What is Sustainable Development?
Sustainable Development is the organizing principle for meeting human development goals while simultaneously sustaining the ability of natural systems to provide the natural resources and ecosystem services on which the economy and society depends. The desired result is a state of society where living conditions and resources are used to continue to meet human needs without undermining the integrity and stability of the natural system. Sustainable development can be defined as development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Wikipedia
Sustainable development is the overarching paradigm of the United Nations. The concept of sustainable development was described by the 1987 Bruntland Commission Report as “development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. UNESCO
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a collection of 17 global goals designed to be a "blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all. The SDGs set in 2015 by the United Nations General Assembly and intended to be achieved by the year 2030, are part of a UN Resolution called "The 2030 Agenda". The targets and indicators for the SDGs are included in the UN Resolution adopted by the General Assembly two years later on 6 July 2017.
The 17 goals are broad and interdependent. Each of the SDGs has a list of targets which are measured with indicators. The year by which the target is meant to be achieved varies between the year 2020 or 2030, or no end date is given.
There are a total of 169 targets that specify the SDGs. Most of the SDGs have around 8-12 targets (or about 10 on average). Each of these targets has one to four indicators to measure progress toward reaching the targets. In total, there are 231 unique indicators to measure progress.
The 17 Sustainable Development Goals are:
No Poverty
Zero Hunger
Good Health and Well-being
Quality Education
Gender Equality
Clean Water and Sanitation
Affordable and Clean Energy
Decent Work and Economic Growth
Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
Reducing Inequality
Sustainable Cities and Communities
Responsible Consumption and Production
Climate Action
Life Below Water
Life On Land
Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
Partnerships for the Goals.
Africans should increase their agricultural productivity and incomes of small-scale food producers, in particular women, family farmers, fishers, equal access to land, end all forms of malnutrition, address the nutritional needs of adolescent girls, pregnant and lactating women. The aim is to end hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture in our communities.
Globally, people are undernourished, the vast majority of whom live in developing countries. Under-nutrition causes wasting or severe wasting of 52 million children worldwide, it contributes to nearly half (45%) of deaths in children under five – 3.1 million children per year. A study published in Nature concluded that it is unlikely there will be an end to malnutrition by 2030.
Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages, fight communicable diseases, ensure reduction of mortality from non-communicable diseases and promote mental health, end all forms of malnutrition, including achieving, by 2025, the internationally agreed targets on stunting and wasting in children under 5 years of age, and address the nutritional needs of adolescent girls, pregnant and lactating women and older persons, end hunger and ensure access by all people, in particular the poor and people in vulnerable situations, including infants, to safe, nutritious and sufficient food all year round.
double the agricultural productivity and incomes of small-scale food producers, in particular women, indigenous peoples, family farmers, fishers, including through secure and equal access to land, other productive resources and inputs, knowledge, financial services, markets and opportunities for value addition and non-farm employment.
This is the Lagos Food Bank Nigeria, Africa.
Lagos Food Bank is a non-profit, nutrition-focused initiative committed to fighting hunger, reducing food waste and solving the problem of malnutrition through targeted programs that seek to improve nutrition/food intake of pregnant women and their infants who are not able to get the required nutrient during pregnancy and breastfeeding of their babies. This initiative is motivated by compassion to reach out to the poor. Together we can reduce the economic impact of COVID-19 by feeding vulnerable families. Lets join this NGO and many others in supporting vulnerable women, children and families in Nigeria who are suffering from the economic impact and consequences of COVID-19.
There are people in the world so hungry, that God cannot appear to them except in the form of bread.” –Mahatma Gandhi.
Hunger hurts and takes away hope. When hunger pervades a country’s landscape it not only threatens the future of its inhabitants, it hampers their prosperity. In identifying man’s hierarchy of needs, renowned psychologist, Abraham Maslow, put food, water, warmth and rest, as the first basic needs that determine man’s daily actions.
In Nigeria, Africa, millions of people including children are at risk of starving to death. With unemployment put at a staggering 14.2 percent of the population (29 million people), many wake not knowing what to eat and go to bed obviously of where their next meal would come from.
According to United Nations’ World Food Programme, the world faces an unprecedented catastrophe because 20 million people in Nigeria, South Sudan, Yemen and Somalia live on the brink of famine, about 5.2 million people are estimated to be facing hunger in Northeast Nigeria alone due to the protracted insecurity in the region occasioned by Boko Haram insurgency.
