This morning amongst all the sport, politics, fashion and whatever else appears in your favoured source of news, did you spot a little announcement about our global annual “Report Card”? The UN has released its 2019 summary of global progress on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which express targets for 2030 in different spheres of human well-being. How are we doing as a global community, in our efforts to end suffering and create opportunity for all?
The UN Secretary-General António Guterres says “We are moving too slowly in our efforts,” and the world needs “deeper, faster and more ambitious response” to meet the goals.
Climate Change and Inequality
This article identifies the most urgent issues as climate change and inequality, saying “Climate-induced disaster disproportionately affects low-income countries and worsen poverty, hunger and disease for the world’s poorest and most vulnerable.”
There is urgent need to transition to a low- or no-carbon emissions global economy, in order to preserve a sustainable habitat for humans and other creatures. Protecting and restoring the natural environment is essential to other SDGs – food security, health, water and sanitation etc.
Inequality in wealth and in gender are both huge issues where progress is slower than needed to meet goals. According to the UN’s Multidimensional Poverty Index 1.3 billion people – nearly one fifth of the world’s population – are still poor. The report asserts that “One out of five children live in extreme poverty, and the negative effects of poverty and deprivation in the early years have ramifications that can last a lifetime.”
Global issues, local impact
In Servants, we are working mainly at the grass-roots level in slums in Asia, interacting with individuals and local communities rather than global level initiatives. But we and our neighbours feel the brunt of international politics, and the actions (and inaction) of Western countries. Wherever we are, and whatever our sphere of influence, may we all continue to work and pray to end poverty, suffering, exploitation and injustice.
Maybe a good place to start, is to review our 2019 Report Card:
Be informed – take action
- Short article about the report
- Download the full report or view a summary for each goal
- Dive into the statistics, analysis, details about the authors:
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