• What are key factors in ensuring national flexibility and policy space to address poverty? What are successful strategies for preserving this policy and fiscal space in the context of economic, social or environmental shocks?
  • What are some ways in which the SDGs and 2030 Agenda may contribute towards strengthening the international enabling environment for poverty reduction in key priority areas, such as decent work, social protection floors, globalization and trade, infrastructure, post-conflict reconstruction and climate change, including through development cooperation and multistakeholder partnerships?
  • Is a “level playing field” in international trade, debt, technology and knowledge possible through global partnerships for poverty eradication? If so, how? If not, why not?
  • What are best practices in implementing policy frameworks and rights-based and gender-sensitive approaches in eradicating poverty?

Photo Credit: UN Photo/JC McIlwaine

20 Mar 2017 - 17 Apr 2017

Comments (60)

Vinicius Pinheiro
Vinicius Pinheiro Moderator

Summary of Week 3 and 4 (3 – 17 April 2017)

Dear Participants,

Thank you for continued contributions in sharing valuable comments, recommendations and practical knowledge from your unique local perspectives. These insights will provide a useful contribution to the 2017 ECOSOC session. Below is a summary of week 3 and 4 of the e-discussion (3 -17 April 2017).

1. What are key factors in ensuring national flexibility and policy space to address poverty? What are successful strategies for preserving this policy and fiscal space in the context of economic, social or environmental shocks?

  • In the context of addressing systemic issues, one participant highlighted the need for coherence at various levels of governance. Coherence at the international level remained the most problematic as it fuelled inequalities and hampered poverty eradication through imbalances in the rules of international financing/banking, climate deregulation, trafficking, unfair international trade terms and also spurred conflicts which further marginalized the most vulnerable.
  • There was a need to develop a global and a country-specific definition of poverty. One cannot aim to eradicate something which was not clearly defined. Such a definition would also help ensure resources were truly being devoted to poverty eradication efforts.
  • It was impossible to think of eradicating poverty without first thinking about eradicating political corruption, investing in quality education, public health and job opportunities.
  • The UN had a lead role in developing a stronger, more visible, and independent, monitoring system around systemic coherence/synergies and incoherencies of development and anti-development activities in the fight against poverty.
  • Poverty eradication and job creation would not necessarily come from economic growth - the case of India was cited as an example where economic growth was not translating into sufficient decent jobs. Rather, poverty eradication would only happen through political will and social policy changes. Governments should put in place policies that create skills and jobs, social protection schemes and redistributive policies. Exclusive and/or excessive emphasis on dismantling labour regulations and making it easier to hire and fire labour (particularly without adequate social protection) was the wrong way to go. The SDGs provided an opportunity to go in the right direction by highlighting requisite targets and indicators for overcoming such systemic constraints.
  • Engagement of the local community was a key factor in ensuring national flexibility and policy space – a public library space in each community could facilitate such engagement.  Moreover, while national policies around poverty eradication were needed, such polices must also have a local component or context otherwise the threat of leaving no one behind could be compromised.
  • There was a need to change education and business models to integrate social and environmental aspects in decision-making processes including in the area of corporate social responsibility.

2. What are some ways in which the SDGs and 2030 Agenda may contribute towards strengthening the international enabling environment for poverty reduction in key priority areas, such as decent work, social protection floors, globalization and trade, infrastructure, post-conflict reconstruction and climate change, including through development cooperation and multistakeholder partnerships?

  • Cooperatives were highlighted as a best practice in eradicating poverty and would provide a leading conduit for achieving the SDGs. ILO Recommendation 193 could form the basis for providing a roadmap for policy makers to promote cooperates at the national level. Cooperatives were owned and democratically controlled by their members that amount to more than 1 billion worldwide. They secure the livelihoods of more than 250 million people by providing decent jobs and/or being their main source of income. They are a powerful force in the economy of many countries with combined annual revenues of more than USD 2.5 trillion.
  • One participant said that thus far an area where SDGs and the 2030 Agenda had done very little towards strengthening the international enabling environment for poverty eradication was in the area of knowledge as a public good - initiatives such as Technology Facilitation Mechanism remained marginalized. If efforts were not substantially enhanced, the knowledge access and conversion in developing countries would be a substantial missed opportunity and a root cause of failure in delivering the 2030 Agenda.
  • In order for a community to benefit from decent work and to ensure a fair share in globalization and trade, local voices were needed in terms of allocation of infrastructure priorities and know-how regarding infrastructure maintenance, post-conflict reconstruction, development cooperation and multi-stakeholder partnerships. 
  • While robust, stable economic growth was necessary to reduce poverty, it was not sufficient in and of itself.  Economic growth must be sustainable, inclusive, equitable, and create decent work and livelihood opportunities for all, especially the poor and vulnerable members of society.  It must lower inequalities within and between countries.  The benefits and opportunities of economic growth must be shared amongst all members of society, particularly the most marginalised.
  • One participant said that poverty eradication would not be possible unless there was a universal commitment to end war and conflict, illegal weapons trade, diverting investment away from military spending and into poverty eradication efforts, promoting democratic governance and institutions and overcoming racism.
  • In the context of national reporting on the SDGs, it was important that all volunteering countries present clear and concise reporting that ensures that food security, nutrition, poverty reduction, rural investment and sustainable agriculture are highlighted and received the highest-level of attention that is commensurate with their impact on national security and sustainable development. By providing reliable and disaggregated data, the Voluntary National Reviews could help all stakeholders plan new strategies and help define effective partnerships.

3. Is a “level playing field” in international trade, debt, technology and knowledge possible through global partnerships for poverty eradication? If so, how? If not, why not?

  • Many low-income countries were trapped in debt crises.  This pointed to a shortfall in the international financial system – the lack of an orderly and fair debt workout mechanism with fair burden sharing between debtors and creditors.  
  • International partnerships on trade could help increase country production of goods and services and expanding SMEs and opening up new trade opportunities. Technology would be an important catalyst to drive such partnerships to enhance trade.
  • Many countries were still facing significant obstacles with regard to access to finance, capacity building and training throughout different stages of the technology life cycle, from research to development, demonstration, market formation, and eventual diffusion in the market place. An effective technology innovation system was needed to bridge these gaps. In such a system, capacity-building, finance and technology transfer can play an important role in all stages.
  • Knowledge sharing partnerships held great potential for disseminating information and replicating successes.  
  • There was a need to better engage civil society in development programming including by developing a more solid understanding of the role of civil society in driving development outcomes.
  • Cross-sectoral partnerships were needed with a particular emphasis on education and life-long learning. One participant underscored that urgent action was needed to achieve SDG4 as failure to do so would hamper progress on the other SDGs. Education was essential for fostering the right types of skills, attitudes and behaviours that were needed to achieve sustainable and inclusive growth.

4. What are best practices in implementing policy frameworks and rights-based and gender-sensitive approaches in eradicating poverty?

  • It was highlighted by a participant that poverty should not be seen only as a lack of income, but also as a deprivation of human rights. At the same time, to achieve sustainable development, efforts to promote environmental protection was required since environmental degradation lead directly and indirectly to violations of human rights. 
  • A human rights approach to poverty eradication was firmly embedded in efforts to promote the empowerment of the poor. When human rights was introduced in policy making, the rationale for poverty eradication would give rise to meeting obligations that were enshrined in law.
  • Governments must take special measures in order to protect the most vulnerable, discriminated and socially excluded groups, including effective protection against discrimination.
  • A human rights approach to poverty also required the active and informed participation of the poor including in for example, the formulation, implementation and monitoring of poverty reduction strategies.
Vinicius Pinheiro
Vinicius Pinheiro Moderator

Welcome to the discussion on Thematic Window III: “Systemic challenges and opportunities in eradicating poverty”. This Window is part of the 2017 Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) e-Discussion, organized by UN DESA and UNDP, which runs from 20 March to 12 April 2017.

Through the historic 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Heads of State and Governments unanimously adopted a holistic, universal, transformative, 15-year global plan of action to end poverty, reduce inequalities and protect our planet.

This new Agenda cannot succeed without the firm and sustained commitments of all countries and the involvement of all stakeholders, including citizens, development practitioners, policy makers, academics, trade unions and representatives from the public and private sectors. 

We are now two years into the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and the stakes couldn’t be higher to deliver - with nearly 800 million people living in extreme poverty globally, another 201 million people remain unemployed and 783 million more are working but unable to lift themselves and their families above the moderate poverty threshold of $3.10 per day, and millions more are trying to survive in conditions of conflict or ravaged by the effects of climate change. These challenges pose grave systemic threats not just to people and countries directly affected, but to global humanity, financial and economic stability, planetary boundaries and peace and security. Ambitious new ideas and a holistic approach are needed to address the underlying systemic challenges. Effective progress will very much depend on our ability to understand the interlinkages and synergies between various development objectives.

The e-Discussion is designed as an open space for dialogue with people from around the world on the 2017 ECOSOC main theme “Eradicating poverty in all its forms and dimensions through promoting sustainable development, expanding opportunities and addressing related challenges”. Your engagement in this discussion provides a unique opportunity to provide your views, inputs, policy messages and recommendations to ECOSOC. These will be included in a summary of the e-Discussion and reflected in the report of the UN Secretary-General on the ECOSOC theme.  The Council is keen to have its High-Level segment in July reflect a broad range of stakeholder views.

Concrete examples and specific recommendations that you may have in relation to the theme are especially welcome. As the moderator for this Window, I suggest we start by examining the following questions: 

  1. What are key factors in ensuring national flexibility and policy space to address poverty? What are successful strategies for preserving this policy and fiscal space in the context of economic, social or environmental shocks?
  2. What are some ways in which the SDGs and 2030 Agenda may contribute towards strengthening the international enabling environment for poverty reduction in key priority areas, such as decent work, social protection floors, globalization and trade, infrastructure, post-conflict reconstruction and climate change, including through development cooperation and multistakeholder partnerships?
  3. Is a “level playing field” in international trade, debt, technology and knowledge possible through global partnerships for poverty eradication? If so, how? If not, why not?
  4. What are best practices in implementing policy frameworks and rights-based and gender-sensitive approaches in eradicating poverty?

These questions are meant to provide general guidance.  While I hope that they help your contributions to be focused and concise, you need not be constrained by them.  In your responses, kindly indicate which question you are addressing.

I look forward to your active participation and hearing your views and ideas. I hope that you will share with us your success stories and challenges you are facing in poverty eradication.

 

Vinicius Pinheiro
Special Representative to the United Nations
Director of the International Labour Organization Office for the United Nations

Juan-Jose Lopez-Villarejo, PhD.
Juan-Jose Lopez-Villarejo, PhD.

Thanks for the opportunity to enter into this important dialogue. 

I am replying concisely to the question:
"What are the systemic opportunities in order to eradicate poverty ?"

-> The presence of this message "eradicate poverty" in the media is very important, for people to ask their governments to contribute. Efforts should be directed towards convincing TV and radio stations to donate coordinately some free advertising minutes a day (for every country). If they all donate these minutes, it should be OK for them. If any of them does not play the game, then there will be inconvenient competition effects (= prisonner's dilemma, social dilemma).
-> New digital apps should be created in the field of social action that leverage the power of social networks for good. Some inspiration is Avaaz.org or Change.org, but these are not enough, and they are not democratic enough. They are too dependent on the organisers.






