An IASH Work-in-Progress seminar, delivered by Professor Sotiria Grek (Sabbatical Fellow 2023; University of Edinburgh)
SDGs and the politics of reconciling the dual logic of democracy and technocracy
The SDGs and their ambition of ‘leaving no one behind’ are grounded on the ideals of country-led monitoring (and resulting country reforms). As such, the notion of ‘democratisation’ of the production of data and indicators has become central to achieving both the legitimacy of the process as well as the effectiveness of the policy reforms aimed at the specific goals. This paper will explore the ways in which large International Organisations mediate the process of securing ‘buy-in’ from countries, whilst maintaining the scientific robustness of the monitoring work. In particular, the paper will discuss the role and functions of IOs in terms of both the practices (meetings, advisory activities) and the epistemic qualities (flexibility and mobility of produced knowledge, the adaptation of the global standards to the local context) of quantification. Thus, the paper will offer a theorisation of quantification processes of the SDGs through the lens of participatory practices and democratisation of knowledge.
Click the link below to join the webinar:
https://ed-ac-uk.zoom.us/j/86535202023
Passcode: Vr8f3ew2