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Accepted Paper:
Paper short abstract:
This paper examines how Multi-Stakeholder Platforms advance adaptive governance and community empowerment during crises through Gender Equality and Social Inclusion advocacy. It interrogates structural inequalities like power imbalances and tokenistic participation, driving equity-driven development
Paper long abstract:
Crises and uncertainties have disrupted traditional development paradigms, opening avenues to explore inclusive and equitable approaches. Multi-Stakeholder Platforms (MSPs) provide a framework for adaptive governance by enabling diverse actors to collaboratively address systemic inequalities and reimagine development pathways. This paper examines MSPs' potential to address entrenched disparities, redistribute resources equitably, and amplify grassroots voices in decision-making. Structural issues like power asymmetries, tokenistic representation, and participation barriers for women, youth, and marginalised groups are analysed.
Using the Solidaridad Tea and Coffee program in Uganda and Kenya as a case study, the paper highlights MSPs’ successes and challenges. In these contexts, MSPs facilitate inclusive decision-making processes that empower smallholder farmers and enhance local governance. Despite challenges in achieving equitable participation, MSPs create neutral spaces for dialogue among farmers, policymakers, and private sector actors.
The analysis underscores MSPs' role in balancing economic growth with social equity and sustainable resource management. It argues for embedding GESI principles into governance structures, capacity-building for marginalised groups, and fostering participatory frameworks. By leveraging grassroots knowledge and fostering stakeholder trust, MSPs can transition from symbolic forums to engines of empowerment, aligning with UN SDGs 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions), and 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). This reimagining of MSP design and implementation is essential for reshaping development pathways and ensuring equity-driven progress in the twenty-first century.
Adaptive governance and community empowerment: effective strategies for (re)shaping development pathways in the twenty-first century
Session 2