 

roberto martorana
roberto martorana

 Ciao, apprezzo molto il lavoro e questa opportunità che mi permette di aggiungere come la mia partecipazione, ho scritto questo su Riodialog e Myworld2015 consultazioni, ho insistito per come è stato necessario trovare il modo di finanziare  SDG Action Campaign , abbiamo bisogno di trovare come finanziamento che va al di là della solita politica fiscale o idea keynesiana o più whitout deprimere economia o governo corrotto, trovare un modello che integra i concetti tra von Hayek e JM Keynes, perché mantiene la libertà economica di impresa e di mercato, le risorse che creano che possono essere utilizzati dal governo, ma nella misura in cui essi vengono creati e senza aumentare la pressione fiscale .... quindi suppongo che un nuovo meccanismo attraverso una nuova regola della banca centrale, (rispettivamente, di ogni paese o attraverso accordi internazionali) una nuova regola nel politica monetaria per tutte quelle istituzioni che sfruttano il ruolo delle banche centrali, con un problema in più di moneta legata al tasso di sconto da utilizzare in cambio del prelievo fiscale, calle d "Teoria della compensazione della massa monetaria", ridurre il divario uncontroled crescente sviluppo, whithout economia demage, contemporanely introdurre aiuti (faccio un esempio per chiarire: Normalmente una moneta di emissione BC, e conferisce un interesse fisso per il suo ritorno , questo semplice passo sarà creare uno squilibrio tra la valuta monetaria e rilasciato dal ritorno che è stato originariamente riempito con il nuovo oro estratto dalle miniere, ma dal momento che non c'è più questo rapporto, pur mantenendo la vecchia regola non più di compensazione era in denaro fornitura, quindi se per esempio una pressa BC 100 milioni di unità al tasso del 3%, se vede tornare al 103 a scadenza, ma dove dovrebbe venire 3m se coloro che non sono stati stampati da questo .... la necessità di avere un numero supplementare di 3 milioni di unità ad essere messi in circolazione e l'uso di servizi di pubblica utilità come ad esempio 'argomento in discussione) facciamo l'esempio per la nuova regola: il BC pressa 100m a essere immessi sul mercato (si prestano alle banche commerciali) e li mette in bilancio alla pressa 3m stesso tempo (pari alla sua velocità), e dà allo Stato (che li utilizza per pubblica utilità ...), senza mettere 3m sul bilancio della banca come uscite ... così poi il ritorno delle banche commerciali è normalmente dovrebbe anche più facile trovare la possibilità di ripristinare la famosa 103m da BC ....., grazie, cordiali saluti, https: //www.facebook.com/notes/teoria -della-Compensazione-della-massa-monetaria / Bozza-espositiva- / 228248770537241

Ms Shirley
Ms Shirley

What are best practices in implementing policy frameworks and rights-based and gender-sensitive approaches in eradicating poverty?

From a U.S. context, the best practices are achieved domestically at the local lower level through a participatory approach and adopted by higher governing bodies; especially, for gender-sensitive issues, and matters involving women’s and “minority” rights.   A good example of a gender-sensitive policy is women’s healthcare.  Currently, in the U.S. an all-male congressional committee is trying to enact laws that will adversely affect the healthcare of women.   What’s wrong with that picture?   Hint, hint… no women. 

In addition, in developing a rights-based policy framework, the intent of the policy and its objectives must be clearly written with no ambiguity and implicit biases, and should be non-discriminatory.   Further, precautionary measures should be considered prior to enactment, thoroughly examining the issues in question, to include conducting assessments with feasibility studies to ensure there are no adverse impacts or unintended consequences.  For instance, had an impact assessment with a feasibility study been made in former President Bill Clinton’s Crime Bill, which has adversely impacted the African American and Hispanic communities, perhaps lawmakers would have recognized the need to implement the principle of proportionality, which would have saved young lives and reduced the incarceration rate. And yes, incarceration is interrelated as it is over a billion dollar profit making industry in which funds could have been allocated in efforts to eradicate poverty.

Implementation also involves promulgating regulations that should be applied across relevant entities, i.e., businesses, public and private institutions, and non-governmental organizations.  Public awareness is also critical to the development and implementation of sound judicial policy frameworks, and should be open for discussion in transparent forums.

 

Richard_Hames
Richard_Hames

I believe we are starting from the wrong proposition. The positioning of the UN's Sustainable Development Goals within the constraints of the current neoliberal economic paradigm is a problem. For one thing there is a complete absence of any reference to history prior to 1990 - the date chosen for comparisons of global poverty and hunger rates in the SDGs. Thus they do not adequately reflect how the world-system came to be the way it is, and do not show us that a different kind of economics and development is both necessary and feasible.

Therefore investigating the current worldview for potential flaws, and being prepared to craft a new worldview introducing alternative beliefs more in keeping with contemporary conditions, becomes critical to success, particularly if the UN Goals are as important to humanity as many presume them to be. Appreciating differing modes of economic activity, and how these reinforce certain social structures and mores, also becomes a critical factor.

Under industrial capitalism the process of wealth accumulation, generated from all kinds of institutionalised production, has massively benefitted the affluent more than any other single group. Additionally, as the global economy has continued to expand, poverty and economic instability has increased. Today just eight billionaires own the same amount of wealth as the poorest half of humanity. It would be imprudent to demonise capitalism or to ignore the positive impacts free markets have had in helping people rise out of penury. But the fact that an ultra-wealthy elite are able to prosper compared with the one in every nine people who struggle to find food each day – is a demonstration of how warped we have allowed the global economy to become.

So I would propose that in order to guarantee success we need to approach the issue of poverty from a perspective outside of the current neo-liberal worldview. What does this mean?

Extreme inequality has resulted in the super-rich acquiring immense material wealth - but also the power to bend rules and policies in their favour. But this is only one factor. We have permitted the more predatory aspects of industrial capitalism to prevail almost unchecked. As a result we are burdened by financial systems distended with debt, a repertoire of complex and opaque devices designed to evade tax or facilitate dubious arbitrage, and trade treaties designed by a powerful elite to benefit themselves.

In developed and developing countries alike, the lowest tax rates, the best and most comprehensive health care and educational options, and the chance to influence how the society works, are given to the wealthy and their children. Meanwhile many of those who suffered at the hands of slave-powered empires, or were exploited by the conquering and pillaging of their lands by colonialist nations, live in abject poverty. According to the United Nations this latter group numbers around 4.3 billion people.

The neoliberal economic paradigm keeps tensions between the creation of wealth and the creation of poverty in a state of equilibrium. No system can deliver what it has not been designed to produce. If the outcomes do not match our intentions there is no other option other than to change the system’s constraints. Yet any serious proposal to effect radical changes to the global financial system are routinely ridiculed and judged far too disruptive to the established order. Of course. That is the point!

For the past century or more, we have tolerated a clumsy situation where markets siphon wealth to the top of the social hierarchy and governments use a proportion of tax revenue to provide just enough benefits to prevent the base of the social pyramid from collapsing. This system of wealth production and distribution is designed to reward the wealthy and keep the poor in check. And it does precisely that.

This steady transfer of wealth from producers to owners is the root cause of the inequality that exists in the world today. Indeed the theory that economic gains primarily benefitting the wealthy — such as investors, businesses and entrepreneurs — will “trickle-down” to poorer members of society, creating new opportunities for the economically disadvantaged to attain a better standard of living, is now proven to be totally flawed. It is based on two false propositions: first that everyone eventually benefits from economic growth, and second that growth arises from those with the resources to increase productive output. In theory these both make sense. In practice it has proven not to be quite as straightforward.

If we cannot reinvent this false monetary dogma, that has been used as a justification for growing income inequality for far too long, the gap between the rich and the poor will continue to widen. Ultimately the issue of forging a more equitable post-capitalist society must be framed by asking three morally challenging questions:

  1. How can we create an inclusive economic system that works for everyone irrespective of their status, gender, ethnicity or education?
  2. How can we shift from an extractive paradigm that threatens the survival of humans as well as other species to a more generative one nurturing all life?
  3. As intellectual and physical labour both draw near to extinction how should we reconfigure the relationship between work and play such that leisure, creative endeavours, and the orchestration of social experiences, are able to replace drudgery as legitimate and vital symbols of human actualisation?

If we look to history we see clear indications that a transition to a new social democracy and economic world-system is possible. It is also in the best interests of the super-rich to acknowledge and help facilitate such a transition – although many remain sceptical. But it requires the adoption of a new teleology based upon abundance rather than scarcity, an acknowledgment that a steady state economy is more viable in the longer term than one grounded in the need for constant growth, and a universal willingness to design current inequities out of the world-system.

These three constraints are at the heart of how wealth and poverty have been created in the past, clarify why the system has become skewed to benefit owners of material assets, and how equality can be deliberately designed into a more sustainable future worldview.

Sooner or later we will run out of jobs. It stands to reason that we need to redesign the viability of how wealth is produced and shared. This will require recasting the very notion of work and its place in society. Although it has many detractors, mainly because of the myths we have created justifying hard work, and is only a partial solution at best, the idea of a universal basic wage makes sense in the context of a more equitable future.

So in terms of the SDG's and this current conversation: It should now be self-evident that the SDGs retain their relevance simply because they are the results of a world-system where poverty, inequality and injustice, are deliberately designed into the worldview. By reinventing the civilisational worldview, and by changing a few constraints in the current world-system, we can decide that poverty is unacceptable. In one metanoia we can eliminate economic discrimination and the effects this generates.

 

 

 

 

 

Amelia
Amelia

I think you have captured the issues surrounding the root  causes  of poverty very succintly . It may be that the psychological  bases and value system that energize the  global socio-economic structure has to change. For example, one might ask the question why does remuneration for harder, manual work involved in farming cocoa for instance  differ so vastly from the manufacturing (industralised) process involved in the making of chocolate when nothing can be done without the raw product How can such vast profits from the sale of  confectionary chocolate not   bring about even the slightest concern among wealthy corporate giants about the plight of the people producing the coooa, many of whom have never seen the finished product. Where is the social conscience, the social responsibility of the agents setting  or manipulating markets and  prices. And what of discrimination - is this  a major factor, based on race, gender, culture and color?  These concerns must be confronted in international fora at the highest levels  with  global  corporate interests included in dialogues. There must be a change of values and a call to conscience.as a critical step in the  achievement of poverty eradication.  Those countries with the highest absolute numbers of people in modern slavery are Africa, India, China, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Uzbekistan. Several of these countries provide the low-cost labour that produces consumer goods for markets in Western Europe, Japan, North America and Australia. Clcik on link to see the enormity of the problem which you described https://www.productsofslavery.org/. What is to be done?   

Joshua Konkankoh
Joshua Konkankoh

In terms of the SDGs I find that we are still using the same old paradigms to solve new problems of the 21st century. It is self evident  that poverty, inequality and injustice, are deliberately designed into the worldview defined by he corporate world. So as not to be reinventing the wheel, a holistic systemic approach to sustainable development has been developed by the Global Ecovillage Network GEN over the years. I strongly recommend ECOSUC looks into the model of transitioning African villages to resilience  developed by GEN Africa. I have provided a link to an example of GEN Africa bright spots working in Cameroon. Thinking locally and acting globally which can work any where. 

https://goodanthropocenes.net/2017/03/23/better-world-cameroon-permaculture-the-african-way/

BELLINI Béatrice
BELLINI Béatrice

Hello, thinking globally implies that it is difficult to act locally. If we decide globally that the color is red, how make it green locally? 

