Daily Times

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs hereinafter), a list of 17 overarching sub-goals that ensure “call to action to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure that all people enjoy peace and prosperity.” It provides a generic guideline for countries across the world in order to render the globe more inclusive, equal and sustainable. In this regard different conferences are held across the world in order to debate, discuss and brainstorm ideas and initiatives to contribute to SDGs.

Unfortunately, the Global South is utterly bereft of this debate. If there is any then the outreach and frequency of it is insufficient to have any impact. We can feel this space in Pakistan as well. Economic stability and a strong awareness campaign are necessary to kick-start an all-inclusive and effective debate.

Take for instance the SDG no. 11 which is also the agenda for this year’s 68th United Nations Civil Society Conference 2019 (Hereinafter UNCSC2019). It calls for building sustainable cities and inclusive, safe and resilient communities. Even by reading this phrase we can see the strong relevance and dire need of it in our local context. Two of our major cities, Lahore and Faisalabad, were named in the list of top 10 most polluted cities in the world. The numbers regarding out of school children is deplorable too; according to a recent report by AEPAM (Academy of Educational Planning and Management) the total amount stands at 22.8 million. Thirty-two percent of girls (primary school aged) have not experienced any sort of schooling. Gender discrimination, work-place harassment and child marriage remains a prevailing issue.

One of the thematic sessions being discussed at the 68th UNCSC2019 is “Creating Opportunities and Economic Success for Youth”. As an economic analyst and someone who believes in Maslow’s theory of hierarchy this retains quite a weight age especially when put into Pakistan’s context. Economic success could mean many a things however, at the basic level it would refer to creating and providing jobs for the youngsters of a country. It is pertinent to mention here that Pakistan has one of the largest youth bulge in the world with 64 percent of total population falling under 30 years of age and half of this between 15 to 29 years of age. A concerted effort by the government, policy makers and businesses can help us turn this young force as an asset; a negligent government, inept policies and nonchalance by the business community can transform them into an encumbrance. As of today it is a mix of both.

We need more platforms, discussions and debates to acclimatize the masses with the importance and gravity of issues like Climate Change, Inclusivity and Peaceful Societies based on equal Economic Opportunities and a sound Educational background focused on SDGs

One way to utilize the youth bulge positively is the equal distribution of economic opportunities across the country. The budget allocation discrepancy between South Punjab and central Punjab is glaringly unjust. Another issue that a very confined spread of job opportunities entails is that it spills inefficiencies in the administrative realm as well. People migrating to one or two hubs create problems such as inadequate infrastructure, traffic issues resulting into difficulty in mobilization both in resources and people. Matters of safety and health surface and the city from which people migrate, a sense of injustice foments hatred injuring community development in its infancy.

Issues such as inclusivity, peaceful societies, sustainable infrastructure and climate change —all  included as thematic sessions for the 68th UNCSC2019— needs to be taken seriously. As noted above once we are able to provide people with a reliable job and move them higher up the Maslow’s hierarchical ladder only then they would be able to see Climate Change as an issue effecting all of us invariably and turn their attention towards building compassionate, sympathetic communities which are need of the hour.

Awareness is another prerequisite if SDGs are to be made effective in the Global South. I would bet that many do not consider Climate Change a problem at all let alone think about ways to solve it. Media, social platforms, influencers and celebrities they need to play their part and mobilize their Integra-battalions, Face book Armies and Snap chat soldiers to play their respective part— principle of synergy.

We need more platforms, discussions and debates to acclimatize the masses with the importance and gravity of issues like Climate Change, Inclusivity and Peaceful Societies based on equal Economic Opportunities and a sound Educational background focused on SDGs. Providing economic stability along with very frequent nation-wide awareness campaigns can prove very helpful especially in the third world countries.

The writer is a freelancer