UN hands over UN75 Initiative report to NPC
The United Nations (UN) in Malawi has handed over the UN75 Initiative Report to the National Planning Commission (NPC) to ensure that views of Malawians captured in the document are considered by the commission in the formulation of national development plans and strategies.
The UN75 Initiative Campaign was launched by the UN in January 2020 to mark its global 75th anniversary under the theme “The World Malawi Wants: Local Voices for Better Future” under which a survey was conductedto listen to people on the future they want and how global cooperation can be improved to help solve national challenges.
On November 24, 2020, Malawi’s President Lazarus Chakwera wasthe guest honour at a national dialogue session on UN75 in Lilongwe where experts and representatives of the youth tackled challenges and solutions around climate change,justice and human rights,gender equality,poverty and inequality, amongst others.
Speaking on December 15, 2020 in Lilongwe during the handover ceremony of the report to NPC, UN Resident Coordinator in Malawi Ms. Maria Jose Torres said the survey reached out to around 30,000 Malawians, largely the youth, and that it is complimentary to envisioning of Malawi’s next vision to 2063 which the National Planning Commission is coordinating.
“Malawians want universal health care, quality education and job opportunities and they are very optimistic about the future. They all believe that its possible to transform Malawi and this should be exciting as the country is developing its new vision,” said Torres.
On his part, NPC Director General Dr. Thomas Munthali welcomed the report, saying what was encouraging is that most of the issues raised in it are already reflected in the draft vision to 2063 which is now the final stages of development, ready for launch soon.
“There are huge similarities between what is in the report and what Malawians told us [during the envisioning for 2063]. As NPC, we will see if there is anything more in it that may be incorporated in the draft vision or in the implementation strategies that will operationalize the Vision” said Munthali.
He, however, appealed to the UN and other development partners working with Malawi to embrace the new spirit emerging with the new vision in Malawi which focuses on the positive narrative of wealth creation and self-reliance instead of poverty as has been the case in the past.
“We are championing a mindset change to that of positivity building on what is already transforming lives in Malawi because that is what will make Malawi achieve progress. Please help us change and push for that new narrative, even in the way reports such as this [UN75 Initiative] are written,” pleaded Munthali.