RONNIE MIGGADDE
RONNIE MIGGADDE

When it comes to Africa, these poverty eradication programs are handed over to the national governments which lack the integrity to implement them. Our governments are characterized by high levels of corruption and embezzlement. The programs end up not achieving their goals. I recommend NGOs to roll out these programs without the hands of the government.

Balasaheb Kulkarni
Balasaheb Kulkarni

भारतात  गरिबी  हटाव  साठी  खूप  प्रयत्न  होत  आहेत पण भारतातील लोकांची  गरिबी  हटत  नाही . प्रामुख्याने ग्रामीण भागातील  कामगार व शेतकरी  वर्ग  गरीब  आहे  अजूनही  मुंबई  सारख्या  शहरात  खूप लोक  झोपड्यात  राहतात  त्यांची  गरिबी  कशी हटवता येईल ? फक्त  चर्चा  करून  उपयोग  नाही  तर  गरीबी  हटवण्यासाठी  ठोस  कार्यक्रम  जरुरी आहे 

Samuel Chanchan
Samuel Chanchan

The Systemic challenges and opportunities in eradicating poverty

Poverty eradication has been on the global development agenda since the birth of development itself. Unfortunately for the impoverished, the agenda of  transnational classes are not as concerned with poverty eradication as they are with capital and industry. This means that the needs of the citizens, poor citizens in particular, get put on the back burner in the name of economic growth and free market policy. In  Liberia  64% of the population is categorized as poor, extreme level of disparity and the states refusal to adequately address  

An estimated 64 percent of Liberians live below the poverty line, of whom 1.3 million live in extreme poverty. Social safety nets are poorly developed. Agricultural production has improved since the end of the war, but the country still depends on food imports and is vulnerable to economic shocks.

 

The Systemic challenges and opportunities in eradicating poverty  is for national government to implement project given to them and   monitor by Civil Society organization   reducing poverty  is  a challenge; national government and  international  donors partner need to addressed this  issues , due to poor performances of  governments in other countries to achieved  in eradicating poverty at all level  seem to be a major problem. 

ALEKSANDRS
ALEKSANDRS

Labrit/ Morning, dear Neighbor SAMUEL CHANCHAN.

I am grateful to You for the subject " Systemic challenges ".  Became a little clearer.

I wish to You & Your family, Your business &  Your homeland good healthy and peace below the roof of the Africa.

 

hyacinth douglas
hyacinth douglas

Firstly projectz given to governments are not adequately s reened/scrutinized to see how local communities are involved in their implementation.

 

Communities should play a great role in the full cycle of project cylcle at all times this triggers volunteerism, community buy in which then results in community playing a greater role in project sustainability and maintenance.  This works very well under the UNDP/GEF Small Grants Programme in Jamaica.

 

I also believe that donors and government in establishing their bi- and multilateral agreements should make allowance for  CSOs to directly access funds. For example donors could replicate the grant mechanism of the Global Environmen Facility Small Grants Programme where the GEF channels an amount to the programme directly to CSOs which is having a great impact on the lives of some of our poor and vulnerable people.  This model if replicated my donors no bout will have a greater impact on the lives of these marginalized.

 

Our team stands ready to work with interested partners who wish to come on board.   

Saripalli Suryanarayana
Saripalli Suryanarayana

In relation to India as country,and then the states in the country,there is no

 time for the democratic governments to find the suitability of skills and their 

applicability socially.

Education systems have crossed their out dated boundaries like many of the 

developing and developed countries.The climate change irrespective of how it 

has come is for real.Water storage/enhanced technology for water availability 

for drinking,for sanitation for farming[irrigation]is an essential feature of these

 times.We have not reached the global systems of Hygiene/public health,thus 

needing more monies and man power for over seeing such.

Employment in IT systems in Agriculture,irrigation,farming,Dairy and other 

related likelihood shall improve the lives of the people with little development of

 skill sets,in farm training also helps.

Dr David Kenneth Waldman
Dr David Kenneth Waldman

Poverty is eliminated when girls obtain opportunity to get educated in STEAM and obtain a career in science. What ever the SDG from climate change to education females educated and positioned to solve social, political, technical, science, economic issues requires both training women and girls to become scientists and social scientists. I support and have spoken at the UN International Annual Day of Women and Girls in Science. To solve the challenges my colleagues are posting requires concrete specific goals in education from Pre K to Graduate school promoting STEAM - Science Technology Engineering Arts and Mathmatics.

Saripalli Suryanarayana
Saripalli Suryanarayana

Dr.David,Yes we need to support gender equality to the extent of William institute representation[LA] regarding,Trans sexual,and other genders as when defined but equally.How ever my point in modern times as an engineer,designer,executioner,and teacher[writer] with 40 years experience is that we are emphasizing too much on mathematics and science.That is confusing the younger generation.That is also driving the productivity out of machines from us because we are giving less importance to engineers and technology.In so much confusion the society is forgetting to label rightly the Information technology and computer sofware applications as a part of mathematics or science.

This is some times advantageous for young engineers who are getting benifitted out of this social confusion,while the aged-are people heading for 60 years are forgotten by the society.

Definitely we need to assess proper learning courses as useful for society.I am sure history has unfolded to us how engineering colleges and Phd were started and universites grew in last 300 years.There shall be revaluevation,reassessment and reincorporation to match the times rather than follow same for next 13 years.We are all for innovation for the 17 nos of SDGs

Fátima Falcão
Fátima Falcão

Gostaria de enfatizar o papel da comunicação democrática para esse debate, sem a qual continuaremos a ser tutelados e a tutelar pessoas nesse debate. Para isso, coloco os tópicos a seguir:

  • Há uma nova demanda surgindo no mundo que parece se sobrepor a todas as outras: a demanda por comunicação transparente e democrática, sem a qual Saúde, Educação e outras necessidades básicas não serão suficientes para o desenvolvimento humano integral. Os movimentos de retrocesso de direitos, evidentes hoje no Brasil e em outros países, aponta para a passividade das pessoas diante de sucessivas ondas autoritárias, que ganham força nos processos de desinformação e são responsáveis por varrer conquistas sociais, sem qualquer esboço de reação por parte das populações. Expostas ao que está se configurando como fenômeno da "pós-verdade", as bombas semióticas que obnubilam a visão do quadro social, espalhando se pelas redes digitais e meios de comunicação convencionais, são as novas "napalms" usadas pelos poderes mais conservadores e retrógrados para erradicar sementes das quais possam (re)brotar os valores que sustentam a busca por igualdade de direitos. De nada adiantará garantir direitos se não há consciência formada pela informação e pelo conhecimento, em bases de pluralidade, debate, aprofundamento e participação coletiva. Não deixar ninguém para trás, em suma, é não deixar ninguém sem  garantia a informação aberta, ampla, diversa, debatida, relacional etc.  E o poder da comunicação democrática está na base dos ajustes necessários.
  • Há uma questão de fundo na qualificação de pobres e vulneráveis, sobretudo porque essa vulnerabilidade está associada à tutela dos meios de comunicação ligados aos poderes institucionais, sobre temas relacionados a direitos. Claramente comprometidos com um discurso cada vez mais inverossímil de combate à corrupção, que se revela mais como recurso para a perenização do próprio poder, essas instituições têm pouco interesse em divulgar por exemplo avanços sociais lastreados em políticas públicas eficazes, como compras da agricultura familiar para a merenda escolar, incentivos educacionais gerados por programas de distribuição de renda, etc. No Brasil, com suas dimensões geográficas desafiadoras, o papel das mídias poderia ter sido favorável a esse processo de localização e intervenção na miséria, para o qual é estratégica a existência de cadastros sociais eficientes na identificação e alcance do pobres e dos mais excluídos. Ao contrário, aqui, esse processo sofreu ataques de desinformação, com notícias que desqualificavam os programas ou apontavam problemas passíveis de serem corrigidos, como questões de risco estrutural. 
  • Concordo com Richard Hames em suas colocações sobre o modelo de desenvolvimento humano que estamos pensando e nas mudanças de paradigma necessárias, mas sem uma Comunicação mais aberta, transparente e democrática não teremos acesso à informação para saber coisas como: onde está concentrada a riqueza no mundo? quais mecanismos e instituições protegem e perpetuam a desigualdade?  qual o papel dos governos e da iniciativa privada nesse cenário, quais os limites de e interações entre eles hoje?

 

Saripalli Suryanarayana
Saripalli Suryanarayana

Well authored and appreciable.We are looking at more participatory democracy,which in India we are doing since almost last three years when the new government has come to power.In India we have every thing,people are wealthy,many are earning high.The development is not becoming uniform,and the mind sets are kept back wards,with people show more inclination for a rupee from corrupt practice than 10 rupees earned at the end of day with hard work.This mind set is used by the social and other leaders to show them that they are under developed and needs to remain so.

We have good stream of young engineers in plenty,more Doctors,and para-medicos.But for a small degree of quality control we have plenty of pharmaceutical industries.Our irrigation practices are top,food production is good.But no one dares to come and say but for few cleanliness issues we are well developed and can contribute for the development of other communities and countries.

Well ,you are also right that modern world cannot be so sudden,and robotics,UAV and such can not replace the humans suddenly.Human interface and dialectics [not of karl marx]are essential.

Dr Suma  Parahakaran
Dr Suma Parahakaran

Systemic Challenges and Opportunities in eradicating poverty 

Thanks for the opportunity to enter into this important dialogue. 

 The challenges involved are political, economical and social. These factors have been common  in every Nation. The lack of ethics and values in education is the root of all problems. The assessment procedures in education do not include examining education from the point of view of contribution to societies they live in.   Education insists on providing information, practices to excels in  all field which end in greed and competition. We have neglected teaching children right from the start that  end of education is character  and not means of just making money. The contribution to social processes has been forgotten for a long time.

Today the corporate world is functioning on its own to gain maximum profits. Political, social and environmental factors are ideally doing what they have done for many years. The rise of Online learning institutions, Corporate social responsibility consultancies, and rise of hundreds of NGO's in each country  are alternatives that can be used. Although there are far reaching benefits, all these bodies need financing to run their tasks.

Planning for eradicating poverty : Perhaps funding bodies can look into connecting all the different institutions through education for health, economics and politics through online educational resources and working internships  for tertiary students from the poorest of groups. Civil booths set up to initiate a drive on online learning which educates the poor and provide internships in the corporate world (they are looking for CSR projects anyways).

There are many people who are willing to volunteer for the poor. The  funding agencies have to look for educators, farmers, doctors, businessmen and representatives of the poor to come together to form  different cooperative societies to mobilise education and work through corporate bodies. This will fulfil many of the SGD's long term. 

To add further, the funding bodies are looking for organisations which are ethical and committed. Every NGO has their own agenda and their services are for selected groups. Funding can be provided to educators, agriculturists, businessmen, NGO representatives together for a big project. This integrated approach will help many people in the long run. We can solve issues as many perspectives and information for energy, water, food nexus are obtained.  In addition, social and political perspectives come together. The information  obtained can be used as information for online learning which will help everyone in the long run. Opportunities are many and there are good hearted professionals everywhere. A data of representatives from all fields must be gathered to form a new civil body. A pilot project of this kind will help see new perspectives, new agendas, new systems come in for the benefit of the people, by the people and of the people. 

