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Updates on SDG 6 in Brazil

SDG 6 in BrazilThe United Nations General Assembly issued the Sustainable Development Plan in September 2015 with Sustainable Development Goal 1 being to “end poverty in all its forms everywhere.” The organization aims to assist nations worldwide in the fight against poverty. Brazil, the largest nation in South America, has been significantly influenced by limited access to essential resources like electrical energy that has contributed to the welfare of millions of people. When adult unemployment is taken into account, productivity drops to 33%. This implies that 67% of the country’s potential is missing. To stabilize Brazil’s economy and help its citizens, creative concepts and clear policies are essential in addressing issues like energy poverty and limited access to clean water. Here is information about poverty and efforts to address SDG 6 in Brazil, which is to provide adequate water and sanitation.

Poverty in Brazil

Brazilian poverty is a lasting issue with deep historical roots. The country’s population consists of of 205.3 million people. Despite being one of the largest sights in the world, Brazil’s huge income inequities have left much of its population in poverty. Low accessibility of healthcare and education are factors that explain its widespread levels of poverty. Even if poverty rates vary over time, there are millions of Brazilians who continue to live below the poverty line every day, just trying to meet minimum standards of decent food, housing and personal healthcare. Eradicating poverty in Brazil requires strategy to drive inclusive growth and humanitarian services. Some groups like Afro-Brazilians have limited accessibility in applying to schools and health clinics. Females are prone to discrimination in the working system. As a result, some people are attempting to resolve these issues in Brazil. 

Active Measures To Address Energy Poverty

Within the Paraguay-Brazil region, the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA) joined Itaipu Bi-National in promoting water and energy resource preservation. To further advance Brazil’s agenda towards meeting the Sustainable Development Goals, the partnership designed a 2030 vision board.

Energy poverty is a very critical problem in Brazil, where a significant number of people have historically lacked access to electricity. Inadequate, reliable energy slows economic development, limits educational achievement and impacts the overall quality of life, particularly in rural and poor communities.

The partnership established sustainable energy solutions in an attempt to build a stronger foundation on better collaboration and speech dialogues to discuss energy connectivity. The plan is also to find any fundamental barriers or obstacles in the incorporation of these sustainability goals. Less helping hands discourages the development of home-based businesses and minimizes access to communication and data technologies, leading to a constant poverty cycle. However, with this partnership, the results should play out in the country’s favor.

The Necessity of Addressing SDG 6 in Brazil

Limited clean water is yet another significant challenge for people in Brazil. Lack of adequate infrastructure, pollution by industry and agriculture and climate change impacts are among the reasons for limited water and water pollution. With no clean sources of water, waterborne disease is more likely to occur, impacting productivity. In 2022, 23.9% of Brazilian citizens endured irregular water stock. One of the most shocking events Brazil experienced was Rio Grande do Sul’s floods in 2024 where several officials reported 54 confirmed cases of waterborne diseases or leptospirosis, causing four sudden deaths. Women and children are more likely to bear the bulk of water collection responsibilities, once again keeping them away from education. Water management improvement and access to clean water programs are critical to Brazilian society’s health and sustainable development.

The Agua Limpa Project

United Nations environmental activist and philanthropist Gisele Bündchen has contributed positively to Brazil through sustainable development of the Agua Limpa Project (Clean Water Project). In 2004, a passionate, nature-driven Bündchen visited the Xingu area of Brazil. As an eyewitness to river pollution, she has pushed for an end to ecological degradation. The project began in 2008, co-founded with Bundchen’s family, and they planted more than 40,000 trees near streams. She oversaw the country’s water quality when managing wildlife’s restoration. Bündchen’s work as a UN Environment Goodwill Ambassador in Kenya is another noteworthy aspect of her career. Her influence even extends beyond the publishing of her works, including the New York Times bestseller “Lesson: My Path to a Meaningful Life.” She shares her life experiences from exploring Brazilian lands and how it shaped her mind.

The Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation

Sustainability resources have also been accompanied by Hollywood star Leonardo DiCaprio, whose advocacy stands for nations like Brazil, in which they seek available natural resources. DiCaprio promotes conservation efforts through his Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation established in 1998. The organization has supported at least 100 and more special projects in 50 countries and has achieved success in increasing international funding for environmental causes, wildland protection, and ocean conservation. The foundation has offered funding grants worth $20 million to around 100 communities fighting for environmental issues like changing weather patterns.

