocacy.

Consultation with stakeholders takes place at various levels:

• National consultations related to the country studies and regional report in participating countries

Participants include government officials, researchers, academicians, CSOs, the media and UN country offices. These will be organised by the national research teams in the participating countries.

• National consultations related to the regional report in non-participating countries

All countries of the Europe and CIS region are regularly informed and consulted on the progress of the report elaboration. The RHDR progress will be presented at regional meetings, such as RRs/DRRs meetings. Substantive consultations will be carried out via the regional Human Development Community of Practice (HD CoP) in a facilitated way.

• Regional and international consultations related to the regional report

Regional stakeholder consultations help in sharpening the focus of the regional report. Participants include regional think tanks, universities, regional CSOs, regional agencies and organisations. Substantive regional stakeholder consultations will be carried out in a facilitated way by sub-themes at various stages of the report elaboration. 

Events

PAST EVENTS

• Inception workshop for the Regional team, 06-07 May 2009, UNDP Bratislava Regional Center

Brief summary of the key results

RHDR powerpoint presentation (prepared by the Team leader Ms. Shahrbanou Tadjbakhsh)

• Inception workshop for the country teams, 09-10 June 2009, Istanbul

Brief summary of the key results

Template for country studies

TEAM
                          

Project Coordination             

Regional Team          Advisory Board

Country Teams         Project Board  

PROJECT COORDINATION

Susanne Milcher, Project Manager and Social Inclusion Specialist

Jaroslav Kling, Project Coordinator

Andrey Ivanov, Human Development Advisor

Michaela Matichova, Project Assistant

ADVISORY BOARD

Regional Human Development Report 2009 "From Exclusion to Equality: Realising the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in Kazakhstan

27 October 2009 , Astana, Kazakhstan-UNDP Kazakhstan launched its National Human Development Report 2009 "From Exclusion to Equality: Realising the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in Kazakhstan" in the Parliament of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The report, which is the country's first comprehensive study on the status of persons with disabilities, outlines a road map of measures the government needs to take to meet its obligations and improve the standard of living for persons with disabilities.

According to the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection of the Population of the Republic of Kazakhstan there are 466,300 persons with disabilities of all categories in Kazakhstan, or about 3 perecent of the entire population. One third of this number are people of productive age, and 10 percent are children. Unfortunately, in a great number of countries worldwide including Kazakhstan there are multiple infrastructural, physical, legal, communicational, psychological and other barriers standing in the way of the complete realization of the rights of disabled persons.

Human Development Report 2009 is designed to attract attention to the problems of disabled persons and their families to bring changes to secure their dignity, rights and well-being, and lay a foundation for profound legal changes. It was the first time when online discussions were used during preparation of the Report allowing to get feedback from stakeholders, including disabled persons from all over our country. The report was released using accessible formats: Braille fonts and DAISY audio. The picture used on the cover page titled "All is in your hands" is the work of Kassiet Omarova, a young blind artist.

The Human Development Report is published with the technical assistance of the British Embassy in Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan.

Human Development Report 2009: 'Overcoming barriers: Human mobility and development’

Vienna, Austria, 5 October 2009-Allowing for migration—both within and between countries—has the potential to increase people’s freedom and improve the lives of millions around the world, according to the 2009 Human Development Report. The Report, 'Overcoming barriers: Human mobility and development,' demonstrates that migration can enhance human development for the people who move, for destination communities and for those who remain at home. migration can raise a person’s income, health and education prospects. Most importantly, being able to decide where to live is a key element of human freedom, according to the Report, which also argues that large gains in human development can be achieved by lowering barriers and other constraints to movement and by improving policies towards those who move.

However, migration does not always bring benefits. The extent to which people are able to gain from moving depends greatly on the conditions under which they move. Financial outlays can be relatively high, and movement inevitably involves uncertainty and separation from families. The poor are often constrained by a lack of resources, information and barriers in their new host communities and countries. For too many people movement reflects the repercussions of conflict, natural disaster or severe economic hardship. Some women end up in trafficking networks, lose significant freedoms and suffer physical danger.

This is the latest publication in a series of global Human Development Reports, which aim to frame debates on some of the most pressing challenges facing humanity, from climate change to human rights. It is an independent report commissioned by UNDP.

Ethnicity as a statistical indicator for the monitoring of living conditions and discrimination

Bratislava, Slovak Republic, 8 September 2009-A new report presents policy makers and the broader public with a review of ethnic data collection policies and practices in Europe, as well as an analysis of the situation in Slovakia. The UNDP report is to serve as a useful source of information for combatting poverty, social exclusion and discrimination.