Regards

Dr Suma 

[email protected]

 

abubaker rashed
abubaker rashed

Attention to education and technical education
We suffer in Egypt, especially in Aswan The south of Egypt
There are few possibilities in technical schools
To teach students maintenance or innovation in different industries
Which is keeping pace with the development in the world
I hope to Attention and support  to technical education in Areas most in need
In southern Egypt we have a high percentage of young people unemployed
After graduating from technical schools Because of poor skill
As a result of not providing a good level of technical education

Falk W Föll
Falk W Föll

Dear Abubaker,
Egypt dedicates all these projects to allow foreign suppliers sell their products instead of Egypt being interested to acquire better technologies and produce them also using domestic resources.
It shows, Egypt gives away the country's potential and funds to have other countries generate surplus added value.
If you go on the following page, please see: http://www.tpegypt.gov.eg/Eng/intinfo.aspx and open the link for "SOLAR ENERGY TECHNOLOGY". There are solutions right in front of you. Egyptian investors and project companies are just too afraid of innovation, they are not used to invest or dedicate capital to widening opportunities. Possibly due to static orientation.
This seems to be the case with most struggling countries. Receiver orientation. No sharing and innovation culture, no interest in enabling and no trust in the improvement of their own potential. Instead, there is only interest in advanced consumption for imported technology, the biggest possible capital drain. Here, a technology provider holds out his hands to work for the interest of investors, projectors, businesses and country, offers his know-how and knowledge and what do stakeholders do? No one tries this technology out. The dedcated involved sums for your Aswan project allows to set out trials. No one dares to go forward.
It is no wonder why there is no enablement or proper capacity building. Yet, there is. It is available. The private sector offers cooperation, solutions. If funds become dedicated for this, it will allow knowledge providers share their knowledge. Why not go for it.

Dr Suma  Parahakaran
Dr Suma Parahakaran

@ Abubaker

I hope you can help the youth in technical education through CSR projects. Contact Corporate companies and seek their help . Bring in staff for technical education together from various countries for online education on a volunteer basis. 

There are many volunteers willing to help! 

Suma

D_RanawatNaruka
D_RanawatNaruka

I am glad that this topic had 'challenges' as well as 'opportunities' in the same sentence, as often these are quite similar in nature. So, thank you for that. I have three points, a bit disjointed but which I feel are important for me when taking part/reading about any such global discussions:

- Firstly, in the case of the UN, during "development"-related (or indeed any other for that matter) discussions, one opportunity which is often missed-out is to make sure that ALL the programmes/agencies/plans related to a particular topic are brought together on the same table. Unfortunately not doing so entails different agencies focusing on the same/very-similar goals but without coordination and resulting in a parochial outcome which does not maximize resources in any way. That is a concern I have each time there is a global/regional/national discussion under the UN spectrum.

- Secondly, gender, environmental protection, and corruption are cross-cutting areas and need to form a prime focus of any development/poverty/security discussion.

- Thirdly, the discussions ought to move forward with a well-defined time-line of taking the recommendations/key-points forward at the various national levels, so as to make sure that the exercise does not become fruitless and relegated to the annals of thick reports which are then just filed away or put on display boards, only.

Thanks.

Patricia Ndjandjo
Patricia Ndjandjo

Hello, i'm glad to contribute to this dialogue.

As we look how to eradicate poverty in Sub-saharian Countries, i share three ideas:

1.The standard 'intelligency empowerment'  should be adopted as a key factor to consolidate in some subsaharian Countries. It's not only a matter of knowing how to read and write but more of this, the ability to move from zero to one or more wealth. So countries should develop 'people's business intelligence' people's level of creativity" 

2. A way to reach the 2030 SDGs in Subsaharaian countries could be the africanisation of know-how; Some African people need to appropriate the know-how in some industrial domain as textile, manufacture... where many could have a decent  and sustainable job.

3. As good practice, international Partner of development should continue their investment in funding children and girls rights, special training to women and youth on business and financial matter.

Thanks.

Patricia

 

 

javier creus
javier creus

We are at a time where we have proved ourselves we can do much more with what we already have through new combinations: Wikipedia serves knowledge demands for 500 million people every month in 190 languages at the fraction of the cost of tradtional enclyclopedias; Car & Ride sharing systems have shown to provide more mobility services for more people without the need to build new cars or roads or more petrol.

If we were able to provide distributed energy and connectivity anywhere in the world through renewables and citizen infrastrustructure anyplace would have the potential to become a place of opportunity. Energy allows shadow, water and thus food production; connectivity provides access to knowledge, education and relationships.

Individual agency should be complemented with guaranteed income (everyone needs income to survive, but the're might not be enough jobs to provide it through work) and freedom of movement.

 

that would be systemic change in my opinion,

 

 

thanks,

 

javi

Carlos Alberto Rosito
Carlos Alberto Rosito

Water and Sanitation are main challenges in the way to minimize poverty effects.

To enhance the SDG on the subject , taking any opportunity available, is always interesting.

Soraya El-Deir
Soraya El-Deir

I would like to talk about Brazil, a continental country, with many differents places and cultures. In a south region are more industrialization, a significant japaneses, chinese, italian and germany communities. In a north and northeast, have some agriculture and a significant percentual of population poverty, special in the semiarid region. There, where I development some reseach, the goverment are tryins to increase the quality of life for this population. 

With social tecnologies, many non governamental organizations are working to and with the tradictional populoation of familiar agriculture and artesanal fishers.

Viviane Martins
Viviane Martins

Key factors in ensuring flexibility and policy space to address poverty remains to be important. Not every policy will be perfect on its own. Assuring continuous monitoring and follow up on the overall results of its implementation becomes necessary. Also, the possibility of amending a policy will ensure benefits of evolvement and accordance. Some ways in which the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) and the 2030 agenda may contribute for poverty reduction are multiple. For example, partnering with non-profit organizations by allocating funds to its specific purpose. Also, partnering with government accounts and establishing new innovative policy making discussed here. The positive cooperation among these multiple branches will make the step of theories to become realities. In the international realm, there is the concept of “level playing field” which is about fairness, a situation in which everyone has a chance of success. Through global partnerships this becomes possible because it connects the needs to possibilities, whether in the debt sector, technology, trade, etc. More and more we live in a world of interchange, we need each other in an individual level as well as global one. When talking about policy frameworks, right-based and gender sensitive approaches in eradicating poverty, there are practices that may be implemented. For example, the LGBT community has long been waiting for a sign that represents them in the bathroom. Is it a human right? Yes it is. Another important practice would be to create classes in every school, explaining our human diversity, from different skin colors to different sexual orientation, educating kids on this topic from a young age and repeating such class during college years. Part of eradicating poverty comes to the realization that we are all one, and there should be no room for segregation, prejudice and racism. Investing in human capital is a cornerstone to any enduring and effective nation. A diverse and inclusive environment is necessary in order to attain successful and balanced democracies.

Vinicius Pinheiro
Vinicius Pinheiro Moderator

Summary of Week 1 (22 -26 March 2017)

I would like to thank all of the respondents for offering your perspectives on this important topic of addressing systemic challenges and opportunities in eradicating poverty. The discussion broadly addressed issues concerning the current global economic paradigm, inequality, role of financial markets, the future of work and technology, social protection, education, and the role of civil society. This is a brief summary of the highlights from the first week’s discussion.

Question 1: What are key factors in ensuring national flexibility and policy space to address poverty? What are successful strategies for preserving this policy and fiscal space in the context of economic, social or environmental shocks?

There was a need to consider the multiple dimensions of poverty including a review of the theoretical, historical and policy perspectives. In particular, greater efforts were needed to understand the cause of global abject poverty which affected some 4.3 billion people as well as a need to understand the constraints of the current economic paradigm upon which the SDG’s were to be obtained. Such constraints included the effects of post-colonialism, accumulation and concentration of material wealth among top recipients, the effects of tax evasion, dubious arbitrage, and trade treaties that benefit the top wealth recipients.

Questions were raised about the connections between capitalism and poverty and the need to address the underlying constraints of the current global economic system. It was noted that the steady transfer of wealth from producers to owners was one of the root causes of inequality. The theory that economic gains would “trickle-down” to poorer members of society, creating new opportunities for the economically disadvantaged to attain a better standard of living, was disproven.  For far too long, economic growth and free market policies have overshadowed the needs of citizens, poor citizens in particular. A more equitable approach was needed. By reinventing a new economic system and by changing a few constraints in the current system, all citizens could decide that poverty was unacceptable.  Towards this end, some guiding questions must be considered:

  • How can we create an inclusive economic system that works for everyone irrespective of their status, gender, ethnicity or education?
  • How can we shift from an extractive paradigm that threatens the survival of humans as well as other species to a more generative one nurturing all life?
  • As intellectual and physical labour both draw near to extinction how should we reconfigure the relationship between work and play such that leisure, creative endeavours, and the orchestration of social experiences, are able to replace drudgery as legitimate and vital symbols of human actualisation?

Question 2: What are some ways in which the SDGs and 2030 Agenda may contribute towards strengthening the international enabling environment for poverty reduction in key priority areas, such as decent work, social protection floors, globalization and trade, infrastructure, post-conflict reconstruction and climate change, including through development cooperation and multi-stakeholder partnerships?

Good governance was highlighted as one of the core areas for creating an enabling environment conducive for rolling out effective development programmes. NGOs had an important role to play in helping to implement such programmes including in monitoring progress. There was also a need to ensure more scrutiny over development projects to ensure they respond to local needs. Volunteerism, local authorities, and civil society could play an important role in ensuring effectively tailored programmes. An example of a holistic systemic approach to sustainable development has been developed by the Global Ecovillage Network (GEN).

Jobs are being rapidly transformed. It was important to remain vigilant about the implications of what the future of work may entail, including challenges associated with the disappearance of jobs due to technological advancements. Efforts were needed to redesign the viability of how wealth was produced and shared. This would require recasting the very notion of work and its place in society. Social protection policies would become more important as jobs were transformed or phased out. Policy makers may need to consider providing a universal basic wage in order to respond to labour market transformations and in order to reduce global inequities that perpetuate poverty. Furthermore, many communities required greater access to and knowledge about finance and entrepreneurship.

Greater attention was also needed to enhance opportunities for technical education. Very few possibilities exist for receiving technical education in many developing countries. Lack of technical education has contributed to higher levels of unemployment in many countries due to severe skills mismatches. Increased opportunities for education and training were possible due to the rise in online learning institutions. Connecting institutions that provide online learning with opportunities for internships and volunteering could help strengthen skills development and employment opportunities for poor or marginalized members of society.

Question 3: Is a “level playing field” in international trade, debt, technology and knowledge possible through global partnerships for poverty eradication? If so, how? If not, why not?

There was great potential for strengthened partnerships to eradicate poverty. At the national level, governments should engage much more closely with civil society organizations to ensure more effective monitoring and review of development programmes. It was proposed that donors and recipient countries consider establishing bilateral or multilateral agreements with civil society organizations so they can directly access such development funding sources. For example, donors could replicate the grant mechanism of the Global Environment Facility Small Grants Programme where the GEF channels an amount to the programme directly to CSOs.  This approach was having a great impact on the lives of some of poor and vulnerable people and therefore, should be replicated.