While DiCaprio’s efforts are dedicated to big-time environmental preservation and changing weather, he also spoke out for poverty reduction through the conservation of natural resources upon which most communities base their primary livelihood. For instance, his foundation supports projects that protect forests, whose role in the livelihoods in Brazil  is significant. As of today his foundation continues to conduct additional research on specific projects in Brazil that would provide a lasting contribution to poverty alleviation in the nation. 

Looking Ahead

Ending poverty and addressing SDG 6 in Brazil requires a special approach that includes promoting access to clean energy, natural resource management and promoting collaborative work between international agencies, governments, and individuals. Initiatives like the UN DESA partnership, Brazil’s development in biofuel and hydropower and the ongoing activism by Giselle Bundchen and Leonardo DiCaprio all play a crucial role in driving Brazil towards an equitable future. 

– Janae Bayford

Janae is based in Centennial, CO, USA and focuses on Good News and Celebs for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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SDG 9 in Indonesia: Financing Initiatives Promote Development

SDG 9 in IndonesiaFunding plays a key component in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The United Nations created the SDGs in 2015 as a set of goals aiming to build a more sustainable future through tackling global issues from climate change to inequality. As the target deadline of 2030 nears, financing initiatives have significantly aided Indonesia’s pursuit of the goals through increasing funds. This article will explore updates on SDG 9 in Indonesia, which aims to create sustainable industry, innovation and resilient infrastructure.

Indonesia’s Progress in Industry and Infrastructure  

Indonesia, a highly populated nation becoming a prominent tourism hub, has quickly industrialized since the 1960s. Strides in telecommunications, electricity, ports and railways have increased infrastructure . Industry has boomed, with some fluctuation during financial crises, with Indonesia’s GDP going from $5.67 billion in 1967 to 1.37 trillion in 2023.

Indonesia’s growth has led to major strides in other SDG areas. SDG 1, which aims to eliminate poverty, has particularly benefited. From 1990 to 2023, Indonesians living below the extreme poverty line significantly decreased, going from 62.8% to 1.9% of the population. Yet, to achieve the SDGs by 2030, Indonesia needs significantly more funding. The following finance programs are filling this funding gap, particularly aiding sustainable industry and infrastructure.

SDG Indonesia One

The Indonesian Ministry of Finance and PT Sarana Multi Infrastruktur (PT SMT) established SDO Indonesia One (SIO) in 2018. PT SMT is a state-owned business which aims to fuel sustainable development in Indonesia through financing. Together, PT SMT and the Indonesian government mobilize public and private funds for development.

One initiative that SIO leads is the SDG Indonesia One-Green Finance Facility (SIO-GFF). This investment platform provides funds for environmentally friendly infrastructure projects which fit with the SDGs and the Paris Agreement. The Asian Development Bank (ADB) plays a key role in SIO-GFF, an example of how SIO facilitates partnerships with external organizations to mobilize funds. In 2022, the Asian Development Bank approved a $150 million loan to assist Indonesia in achieving the SDGs.

At its launch in 2018, SIO had already raised $2.3 billion, with initiatives like SIO-GFF playing a key role in advancing the SDGs. Specifically, in regards to SDG 9, SIO has funded sustainable industrialization and resilient infrastructure. SIO has invested in projects such as hospitals, renewable energy power plants and rebuilding infrastructure damaged from natural disasters.

Accelerating SDGs Investments in Indonesia

Another update to SDG 9 in Indonesia is the creation of the Accelerating SDGs Investments in Indonesia (ASSIST) in 2021. ASSIST is an U.N. established financing initiative joining the efforts of four U.N. agencies–UNEP, UNICEF, UNIDO and UNDP–to help Indonesia achieve its SDG targets by 2030. 

Similarly to SIO, ASSIST promotes increased public and private investment into SDG-related initiatives. ASSIST has done this by issuing government bonds, increasing SDG-linked loans and in the creation of the Operationalized Indonesia Impact Fund (IIF) which invests in startups contributing to the SDGs. On top of financing, ASSIST has strengthened the skills of government officials and entrepreneurs to increase the capacity of Indonesian institutions and businesses to achieve the SDGs on their own.

