Sustainable development
Development meets the needs of the current generations. It does so without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs. The slogan “The Future We Want” inspired discussions on sustainable development. This was mentioned at the general assembly of UN on 19 July, 2014. During the 70th session on 25-27 September 2015, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the outcome document. This summit was for the adoption of the post-2015 development agenda. The document is entitled “Transforming Our World: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.” The Assembly also decided on new global Sustainable Development goals (SDGs). At the core of the 2030 Agenda is a list of 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and 169 targets. The specific 17 goals of SDGs are based on the next themes:
- No Poverty
- Zero Hunger
- Good Health and Well-being
- Quality Education
- Gender Equality
- Clean Water and Sanitation
- Affordable and Clean Energy
- Decent Work and Economic Growth
- Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
- Reduced Inequalities
- Sustainable Cities and Communities
- Responsible Consumption and Production
- Climate Action
- Life Below Water
- Life on Land
- Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
- Partnerships for the Goals
The goals of MDGs were replaced by the goals of SDGs. SDGs were formed by selecting a team of 70 representative countries from the open working group. These were chosen from 193 member countries. The process was finalized through face-to-face conversations among 100 countries. Main Features of SDGs agenda include:
- Economic development
- Social development
- Environmental development
Differences Between MDGs and SDGs
Zero Goals: The MDG targets for 2015 aimed to get us “halfway” to ending hunger and poverty. They included similar proportional goals in other fields. The SDGs are designed to finish the job. They aim to achieve a statistical “zero” on hunger, poverty, and preventable child deaths. Other targets are also included.
Universal Goals: The MDGs were in the context of “rich donors aiding poor recipients.” Since then the world has changed dramatically. The SDGs will then be a set of goals applicable to every country. All countries, developed or developing, are expected to work towards achieving SDGs.
More Comprehensive Goals: There were 8 MDGs. There are 17 goals in SDGs. Mobilization around these goals will undoubtedly become more difficult. However, everyone would agree that the complexity of sustainable global development was not fully represented by the MDGs.
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- Economic Freedom and Development in the Real World: How Openness Shapes Prosperity
- Is Environmental Sustainability a Core Part of Development Policy in the United States?
- Quality of Life: Stress, Burnout and Mental Health
Addressing THP Pillars: While THP celebrated and firmly committed to the MDGs, they largely ignored three crucial pillars. These pillars are empowering women, mobilizing everyone, and partnering with local government. The SDGs address these critical elements (to date) much more effectively. They feature far stronger gender goals. They also emphasize people’s participation and government “at all levels.”
Inclusive Goal Setting: The MDGs were created through a top-down process. The SDGs are being created in one of the most inclusive participatory processes the world has ever seen. There have been face-to-face consultations in more than 100 countries. There are also millions of citizen inputs on websites. Civil society has been well-organized throughout – coordinated globally through Beyond 2015.
Distinguishing Hunger and Poverty:
In the MDGs, Hunger and Poverty were lumped together in MDG – as if solving one would solve the other. So much has been learned about nutrition since that time. The SDGs treat the issue of poverty separately from Food and Nutrition Security.
Distinguishing Hunger and Poverty:
Funding: The MDGs were largely envisioned to be funded by aid flows – which did not materialize. The SDGs put sustainable, inclusive economic development at the core of the strategy. They focus on countries’ ability to tackle social challenges. This is largely achieved by improving their own revenue generating capabilities.
Quality Education: The MDGs focused on quantity (eg, high enrollment rates). Unfortunately, the quality of education declined in many societies. The SDGs represent the first effort by the world community to focus on the quality of education. They emphasize learning and the role of education in achieving a more humane world.
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