HLF4 thematic session: "Capacity Development: Lessons Learned and Ways Forward"

Several members of the network collaborated to organise a thematic panel discussion at HLF4 in Busan. The session brought together ministers and practitioners from all over the world.  We heard inspiring stories from Cambodia, Rwanda, Korea and Kenya, among others.  All testified to the importance of results-focused capacity development in their successful change processes.  In Africa, progress is being made towards concrete CD actions, with the region having developed the Capacity Development Strategic Framework (CDSF) as a policy guiding tool.

The session highlighted this consensus and put forward three concrete post-Busan actions that we wish to carry forward:

• Result-focused transformational capacity development should be a key  focus of the country-led plans and actions for development effectiveness—The commitment should pay due attention to the building of effective institutions.
• The strengthening of country systems and institutions within the context of national capacity development strategies linked to overall development plans. In this regard, the necessity to mainstream/integrate capacity development in all sectors and programs.
• The need for a more systematic approach to capture and share knowledge on capacity development based on country priorities.  We propose that this becomes the focus of our work going forward, using existing national and regional platforms as well as networks to shape  the global knowledge architecture.

In Busan, we have heard over and over that capacity development is not just an add-on, an afterthought, but requires an engaged political leadership to put capacity development at the center of country-led development priorities. Now let’s take some concrete steps to make this happen.

For more details, please see the complete report from the session.