TheJourneyVolume1 - Book - Page 79
broad engagement across several disciplines and a
long-standing engagement at the country level.
U N I T E D N AT I O N S D E V E L O P M E N T P R O G R A M M E
COVID-19 AND LEVERAGING CAPABILITIES
Ironically, the COVID-19 pandemic has perhaps been
a defining moment for UNDP, both globally and at the
country level. It has required us to leverage all those
capabilities we have, including a broad footprint to enable
collaboration across regions and countries; improving
our understanding of development as an “emergency;”
and gaining efficiency and nimbleness with the use of
resources. The pandemic has also given UNDP and RRs
a clear voice. It has also been a challenge to our bureaucracy and has required us to redefine key elements of our
procedures that I am hopeful will now become the norm,
to ensure that we are not just a responsive organization,
but that we respond in a timely manner.
In Mauritius and Seychelles, UNDP has been instrumental in tracking trends and providing technical and
policy advice, and in using catalytic investment to support
the governments in pursuing new ideas.
In addition, as one of only three agencies in the two
SIDS (Small Island Developing States), we have been
able to support sister agencies in their engagement
with the governments. This was possible due to
our technical leadership in the drafting of the UN
COVID-19 Socioeconomic Response Plan (SERP).
Prior to that, our support also included work in a
considerable environment portfolio and an innovative
socioeconomic reform program.
The COVID-19 pandemic has spurred the shifts in the
development landscape that have been trending for a
while. The post-colonial context is now more than fifty
years old. The one way or “donor-recipient” relationship
is no longer tenable. Shifting to the practice of partnership
will require a re-appraisal of the political economy
of the development aid ecosystem, and where UNDP
seeks to locate its power and influence and better
align with our mandate. UNDP could better emphasize our
work as a vocation grounded in rights and justice, beyond
transactional management behavioural change emphasis,
ensuring we are all true believers in the principles for
which we were founded and continue to advocate. We can
change the world, one action at a time. n
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