Have you wondered why Bill Gate wrote an article, “Why Does Hunger Still Exist in Africa?” In his article, he established that in sub-Saharan African, the number of stunted children was still on the rise, about 12 million since 1990 to 56 million in 2014. The terrible impact of malnutrition in Africa is alarming, the children were not getting enough food to eat, leaving them years behind in their development.
In Africa, billions of people lack basic handwashing facilities at home, making them more vulnerable to COVID-19. Safe hands are critical in preventing the spread of infections diseases. Lets join hands in prioritization of hand hygiene in all parts of the world, mostly in Africa. Hand-washing is one of the best ways to protect yourself and your family from getting sick. Learn when and how you should wash your hands to stay healthy.
Washing hands can keep you healthy and prevent the spread of respiratory and diarrhea infections from one person to the next. Germs can spread from other people or surfaces when you:
Touch your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
Prepare or eat food and drinks with unwashed hands.
Touch a contaminated surface or objects.
Blow your nose, cough, or sneeze into hands and then touch other people’s hands or common objects.
Regular hand washing is one of the best ways to remove germs, avoid getting sick, and prevent the spread of germs to others especially in this COVID-19 pandemic era. Whether you are at home, at school, at work, at the market place, traveling, or out in the community, always practice hand washing regularly.
Avoid close contact with sick patients. Stay home if you’re feeling unwell. Scrub your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds and for goodness’ sake, stop touching your face. By now, you’ve probably heard or seen the advice from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for staving off COVID-19, the viral epidemic ricocheting across the globe. Most cases of the disease are mild, triggering cold-like symptoms including fever, fatigue, dry cough and shortness of breath. To curb the virus’ spread, experts stress the importance of hand hygiene: keeping your hands clean by regularly lathering up with soap and water, or, as a solid second choice, thoroughly rubbing them down with an alcohol-based sanitizer. That might sound like simple, even inconsequential advice. But such commonplace practices can be surprisingly powerful weapons in the war against infectious disease.
All girls and boys must have access to quality early childhood development, care and pre-primary education so that they are ready for primary education and tertiary education. Eliminate gender disparities in education and ensure equal access to all levels of education and vocational training for the vulnerable, including persons with disabilities, indigenous peoples and children in vulnerable situations.
Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.
The UN has defined 10 targets and 11 indicators for SDG 4. SDG 4 targets several thematic issues including free primary and secondary education (target 4.1), equal access to; quality pre-primary education (4.2), affordable technical, vocational and higher education (4.3), increased number of people with relevant skills for financial success (4.4), elimination of all discrimination in education (4.5), universal literacy and numeracy (4.6), education for sustainable development and global citizenship (4.7), build and upgrade inclusive and safe schools (4.a), expand higher education scholarships for developing countries (4.b) and increase the supply of qualified teachers in developing countries (4.c).
Major progress has been made in access to education, specifically at the primary school level, for both boys and girls. The number of out-of-school children has almost halved from 112 million in 1997 to 60 million in 2014. Still, at least 22 million children in 43 countries will miss out on pre-primary education unless the rate of progress doubles.
Eliminate gender disparities in education and ensure equal access to all levels of education and vocational training for the vulnerable, including persons with disabilities, indigenous people and children in vulnerable situations. Children with disabilities face multiple forms of discrimination which leads to their exclusion from society and school. Attitudes toward children with disabilities, as well as a lack of resources to accommodate them, compound the challenges they face in accessing education. While lack of access to school is an issue, an equal concern is the inability of the education system to ensure quality education for children with disabilities.
Quality education is essential for children because they are the future of the world. It's good to update them with writing materials. They are the pillars of a nation, so each and every child must be educated.
Education is a right and NOT a privilege!
Education is not just to read and write but to make use of it for their own advantages and to utilize the knowledge for their growth. It helps countries to grow economically and cherish with prosperity; to live a flawless life. Education is very important for every individual. ensure that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development, including, among others, through education for sustainable development and sustainable lifestyles, human rights, gender equality, promotion of a culture of peace and non-violence, global citizenship and appreciation of cultural diversity and of culture’s contribution to sustainable development. Also, to build and upgrade education facilities that are child, disability and gender sensitive and provide safe, non-violent, inclusive and effective learning environments for all.
Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls. According to the UN, "gender equality is not only a fundamental human right, but a necessary foundation for a peaceful, prosperous and sustainable world." Providing women and girls with equal access to education, health care, decent work, and representation in political and economic decision-making processes will nurture sustainable economies and benefit societies and humanity at large. A record 143 countries guaranteed equality between men and women in their constitutions as of 2014. However, another 52 had not taken this step. In many nations, gender discrimination is still woven into the fabric of legal systems and social norms. Even though SDG5 is a stand-alone goal, other SDGs can only be achieved if the needs of women receive the same attention as the needs of men. Issues unique to women and girls include traditional practices against all women and girls in the public and private spheres, such as female genital mutilation, child marriage etc.
Achieving gender equality will require enforceable legislation that promotes empowerment of all women and girls and requires secondary education for all girls. The targets call for an end to gender discrimination and for empowering women and girls through technology. Some have advocated for "listening to girls". The assertion is that the SDGs can deliver transformative change for girls only if girls are consulted. Their priorities and needs must be taken into account. Girls should be viewed not as beneficiaries of change, but as agents of change. Engaging women and girls in the implementation of the SDGs is crucial.
All girls and boys ought to complete free, equitable and quality primary and secondary education leading to relevant and effective learning outcomes by 2030.
Having access to safe drinking water in developing countries should be prioritized, especially in this COVID-19 era. Imagine the world where every child can access safe drinking water in their communities. Achieving Sustainable Development Goals on Water and Sanitation is important.
Lets ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all. Clean water and sanitation has eight targets and 11 indicators that will be used to monitor progress toward the targets. Most are to be achieved by the year 2030. One is targeted for 2020, the eight targets cover the entire water cycle including provision of drinking water and sanitation and hygiene services, treatment and reuse of wastewater and ambient water quality, water-use efficiency and scarcity, IWRM including through trans-boundary cooperation, protecting and restoring water-related ecosystems, international cooperation and capacity-building and participation in water and sanitation management. The first three targets relate to drinking water supply, sanitation services and wastewater treatment and reuse. Also, to increase water-use efficiency across all sectors and ensure sustainable withdrawals and supply of freshwater to address water scarcity and substantially reduce the number of people suffering from water scarcity.
Immunization in Nigeria are sometimes neglected, children are exposed to measles, tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis and other contagious diseases as most children are not vaccinated. As we pay attention to other things, we must protect children from all manner of diseases in Nigeria.
Immunizations are important for a variety of reasons. By receiving an immunization for a disease, a person defends him or herself against catching that disease. But the benefits do not stop there; society gains a collective immunization as more and more people become immune to a particular disease. Once a collective immunization has been established, once-dangerous diseases can be eradicated.
Immunization helps your child become immune (protected) from diseases like Diphtheria, Hepatitis A and hepatitis B, Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) and influenza (flu), Human papillomavirus (HPV), Measles and mumps, Meningococcus, Pertussis (whooping cough), Pneumococcal disease, such as pneumonia, Polio, Rotavirus, Rubella, Tetanus, Tuberculosis (TB), Varicella (chickenpox) caused by bacteria or viruses. It also helps protect others around him or her. Without immunization, the only way to become immune is to get the disease. This is dangerous because your child can develop medical problems from the disease that may be long-term or difficult to treat. Immunization helps control diseases and prevents them from coming back after they are controlled.
The world has experienced interruption to lives, education and well-being of children in this nation-wide lockdowns. UNICEF is working with gov't and schools to keep children, particularly the most marginalized, learning and not just to reopen schools, but reopen better schools.
Communication is not an aimless thing, it involves the act of speaking/processes which aim at influencing the behaviour of others. SDG 17 enhances the use of technology, information, communications technology and innovation capacity-building mechanisms for developing countries.
SDG 17 is to strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development. Increasing international cooperation is seen as vital to achieving each of the 16 previous goals. Goal 17 is included to assure that countries and organizations cooperate instead of compete. Developing multi-stakeholder partnerships to share knowledge, expertise, technology, and financial support is seen as critical to overall success of the SDGs. The goal encompasses improving North–South and South-South cooperation, and public-private partnerships which involve civil societies are specifically mentioned.
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