Civil society has been identified as playing a critical role in assisting the government in localising Jamaica’s sustainable development goals (SDGs).

Nancy Pinchas, executive director of the Council of Voluntary Social Services (CVSS), recently indicated that it was also key in monitoring the progress of civil society towards achieving the goals.

Pinchas was addressing the UN Jamaica 60th anniversary flag-raising ceremony and launch of a partnership forum in commemorating the 60th anniversary of Jamaica’s membership to the United Nations. She was part of panel discussion looking on the topic ‘Localisation of the SDGs’.

“As an umbrella organisation, we need to lay the foundation for institutionalising a system for score cards or indicators to monitor the progress of the goals. We are looking at a web-based electronic monitoring system for civil society organisations (CSOs) to report on their progress towards implementing the goals,” she said.

The CVSS executive director informed that, for this to be adopted, it requires everyone to be on board to design a programme to facilitate the monitoring and evaluation of CSOs initiatives within the framework of the 17 SDGs.

She further pointed out that, while the Government of Jamaica has primary responsibility in implementing Vision 2030 and the SDGs, the goals and targets do not solely belong to the government but that businesses, communities, civil society and individuals also have a part to play in owning the SDGs.

“Given the structured framework of the SDGs, I think the time is right to involve civil society in the implementation and execution towards the achievement of the goals,” she stated.

Barbara Scott, deputy director general at the Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ), who moderated the session, agreed with Pinchas and reaffirmed that civil society encourages the population to own the SDGs.

Giving an update on the implementation of the SDGs, she said that, following adoption of the SDGs in 2015, Jamaica through initiatives of the PIOJ commenced a process of localising the SDGs into the national development plan and mainstreaming the SDGs through a societal approach.

“Extensive consultations and capacity building of key stakeholders have been implemented to facilitate alignment of local partners, plans and actions to the Vision 2030 Jamaica and the SDGs,” she said.

Other members on the panel were Dr Wesley Hughes, development economist and former director general of the PIOJ; Marlet Wellington, director of planning at the Trelawny Municipal Corporation and Orville Levy, co-chair of the Youth Advisory Council of Jamaica.