***** MEDIA ADVISORY *****

WHAT: Inequality, Inclusive Growth and the post-2015 Framework  -- How can the post-2015 framework address inequalities and foster inclusive growth?

WHY: The discussions on what will replace the Millennium Development Goals after 2015 is entering in a crucial phase. One of the key, cross-cutting issues that are being debated is inequality and how the new framework could contribute to fostering more inclusive growth. The notion of ‘inclusive’ growth points to the need to ensure that the benefits of growth are fairly shared by countries, regions and different social groups and that current trends in inequality – that in many countries is persisting and often times increasing - are reversed. Increasingly, there is evidence that reducing inequality doesn’t necessarily imply a trade-off with growth, but rather helps countries achieve sustained growth, social cohesion and stability. In this context, there is broad consensus that inequality is one of the key challenges to be addressed in the years to come. Inequality refers not only to disparities between the rich and the poor, but also to other important dimensions such as disparities between men and women or between rural and urban regions.

Also, disparity is not just a matter of income but of opportunities and access to key services such as education, health, ICTs or financial services. However, many observers have pointed to the technical and political difficulties that need to be overcome to ensure that the post-2015 framework will address inequality and help foster inclusive growth. UNCDF, in cooperation with UN-DESA and UNDP/BDP, is organizing an event that will bring together some of the lead thinkers from within the United Nations, the donors’ community, private sector and academia to discuss about different dimensions of inequality and concrete options for these to be addressed by the set of goals that will guide development efforts after 2015.

The outcome of the meeting will be a number of proposals to be submitted as an input to the on-going post-2015 consultations. The meeting is by invitation only. Participants will include approximately 30 representatives from leading international institutions. Introduction by keynote speakers will be followed by discussion. In order to make sure that different perspectives can be brought to the debate, participants have been invited from institutions as diverse as UNDP, UN/DESA, UN-Women, UN-Habitat, OECD, Google.org, MIT, Mckinsey, PWC, Oxfam, Citi, Gates Foundation and CGAP. Videos of the keynote speeches and of the conclusions will be made available on-line after the workshop. A document summarizing the key points emerged during the discussion will be published and submitted as an input to the on-going post-2015 consultations.

WHO:

• Google.org - Arnaud Sahuguet
• International Labour Organization (ILO) - Vinicius Carvalho Pinheiro, Deputy Director, ILO NY Office
• McKinsey & Company - Pablo Halkyard, Associate Principal
• Organization for Economic Development (OECD) - Angela Hariche, Head of Well-being Networks Unit
• Oxfam America - Gawain Kripke, Director, Policy and Research
• UN Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) - Marc Bichler, Executive Secretary; Nicola Crosta, Head of KM and Policy
• United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG) - Edgardo Bilsky
• UN Women - Yassine Fall, Chief of the UN Women Economic Empowerment Section
• Urban Institute - Jamie Boex

WHEN: 7 March 2013, 9am – 3:30pm

WHERE: One UN Hotel, New York

To learn more about the program, visit www.uncdf.org/post-2015

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UNCDF is the UN’s capital investment agency for the world’s 49 least developed countries. It creates new opportunities for poor people and their businesses by increasing access to microfinance and investment capital. UNCDF focuses on Africa and the poorest countries of Asia, with a special commitment to countries emerging from conflict or crisis. It provides seed capital – grants and loans – and technical support to help microfinance institutions reach more poor households and small businesses, and local governments finance the capital investments – water systems, feeder roads, schools, irrigation schemes – that will improve poor peoples’ lives. UNCDF programmes help to empower women, and are designed to catalyze larger capital flows from the private sector, national governments and development partners, for maximum impact toward the Millennium Development Goals. For more information, see https://www.uncdf.org.