Question 4: What are best practices in implementing policy frameworks and rights-based and gender-sensitive approaches in eradicating poverty?

Many respondents agreed that in any discussion about poverty, cross-cutting issues such as gender, environment, protection, and good governance must be considered.

There was a strong emphasis on the need to ensure women and girls were prioritized in poverty eradication programming. Poverty was eliminated when girls obtained an opportunity to get educated in science, technology, engineering, arts and math (STEAM) and obtain a career in science. Whatever the SDG, females educated and positioned to solve social, political, technical, science, economic issues required both training women and girls to become scientists and social scientists.

Silvia Flores
Silvia Flores

Los Proyectos e Implementación de Procesos, para Alcanzar los Objetivos, Sobre politicas Concretas Sobre erradicación de la Pobreza, deberan Ser seguidos y medidos eficazmente y paralelamente en Tiempo y obtencion de Resultados; asi la Evaluación y la Inspección Cumplen ONU Cada Vez Más rol significativo de Los Mismos, en Territorio, Con: actores pertenecientes a las Organizaciones de la sociedad, Trabajando, coordinando, ONU Hacia civiles Mismo Norte; Para Que ésto suceda, deberan Las Organizaciones Internacionales deberan Estar Más involucrados con el ECOSOC partir de la: Comunicación, Participación activa de las Mismas en formación y efectuar: Acciones, provocando Situaciones de Mejora, párr LUEGO Medir su Impacto en la sociedad local.

Louisa Eikhomun Agbonkhese
Louisa Eikhomun Agbonkhese

Poverty wears a woman's face and women are made poorer in my country Nigeria from structural violence and discrimination either as an act or as an omission. Girls who cannot access quality education end up poorer in life, women who do not have access to micro credit as farmers, artisans, traders will continue to navigate from one vulnerability to another. Government that cannot promote gender equality has no plans for women empowerment as well. As gender gaps continue to widen for women and girls continue to live below poverty. Discriminatory policies promote poverty and endangers the achievement of Agenda 2030. To achieve goal one of the SDGs, there has to be policies that promotes gender equality, labour policies reform, domestic and unpaid care work of women. Sexual and reproductive health of women must be addressed. High cost of sanitary pads has seen more girls becoming unhealthy with an alternative of rags while condoms are given out freely meanwhile monthly menstrual cirlce is not a choice. Female disinheritance, taboo on land ownership for women can only be eliminated with policies and  enforcement. With the right policies to promote economic empowerment and affirmative action on women and girls empowerment will ensure the eradication of poverty.

ALEKSANDRS
ALEKSANDRS

 Labrit/ Morning, dear Mr. VINICIUS PINHEIRO & C*.

Thanks You for the honor to speak openly with the goodwill of neighbors from all over the world.

The first, I beg Your pardon, I do not understand in this theme phrase " SYSTEMIC CHALLENGES " /?!/.

Secondly, OPPORTUNITIES in ERADICATING POVERTY are: 1/. Declare the week / month, year,... / SILENCE on the our GLOBE. This is a prerogative and honor only for the UN ! In the silence of the easiest to think about the any problems eradication. After all, our ancestors could agree on a general cessation of bloodshed in the Olimpic year. 2/. Today We are sad to see, how racism and slavery did not go anywhere from a lot of our " democratic societies ", but continues to dance with the nationals laws. Results: corruption & poverty and so on. Remember: racism was outlawed in the South Africa in the 80s of the 20th century. And this action was done by the government of the state

Racism has not future and any deal with racism is a serious crime against the childhood of our time !

There are only privet opinion of person, who hate any form of racism.

I beg Your pardon, dears, if may be I have some mistake.

 

 

 

 

Jnfer Rvra Mlna
Jnfer Rvra Mlna

Es importante asumir con responsabilidad y compromiso el trabajo y contribución de las comunidades en salvaguardar la soberanía y seguridad alimentaria de sus pueblos... un pueblo hambriento es un pueblo sin oportunidades de perpetuar en el tiempo... por eso considero que es importante que quienes trabajamos como gestores de desarrollo social y en especial del sector rural que es el más directamente implicado en la pobreza extrema, trabajemos de acuerdo al contexto social, cultural, económico y ambiental de estas comunidades, pues la mayoría de las veces desarticulamos los proyectos de la realidad de estos lugares y lo que se hace en muchos casos es profundizar la herida y agudizar la pobreza. Es importante rescatar los saberes ancestrales de estas comunidades y adaptarlos al contexto actual, trabajar con programas de uso, manejo y conservación de sus recursos naturales y establecer en conjunto con las comunidades pautas que dinamicen estos procesos... se le debe dar urgente prioridad a la investigación con acción participativa porque es importante que se promueva el empoderamiento de las comunidades respecto a su autogestión y desarrollo y evitar sesgos de imposición de supuestas ayudas que terminan en paternalismos y conjugan aún más el problema...

Rodrigo Gouveia
Rodrigo Gouveia

I would like to address, mainly, the fourth question of best practices in eradicating poverty, particularly regarding the role of co-operatives in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. My remarks are on behalf of the International Co-operative Alliance, a NGO in consultative status with the UN ECOSOC.

Co-operatives are owned and democratically controlled by their members, that amount to more than 1 billion worldwide. They secure the livelihoods of more than 250 million people by providing decent jobs and/or being their main source of income. They are a powerful force in the economy of many countries with combined annual revenues of more than USD 2.5 trillion.

Co-operatives are values-based and people-centered enterprises that can be major contributors to eradicating poverty, providing food security and decent employment, ensuring gender equality and women empowerment, protecting the environment and to implementing many other SDGs.

Several characteristics of co-operatives make them particularly adept to provide opportunities for all, without discrimination and leaving no one behind:

  • Membership is open and voluntary, allowing the participation of otherwise excluded groups in different contexts (e.g. women, low-income populations, indigenous people, people with disabilities, etc.);
  • Members are owners but not investors, which allows co-operatives to provide goods and services that fit the needs and aspirations of members without the expectation of profit maximization;
  • Rooted in local communities means that co-operatives don’t de-localize and that the benefits generated by their activity stay in those local communities;
  • Direct ownership improves overall participation and democratization of citizens, opening opportunities in other spaces outside the co-operative movement.

Examples of the work co-operatives are doing to advance the SDGs can be found in the online platform ‘Coops for 2030’ (www.coopsfor2030.coop).

Given co-operatives’ vocation to include people in a democratic and non-discriminatory way, we believe that these should be highlighted as good practices and, as much as possible, they should be disseminated, incentivized and reproduced.

Rodrigo Gouveia

Director of Policy

International Co-operative Alliance

Dr. Abdulghany Mohamed
Dr. Abdulghany Mohamed

 

Thanks Rodrigo for highlighting the ongoing need to promote cooperative enterprises as part of effective strategies in attaining the SDGs. As someone who was previously and directly involved in promoting producer, consumer and workers’ cooperatives in Africa for about a decade (1976-1986) I wholeheartedly agree with you that well run and effectively supported cooperatives have the potential to enhance the efforts of disparate communities in achieving the SDGs in the best way they may deem socially desirable, technically feasible and economically viable.  

Moreover, I am glad you raised the issue of cooperatives because I believe this is an opportune moment to reflect on the post-2012 achievements in promoting cooperatives (i.e., successes realized so far and challenges still faced) by multilateral/global institutions, governments at national and sub-national levels, as well as the cooperative movement worldwide (i.e., after the UN declaration of the Year of Cooperatives). Perhaps, the ILO Recommendation 193 could form the basis of such a look back.

With Kind Regards,

Abdulghany Mohamed, PhD

 

 

Lal Manavado
Lal Manavado

Does Our Conception of Poverty Allows its Eradication?

 

In my debut in this new version of this forum, I would like to begin with a question, which I think, will have maor influence on all our efforts to eradicate poverty.

 

As far as I know, every discussion of poverty assumes that it manifests itself as some physical deprivation like hunger homelessness, inability afford something else, etc. No dobut, this are some instantiations of poverty, but is this fragmented approach inclusive enough?

 

Then, we go on to do our best to address one or more of those manifestations of poverty by targeting the poor for our efforts. Is this not an act of palliation, rather than treating the underlying disease?

 

Why do not we  devote a little more effort to identify the root causes of this social ill, and undertake actions to remove them foom our midst, while providing  palliative help to the suffering millions?

 

I believe I have correctly identified the causes of poverty, and the most important of them spring from a few motives that are wide-spread. Perhaps, I'll come back with my analysis  a little later on.

 

Best wishes!

 

Lal Manavado.

Sherna Alexander Benjamin
Sherna Alexander Benjamin

There must be a global as well as the country-specific definition of poverty. One cannot aim to eradicate something which is not clearly defined. Without a global or national definition to guide policy each country will be battling to truly develop programmes to eradicate poverty, countries may also use poverty eradication funds for other purposes which it may think is more relevant.

Governments all have a different concept of poverty, its causes and ways to reduce it, some may understimate the lived realities of those who are living in gross indigent poverty, others, formally blame the individuals for creating their own poverty and some may say the strongest among the poor will survive as it is survival of the fittest.

If the refusal through subtle or open forms to address and eradicate poverty is not condemed and action sought then poverty will continue.  Encouraging each country to establish a national definition of poverty guided by an international definition is key in eradicating poverty.

 The capitalist structuring of many economies and countries continues to bring some imbalance in the economic diversification of countries where the wealth of many nations continue to circulate among the elite and many citizens receive drops or nothing at all. This imbalance can lead to inequality, injustice, discrimination and poverty. While national policies around poverty eradication are needed these policies must also have a local component or context as implementing poverty reduction programs from a national level, individuals and communities at the micro and mezzo levels will undoubtedly be left behind. 

Policies need to be directed to the systems on the ecological map, they must be locally or Borough-specific as each borough has a different culture, and also holds a different view of poverty, deprivation and indigent poverty, each local borough has different strengths, power and weakness. The Borough-specific poverty reduction policies can be linked to the national poverty reduction policies this way success can be measured accurately, programmes can be achievable and persons living in poverty or indigent poverty can become empowered. 

Many races especially persons of African Descent are still experiencing the consequences of slavery which continue to hinder the progress of many families of African Descent in the Caribbean Diaspora there is inequality, accessibility to economic advantages, academic goals, social exclusion and individual exclusion and the cognitive patterns of learned helplessness continues to foster powerless families, social and economically deprived communities among people of African Descent social and geographical environments of indigent poverty increases each year.    

There must be an international partnership to combat and prevent poverty, international trade can increase individual country production where goods and services is concerned developing small and medium size business and opening up international trade opportunities, implementing policies to reduce or write off country debts and incorporating an exchange of services, human resources, university graduates internship programmes and other services which can be incorporated into the debt reduction or write off agreements. Technology is crucial in this area of poverty eradication as it can be used to effectively measure citizens responses to programmes, bring awareness, capture data, educate, lobby and push for change and aid in the reduction of poverty. 

Knowledge sharing partnerships are essential as countries and organisations which implemented programs and policies which yielded some measure of success those countries can share information, as well as some of the hindrances, countries which are combatting severe poverty issues, can also share their information and request help. 

International partnerships, public-private partnerships with civil society included must be developed, governments and international organisations must truly understand the role of civil society and devise ways to work closely with Civil Society organisations and to engage them in the process of change.

