The world is in a crisis of development. The shockwaves of the global economic recession have begun to exit the financial markets and, in turn, are increasingly affecting human development outcomes—fewer jobs and lower pay, less disposable income for healthcare and education, shrunken government spending on social services and safety nets, etc. The effects of the financial meltdown are exacerbated by the varyingly weak status of institutional capacity across the world coupled with the mounting vulnerabilities fueled by the food and energy crises, climate change, growing inequality, pandemics, natural disasters, conflict and so on.

While the causes of these diverse development challenges are numerous—and contentious at that—UNDP would like to postulate a fundamental point of departure for this debate: the development context calls for leadership vision and commitment and sound public management to build resilient societies. This is the key message captured in the ‘Capacity is Development' Global Event that brings the evidence to the table and shares experiences of how capacity development engenders capable institutions—in other words, effective and adaptable institutions that deliver against 21st century development challenges. And given its mandate, ground presence and core competence, UNDP has much to contribute to this dialogue.

The Global Event involves the gathering of more evidence, a call to partners for engagement and a convening of the global community of experts, thinkers and practitioners on capacity development. How can capacity development policies and investments successfully impact progress toward achieving the MDGs? What capacity development investments can reduce the likelihood of conflict and help transitioning states to build back better? How do effective capacity development strategies contribute to ‘climate-proofing' national development aspirations and reduce vulnerability to external shocks? Which capacity development interventions have been most effective at breaking down traditional glass ceilings? And how should capacity development strategies be adapted to country-specific contexts and what levels of intervention should be prioritized?

For more information, please download the Concept Note.