The report centers on the implementation of equal opportunity and anti-discrimination policies as well as the international commitments of the Slovak Republic in the field of human rights and poses an urgent question to national policy makers and institutions: how to measure the magnitude of various forms of inequality, disadvantage and discrimination? Only on the basis of reliable, valid data can policies and policy measures be drafted in an effective way. Statistical data can be one of the key analytical and argumentative tools for implementationof equal opportunity policies and for imporvement in living conditions for marginalized groups of the population.

This report closely examines:  concept documents, legislation and debate at the supranational level ・ mainly at the levels of the Council of Europe and the European Commission; legislation, institutions and practices in the area of ethnicity-related data in Slovakia; and legislation, institutions and practices in the area of ethnicity-related data in selected EU countries.

The report is considered vital since no concept document currently exists in Slovakia . Slovakia does not currently have a policy for monitoring based on ethnic categories and rather has chosen the status quo regarding this complicated matter.

Convergence of the European Union: Challenges and Opportunities

Skopje, The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, 23 July 2009- Mandated by the Ministry of Finance, the study explores what FYR Macedonia must do to prepare for membership in the European Union, including what changes are required for society, in the economy and in the funtcion of government

Economic issuse take up a large part of the study, but it also discusses challenges and opportunities in education, labour, migration and social solidarity. The  European Union Convergence Study consists of three parts. The first sets out the key recommendations of policy experts. Following, are eleven chapters that elucidate the social, economic and Euorpean Union context in which the recommendations are framed. 

The study also references and builds on reports of international agencies, governments, the EU, with regard to other countries that recently joined the EU.  These extended studies thus provide a platform for further discussion and analysis by FYR Macedonian experts.

Millennium Development Goals Report 2009

United Nations, 6 July 2009-The Millennium Development Goals Report 2009 was launched in Geneva by the Secretary-General on 6 July. The report, which presents the yearly assessment of global progress towards the MDGs, is prepared by the Statistics Division of DESA on the basis of inputs provided by the members of the Inter-agency and Expert Group on Millennium Development Goal Indicators.

The Millennium Declaration set 2015 as the target date for achieving most of the MDGs, As the date approaches, less than six years away, the world finds itself mired in an economic crisis that is unprecedented in its severity and global dimensions. Progress towards the goals is now threatened by sluggish — or even negative — economic growth, diminished resources, fewer trade opportunities for the developing countries, and possible reductions in aid flows from donor nations. At the same time, the effects of climate change are becoming increasingly apparent, with a potentially devastating impact on countries rich and poor.

Development and Transition Issue 13

Case Study - From pilot to policy: Introducing community-based social services in Bulgaria

A Guide to Good Water Management

Zagreb, Croatia, 3 June 2009-A guide to good water management in Croatia, particularly in the Gacka Valley. Topics in the report include resoures for good drinking water, plants and animals and endemics. The guide tells the story of water through the perspective of visitors, nature lovers from Croatia and abroad, fishermen, children and adults. Combined they tell the story of an energy that is dispersed through a drop of water. That water drop and energy become a bigger story, one iluustrated by this guide. This is a story about water protection and protecting life.

A Climate for Change

Zagreb, Croatia, 3 June 2009-A breakthrough report on the impact of climate change on Croatia's society and economy. The report illustrates how a 3 to 3.5 degrees Celsius increase in temperature will affect public health, environment and industry in Croatia.

2009 Global Assessment Report on Disaster Risk Reduction

Bratislava, Slovak Republic, 20 May 2009-Disaster risk reduction (DRR) is still the most effective and cost-efficient way of protecting developing countries from natural hazards and climate change, according to a new report from the UN’s International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (ISDR) project. The 2009 Global Assessment Report on Disaster Risk Reduction, Risk and Poverty in a Changing Climate, also identifies a disconnect between global, national, and regional policymakers on the issue, and recommends better coordination among governments.

The report, a collaboration between several entities including the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the World Bank, and six others, includes a 20-point plan to reduce climate- and disaster-related risk in the developing world. The recommendations were formulated in response to the researchers’ findings that climate change has already altered the frequency and geography of disasters. The report also finds that developing world trends, such as urbanization, are quickly altering the way disasters unfold.