As of June 2024, ASSIST has raised more than $3.2 billion for SDG achievement, benefitting more than 48 million people. These funds are contributing to Indonesia’s achievement of SDG 9. Particularly, capacity building and investing in startups construct resilient infrastructure and foster innovation. 

Looking Ahead

While Indonesia has made significant strides in industry and infrastructure in the past 40 years, the country still needs funding to achieve SDG 9. Financing initiatives have mobilized funds to fill this gap. Updates on SDG 9 in Indonesia, such as ASSIST and SIO, are constructing sustainable industry and resilient infrastructure, and fostering innovation, making Indonesia one step closer to achieving their SDG targets. 

– Madison Fetch

Madison is based in Glasgow, Scotland and focuses on Business and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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SDG 10 in Costa Rica

SDG 10 in Costa RicaIn many respects, Costa Rica has been able to boast about serious accomplishments: curbing deforestation, democratic balance, foreign investment and trade freedom. However, while there has been success, there has also been increasing economic inequality and steady poverty rates. SDG 10 in Costa Rica is experiencing some setbacks. The U.N. created the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to bring attention and action to economic woes, along with environmental and social safeguards. Each SDG tackles a different issue; SDG 10 deals with inequality.

Inequality and Social Investment

Since the mid 20th century, Costa Rica has invested heavily in social programs. A 2016 World Bank report shows how Costa Rica’s abolition of the army freed up capital for “education, health and social security.” In the 2000s, investment in social and public services became more than 20% of the GDP.

Experts say these factors helped Costa Rica gradually improve the quality of life for many people. For example, according to a former Costa Rican president, Luis Guillermo Solís, “… the consolidation of social reforms allowed the construction of a society with a strong predominance of the middle class,” ReVista reports.

Despite these successes, poverty is not reducing at an ideal rate, and inequality is increasing. Although the poverty rate in Costa Rica is one of the lowest in Latin America, it has been steady “at around 20% for almost two decades.” Some attribute these problems to Costa Rica’s changing policies on social programs.  The former president of the Inter-American Court of Justice, Elizabeth Odio, says, “The country has had improvements in the fiscal balance, but this has been done at the expense of social issues. We are deteriorating two fundamental pillars: health and education,” ReVista reports.

Workers

There have been less opportunities for less-educated workers in recent years, and an aging population puts pressure on households. Also, groups such as migrants, indigenous people, and single mothers are continuing to struggle. Meanwhile, educated workers are in an improving situation, and prices continue to rise. It seems that this dynamic is widening the disparity and worsening SDG 10 in Costa Rica.

One group that is being negatively affected by inequality is Nicaraguan refugees and migrants. This group makes 7% of the Costa Rican population. Sadly, “Nicaraguans in Costa Rica are overall poorer, tend to be less educated and earn less,” according to UNHCR. Also, they tend to work “informally,” resulting in them getting fewer social transfers than locals.

According to UNHCR, studies suggest that “improving employment conditions, social inclusion, and access to services” would help Costa Rica and Nicaraguan migrants. Many migrants could contribute more to Costa Rica if they were more included in the social system.

Crime

Costa Rica has also experienced an uptick in crime. This can be attributed to drug trafficking becoming a worse problem in recent years. Because of Costa Rica’s coastlines, it is an advantageous port for drug traffickers, and it has become the largest shipment point for cocaine going to the U.S. and Europe.

Murders have risen while the price of cocaine has dropped, causing an increase in addiction. These factors compounded with high inflation have perpetuated poverty and inequality. To make matters worse, drug trafficking has created violent gangs that strain the system even further, GlobalPost reports.

As a result of the pandemic and a lack of opportunities, many young people have dropped out of school and are joining gangs.  Also, the rise in crime is deterring tourists from visiting, which is hurting the tourist industry; tourism is “7.1% of the country’s labor force.”  This strains poor communities even further, contributes to inequality and weakens SDG 10 in Costa Rica.

In response to crime, the Costa Rican government hired 1,500 more police officers, and they have installed cargo drug scanners on the coasts.  Also, “the Ministry of Public Security grew by $40 million,” according to The Costa Rican Times. The U.S. has contributed scanners and $40.5 million to fight crime and drug trafficking.

Solutions

Organizations like CEPIA are working to address issues like lack of education and lack of skills in the job market. CEPIA provides after-school programs, care for families living in vulnerable circumstances, professional training and employment, legal orientation and more.

