Nairobi (Kenya), 13 May 2024 – Collaboration is paramount in combating complex networks of crime and addressing the multifaceted world drug problem. Governments cannot address these challenges in isolation. Strong muti-stakeholder partnerships including with society organizations (CSOs) can amplify governmental efforts. Particularly grassroots community organizations can play an important role in reaching marginalized communities and furthering crime and drug use prevention. The imperative of tackling drug and crime-related challenges was strongly highlighted at the recent hybrid activities on "Partnership for the Future: Collaboration-Based Approach to Organized Crime" and the "ImPACT Coalition on the Future of Drug Policy" hosted by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) during the 2024 UN Civil Society Conference held in Nairobi, Kenya.
The 2024 UN Civil Society Conference marked a significant milestone in the collective efforts towards the Summit of the Future, scheduled for 22-23 September 2024 and emphasized the importance of inclusive dialogue and diverse perspectives in shaping global progress. As a precursor to the UN Summit of the Future, the conference served as a critical platform for civil society organizations to contribute to the discourse on sustainable development and multilateral cooperation. The outcomes of the conference will provide inputs to the negotiations of the Pact for the Future, aiming to address the pressing challenges of our time and laying the groundwork for a more equitable and resilient world.
Stressing the importance of civil society, United Nations Secretary-General said at the Conference: “At the national level, civil society is an essential bridge between people and their representatives — part of the glue that holds democracies together.”
The sessions organized by the UNODC Civil Society Unit underscored the crucial importance of fostering cooperation among States, international organizations, and civil society. With over 150 participants engaged both online and in-person, the discussions delved into collaborative strategies in addressing the complex dynamics of organized crime and shaping the trajectory of drug policy.
It takes a multi-stakeholder network to defeat an organized crime network
The workshop titled "Partnership for the Future: Collaboration-Based Approach to Organized Crime" highlighted partnership opportunities between governments and civil society in the ongoing fight against transnational organized crime, with a focus on preventing organized crime among children and youth. “Looking at the structure of organized crime, we need to speak with one voice. From an African perspective, there is a correlation between child exploitation and transnational organized crime, with children often being used in these crimes,” – stressed Athena Morgen from the International Centre for Missing and Exploited Children (ICMEC). CSOs serve as vital conduits for comprehending the dynamic landscape of crime and its ramifications at the local level. Their agility allows for swift responses to emerging threats, facilitating better communication between grassroots actors and governmental entities. This synergy ensures that governmental strategies are not only informed by but also aligned with the realities on the ground, optimizing the efficacy of interventions.
A significant outcome of the event was the official launch of the Kenya National Civil Society Alliance, underscoring the importance of multi-stakeholder engagement in addressing and countering organized crime. The Alliance places the meaningful engagement of youth at the center of its work, empowering them through harnessing creativity, building their resilience, and developing effective strategies for engagement. As a broad civil society platform, the Alliance emphasizes sustainability and solidarity, aiming to build networks and partnerships to address the root causes of organized crime. With a steadfast commitment to the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC), the Alliance, currently comprising 28 civil society members, is dedicated to working with their government counterparts to accelerate the implementation of UNTOC.
Recommendations from the discussions emphasized the need to, (i) address the underlying causes and catalysts of organized crime through a collaborative, multi-stakeholder, and multi-sectoral approach. (ii) Intensify dialogues with CSOs to gain a deeper understanding of local contexts and needs, which can inform more effective public policies. (iii) Broaden SE4U capacity-building opportunities to a wider array of stakeholders, strengthening trust between governments and civil societies. (iv) Complement criminal justice responses to organized crime with increased support from community-based organizations for victim services.
Addressing drug-related challenges
Together with the Vienna NGO Committee on Drugs (VNGOC), UNODC Civil Society Unit held an ImPACT Coalition session titled “The future of drug policy”. Based on the key recommendations of the Global Civil Society Report, participants explored core principles of the ImPACT Coalition and formulated concrete actions to be taken by civil society, Member States and international organizations. The Coalition is committed to undertake specific actions aimed at advancing public health, fostering collaboration, and driving meaningful progress in addressing drug-related challenges.
“To determine the value-add of the Coalition, we must first understand who we are. Who is doing what. What the government is doing. Then we can identify the gaps the Coalition should address. We should document everything we and the governments do. We should build on existing networks and resources. There is no need to reinvent the wheel”, resolved a group of participants working a breakout group.
The ImPACT Coalition session emphasized the urgency of including drug-related issues in the Pact for the Future. Going forward, the Coalition, coordinated by the VNGOC, will advance collaborative efforts directed towards fostering resilient and healthy societies, in alignment with Sustainable Development Goal 3.
Together with civil society partners, UNODC advocated for integrating key issues pertaining to the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC), the UNTOC, and the world drug problem. These engagement activities have resulted in the inclusion of these critical issues in the outcome document of the Civil Society Conference. The outcome document is expected to be shared with Member States as they negotiate the Pact for the Future, thereby ensuring that these vital issues remain at the forefront of global discourse and action towards and beyond the Summit of the Future.