Partnering For Sustainable Development Goals
At the United Nations conference on sustainable development in 2012, 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were developed in Rio De Janeiro. The purpose was to create a set of global goals related to the environmental, political, and economic challenges we face as humanity.
The SDGs are;
- 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
- Partnership for the Goals
The covid-19 pandemic directly affected well-being and health. Also, it indirectly affected prosperity, education, planetary health, and food insecurity. The covid-19 pandemic pushed the food insecurity rate higher — with the war in Ukraine further disrupting the global food supply chain.
According to the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), over 149.2 million children under five (5) years of age suffered stunting in 2020. World Vision also reported that approximately 811 million people suffered chronic hunger as of 2022. They also revealed about 50 million people facing emergency levels of hunger across 45 countries.
The 2030 deadline is around. Are the goals still realistic? It might seem like a drag to respond positively.
It wouldn’t be a drag if more people partnered to achieve these goals. I found a picture couple of weeks ago. On the picture was an inscription which is my mantra now — “Once you get through it, help someone else through it.”
Have you received quality education? Help someone else get it.
Is your water clean? Help someone else access clean water.
The list can go on and on. So, what is stopping you?
Money? You don’t have to be rich to help others. You can help others without spending a kobo from your money. You can be their voice. You can lobby for help on their behalf. Also, you can lend hands to existing bodies inclined to help those in need. Your impact wouldn’t go unnoticed.
Why should you take part in all these?
It is the right thing to do. These problems affect every individual in at least one way, directly or indirectly. You should not turn the other way because it doesn’t affect you directly now. This statement brings me to a poem written by Martin Niemöller.
First, they came for the communists,
and I didn’t speak out because I wasn’t a communist.
Then they came for the socialists,
and I didn’t speak out because I wasn’t a socialist.
Then they came for the trade unionist,
and I didn’t speak out because I wasn’t a trade unionist.
Then they came for the Jews,
and I didn’t speak out because I wasn’t a Jew.
Then they came for the Catholics,
and I didn’t speak out because I wasn’t a Catholic.
Then they came for me,
and there was no one left to speak for me.
Why wait till you are directly affected? We can resolve the problems with your partnership now. Together, we can all partner for development. Together, we can make the world a better place.