CEPIA supports “over 1,000 children, teenagers and their families from poor backgrounds.” If a contributor to inequality is lack of education and opportunities for less skilled workers, CEPIA has many services to fill that gap. Hundreds of poor children receive school supplies. Those students can also participate in sports along with psychological counseling. In addition, 600 adults participate in the programs as well.

Along with CEPIA, SOS Children’s Villages is working to help children in need. They report that one in three children live in poverty in Costa Rica. As a result, this organization “has worked with other non-governmental organizations and companies to improve youth employability.” It also “created a digital platform called YouthLinks which connects young people with mentors in the country and region.”

SOS Children’s Village supports disadvantaged people around the world, and they have worked in Costa Rica Since 1972. It has schools, which strive to improve the lives of disadvantaged children. There are 190 children learning at their kindergartens, 300 children grow up in their care and 70 young people are given assistance as they work to become independent.

Although Costa Rica is a country moving on an upward trajectory, SDG 10 in Costa Rica has been struggling. Still, the country continues to fight for a better future.

– Michael Messina

Michael is based in Newburyport, MA, USA and focuses on Technology and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Updates on SDG 15 in Paraguay: The Work of REDD+ 

SDG 15 in Paraguay
Between 2011 and 2021, Paraguay’s forest coverage fell from 48.2% to 39.8%, with 88% of the deforestation happening in the Paraguayan Chaco, largely due to cattle ranching and coal mining. Domestic laws allow most of these clearances, as they require preserving only 25% of forested land in ranching or mining areas. As part of ongoing efforts and updates on SDG 15 in Paraguay, the country signed the Glasgow Leaders’ Declaration on Forests and Land Use in 2021, pledging to halt and reverse deforestation and forest degradation, according to the World Bank. This commitment aligns with SDG 15 (“Life on Land”), which focuses on the conservation, restoration, and sustainable use of ecosystems, like forests.

However, critics argue that this pledge has been vague and ineffective. Rather than achieving its goal of forest preservation, the declaration has resulted in deforestation, permitting invasive eucalyptus plantations to replace biodiverse ecosystems and encroach upon Indigenous lands, the World Bank reports.

According to the World Bank, this issue particularly affects Paraguay’s Indigenous communities, who suffer disproportionately from environmental changes. Approximately 66% of Indigenous people live in poverty, with 34.4% living in extreme poverty—three times the national average. Additionally, 33.5% of Indigenous people are illiterate, less than 1% have access to the Internet and less than 4% benefit from state social protection programs. These conditions heighten the vulnerability of groups like the Qom in the Chaco forest, whose livelihoods are further endangered by harmful eucalyptus plantations introduced under the pretext of conservation, the World Bank reports. This is because Indigenous communities often depend on natural resources for their daily needs, such as gathering and agriculture, as well as for maintaining cultural practices. Here is some information about updates on SDG 15 in Paraguay.

Understanding REDD+

In 2007, the forestry sector accounted for about 17% of global greenhouse gas emissions, prompting the creation of REDD+, an international mechanism designed to reduce deforestation while maintaining forests as carbon sinks. Initially known as REDD, U.N. climate negotiations later expanded it and incorporated it into the Paris Agreement under Article 5. REDD+ now includes conservation, sustainable forest management, and enhancing forest carbon stocks in developing countries. The initiative incentivizes nations to preserve forests by offering financial rewards, making standing forests more valuable than cleared ones.

COP introduced safeguards for REDD+ projects to prevent harm, such as violations of Indigenous rights. These safeguards ensure Indigenous communities and other relevant groups fully participate in decision-making. For nations to receive financial rewards, they must submit reports proving their compliance with these safeguards.

Additionally, the COP urged capable countries to “support capacity-building, provide technical assistance” and facilitate technology transfer to strengthen the effectiveness of these initiatives.

The Corazón Verde del Chaco Project: A Case Study

In 2023, Paraguay’s largest REDD+ initiative, the Corazón Verde del Chaco Project, gained validation for its Climate, Community and Biodiversity (CCB) Standards from the nonprofit organization Verra. This validation demonstrates that the project reduces carbon emissions while also promoting biodiversity conservation and benefiting local communities, including Indigenous peoples.

