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

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; 2) 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 EUcountries. A comparison within these three contexts ・ European, Slovak and selected national states ・ leads to conclusions and recommendations.

The report is considered vital since no concept document currently exists in Slovakia which would deal with standardization of procedures for ethnic data collection. 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. The European Union Convergence Study focuses on what FYR Macedonia must do to prepare for full-fledged EU membership. It discusses 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.

MDG 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  Millenium 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 yearsaway, 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.

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.  To read the complete report visit Read more....

Russia Faces Mortality Crisis

Moscow, Russia, 30 April 2009-"Human Development Report: Russia Facing Demographic Challenges" discusses Russia's 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.

Report on Social Investments in Russia

Moscow, Russia, 28 April 2009-Integration of Corporate Social Responsibility principles into business processes and ultimately into the coprorate strategy of successful Russian companies seeking long-term sustainable development.

Russia: On the Path to Equal Opportunities

Moscow, Russia, 22 April 2009-Educational and employment opportunities for people with disabilities in Russia through the prism of the UN Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities.

Policy Recommendations Ukraine 2009

People-Centered Analyses Report

Skopje, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, 16 April 2009-The new issue of the People-Centered Analyses Report examines regional disparities regarding social exclusion and quality of life throughout the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. According to the report, the gap between rich and poor is growing.

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.

Living with HIV in Eastern Europe and CIS: The human cost of social exclusion

Bratislava, Slovak Republic, 21 January 2009-Discrimination and the social exclusion of people living with HIV are undermining efforts to respond to AIDS, according to a new report “Living with HIV in Eastern Europe and CIS: The human cost of social exclusion” http://europeandcis.undp.org/rhdr.aids2008, which is being released by the UN Development Programme (UNDP) in conjunction with both World AIDS Day and the 60^th Anniversary of the signing of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.