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Sustainable development must live up to its promise to leave no one behind Sustainable development must live up to its promise to leave no one behind
(about 11 hours later)
When heads of state sign an international agreement on the sustainable development goals (SDGs) in September, the document is likely to include a promise to “leave no one behind”.When heads of state sign an international agreement on the sustainable development goals (SDGs) in September, the document is likely to include a promise to “leave no one behind”.
The principle will be one of the most important in the entire agreement. Implemented properly, it will take the world beyond business as usual, marking an important difference between the existing millennium development goals and the new SDGs.The principle will be one of the most important in the entire agreement. Implemented properly, it will take the world beyond business as usual, marking an important difference between the existing millennium development goals and the new SDGs.
Related: Why are indigenous people left out of the sustainable development goals? | Jonathan GlennieRelated: Why are indigenous people left out of the sustainable development goals? | Jonathan Glennie
But if countries make impressive overall progress towards the goals while people suffering the worst poverty and discrimination see little or no change, then the whole project will arguably have failed.But if countries make impressive overall progress towards the goals while people suffering the worst poverty and discrimination see little or no change, then the whole project will arguably have failed.
So as negotiators resume talks on the SDGs in New York this week, they should push for an agreement that enshrines the principle of leaving no one behind in the outcome document. The concept has obvious appeal. Not only is it a prerequisite for ending extreme poverty by 2030, it can also be applied in every country, rich and poor alike.So as negotiators resume talks on the SDGs in New York this week, they should push for an agreement that enshrines the principle of leaving no one behind in the outcome document. The concept has obvious appeal. Not only is it a prerequisite for ending extreme poverty by 2030, it can also be applied in every country, rich and poor alike.
Nonetheless, some are sceptical about the idea. It does not address the pressing issues of global wealth concentration and international inequality. Moreover, making it a reality will involve hard work. Addressing entrenched poverty and discrimination will require finance, including international funding, and the political will to make difficult decisions.Nonetheless, some are sceptical about the idea. It does not address the pressing issues of global wealth concentration and international inequality. Moreover, making it a reality will involve hard work. Addressing entrenched poverty and discrimination will require finance, including international funding, and the political will to make difficult decisions.
Governments around the world will have to integrate the idea into their own policy and planning and may have to contemplate economic, structural and fiscal reforms.Governments around the world will have to integrate the idea into their own policy and planning and may have to contemplate economic, structural and fiscal reforms.
All countries will need to buy into the idea, but if it is to succeed there must be a focus on particular countries, such as least-developed countries, that need additional support.All countries will need to buy into the idea, but if it is to succeed there must be a focus on particular countries, such as least-developed countries, that need additional support.
Once agreement is reached, the hard work will begin. Every country should be required to develop national SDG implementation plans, identifying those people and communities at risk of being forgotten.Once agreement is reached, the hard work will begin. Every country should be required to develop national SDG implementation plans, identifying those people and communities at risk of being forgotten.
These groups may match up with some already listed in the existing post-2015 draft: women and girls, migrant workers and people with disabilities. But there may be other social groups that should be highlighted in national plans – minority groups, indigenous people and those affected by caste-based discrimination, for example.These groups may match up with some already listed in the existing post-2015 draft: women and girls, migrant workers and people with disabilities. But there may be other social groups that should be highlighted in national plans – minority groups, indigenous people and those affected by caste-based discrimination, for example.
Country plans should also include interim or mid-term targets. A 15-year timeframe is important for achieving long-term change, but stepping stones are also needed to ensure that the hardest tasks are not deferred.Country plans should also include interim or mid-term targets. A 15-year timeframe is important for achieving long-term change, but stepping stones are also needed to ensure that the hardest tasks are not deferred.
Christian Aid’s new briefing on leaving no one behind tries to bring the principle to life, illustrating its global importance and suggesting how governments might start to implement the idea.Christian Aid’s new briefing on leaving no one behind tries to bring the principle to life, illustrating its global importance and suggesting how governments might start to implement the idea.
The briefing includes some shocking examples of the millions of people left far behind, from a wide range of countries across the world. Ghana, for instance, reduced its income-poverty level from 52% in 1992 to 28.5% in 2006. Yet, while the reduction in the south of the country was 58.66%, in the north it was just 8.87%. Maternal mortality rates are similarly uneven.The briefing includes some shocking examples of the millions of people left far behind, from a wide range of countries across the world. Ghana, for instance, reduced its income-poverty level from 52% in 1992 to 28.5% in 2006. Yet, while the reduction in the south of the country was 58.66%, in the north it was just 8.87%. Maternal mortality rates are similarly uneven.
Every country should be required to those people and communities at risk of being ​​forgotten Every country should be required to identify those people and communities at risk of being ​​forgotten
Brazil, meanwhile, despite laudable progress towards reducing income inequality, still has one of the world’s most unequal patterns of land ownership, with 3% of the population owning two-thirds of all arable land. Quilombola people, who are descended from slaves, are at the other end of the spectrum from the big landowners. Only 8% of their 3,000-plus communities in Brazil own the land on which they live, leaving them vulnerable to harm from private interests, such as mining companies, as well as government authorities.Brazil, meanwhile, despite laudable progress towards reducing income inequality, still has one of the world’s most unequal patterns of land ownership, with 3% of the population owning two-thirds of all arable land. Quilombola people, who are descended from slaves, are at the other end of the spectrum from the big landowners. Only 8% of their 3,000-plus communities in Brazil own the land on which they live, leaving them vulnerable to harm from private interests, such as mining companies, as well as government authorities.
In south Asia, the briefing notes: “Poverty is overwhelmingly concentrated among those groups who face discrimination because of who they are and the work they do. Discrimination based on work and descent, associated with the practice of caste, is a root cause of inequality and persistently high levels of poverty – worldwide, it is estimated that 260 million people are affected.”In south Asia, the briefing notes: “Poverty is overwhelmingly concentrated among those groups who face discrimination because of who they are and the work they do. Discrimination based on work and descent, associated with the practice of caste, is a root cause of inequality and persistently high levels of poverty – worldwide, it is estimated that 260 million people are affected.”
Dalit women are particularly vulnerable, the briefing notes.Dalit women are particularly vulnerable, the briefing notes.
The SDGs have the potential to focus policymakers’ attention on the people who are left behind in their societies. With so many women, men and children so profoundly affected – and with less than 100 days until heads of state meet to finalise the new goals – the challenge of embedding the idea of leaving no one behind in the new development agenda could not be more important or urgent.The SDGs have the potential to focus policymakers’ attention on the people who are left behind in their societies. With so many women, men and children so profoundly affected – and with less than 100 days until heads of state meet to finalise the new goals – the challenge of embedding the idea of leaving no one behind in the new development agenda could not be more important or urgent.
• Helen Dennis is senior adviser on poverty and inequality at Christian Aid• Helen Dennis is senior adviser on poverty and inequality at Christian Aid