By earning this validation, the project adds credibility and transparency, making it more attractive to investors and helping secure results-based payments. Covering approximately 300,000 hectares of Indigenous community lands shared by the Maria Auxiliadora community, interviews with community leaders confirmed no evidence that the REDD+ project negatively impacted Indigenous communities.

The Role of REDD+ in Achieving SDGs

REDD+ plays a critical role in Paraguay’s efforts to meet the U.N.’s SDGs, particularly SDG 15 on forest conservation and SDG 10 on reducing inequalities. In the latest updates on SDG 15 in Paraguay, REDD+ aligns with SDG 15 by promoting forest conservation and sustainable land use, offering a more equitable development approach compared to land clearing for cattle ranching and mining. Achieving SDG 15 encourages practices that protect natural resources, which many of Paraguay’s poorest communities, especially Indigenous peoples, rely on for their livelihoods. In addition, REDD+ projects reduce inequalities (SDG 10) by safeguarding the rights of marginalized groups and ensuring they fully participate in decision-making processes, per the safeguards introduced at COP 16.

Future Prospects

Looking forward, ongoing updates on SDG 15 in Paraguay include projects like the Corazón Verde del Chaco initiative, which, with its Verra certification, aims to reduce net greenhouse gas emissions by an estimated 5.6 million tons of CO2 over its initial 10-year period, according to Quadriz. Beyond reducing emissions, this project will likely strengthen the capacity of local communities in the Paraguayan Chaco, potentially by employing Indigenous technicians to monitor forests, as seen in previous REDD+ initiatives in Paraguay.

The initiative also includes gender-focused projects, such as creating childcare spaces, which enable Indigenous women to participate fully in decision-making and workshops. The project’s scale presents an opportunity to expand these benefits, alleviating stress on Indigenous women across Paraguay. By empowering communities and addressing issues like invasive eucalyptus plantations, this initiative seeks to promote better forest management nationwide while preventing the marginalization of Indigenous groups.

– William Pickering

William is based in Nottingham, UK and focuses on Good News and Technology for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

Updates on SDG 8 in Lebanon: Employment and Gender Equality

SDG 8 in LebanonLebanon is currently facing a severe crisis. COVID-19 and the Beirut Port Explosion have worsened years of political and economic mismanagement. The country is now in a financial downturn that the World Bank has described as “the worst since the mid-19th Century.”

As a result, many Lebanese and Syrian Refugee women are unable to find enough decent work to meet their basic needs. However, via important interventions such as Cash for Work programs development organizations are collaborating with the government to provide important funds to empower them and secure their futures. 

What Are the Issues in Lebanon?

Sustainable Development Goal 8 (SDG 8) calls for countries to “promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all.” SDG 8 is crucial because through decent work governments can eradicate poverty and help address social issues like gender inequality. However, because of prevailing sociocultural norms that have been worsened by the crisis, many women in Lebanon suffer labor market marginalization and cannot access decent work to support their needs. For example, traditional gender norms dictate that women should be responsible for childcare and domestic work.

Syrian migrants and refugees also experience oppression, as many of them, under the oppressive kafala system, must live with their employers with no legal protections. As a result, they regularly suffer from exploitation and abuse. As indicated by the latest reports on SDG 8 in Lebanon, the unemployment rate among women could rise. This, in turn, puts an increasing number of women at risk of experiencing poverty.

Potential Solutions: Cash for Work

In recent years, the U.N. in partnership with NGOs and national governments has sought to address the work issues in Lebanon by advocating for economic empowerment. Economic empowerment is critical to achieving poverty reduction, gender equality and the country’s sustainable development goals more broadly. As part of economic empowerment, the central tool for making this happen is the idea of Cash for Work (CfW). CfW interventions play a crucial role. They create chances to enhance the economy by giving people short-term job opportunities. Moreover, these programs provide valuable on-the-job learning and skill development, improving one’s chances of finding employment in the future.

In times of crisis, these interventions are also effective at delivering humanitarian aid and supporting local authorities where they provide basic key services such as urban waste management and road maintenance. 

Why Are Cash-For-Work Programs Effective in Helping Women?

Specifically, cash-for-work programs are good at helping marginalized women in Lebanon because well-devised and gender-sensitive CfW interventions can provide a valuable opportunity to overcome the traditional sociocultural barriers to employment that many women face. For example, according to updates on SDG 8 in Lebanon from the Economic Development Policy Unit, many women have been excluded from the labor market because they are expected to take care of domestic tasks like childcare.

