Figure 1. Map of LRG participation in the consultation processes for the VNRs/Main Messages*.
Involvement of LRGs in the VNR/Main Message Full participation of LRGs in the process Participation only at the region/state/county level Partial involvement of LRGs in the process LRGs are just mentioned in the document No mention of LRGs altogether Information not yet available
* Countries in gray have not reported or committed to report in 2016 or 2017.
In many cases, however, it was necessary to adapt or design ad hoc strategies for consultation. Some of these dialogues took place via multiple instruments (e.g., workshops, fora, hearings, interviews, etc.) that often lasted several months (e.g., in Germany and Japan) and were conducted either at the national level or distributed across the country’s different regions or territories (e.g., Argentina, Chile, Indonesia, the Philippines and Togo) with varying degree of participation and engagement. In other cases, consultation was concentrated in fewer events with limited participation (as in France). In many federal countries, cross-level dialogues involved primarily representatives from federated units – such as states or provinces (e.g., Nigeria). Even in unitary countries such as Kenya, it was mostly county governors who were involved the most in the consultations. Some countries operated their consultations only via questionnaires and focused interviews (Costa Rica), while in other countries the process included written reports and an open consultation online (e.g., France), combined with workshops and validation meetings (e.g., Nigeria). In several countries, finally, the consultation process was combined with public awareness-raising campaigns (printed materials, online and social media platforms). In Belgium, for example, eight different organizations (representing, among others, NGOs, the private sector, and local authorities) have been promoting SDGs through the many activities of the SDG Voices campaign.
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