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We present to you the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) |24 March 2017

Prepare to transform the world!! (Part V)

 

At a UN summit, on September 25, 2015, world leaders adopted the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and 169 targets of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

 

What is Sustainable Development?

The universal definition of sustainable development is ‘development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.’ To achieve sustainable development, the harmonisation of economic growth, social inclusion and environmental protection are crucial. Undoubtedly, this concept is at the heart of all 17 of the SDGs.

 

What are the Sustainable Development Goals?

These universal goals, which officially came into force on January 1, 2016, apply to the citizens of the world. The goals will guide and mobilise efforts in all countries to eradicate all forms of poverty, fight inequalities and tackle climate change while leaving no one behind. Over the next 15 years (to 2030), UN member states will be expected to frame their policies and strategic plans around the SDGs.

Despite building on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), the SDGs are unique as they call for action by all countries regardless of the status of their economic development, to promote prosperity while conserving the planet.

 

How will the Sustainable Development Goals be implemented?

Although the SDGs are not legally binding, governments are expected to take ownership and establish national frameworks for the achievement of the 17 goals. Governments can facilitate, mobilise resources and develop financing strategies but they cannot achieve the goals alone.  All stakeholders including civil society, the private sector and others must put efforts together to contribute towards the realisation of the new agenda. So yes, YOU are key to helping Seychelles contribute towards transforming OUR world.

 

How can YOU help to transform the world?

The first step is to familiarise yourself with the 17 SDGs. And to help you do this, 17 Seychellois, passionate about the SDGs, have contributed an article about each one of the SDGs. Seychelles NATION has already published articles about SDGs 1 up to 8 (refer to Seychelles NATION issues of November 26, 2016, January 14, 2017, February 11, 2017 and March 4, 2017. Today we look at GOAL No. 9 (which is about industry, innovation and infrastructure) and GOAL No. 10 (which is about reduced inequalities). In the articles the authors describe what the SDGs are, what is already being done in Seychelles to achieve them and how you can contribute towards achieving these SDGs.

 

Contributed by Kalsey Belle

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 The Triple 'I's that save lives

 

 

Have you used the Internet today? Logged on to Facebook? Watched a YouTube video? Googled a word you didn’t know and instantly found its definition? If so, then you are part of the 3.4 billion out of a 7.4 billion world population that has access to the internet. It may even surprise you to know that 4 billion people still do not have access to the internet, with 90% of this number of people being from developing countries.

With more than 50% of the world’s population now residing in urban areas, and ever growing strains that mass movement has brought, it is imperative that sustainable solutions are employed so economic growth and development thrives in these areas. By employing solutions riding on technological advances in high population density areas, economic and environmental challenges such as new employment opportunities and the promotion of energy efficiency appliances, long-lasting solutions are found. It is important to employ this Sustainable Development Goal  ̶  (SDG) 9  ̶  into action so better planning, adapting, and mitigation efforts to reduce risks, hazards, and disasters can be undertaken to keep the effects of climate change from severely affecting our lives.

A good example of this SDG in practice is in early warning systems through the use of technology which saved many lives in the Japan tsunami in early 2011. By investing in infrastructure improvements in river basins for flood protection as is the case in Bosnia’s and Herzegovina’s Vrbas river basin; lives, material goods and livelihoods can be spared from impending disaster as the effects of climate change are felt around the world stronger than ever before since concentrated populations of people are living in urban areas. By employing innovative climate modelling techniques, we have become better prepared to plan for the future, as we can now predict with precision which areas are most likely to be affected by the effects of climate change. With this information we can then apply suitable mitigation and adaptation efforts which will protect livelihoods, property, and life. An example relating to industry within this Sustainable Development Goal can be found in the remote, mountainous communities in Laos, where 63% of the population reside, and where basic education has yet to reach many communities. Through a community radio broadcasting service, education programmes are aired, reaching more than 45,000 people who would otherwise not receive any education, which would exacerbate poverty in the region. Such a programme has resulted in vast changes of increased rates of vaccination against diseases, increased use of health facilities by women, and improved disaster readiness and recovery.

Seychelles has made commitments to the international community to integrate the Sustainable Development Goals into its government to better the lives of its people. In the context of the industry, innovation, and infrastructure goal, a good example is the establishment of the ‘Disaster, Risk, and Management Division’ to help manage and coordinate support, relief and warning systems for the country in innovative technological ways. Another example is the use of tried and tested adaptation techniques around areas of high risk from the effects of climate change, such as along coastal regions to protect people’s property and livelihoods. A third example of innovative infrastructure is the building of desalination plants on Mahé to ensure the population has a supply of potable water in periods of severe drought. Not only has Seychelles invested in infrastructure technologies, but also in the industry present in Seychelles; promoting sustainable fishing practices among fishermen, sustainable farming practices among the farmers on the island, and having tax-free renewable energy products, encouraging the renewable energy industry to grow in Seychelles.

As a young member of society, I am grateful to be living in a country that has pledged its commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals, bettering the lives of its citizens, and feel privileged to be able to help contribute to the development of these goals as a member of society. 