However, through flexible CfW programs, women work when it suits them and earn money based on their productive output rather than by a traditional hourly rate. Moreover, aside from providing them with vital entrepreneurial skills and useful business acumen, CfW can also empower them with a stable currency like the US Dollars. This can significantly boost a household’s income due to the devaluation of the Lebanese Pound. 

Efforts From Organizations

In updates on SDG 8 in Lebanon from UNICEF, the restaurant industry shows CfW in effect. UNICEF, in collaboration with the German Development Bank and the Government of Norway, is funding CfW programs in Lebanon. These initiatives are equipping young Lebanese women with professional cooking skills. These programs are essential as they provide these women with valuable skills, enhancing their employability and enabling them to earn income to meet their basic needs. For instance, Iman, a 21-year-old participant, shared that a CfW program at a local restaurant not only granted her access to employment in a traditionally male-dominated field but also equipped her with the knowledge and skills to prepare specialty Lebanese food items like Labneh and aged cheese. Importantly, this experience empowered her, giving her the freedom and knowledge to consider future self-employment or starting her own business.

Looking Ahead

Therefore, while the restoration of Lebanon’s economy looks to be a slow and painful one, updates on SDG 8 in Lebanon suggest there are reasons to be positive. As has been shown, newly formed partnerships between non-governmental organizations and national governments can provide the necessary training and cash benefits to ensure that vulnerable groups disproportionately affected by the ongoing crisis get the specialist support they require. It is through innovative CfW programs such as those in the Lebanese restaurant industry that women can obtain decent work and help the country progress toward achieving Sustainable Development Goal 8.

– Cameron Mason
Photo: Unsplash

Reducing Poverty in Nepal

Poverty in Nepal
Poverty in Nepal has experienced a steady decline since the 1990s. The country’s efforts to further reduce poverty will build off existing success, population growth control and using sustainable development goals to promote development.

Between 1995 and 2015, Nepal’s poverty rate declined by an estimated 2.2-3.2 percentage points each year. The national poverty rate in 1995 was 41.8%, a figure that was reduced to 21.2% in 2015. The main drivers of Nepal’s poverty decline are remittances from migration, more diverse labor income and slowed population growth.

Migration remittances increased from less than 1% to 29% of Nepal’s GDP between the late 1990s and 2014. Remittances have caused wage increases within Nepal and driven demand for non-food items and services, generating employment in more diverse industries.

Population growth control has been a main fixture of the government as a means to combat poverty in Nepal. The country’s population doubled between 1960 and 1990 and was expected to double again between 1990 and 2015. However, beginning in the 1990s, the average number of births for a Nepali woman dropped from six in the 1970s to two in 2014, slowing population growth.

Population growth still hinders progress in Nepal’s more rural regions, where the number of births has not declined. In Nepal’s mountains, hills and Terai plains regions, there is insufficient land to accommodate the livelihoods for an increasing number of people. The Nepali government is continuing to make population growth control a central tenant of its poverty reduction plans by promoting a two-child family as the norm.

While progress is underway, natural disaster hinders Nepal’s growth. The 2015 earthquake pushed 700,000 Nepalis under the poverty line. Recovery is ongoing and can appear slow. Distribution of aid is often uneven and cash grants needed for reconstruction have been distributed slowly and in small increments.

While there are areas of recovery in need of improvement, international support programs show hope for regrowth. The U.N. Development Program has implemented cash-for-work programs and supported the restoration of micro-enterprises, both of which build individual recovery and community resilience. Sustained commitment to the SDGs will facilitate earthquake recovery and continued poverty reduction in Nepal. Two main objectives of earthquake recovery are poverty eradication and gender equality, both of which align with the SDGs.

In order to promote sustained growth, Nepal must frame its commitment to the SDGs in a national context. “What works for Bolivia might not work for Nepal,” says UNDP resident representative in Nepal, Valerie Julliand. Identifying the precise ways in which the SDGs can benefit Nepali citizens will facilitate their implementation and enable further poverty reduction.

Between the Nepali government’s plans and programs enacted by international organizations, Nepal is progressing towards sustained economic growth and poverty reduction. Poverty in Nepal has experienced a steady decline in recent decades and continued commitment to earthquake recovery and the SDGs proves promising for the country’s development.