Russia Faces Mortality Crisis

Moscow, Russia, 30 April 2009-Russia's population may shrink by an additional 11 million people in the next 15 years, threatening its economic productivity a new report warns. The report, "Human Development Report: Russia Facing Demographic Challenges," also says Russia suffers from short life expectancy, low birth rates, a shrinking and aging population and a lack of clear immigration policies. These issues pose dramatic economic and social challenges for the country.

In the face of this demographic challenge, the report advocates two policy responses.

The first response calls for radically changing mortality rates, increasing life expectancy and decreasing causes of death by promoting a healthy lifestyle. The current life expectancy rate for men is 60 years of age (based on 2006 statistics), for women it is 73. In particular, cardiovascular disease is prevalent in relatively young age groups and especially among men. Overall, the share of deaths due to external causes in Russia is almost three times bigger than in the West.

The second policy response calls for adapting social services and institutions to the needs of the aging population.

Report on Social Investments in Russia

Moscow, Russia, 28 April 2009-The Report on Social Investments in Russia reflect sth current standing of Corporate Social Responsibility and corporate social investments in Russian business, and analyzes key CSR and corportate social investment development trends and characteristics. The report's conclusions include: CSR development issues in Russian business are properly recognized by leading domestic companies who increasingly demand a continuation of the national dialogue and building of a 'national CSR platform, development of the relevant educational and consulting services market and examination and implementation of the best global practices. The report also recommends viewing corporate social activity as an integral innovative system which not only helps to address societal problems and relevant business development strategies effectively, but also provides companies wityh sustainable competitive advantages.

Russia: On the Path to Equal Opportunities

Moscow, Russia, 22 April 2009One in 11 Russians has some form of disability. Nationwide, this amounts to 13 million people with special physical, mental or intellectual needs of varying degree, including congenital or acquired mobility, vision and hearing impairment, as well as mental and developmental disorders.

These individuals are in need of special accommodations and often require assistance from other people. Curbs, steps leading into healthcare facilities, shops or cinemas, and narrow elevatordoors may present insurmountable obstacles for such people. Many disabled persons are also deprived of even simple everyday human interaction: they commonly receive uneasy glances, and it remains a prevalent belief that persons with disabilities are free riders, unable to make any significant contribution to unable social and economic development.

This publication takes on these barriers and stigmas and promotes an inclusive approach to persons with disabilities.

Policy Recommendations Ukraine 2009

People-Centered Analyses Report

Skopje, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, 16 April 2009-The second issue of the People-Centered Analyses Report builds upon the first edition which focused on social inclusion and disparities. This edition goes one step further, examining spatial disparities in social exclusion and drawing lessons on how to reduce these disparities through effective regional policies, while deepening the analysis of trends in quality of life which was initiated in the previous edition.

The results of which provide policy-relevant evidence of spatial disparities in quality of life and social exclusion. It shows that large regional disparities exist in life satisfaction which in turn is largely influenced by age and place of residence, with the young urban population at the top of the happiness scale and the rural elderly at the bottom. Therefore, the report concludes that regional development is a complex process, influenced notonly by economic considerations but also by perceptions of quality of life, the effectiveness of local governance and the extent of social exclusion and ethnic cohesion at local level.

Development and Transition Issue 12

Bratislava, Slovak Republic, April 2009-The April issue of Development and Transition is devoted to ‘Reform of the State’ and features eight articles by UNDP authors and a number of contributions by outside scholars and experts. In a challenge to the sceptics, Jan Zielonka of Oxford University also argues that emerging democracies in Central and Eastern Europe will survive the global economic slump intact.

Clean Development Mechanism in Schemes

Tashkent, Uzbekistan, 2 March 2009-This publication was prepared by UNDP Uzbekistan project “Capacity Building for CDM in Uzbekistan” with the support of the Designated National Authority on CDM, the Ministry of Economy of Uzbekistan. It's aim is to provide visual presentation of CDM documents and concepts. It includes four chapters covering general concepts of Clean Development Mechanism, CDM project cycle, major CDM documents and carbon financing.

Capacity Development in Europe and the Commonwealth of Independent States 2008

Bratislava, Slovak Republic, February 2009-An overview of the United Nations Developement Programme's capacity development work in 2008.  The UNDP works with national and local governments and citizens to develop capacities that support national priorities, with a strategic and country-led approach to ensure sustainability, while also advocating for inclusive citizenship, human rights, accountability and transparency.

Early Warning System-Bosnia and Herzegovina

Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovinam 4 February 2009-This report is an assessment of Bosnia and Herzegovina's process for integration with Europe and associated reforms.