The Department of Social Development convened a National Coordination Forum with DIRCO, UNFPA and with current implementing partners in Pretoria. The purpose of the meeting was to agree on UNDPA's support in South Africa for the next two years. The outcome of this dialogue provides a framework for accountability, responsibilities and proposed interventions for UNFPA's support at national and provincial levels.
The National Population Unit, Department of Social Development, highlighted the importance of a strategic planning and consultative mechanism that the government, UNFPA and other partners have in place that enables prioritization of opportunities for intervention, based on the needs of South Africans. "We are here to help you to achieve your targets and meet the needs of your people", stressed UNFPA Country representative Dr. Esther Muia.
The consultative process also seeks to align UNFPA's support in the context of the United National Strategic Cooperation Framework (UNSCF), while aligning to the fund's new strategic plan. In addition, it engages civil society organizations who also implement UNFPA's supported programme as well as the UNFPA youth constituency, Youth Advisory Panel (YAP), whose voices must be heard to develop interventions which are more responsive to the need of young people. "We are happy to be part of such forum; it really provides us with an insight on how things happen on a higher planning level" said Tumelo, YAP member.
The National Coordination Forum looks at achievements and challenges with discussion on possible solutions regularly during the year. In 2014, many were the achievements with support from UNFPA, thanks to the tireless efforts of its partners and to a coordinated and integrated approach.
The Forum proposed a rotational schedule in the provinces to bring reality closer by visiting selected initiatives in the priority provinces, Eastern Cape and KwaZulu Natal, while hosting the meeting at the field level.