– McKenna Lux

Photo: Flickr

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Sustainable Development Goals Could Save 35 Million Lives

sustainable development goalsSave the Children, an organization which stands by the belief that “every child attains the right to survival, protection, development and participation,” has asked world leaders to leave no child behind with the coming of the 70th United Nations Global Assembly (UNGA) recently held in New York on Sept. 25.

Over the next 15 years, the agency believes that as many as 6,500 lives per day could be saved, totaling 35 million globally over this time span alone. This could be achieved through the implementation of stronger healthcare systems, the provision of free healthcare to mothers and children as well as increasing the number of medically trained workers to aid in caring for sick children.

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) which replaced the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) set in 2000, offer 17 new initiatives to be met by 2030 — these include ending extreme poverty, providing a better education and healthcare experience, ending violence against children and once and for all tackling malnutrition and preventable child deaths.

World leaders believe now is the time to act due to the “significant and historic window of opportunity” to mobilize and drive these changes forward. The SDGS offer a chance for the UN to pick up where it left off with the MDGs, and end the evident inequalities that still exist.

Today, accomplishments vary across places, with some success but glaring inequalities seen within countries, like the 2 million newborns dying within their first week of life every year or India’s exclusive treatment of diseases.

“The country’s narrow focus on specific diseases, such as HIV, TB and malaria, and population groups, has also created silos that have overlooked the broader needs of health systems,” explains Save the Children.

Even with significant progress made in achieving global goals for education and the number of children out of school falling by almost half since 2000, the MDG of achieving universal primary education has still not been met.

Abongile Sipondo, head of advocacy at Save the Children South Africa, warns that the poorest children who do not receive a primary school education are the most vulnerable — reaching adulthood without the ability to read, write or count, which has a severe impact on their futures.

“Every child has the right to go to school, and South Africa has made significant progress in ensuring that children are attending, with 97 percent of children now registered, but whilst all of the richest children are finishing primary school, 15 percent of the poorest children do not even complete their primary education,” Sipondo says.

Currently, Save the Children states that 30 million people have pledged their support for Action 2015, which included tens of thousands of people worldwide engaging in mass rallies the night before the sustainable development goals were signed.

Time is of the essence for Action 2015, a citizens’ movement which collaborates with “2,000 organizations, networks and coalitions from over 150 countries united by the belief that 2015 is a critical year for progress in the fight against climate change, poverty and inequality,” states Save the Children.

For more information on how to become involved and help in the quest to end inequality, check out Action 2015’s website.

– Nikki Schaffer

Sources: Save the Children, Action 2015
Photo: Flickr

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The Necessity of a SDG to Address Modern Slavery

Modern_Slavery
The UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are set to be voted this month. These goals will shape development goals for the next 15 years for the U.N. and its member states.

Among the goals is achieving economic growth that will result in decent employment for all. Part of this goal includes a provision for addressing modern slavery and human trafficking, a human rights issue and a booming economy.

The awareness behind modern slavery has grown, now the focus is on understanding the roots. Before this, modern slavery and development were treated separately, and how interrelated they are was not seen.

If we think about it, how could modern slavery not affect development given that it negatively affects health, economic growth, rule of law, women’s empowerment and lifetime prospects?

Modern slavery also robs many young people who make up the majority of modern slaves, the opportunity to contribute to their society. Young people would contribute the most and for a longer time period.

Globalization plays a big role in the existence of modern slavery. The responsibility of it falls on major players such as businesses, financial sectors and individuals play a part in and should be aware of the possible ways in which we may be contributing to it.

The question still remains if addressing it as a SDG is enough? Modern slavery exists despite 12 international conventions and over 300 international treaties banning its existence. The Palermo Protocol in 2000 resulted in anti-slavery activity and legislation, but the movement has failed with little research asking why and what could be done differently.

Part of the problem with addressing modern slavery is the lack of punishment and enforcement. Criminal see it as a high-reward and a low-risk.

Out of all the countries, 41 percent have no trafficking convictions or had less than 10 convictions between 2010 and 2012. Additionally, there were about 13,000 possible victims in the U.K., but 2013 to 2014 saw just 130 convictions.