You can make a difference and contribute to this Sustainable Development Goal by abandoning unsustainable practices and striving towards sustainable ones. This requires a change in the way we think about the world today. The world will not last forever, and neither will you, or me. But everyone makes an effort to keep on living and to stay healthy so we can live for a longer amount of time, right? This is the same principle we need to adopt to look after our planet. In Seychelles we are fortunate enough to have access to free education for all. We are only hurting ourselves when we let the opportunities around us slip away. By educating ourselves today, we will become the innovators and industry revolutionists of tomorrow. Make a stand and help yourself today for the future of the world tomorrow.

 

Contributed by Ms Sophie Morgan

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Project Everyone: We do this together or not at all

 

 

 

In 2015, UN member countries adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The Campaign, known as Project Everyone, introduced the term Global Goals and is intended to help communicate the agreed SDGs to a wider constituency, accelerating the creation of a fairer world by 2030, where extreme poverty has been eradicated, climate change is properly addressed and injustice and inequality are unacceptable. Let us get to it then, everyone met Goal 10 ‘Reduce inequality within and among countries’; learn what has been done, what is yet to be achieved and what you can do to support the targets of this goal.

Why should we care?

As a member of UN youth Seychelles, I stand as a proud champion of this campaign. However, this campaign calls for company, the company of men and women of all works of life to do their part to complete everyone’s project. In today’s world, we are all interconnected. Problems and challenges, be it poverty, climate change, migration or economic crises are never just confined to one country or group. Even the richest countries still have communities living in abject poverty. The oldest democracies still wrestle with racism, homophobia and transphobia, and religious intolerance. Furthermore, a recent UNICEF report noted growing inequality among children in several high-income countries. Global inequality affects us all, no matter who we are or where we are from.  

Inequalities based on income, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, race, class, ethnicity, religion and opportunity continue to persist across the world, within and among countries. Income inequality cannot be effectively tackled unless the underlying inequality of opportunities is addressed. In a global survey conducted by UN Development Programme, policy makers from around the world acknowledged that inequality in their countries is generally high and potentially a threat to long-term social and economic development.

Evidence shows that, beyond a certain threshold, inequality harms growth and poverty reduction, the quality of relations in the public and political spheres and individuals’ sense of fulfilment and self-worth. This, in turn, can breed crime, disease and environmental degradation. To reduce inequality, policies should be universal in principle paying attention to the needs of disadvantaged and marginalised populations.

Goal 10. REDUCED INEQUALITITES: TASK in relation to Seychelles

  • By 2030, progressively achieve and sustain income growth of the bottom 40 per cent of the population at a rate higher than the national average. This policy is in line with Seychelles policy targeting the poverty line and improvement in income inequalities, as such a commitment to both should foster an environment conducive to the UN target.
  • 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. Seychelles have benefited from a contemporary constitution and a multiculturally diverse society, resulting in limited cases of inequalities based on age, gender, race or religious status. However, more needs to be done regarding the inclusion of the disable segment of the population. While, government programme(s) exist for the inclusion of those with disability into the workforce and the society, these programmes could benefit from a review based on the latest innovations brought forth by more advanced countries and assessing the feasibility in Seychelles.
  • Ensure equal opportunity and reduce inequalities of outcome, including by eliminating discriminatory laws, policies and practices and promoting appropriate legislation, policies and action in this regard. In general, the government, employers and all individuals in Seychelles should strive towards the successful completion of this task. The most urgent tasks, would be to revise the discriminatory law whereby having a different sexual orientation from that of heterosexuality is a criminal offense. A person's sexual identity in relation to the gender to which they are attracted should not restrict them from equal opportunity nor outcome.
  • Adopt policies, especially fiscal, wage and social protection policies, and progressively achieve greater equality. This task is achievable in Seychelles, if a strong commitment to policies that target a reduction in poverty line, improving the minimum wage and unemployment benefit without overheating the economy.
  • Improve the regulation and monitoring of global financial markets and institutions and strengthen the implementation of such regulations. Seychelles authorities must continue commitment to international best practice and foster innovation with adequate regulation.
  • Ensure enhanced representation and voice for developing countries in decision-making in global international economic and financial institutions in order to deliver more effective, credible, accountable and legitimate institutions. Many NGOs and State institutions are striving to achieve this target, as Seychelles become a more prominent voice on the international stage.
  • Facilitate orderly, safe, regular and responsible migration and mobility of people, including through the implementation of planned and well-managed migration policies. A vital task that the Seychelles authorities must consider.
  • Implement the principle of special and differential treatment for developing countries, in particular least developed countries, in accordance with World Trade Organisation agreements.
  • Encourage official development assistance and financial flows, including foreign direct investment, to States where the need is greatest, in particular least developed countries, African countries, small island developing States and landlocked developing countries, in accordance with their national plans and programmes.
  • By 2030, reduce to less than 3 per cent the transaction costs of migrant remittances and eliminate remittance corridors with costs higher than 5 per cent.

 

 

What you can do to help?

The first is to educate yourself and others about the problem and in what form they take. We can ensure equal opportunity and reduce inequalities of income, if we support the elimination of discriminatory laws, policies and practices. The most important step is to be willing to recognise inequalities and do our best to include all members of society. We do this together or not at all.

 

Contributed by UN Youth Seychelles member

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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