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Can SDG 16 Data Drive National Accountability? A Cautiously Optimistic View

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  • Marie Laberge
  • Nadia Touihri

Abstract

Target 16.3 appears to provide a good example of ‘slippage in the level of ambition’ in moving from visionary goals to watered‐down targets and indicators, due to the influence of powerful interests – in this case the UNODC. However, the SDG Agenda offers an important corrective measure, by encouraging Member States to ‘domesticate’ individual goals and targets – adapting them to local circumstances. Tunisia provides a vivid illustration of how a national SDG16 monitoring system can drive national accountability and contribute to positive change on the ground – provided indicators have broad‐based buy‐in and resonate with local grievances and priorities. First, the conceptual scope of the Tunisian Governance Goal was greatly expanded to include a strong focus on participation and human rights. Second the Tunisian SDG16 indicator set is dominated by survey‐based indicators thus placing people's voice at the centre of the monitoring system. Third, the regular publication of national SDG16 data in Tunisia has incentivized tangible responses from public officials. Several more examples of national SDG16 consultative processes currently unfolding around the world are similarly showing that even while the politics of data may be undemocratic at global level, they can be increasingly democratic at country level.

Suggested Citation

  • Marie Laberge & Nadia Touihri, 2019. "Can SDG 16 Data Drive National Accountability? A Cautiously Optimistic View," Global Policy, London School of Economics and Political Science, vol. 10(S1), pages 153-156, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:glopol:v:10:y:2019:i:s1:p:153-156
    DOI: 10.1111/1758-5899.12607
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    1. United Nations UN, 2015. "Transforming our World: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development," Working Papers id:7559, eSocialSciences.
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    Cited by:

    1. Anita Breuer & Julia Leininger, 2021. "Horizontal Accountability for SDG Implementation: A Comparative Cross-National Analysis of Emerging National Accountability Regimes," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(13), pages 1-23, June.
    2. Nadine Bachmann & Shailesh Tripathi & Manuel Brunner & Herbert Jodlbauer, 2022. "The Contribution of Data-Driven Technologies in Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(5), pages 1-33, February.

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