Analysis of Policy Leadership in the Context of the Sustainable Development Goals

Subject Profile: Peter Hicks

This report outlines the career trajectory of Peter Hicks, a former Assistant Deputy Minister for the Government of Canada and OECD policy co-ordinator. The analysis focuses on aligning his professional contributions with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

National Policy Development and Institutional Strengthening

Mr. Hicks held senior positions within the Government of Canada, serving as an assistant deputy minister with significant policy responsibilities across social departments and central agencies. This work directly supported the development of robust national frameworks essential for achieving key SDGs.

• Formulated and guided policy within major social departments.
• Contributed to the strategic direction of government central agencies.

Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals:

1. SDG 1 (No Poverty) & SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities): His role in social policy was fundamental to designing and implementing programs aimed at poverty reduction, social inclusion, and mitigating inequalities within Canadian society.
2. SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions): Service in central government agencies contributed to strengthening the effectiveness, accountability, and transparency of public institutions responsible for delivering social outcomes.

International Co-operation and Global Demographic Challenges

Following his domestic service, Mr. Hicks transitioned to an international role in Paris, co-ordinating the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) work on the policy implications of aging populations. This work addressed a critical global demographic shift with wide-ranging social and economic impacts.

• Led international co-ordination on policy responses to population aging.
• Analyzed and synthesized evidence for member countries on a shared global challenge.

Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals:

1. SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being): The focus on aging populations is intrinsically linked to ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all at all ages, particularly for older persons.
2. SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals): His work at the OECD exemplifies a commitment to global partnerships, fostering collaboration and knowledge sharing among nations to address complex transnational issues.

Current Contributions to Evidence-Based Social Policy

Based in Ottawa, Mr. Hicks continues to influence the direction of social policy. His current activities focus on writing and advisory services, emphasizing the importance of a strong evidence base for effective policymaking.

• Provides expert advice on contemporary directions in social policy.
• Advocates for and contributes to the underlying evidence base for policy decisions.

Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals:

1. Advancing the 2030 Agenda: His focus on an evidence-based approach is critical for the entire SDG framework, which relies on high-quality data for implementation, monitoring, and review.
2. Informing Future Policy: By advising on policy directions, he contributes to shaping future strategies that can be more effectively aligned with the comprehensive and integrated nature of the Sustainable Development Goals.

Analysis of the Article in Relation to Sustainable Development Goals

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The provided text, which is a biography of Peter Hicks, does not explicitly mention any Sustainable Development Goals. However, based on the keywords and phrases within the text and the associated image URL, connections can be inferred to the following SDGs:

• SDG 1: No Poverty – The image URL associated with the article contains the phrase “Reducing-poverty-means-looking-at-all-its-complexities.” This directly links the context of the author’s work to the goal of ending poverty.
• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being – The biography states that Mr. Hicks “worked in Paris, co-ordinating the work of the OECD on the policy implications of aging populations.” Policies related to aging populations are intrinsically linked to health, well-being, and healthcare systems, which are central to SDG 3.
• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities – The focus on “aging populations” and “social policy” can be connected to reducing inequalities, as elderly individuals can be a vulnerable group facing specific economic and social challenges.
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals – The text mentions Mr. Hicks’s work with the “Government of Canada” and the “OECD,” which are institutional partnerships working on policy. Furthermore, his focus on the “underlying evidence base” for social policy aligns with the goal of improving data and capacity for sustainable development.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the inferred connections, the following specific targets can be identified:

1. Under SDG 1 (No Poverty):
   • Target 1.2: “By 2030, reduce at least by half the proportion of men, women and children of all ages living in poverty in all its dimensions according to national definitions.” The image URL’s mention of “reducing poverty” directly relates to this overarching target.
2. Under SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being):
   • Target 3.8: “Achieve universal health coverage, including financial risk protection, access to quality essential health-care services and access to safe, effective, quality and affordable essential medicines and vaccines for all.” Social policy concerning “aging populations” heavily involves ensuring access to healthcare and managing health-related financial risks.
3. Under SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities):
   • Target 10.2: “By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status.” The work on “policy implications of aging populations” is directly aimed at ensuring the inclusion and well-being of people irrespective of age.
4. Under SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals):
   • Target 17.18: “By 2030, enhance capacity-building support to developing countries… to increase significantly the availability of high-quality, timely and reliable data…” The author’s advisory role on the “underlying evidence base” for social policy points directly to the need for reliable data to create and measure effective policies, which is the core of this target.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

The article does not mention any specific, quantifiable indicators. However, it strongly implies the necessity and use of indicators through the phrase “advises on… its underlying evidence base.” An evidence base for policy is built upon data and indicators that measure social and economic conditions.

• Implied Need for Indicators: The reference to an “evidence base” for “social policy” implies that progress and outcomes are measured using data. For example, to create policy for “aging populations” or to “reduce poverty,” one would need to use indicators such as poverty rates, life expectancy, healthcare access statistics, and income inequality metrics. The article supports the concept of using indicators without naming any specific ones.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: policyoptions.irpp.org