– Paula Acevedo

Sources: The Guardian, UN
Photo: scrapetv

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SDG Post 2015

As the finish line for the Millennium Development Goals quickly approaches, talks are already under way to establish the goals for the next 15 years. The new plan, called the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), is all about renewing the world’s commitment to helping the world’s poor.

As world leaders begin to establish these new goals, food security and nutrition remain crucial elements. David Taylor, Economic Justice Policy Advisor for Oxfam, tells the Inter Press News Agency, “In a world that produces enough food to feed everyone, there is no excuse for anyone to go hungry.”

Yet, as of today, one in eight people still go hungry or is ailed by some type of malnutrition. This is approximately 842 million people who are under-nourished. Poor nutrition causes 45 percent of deaths in children under five—this is 3.1 million children every year.

While, according to Taylor, ending world hunger is not an unrealistic endeavor, we still face enormous challenges in food security and agriculture. It is imperative to formulate new pathways to overcome inefficiency, corruption and wastefulness.

On June 2, the Open Working Group (OWG) in collaboration with the UN, released Draft Zero on SDG with 17 goals to be accomplished in the next 15 years. In terms of food, one of the main emphases of the program is to boost production by locals, women and marginal groups.

Despite the optimism of those proposing SDG, it is not without critics. In recent months, SDG and its proponents are being accused of bypassing water supply and sanitation as basic human rights. According to a letter of protest signed by 77 non-governmental organizations (NGOs), including Biofuel Watch, Blue Planet Project, Corporate Accountability International and End Water Poverty Coalition, their protest arises from the fact that references to water and sanitation as human rights has been removed from SDG.

While the road ahead of a final SDG is still long and complex, the UN Secratary General is expected to provide an update on the final version of SDG by the end of this year. Proponents and critics are expected to work together, and the UN would be taking into account various contributions in order to achieve a plan that best suits the needs of the most disadvantaged sectors of the global population. The final disclosure of the post-2015 development agenda is expected to coincide with a high-level Summit in September of 2015.

– Sahar Abi Hassan

Sources: Inter Press Service 1, Inter Press Service 2, World Food Programme
Photo: Kean University

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SDGs: Future of Development

2015 will mark the target year for the United Nations Millennium Development Goals (MDGs,) a set of eight development objectives set by world leaders as a commitment to reduce extreme poverty worldwide. The current goals seek to:

The U.N. recently released the 2014 MDG Annual Report, in which it applauds progress toward the Millennium Development Goals, encourages continued effort for the initiative’s remaining year and lays the groundwork for a post-2015 development agenda. The new set of goals, referred to as the Sustainable Development Goals, ambitiously aims to “end poverty everywhere” by 2030. A zero draft was released on June 2, in which the Open Working Group laid out 17 post-2015 goals. Concerns have been raised over the length of the draft and the abstract nature of the objectives, which are listed as follows:

  • End poverty everywhere
  • End hunger, improve nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture
  • Attain healthy lives for all
  • Provide quality education and life-long learning opportunities for all
  • Attain gender equality, empower women and girls everywhere
  • Ensure availability and sustainable use of water and sanitation for all
  • Ensure sustainable energy for all
  • Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all
  • Promote sustainable infrastructure and industrialization and foster innovation
  • Reduce inequality within and between countries
  • Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe and sustainable
  • Promote sustainable consumption and production patterns
  • Tackle climate change and its impacts
  • Conserve and promote sustainable use of oceans, seas and marine resources
  • Protect and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, halt desertification, land degradation and biodiversity loss
  • Achieve peaceful and inclusive societies, access to justice for all and effective and capable institutions
  • Strengthen the means of implementation and the global partnership for sustainable development

One notable characteristic of the proposed list of SDGs is its emphasis on science and technology. The draft touches on issues of climate change, water sanitation, energy supply, biodiversity preservation and ocean conservation. Where the document falls short, according to voices in the scientific community, is in its implementation section, which fails to explicitly define the strengthening of science and technology in developing countries as a key focus. Yet, besides the arguments between scientific and political pundits, the trajectory of the SDG project is clear. As published in the SDG zero draft, “we recognize that poverty eradication, changing unsustainable and promoting sustainable patterns of consumption and production and protecting and managing the natural resource base of economic and social development are the overarching objectives of and essential requirements for sustainable development.” – Kayla Strickland Sources: United Nations 1, United Nations 2, SciDev.net 1, SciDev.net 2 Photo: Reegle