NEW HHRJ SERIES: Calling for blogs on SDGs, Accountability, and the Right to Health

Robust accountability processes and mechanisms are an essential component of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. In our recent SDG SERIES, contributors repeatedly called for human rights to underpin these processes and mechanisms.

In response, the Health and Human Rights Journal is now calling for contributions for a new series of blogs on “SDGs, Accountability, and the Right to Health.”

Contributions may explore practical and procedural interpretations arising from an understanding that human rights standards will provide the normative frame of reference for accountability mechanisms. Blogs could also address specific key components to ensure accountability: active and informed participation; inclusive and transparent processes; the framework of indicators due to be approved by the UN Statistical Commission next March; ways of monitoring progress and evaluating policies and programs; remedial action; and independent review.

The editors would also welcome contributions that consider the various levels of accountability—global, transnational, national, and sub-national. As Paul Hunt’s Perspective in the SDG SERIES illustrated, thematic accountability is also important. Ensuring robust accountability requires the involvement of many actors—including national human rights institutions, civil society, the judiciary—and strengthening existing human rights mechanisms. Commentaries are invited on these arrangements, which make up what Kate Donald refers to as the ‘web of accountability

The series will begin in January 2016. Please email your blogs (600-1000 words), with the subject heading, ‘SDGs accountability blog’ to: hhrsubmissions@hsph.harvard.edu.