 

 

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Claude NKOYA
Claude NKOYA

Eradiquer la pauvreté est un défi pour des nations les moins avancées comme mon pays. A première vue cela parait difficile compte tenu de l'immensité du territoire et du nombre de pauvres. En RD Congo, on compte plus de 70 pourcent de pauvre, donc ceux qui vivent sous le seuil d'1 dollar américain par jour. Mais néanmoins en considérant les potentialité que regorge ce pays, ce défi peut être relever en peu de temps et peu de moyens financiers. Il suffit seulement de mettre en place de politique agricole simple et construire de route de desserte agricole. Par politique agricole, la plus simple serait par exemple la mise en disposition des paysans des tracteurs agricoles, de semences améliorées. En tout cela il faudra que cela se passe par des partenaires sociaux tels les ONG sous surveillance des représentants locaux de l'Etat. Il viendra par la suite que ces populations auront des emplois stables et l'Etat organisera des marchés locaux et ou internationaux pour permettre les échanges et aussi inciter les investissement pour la transformation et conservation des produits agricoles. 

Thamsanqa Robert Ncube
Thamsanqa Robert Ncube

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development callsvon usvto develop holistic and integrated responses to many many social, economic and environmental challenges we face. This means reaching out beyond traditional boundaries and creating effectiness, cross - sectoral partnerships. A sustainable future for all is about human dignity, social inclusion and environmental protection. It is a future where economic growth does not exacerbate inequalities but builds prosperity for all, where urban areas and labour markets are designed to empower everyone and economic activities communal and corporate, are green - oriented. Sustainable development is a belief that human development cannot happen without a healthy planet. Embarking upon the new SDG agenda requires all of us to reflect upon the ultimate purpose of learning throughout life. Because, if done right, education has the power like none else to nurture empowered, reflective, engaged and skilled citizens who can chart the way towards a safer, greener and fairer planet for all. This new report provider relevant evidence to enrich these discussions and craft the policies needed to make it a really for all.

Thamsanqa Robert Ncube
Thamsanqa Robert Ncube

Sustainable development a strategy for people, planet and prosperity. Firstly, the urgent need for new approaches. On current trends only 70% of children in low income countries will complete primary school in  2030, a goal that should have achieved in 2015. We need the political will the policies, innovation and the resources to buck this trend. Secondly, if we are serious about SDG4, we must act with the sense of heightened urgency, and with long - term commitment. Failure to do so will not only adversely affect education but will hamper progress towards each and every development goal poverty reduction, hunger eradication, improved health, gender equality and women's empowerment, sustainable production and consumption, resilient cities and more equal and inclusive societies. Lastly, we must fundamentally change the way we think about education and its role in human well - being and global development. Now , more than ever, education has a responsibility to foster the right type of skills, attitudes and behavior that will lead to sustainable and inclusive growth.

Saripalli Suryanarayana
Saripalli Suryanarayana

I am happy to share this from,"William Brieger via Knowledge Gateway" <[email protected]>http://blogs.biomedcentral.com/on-health/2017/04/05/impact-beyond-the-neglected/?utm_campaign=shareaholic&utm_medium=twitter&utm_source=socialnetwork

The inclusion for the first time of the target to “end the epidemic of the Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) by 2030” has energized the NTD community which has been fighting for decades to protect the most marginalized populations and leave no one behind.

The NTDs are a diverse group of viruses, bacteria and parasites that infect hard-to-reach or impoverished populations. While generally not deadly, infections can physically or mentally incapacitate individuals and the global burden is staggering: a recent WHO statistic shows more than 1 billion people are affected worldwide.

In a scoping review published in the Infectious Diseases of Poverty, we look at the interventions that have been leveraged against the NTDs and show how these can contribute to achieving the 17 SDGs.

Take deworming, for example, the process where school-aged children are given essential medicines to rid their body of parasites.

2.Another such is,Visceral leishmaniasis (VL), popularly known as kala-azar, is essentially a disease of poverty. Kala-azar is caused by a parasite, Leishmania donovani. Recent review indicates that worldwide 98 countries are endemic for kala-azar. Approximately 0.2–0.4 million new VL cases occur each year worldwide. More than 90% of global VL cases occur in Bangladesh, Brazil, Ethiopia, India, South Sudan, and Sudan. This trend is slowly changing due to the progress in kala-azar elimination in southeast Asia, where Bangladesh has reported an average of some 600 new cases in 2014−2015. With the advancement in our knowledge about the disease and development of tools to diagnose and treat VL, it was considered that elimination of kala-azar was possible from India, Nepal, and Bangladesh. The three countries signed a memorandum of understanding in 2005 for collaboration.

3.This forum on ICTs in Sustainable Crop Production Intensification (SCPI)
>> of horticulture crop based
>> <http://www.e-agriculture.org/forumtopics/your-understanding-and-experiences-what-role-icts-sustainable-intensification>
 systems (mainly on fruits, vegetables, roots and tubers) is part of a
broader discussion that aims to present the on-going evolution in
agriculture and horticulture as a continuous trend towards the goal to
“produce more with less”

4.Very good initiative-[kudos to the team from the Ukraine CO!]International experts from UNDP Alternative Finance Lab and Terra Hub NGO, who created the concept of Crowdfunding Academy, together with trainers from Spilnokosht Lab.

To be admitted to the Crowdfunding Academy, participants had to provide a strong business case and specify the required investment. The experts have selected the most interesting and socially relevant projects from more than 85 applications from IDP-entrepreneurs. The selected business ideas vary from the production of traditional Ukrainian carpets to interactive mobile application.  Twelve projects, that you can see here, received further support and mentorship in launching the campaigns, creating videos and infographics. Currently 8 of the projects are planning to  launch crowdfunding campaigns on Spilnokosht and the remaining 4 on the Indiegogo crowdfuning platform. Links to all the campaigns once launch will be available on this website.http://cfaukraine.biggggideapartners.com/en/crowdfunding-academy-ukraine-2/ 

Milica Begovic, PhD
Knowledge and Innovation Team Leader
UNDP Istanbul Regional Hub for Europe and the CIS

Vinicius Pinheiro
Vinicius Pinheiro Moderator

Summary of Week 2 (27 March – 2 April 2017)

Thank you all once again for your ongoing and insightful contributions to the e-discussion relating to systemic challenges and opportunities in eradicating poverty. Building on the comments received during week 1, this week’s discussion featured more comments challenging economic theories, provided guidance for more effective partnerships, and achieving gender-sensitive policy frameworks. Below is a brief summary of the second week’s e-discussion.

Question 1: What are key factors in ensuring national flexibility and policy space to address poverty? What are successful strategies for preserving this policy and fiscal space in the context of economic, social or environmental shocks?

  • There were additional comments and views about the need for systemic change in the national policy space, with suggestions for monetary and fiscal reforms to finance the SDGs. One view suggested fiscal policies which combine the teachings of von Hayek and Keynes to allow freedom of markets and enterprises without significant tax burdens. Monetary reform would necessitate a new global or national mechanism for central banks to guarantee a more stable control over the money supply without damage to the economy. 
  • The role of the media was cited as an important mechanism for encouraging civic engagement in government decision making to ensure national flexibility and policy space. One suggestion was that TV and radio should donate free advertising minutes for such causes. New digital apps should also be created to leverage the power of social networks to generate positive social impact. Similar social networks include Avaaz.org and Change.org. On the other hand, it was expressed that new apps would need to be more democratically controlled by the public and not solely by the organizers.

Question 2: What are some ways in which the SDGs and 2030 Agenda may contribute towards strengthening the international enabling environment for poverty reduction in key priority areas, such as decent work, social protection floors, globalization and trade, infrastructure, post-conflict reconstruction and climate change, including through development cooperation and multi-stakeholder partnerships?

  • Some have suggested ways in which the SDG’s and the 2030 Agenda provide partners and policy makers the framework for poverty eradication. One example was by taking advantage of cross-sectoral partnerships to allocate resources like special purpose funds.
  • Some ways in which the SDGs and the 2030 Agenda may contribute to poverty eradication may be achieved by partnering with multistakeholders and non-profit organizations and by allocating funds to for this specific purpose. Also, partnering with government, the private sector and civil society can help create new innovative policies for poverty eradication and connects needs with possibilities on a multitude of issues ranging from debt, technology and trade.

Question 3: Is a “level playing field” in international trade, debt, technology and knowledge possible through global partnerships for poverty eradication? If so, how? If not, why not?

  • When addressing a level playing field, this concept pertained to fairness and allowing a chance for everyone to succeed in life. This could not however, be achieved without a collaborative and coordinated effort by various stakeholders in order to help cultivate knowledge and a conducive environment for policy implementation.
  • A level playing field could also be interpreted as ensuring flexibility and adequate policy space to address poverty. It was acknowledged that not every policy will bring perfect results. Therefore, continuous monitoring and follow up on the overall results of implementation was important, which should not be the sole responsibility of governments.  There was great potential for civil society to participate in such evaluations.

Question 4: What are best practices in implementing policy frameworks and rights-based and gender-sensitive approaches in eradicating poverty?

  • One respondent highlighted the feminisation of poverty which had many other layers including structural violence, discrimination and denial of opportunities. Access to education was an important factor for breaking the poverty trap. Access to microcredit for female farmers and artisans as an example, would help provide a means out of such vulnerabilities that women face.
  • All governments should promote gender equality and have in place appropriate legislation to promote women’s economic empowerment, labour policy reform, domestic and unpaid care work and sexual and reproductive rights. Moreover, there was a need for governments to ensure affordable and universal access to women’s reproductive health services.
  • Challenging the gender norms that perpetuate the feminization of poverty also entails challenging social taboos on female inheritance and land ownership for women, which can be eliminated through affirmative action and with government enforcement of gender-based policies and reforms.  
  • An example from the United States stated that gender-sensitive approaches and human rights were best achieve domestically through a participatory approach and adopted by higher governing bodies. 
  • It was agreed by several participants that investing in human capital was a cornerstone to achieving a healthy and successful nation and a more stable and balanced political system. The intent of a rights-based policy framework was to insure that the objectives of the policies were non-discriminatory and void of ambiguity and implicit biases. Such precautionary measures should be considered prior to policy enactment, allowing officials to thoroughly examine issues in question by conducting feasibility studies and assessments to avoid adverse impacts or unintended consequences
  • When discussing rights-based and gender sensitive policy approaches to eradicating poverty, certain social and educational practices must be considered. One respondent suggested that school officials should provide classes on human diversity and sexual orientation to kids, starting from a young age and throughout their educational curriculum.
Berenice Goelzer
Berenice Goelzer

Thank you for the opportunity to express an opinion.

I would like to say that discussions about poverty and sustainable development never (or very seldom) address the problem of occupational hazards and their prevention. However, this is very relevant. Poor people often work under very unhealthy conditions, get sick and thereafter cannot work anymore becoming even poorer and sometimes even homeless. I have fought for primary prevention in all workplaces for years but this topic has not received its due importance. For this reason I wanted to bring this to the fore, particularly when you mention decent work, whose discussion must involve not only salaries and labour agreements but also hazard prevention and control.

Thank you.

Berenice Goelzer

 

Fran McCrae
Fran McCrae

To reply to the third question on the international enabling environment, I would like to stress the potential of the SDGs and the 2030 Agenda to bring IGOs, governments, civil society, and the private sector (including co-operatives) together in achieving together the shared vision of a sustainable future.

