At this time of tension and human misery in the Middle East, we must ask ourselves again – How can we build a peaceful and just world for everyone including nature and all the elements of Planet Earth?
An essential and hopeful starting point is the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The 17 SDGs were agreed by 193 member states of the United Nations on the 25th of September 2015. They comprise 17 Goals each with their own set of targets and indicators. What made the Goals unique is that they are all interconnected and, together, they help build a sustainable and just world. They were developed through a participatory process involving all members states and members of civic society.
The short names for each goal and their icons encompass easy to recognise ambitions and visions. They cover (1) No Poverty, (2) No Hunger and (3) Good Health and Wellbeing. They cover the natural world, (13) Climate Action, (15) Life on Land and (14) Life Below Water. They cover social justice (10) Reduced Inequalities. (5) Gender Equality and (4) Quality Education. They cover some of the basics of life (6) Clean Water and Sanitation and (7) Affordable and Clean Energy. They suggest ways we can live in more sustainable ways: (8) Decent Work and Economic Growth, and (9) Industry, Information and Infrastructure. They suggest visionary futures (11) Sustainable Cities and Communities and (12) Responsible Consumption and Production. The two final Goals, seem particularly relevent right now;:(16) Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions and (17) Partnerships for the Goals are essential to achieving all the others.
The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals can be found here: https://sdgs.un.org/goals
