Perspectives from Civil Society on the Millennium Development Goals and Post-2015 Agenda: Focus on Small States and Vulnerability By: Laurel A. Murray When Hurricane Ivan ripped into Grenada in 2004, in the span of twenty-four hours it managed to erase a decade of hard fought development. Earlier that year, Grenada’s economy was projected to grow by 5.7 per cent. After Hurricane Ivan, the country faced £1.8 billion in damage, twice Grenada’s GDP at the time. i Since then the country has experienced a ballooning national deficit, only worsened by the global financial crisis. Small states in the Caribbean and Pacific share a high vulnerability to both natural disasters and economic shocks. These present unique challenges to development overall and demand urgency in terms of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) – especially as countries prepare for the post-2015 agenda. In particular, there is concern from civil society organisations that the MDGs are not adequately plugged into immediate development needs. They also warn that the financial downturn and impacts of climate change will further undermine the goals for the future. Over the past thirteen years, Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in both the Caribbean and Pacific have had little involvement with the MDGs framework; and yet their perspective is vital to evaluate the success of the framework and the path forward post-2015. Last year the Commonwealth Foundation, in partnership with the United Nations Millennium Campaign, launched Breaking Point. It brought together civil society actors and stakeholders in fourteen countries to reveal deep deficits with civil society experience of and engagement with the MDGs framework. This brief examines the results of these consultations amongst small states, focusing on their vulnerability to economic shocks, natural disasters and the rising risks of climate change. Government and Civil Society Partnerships More attention must be paid to the perspective of civil society organisations, not just national governments, in achieving the MDGs and building upon these goals for the future. ‘Civil society analysis - often rooted in the realities of their Key Messages  Small states face increased vulnerability to economic shocks, natural disasters and climate change, which are largely outside their control. So far, the increased vulnerability of small states is inadequately championed in the MDGs.  Future development goals must speak to globally agreed themes but also be sufficiently flexible to address domestic priorities. These goals should be pursued through broad-based, open and inclusive processes that allow for and enable citizen and CSOs participation; as well as mainstreamed across all government departments.  Government and donors must facilitate greater partnership with civil society by introducing more enabling laws, policies and building the capacity of civil society to participate proactively and meaningfully.  CSOs and citizens must take a greater role in monitoring and evaluation, which can also be supported through increased capacity.  Regional and national partnerships between civil society are essential.  MDGs should call for increased ODA and debt swaps; as well as a shift away from direct budget support by donors to governments. Briefing Note May 2013