To further strengthen the enabling environment for poverty reduction, the pool of actors involved in partnerships should be widened to include those who make significant impacts in priority areas, but perhaps not on a global scale. By enlarging the scope of engaged actors, smaller organizations like co-operatives can benefit from the recognition of their work to achieve the SDGs and enjoy greater access to finance and more favorable legislative treatment.

Co-operatives are willing and able partners for civil society, governments, and other stakeholders to achieve the SDGs; they need to be included and recognized in legal frameworks in order to have access to partnership opportunities.

Philippe Chichereau
Philippe Chichereau

With regard to this third theme related to systemic issues, I would like to bring a concept that could well be added as a (fifth) principle for development effectiveness, development being seen as having an overarching objective to eradicate all forms of poverty. In that sense my contribution might rather address questions 1 and 2. This is the principle of COHERENCE. The OECD started to go along that way when producing a report (http://www.oecd.org/development/better-policies-for-sustainable-development-2016-9789264256996-en.htm) . However, this should just be a beginning. The examples expressed by some other contributors earlier, such as Richard Hames or Dr.Suma, offered supporting insights.

Looking at this aspect of coherence brings into light a couple of remarks:

  1. The different levels where coherence must exist and be monitored (international, national, sub-national, local) call for different levels of governance. The international level remains the most problematic, and possibly the most impactful in terms of fueling inequalities and hampering poverty reduction (just have a look at the rules of the international financing/banking system, the battle against climate deregulation, the fight against international trafficking, the ambiguous “fairness” of international trade terms, or the effects of conflict on the most vulnerable and displacement/migration). Because of their lower resilience poor population will also suffer more than well-off and better prepared ones, the same applies to their environment. What is historically and conceptually clear is that poverty reduction does not come from more growth as materially measured today. It comes from will and social policy changes. The SDGs may give an opportunity to go in that direction (as they suggest positive things to do as well as obstacles to remove), but achieving all of them is not supported by a nice world-wide Theory of Change. And will the little indicator 17.14: “Enhance policy coherence for sustainable development” be enough to ensure that the right questions to the right people will be put forward?

 

  1. Developing/conceiving the right things to do (the What) does not seem to be the most difficult aspect. Examples of development practitioners are ample, as rich contributions to this webinar witness. The most difficult part is the “How to” ensure that peoples and planet go in the same direction, in a coherent manner. This goes back to the governance system, especially at the global and national levels and the way it pilots this coherence (and the situation around the Syria region shows how far away we are from some coherence). Leaving to political anthropologists, inter alia, the care of delineating this “How to”, my point would be to emphasize the importance of having a strong, and therefore a stronger and more visible, and independent, monitoring system of the coherences/synergies and incoherencies of development and anti-development activities in the fight against poverty. This should be a role that the United Nations should be allowed to play (as a leader or a facilitator) better.

 

I thank you for your attention, and for this interesting webinar.

Khalil Nasr
Khalil Nasr

First of all , Thank you so much for giving us the chance to express ourselves and feel that we are not alone and that there are other people on the other side of the globe who care for us as well as sharing our  problems ,It is really a great honor to be here today ,sir .

I completely agree with the criteria which your highness mentioned in your questions as the main elements to eradicate poverty such as technology , international trade , good work ,education .....etc .

However  In my point of view working out a solution to poverty as well as eradicating it will work better if we consider the main reasons of having poor people in the 21 st century .

 1- I don't think it would be possible to eradicate poverty unless all countries especially the ones which have the Vito in the UN ,exert sincere efforts to put an end to the the endless wars and disputes taking place everywhere in the world , such as the Israeli, Palestinian one .

2- Moreover I think if the UN can do something to eliminate the illegal weapons trade ,then most disputes will come to an end as I think that half of the money, spent on arms and weapons can put an end to poverty everywhere in the globe as well as having positive reflection on the disputes and conflicts arising all over the world .

3- Helping under developing countries to achieve democracy as well as getting ride of corruption .

4- Facing drug trade bravely .

5- Facing racism and imperialism bravely as some progressed countries have conflicts and make bad use of other peoples to achieve their own agendas  ,instead of stopping wars ,they wage disputes and conflicts everywhere to dominate different parts of the world . They keep their peoples safe inside and try new weapons on poor peoples .

To sum up as long as there are conflicts ,wars , illegal weapons trade , drug trade ,misusing poor peoples  and creating disputes for imposing domination over certain areas everywhere in the globe , there will be more and more poverty , aggression,injustice and corruption . THEREFORE the UN , though  I appreciate its great roles and efforts in settling peace and carrying out numerous projects everywhere ,needs to carry out more responsibilities bravely to put an end to the above issues .We hope so . 

Thank you for your appreciated and great efforts , care ,patience and attention .May God rewards us all with everlasting peace ,better understanding and strong ties among nations ,civilizations  and religions  .

ganlin ye
ganlin ye

Thanks for the opportunity to enter into this important dialogue.

I am replying concisely to the question: "What are best practices in implementing policy frameworks and rights-based and gender-sensitive approaches in eradicating poverty?"

However, I am sorry, because of the limitations of language, I can only participate in the discussion in Chinese. Hope to tolerate me; I hope that my speech in our team can attract attention; can pay attention to "women can stand up and urinate" facts and opportunities .Thanks!.

 

以前女性只有两种姿势——“蹲或坐”进行小便,所以常会遇到困难、尴尬并损害着她们的健康和尊严。

现在随着社会的进步,“站立小便导流器(Standing Urine Guider) 或简称“导流器 (Urine Guider)的出现,使用它,女性有了第三种姿势——站起来小便的姿势(以后简称站起来),使以前的困难,诸如女厕排长队、座便池交叉感染、在老弱病孕小时的下蹲难等都能较好的得以解决。从此女性可以有了三种选择,将大大增加她们的幸福指数,提高她们的工作效率,增加她们参加各项活动的自信心和积极性。

女性站着小便是科学发展和社会进步的产物,同时它也会回馈社会,最直接的就是促进了“便民和可持续发展的新式厕所网”的出现。这不仅使女性如厕易,也使国家建厕易、管厕易,可以多建厕所,男士也同样如厕易,真是利国利民;这是我们这一代人、特别是女性的机遇和对社会的贡献。

(请参看女性解放与社会进步http://a2.qpic.cn/psb?/V12wBkiR1cXXPu/ogIjCKxQcsJkn*HloKqTkmfYzugqVBXqUkfU8YEHFao!/b/dAkuNGETDAAA&bo=OQIgAwAAAAABAD8!&rf=viewer_4)

短短的十几年,已经有二十多种导流器问世,其发展速度之快,表明“女性站起来”的不可逆转之势。

但是,新事物的阻力很大:已经会站起来的女性常受到歧视、谩骂和被边缘化;有些错误意见维护着传统的、落后的习惯势力、阻止或延缓着女性站起来的进程、挫伤女性追求幸福生活的积极性和行动力、阻碍着社会可持续发展的进步、有的错误意见甚至出现在政府的正式文件中,危害更为严重。这都可能发展成打老婆、离婚等恶性事件。比如:

  1. 有的人说:“女性站着小便是羞、无耻、不要脸。”
  2. 有的人说:“女性站着小便是脑子有问题。”
  3. 有的人说:“女性站着小便是变态。”
  4. 有的人说:“女性站着小便会使女性男性化。”
  5. 有的人说:“女性站着小便是违反自然规律。”
  6. 有的人说:“女性站着小便是违反了女人的天性。”
  7. 有的人说:“如果我的老婆敢站着小便,我就跟她离婚,像男的一样,我怕。”等等。

以上这些“天性论”和“羞耻论”等的言行必须清除。但它们是长期形成的,有普遍性和顽固性的特点,所以我建议:

  1. 制定法规维护女性站起来的权益:强调女性有采用“站、蹲或坐”的任何一种姿势小便的自由。
  2. 加强宣传和提倡工作:宣传站起来小便的方法和好处;树立和宣传站起来的先行女士,作为榜样;鼓励行政的和民间的志愿者在线上和线下进行宣传工作。
  3. 为女性站起来提供工具和方便:生产导流器和建新式厕所,帮助、等待和支持女性站起来。

“21世纪是女性站起来的世纪!” 我们能参与这个几千年一遇的工作,是我们的幸运。

更多的请看:2011WTO论文 “从人类发展过去、现在和未来的角度,探讨厕所将何去何从?” http://user.qzone.qq.com/369121565/blog/1341414862

谢谢!

叶甘霖     [email protected]

  

IAFN
IAFN

In outlining their national reviews, last year countries reported voluntarily on the achievements toward implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, including how they have integrated the SDGs in national development plans and strategies, and the overarching challenges they faced in the process. It was inspirational to see the steps that countries are already taking to implement all 17 Goals. Given the cross-cutting role of agriculture in national development, it is important that all volunteering countries present clear and concise reporting that ensures that food security, nutrition, poverty reduction, rural investment and sustainable agriculture are highlighted and receive the high-level of attention that is commensurate with their impact on national security and sustainable development. By providing reliable and disaggregated data, the National Voluntary Reviews can help all stakeholders plan new strategies and elaborate ever more effective means of pursuing a world free from hunger, underpinned by food security and proper nutrition. The Private Sector hopes there will be greater attention to and stronger discussions of agriculture, nutrition and food in the context of HLPF 2017.  This is a critical time to ensure that all stakeholders are taking the first steps to leave no one behind and moreover, that no one is left hungry. We would therefore encourage submissions that provide concrete information on the problems faced in pursuing and achieving food security, with a special focus on poverty in rural areas and on the most vulnerable, including women, youth, indigenous people, and the aging. The business community stands ready to support Governments at local, national and international level, to fully use the potential of the Forum as the central follow-up and review platform. Private sector actors have already undertaken many projects aimed at furthering the implementation of the SDGs, and have attempted to incorporate them into their operations. In addition, several large-scale coordination initiatives have been developed, such as the Global Business Alliance for Agenda 2030, to ensure that these contributions remain as relevant and coherent as possible. Projects must include all voices, including those of women, youth, indigenous peoples and the elderly. In order to be successful, farmers and SMEs (small and medium enterprises) must be included in policies and programmes at every stage, from development to implementation. Crosscutting challenges require holistic solutions at the nexus of development issues that create positive impacts at several levels.

For more information please visit: http://agrifood.net/documents/sustainable-development-goals/214-hlpf-position-paper-1/file.

Rasha Elmahdi
Rasha Elmahdi

 

High poverty rate most of the time associated with political instability or in many cases conflicts, high level of social inequalities including gender inequalities as well corruption and bad governance. Addressing the whole package will be the only way to reduce the poverty rate in most cases. Addressing the socio-cultural aspects of poverty and how poverty affect different population segments differently should be the core of any developmental policies or plans at national or local levels.  

The political commitment towards implementing the global agenda as well as the national development policies is very important. Having policies based on accurate and honest segregated data about poverty and its correlations may help donors and national planners in addressing the problem properly.

BELLINI Béatrice
BELLINI Béatrice
  • What are key factors in ensuring national flexibility and policy space to address poverty? What are successful strategies for preserving this policy and fiscal space in the context of economic, social or environmental shocks?

We we have to change our business models to integrate social and environmental aspects in decision process. Today,  in all business school around the world, we teach to decide basing on economic factors only. We do not have specific course in corporate social responsability and sdg because it is like greenwashing: all professors in finance, marketing, strategies... have to deal with that: it is their responsability. We lack of tools so please develop specific programme and integrate business and Management experts in team and not only economic experts. 

