As part of their Quintet of Change Lab activities, Madagascar conducted a CCA week under the theme "Systems Thinking and Foresight for Integrated and Forward-looking CCA." The week was a co-construction process using a systems thinking approach. Participants comprised twenty UN agencies, five coordination groups, and selected technical experts. The week resulted in the development of five systemic maps representing the 5 Ps (People, Planet, Prosperity, Peace and Partnerships). The thematic areas addressed in the mapping process included governance, society, economy and environment. At the end of the workshop, an aggregated map was developed. The visual feedback loop maps were developed using Vensim software. The maps illustrate the relationships and interactions between different variables or factors within the system and provide easy identification of potential trade-offs or synergies. This integrated analysis helped agencies brainstorm together and have a visual representation of how their actions influence each other, both positively and negatively. For more information on the elements that Madagascar took into consideration as part of their process during the CCA week, watch the video below.
Main lessons that emerged from this exercise:
- An integrated and forward-looking CCA that goes beyond and strengthens sector analyses by looking across sectors, considering causes and effects in a wider spectrum, and embedding the futures, is a strong evidence base for UNSDCFs.
- Foresight and system thinking are critical tools to strengthen UN capacities for better, more integrated and future-sensitive planning and programming.
- The key challenges of UNSDCF 2024–2028 were chosen using the forward-looking maps.
- The causal analysis for the theory of change was based on the thematic maps that were developed using Vensim.
- The systems thinking approach generated momentum for joint programmes and the need to strengthen policy coherence and coordination.
This exercise raised awareness of the importance of systems thinking and inspired other UN agencies to adopt a systems approach in their work. At the SDG summit, the Government of Madagascar highlighted its commitment to adopting systems thinking, strategic foresight and policy coherence to accelerate the SDGs. Get more inspiration on how a systems thinking approach and foresight benefited Madagascar during their CCA week.