Régia Estevam Alves
Régia Estevam Alves

Systemic challenges and opportunities to eradicate poverty:

First, it is impossible to think of eradicating poverty without first thinking about eradicating political corruption, investing in quality education, public health and job opportunities.

- Corruption:

The eradication of political corruption that is increasingly increasing globally. But, we also need to think of other forms of corruption, not just politics, as this makes wealth concentrated in the hands of few people.

- Education:

Ensure free access to quality education for all in a fair way, especially for the poorest. Reformulation of the current model of education is necessary in many poor countries where the child or young person has no incentive to continue in school. This would be an opportunity to improve the educational system by adopting educational systems that worked. We must ensure that all children have access to education from school to university without interruption. For this, it is also necessary to prepare good teachers, it is necessary to guarantee quality education, access to school food, access to health services in school.

- Public health:

It is necessary to review the best public health systems and apply them in countries where there is no such type of service. This requires investment by each country and a better awareness of both the political and civil society that it is important to make public access to public health absolutely free of charge to the entire population. The choice, acceptance and application of a totally free and quality public health system is perhaps a slow and bureaucratic process depending on the country, on government. However, it is necessary to raise awareness of a sense of union of society for its own benefit in this question. In many poor countries the development of science is precarious and this demands more government investment for the training of health professionals for the development of medicines and on health equipment. The challenge is how to reformulate it according to the reality of each country. So, on this issue, I think the opportunity would be investment in education and science.

- Job opportunities:

In many poor countries there is a lack of work. There are few options for work and this makes people unable to get out of misery or opt for illegal work, or even slave labor. There are many countries where it is possible to invest in agriculture or even industries because it has the potential for this. However,  lack of incentive local government. There is lack of skilled labor. Many have a small country estate but do not know how to work on it. Or what to plant on this land. Or do not have the money to start a business, be it the cultivation of a food, the raising of cattle, or the creation of a trade. It is complicated for those who live in misery to get out of misery without help. The challenge is to make this help reach everyone. The challenge is to overcome differences and unite in a global sense to help each other to eradicate poverty so that no one is left behind. The challenge is to eradicate poverty without affecting natural resources. We all have to look for a fair social equality future for all. We need to get rid of vanities, individual ambitions and look to the next. For the beggar who lives on the street, but we ignore. It is necessary to look at all children equally and try to prepare them to change the future. We are in a position to make the necessary changes to eradicate poverty, but we must overcome the differences. The opportunity, in this question, I think would be to take advantage of what good each place has, the potential of each place, what can be transformed into work opportunity, be it in the city or in the countryside, but in an environmentally sustainable.

Saripalli Suryanarayana
Saripalli Suryanarayana

As an Engineer i am concerned about the modifications in world systems of living and so the order and systems adopted by different sections in their life styles.

1.I went to study why  and how the legal systems were adopted,modified and why they are not still not reaching the poor.The legal systems started went on modifying by induction of technology,to protect state,property,and to punish the guilty.But how do we make the last man have a fair legal system so that what ever means are made available reaches him.

2.I went to study how the policing was started,and who were earlier protected and now what the police have to do in the modern democracies.

3.The currency and Banking of modern times,along with trade,shares and dividends also has its own history,thus paving the countries to have their treasury departments,currency management,and central Banking systems.For connecting the lives of people and mitigating hard ships.

B.As an Engineer,or a professional as we move up the ladder,either by the Peter principle,or if we fallow the Parkinson laws on economics,we need to have the primary knowledge of these items.This is as we learn how to replace a car tyre that has lost air due to puncture.

C.I am enclosing my novels -which cover the hype and lives of developmental managers of international importance.They cover the future technologies also.

Here the fiction novels are free.How ever the assumed technologies can change.

D.When i was talking to transportation engineers they say that-Free ways are 50 years old,and cars are 50 years old-every 50 years the technology changes.Now they are trying to use the Autonomous vehicles and so the systems related to that.

E.YES This is what we are using,changed technology and need to think about future changes that needs to be used in the lives of every one.As is car available in each country to middle class,as is a fridge available for each below mid class in each country,so also the gas stove,the grains and minimum shelter shall be available.

F.I am sure we are in to research to develop materials for housing to stand for 100 years.Houses to have life for 100 years.What we are also developing are good horticulture practices,good storage of available water.Irrigation systems management.Making very good seeds and grains by using genetic technology.

G.We want climate protective methods by reducing carbon emissions,by using alternative energy.Every where we are progressing,and what we need is a good strength of government committed work force and good overseeing citizen councils.Involving NGOs for checks balances is utmost necessity.

 

Mauricio Forero
Mauricio Forero

Innovating ideas and strategies that aim to reduce poverty and inequality must be implemented at the local levels and should contribute to the balance of power in regions and communities. 

The promotion of Democracy and elections offers that window of opportunity to include marginalized and minority groups in voting power, bargaining and participative action. The role of governments is crucial in these activities and lessons learned have shown that they respond more adequately to the social needs.    

However, redistributive outcomes from democratic participation should be managed carefully. In this regard, the participation of civil society groups in the role of reducing poverty requires greater grassroots activism as a space for democratic participation of those who represent marginalized groups.

This exercise in each context could be useful to promote debates about technocratic styles of decision making, that might limit the participation of citizens and their representatives in democratic processes.

Jan Goossenaerts
Jan Goossenaerts

First some considerations regarding the three first detailed questions:

  • Engagement of the local community is a key factor in ensuring national flexibility and policy space - a  public library space in each community can facilitate such engagement
  • One area where SDGs and 2030 Agenda, until now,  contribute very little towards strengthening the international enabling environment for poverty reduction is in the area of the knowledge as a public good - initiatives such as Technology Facilitation Mechanism  remain in the margins. If we don't substantially enhance the knowledge access and conversion in developing countries that will be a huge opportunity missed, and it will be a root cause of failure in delivering the agenda. Public library services in each community can remedy this continuing knowledge provide failure
  • In order for a community to benefit from decent work, a fair share in globalization and trade,  voice in infrastructure priorities and know how regarding infrastructure maintenance, post-conflict reconstruction, development cooperation and multi-stakeholder partnerships, a community should enjoy equal access opportunities to an enormous and dynamic knowledge base - a "digital access enabled" public library in each community can deliver such access.
  • Preserving policy & fiscal space: "digital library" - a normal library - besides being expensive to create and run - can be destroyed in a disaster, for digital library services this risk is much less; actually the digital resources about any community will be an asset for the relief and reconstruction that must follow a disaster.
  • Public library services create a "level playing field" regarding access to knowledge and community engagement - they should be a factor in the communication plans of each and every development initiative with public funds, or from charities - otherwise there will never be a counter-force for the "champion picking spill over" that characterizes development initiatives focused on private sector development - only if public library channels are an integral part of the global partnerships communications, a level playing field will be possible.

Let's now move to the systemic opportunity offered by the internet and public library services:

In order to globally drive "local" action and progress across the area of public library services (& digital content) for sustainable development excellence , I launched an open (pro bono) #2030library requirements engineer case

The #2030library must become an (internet-based) capability for all people (citizens ), business, and government agencies (local authorities), to easily find and access printed or online content that matters to their learning or coping in a sustainable and inclusive manner with the livelihood challenges they face.

Public libraries are both a systemic and universal enabler that is as yet neglected in development planning, yet it is a necessary complement for funding frameworks.

 

Victoria Kayser-Cuny
Victoria Kayser-Cuny

Hello everybody!

To remember Japan and Singapore, after the Second World War, were poor and the two states decided to invest in education and new technologies. Today, their education system and especially mathematics are cited as an example in several international rankings, and they are now "rich" and leaders in their fields. If poverty is to be eradicated, it must begin to create better education. This is the basis of everything in a ecosystem. Good foundations in mathematics are paramount because they have access to several fields such as STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics), finance, business creation etc. 

Governments should invest more in mathematical foundations and STEM education from preschool! More different studies show that logico-mathematical intelligence must be stimulated as early as preschool.

Thanks.

Pradip Dey
Pradip Dey

Dear All,

Good day!

The following observation are being put forth in personal capacity and not in Official capacity.

GHG emission is one concern, hence we need to evaluate the GHG emissions scenario vis-a-vis mitigation and adaptation policies. In dealing with the challenge of climate change we must act on several fronts in a focused manner simultaneously. The National Action Plan in India hinges on the development and use of new technologies. The implementation of the Plan would be through appropriate institutional mechanisms suited for effective delivery of each individual Mission's objectives and include public private partnerships and civil society action. The focus will be on promoting understanding of climate change, adaptation and mitigation, energy efficiency and natural resource conservation. India is a major user of Coal as Industrial fuel and most of the power generation is from Coal (ie Grid Electricity).There is some minute share from Renewable Energy also. At present scenario, the import of coal is more due to shortage , which leads to price hike .Most of the rural people using conventional chulas for cooking with charcoal. Deforestation also affects the Nation on the whole. India, the  largest growing economy after China had already laid foundation on mitigating climate change through following policies and measures: NAPCC(National Action plan on Climate change),JNNSM solar mission with 20 GW of electricity from Solar off/on grid. The entire state ministries are involved to meet this massive target .The other activities in Renewable energy based activities are Promotion  of  biomass, biofuel based Thermal/Electrical System through subsidies .Wind energy had already been a high success mechanism of power generation leading to Zero Emission.

For road transport, the all-out stretch scenario assumes more stringent fuel economy standards for light vehicles, matching European Union CO2 emission standards with a time lag of eight years for cars and 10 years for light commercial vehicles (there are not yet CO2 emission standards for heavy vehicles), and additional CO2 savings from modal shifts. On the supply side, the scenario adds 20 giga-watts (GW) of imported hydro and 20 GW from solar announced in the 2008 National Action Plan on Climate Change, accelerates the reduction of transmission and distribution losses by five years, and provides additional funding for 13 GW of lowest-efficiency coal plants to renovate them ahead of schedule for life extension and to bring their efficiency levels up to those of new plants. There are two sensitivity analyses on the all-out stretch scenario.

Thanks and regards.

 

Sripad Motiram
Sripad Motiram

Broadly speaking, to eradicate poverty, a country has to achieve adequate growth and ensure that this growth does not bypass the poor and other disadvantaged groups. The Indian experience is quite illustrative in this regard - even with high growth, poverty reduction has been inadequate. This is because growth has been biased in favor of the rich and middle-income groups. Growth has also been biased against lower classes and castes (Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes). Women seem to be withdrawing from the labor force in rural areas, and in urban areas, their participation has been low and stagnant. The pattern and quantum of jobs created have been inadequate. In particular, enough number of jobs that can absorb the poor (e.g. in labor intensive manufacturing) have not been created. A large chunk of jobs have been created in the construction sector. The moral of the story is that we cannot assume that growth automatically translates into poverty reduction. Governments should put in place policies that create skills and jobs. Social safety nets and redistributive policies are also important. The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MNREGA) that the previous Indian government initiated was a step in the right direction. Exclusive and/or excessive emphasis on dismantling labor regulations and making it easier to hire and fire labor (particularly without adequate social protection) is the wrong way to go - unfortunately, this is the direction in which current policy discourse is heading in India.