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| ENSURING ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY: TOWARDS A MORE WHOLISTIC APPROACH |
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ENSURING ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY: TOWARDS A MORE WHOLISTIC APPROACH
Name: Mr. Rahul Donde
Country: India
ENSURING ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY: TOWARDS A MORE WHOLISTIC APPROACH
In the year 2000, over 300 members of the United Nations ushered in the new millennium with the adoption of a landmark resolution in the history of the world- The Millennium Declaration. The Declaration marked a strong commitment to the right to development, to peace and security, to gender equality, to the eradication of the many dimensions of poverty and to sustainable human development. Enshrined in the Declaration, were what have become known as the eight Millennium Development Goals, including eighteen time- bound targets. Achieving the MDGs will require the ingenuity, solidarity, and creativity of millions of people though voluntary action, from the grassroots to the policy level.
Our natural environment is the unequivocal basis of human survival. It is the foundation for all economic and, more importantly, human development. The Member States of the United Nations recognized the importance of a sustainable environment and espoused the same as the seventh Millennium Development Goal viz. “Ensure Environmental Sustainability”. Goal 7 calls for upholding the principles of sustainable development and systematically integrating them into country policies and programmes. It also mandates reversing and replenishing the loss of environmental resources.
The environment is central to the all the Millennium Development Goals. Without a sustainable environment, life itself would be endangered and the question of development of life would not arise. Even though States have been making concerted efforts to reach the targets for Goal 7 by 2015, without capitalizing on all resources in society, including the involvement and commitment of all stakeholders, achieving these targets does not seem feasible.
Role of the Youth: Present Global Scenario
“Young leaders represent our hope for the future, and have the greatest potential to push for [the] realization of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) [by] 2015, established by the United Nations.”
--Prime Minister of Thailand His Excellency Thaksin Shinawatra
Youth today comprise more than 1.2 billion of the world’s capital. They have tremendous potential and dynamism, which if tapped efficiently will provide the necessary impetus essential for achieving the MDGs. Practically speaking as well, mere adoption of resolutions and framing of policies concerning sustainable development will be rather ineffective without the active involvement of the very youth that they are meant to serve. Both these factors necessitate the creation of a platform at national as well as international levels where youth can come forth to express their views and experiences to policy makers and other stakeholders.
It is therefore heartening to note that youth worldwide have realized the importance of effective contribution in development issues and are taking concrete steps to facilitate the creation of a network of concerned stakeholders and policy-makers at local and international levels. Statistics show that youth volunteerism has expanded significantly over the past few years with an increasing number of youth actively involved in the decision-making process.
The global youth movement, on the whole, however is characterized by fragmentation, resulting in isolated actions that do not reach their full potential, often due to a lack of resources, access to knowledge and information, and institutional barriers. In a worldwide, on-line consultation with more than 350 youth about the MDGs in June 2004, most of the respondents said that they knew little or nothing about the MDGs. Without the guidance, understanding, support, and recognition of government leaders, and other decision-makers, young leaders are often unequipped to fully participate in the decisions that are affecting their lives.
Role of Youth: Achievements
“We dream of living in an environment that brings us joy, not anxiety.
We dream of having clean, fresh drinking water and not turning our rivers into sewers.
Above all, we dream of living - not existing.
Teach us, involve us, and use us.”
--Young Presentation to UNEP Governing Council Meeting 2000
Although the actual utilization of youth remains much to be desired, world communities are slowly being sensitized to the value of youth and are making concrete efforts to strengthen and mobilize young people as partners in policy formulation. Some initiatives which have achieved sterling results by successfully harnessing the full potential of youth are highlighted below. These initiatives have not only set the benchmark for other youth programmes, but have also provided the necessary framework which should be adopted to facilitate greater cooperation and involvement of youth.
I. Youth Caucus at the Commission of Sustainable Development:
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Comments
Henry Ekwuruke | Feb 23rd, 2007
I understand you views, but I would like to add that making the goals are one and deserve attention, with all leading to one goal: To end poverty in its totality. Congrats!
sulpying soapstone carvings from kenya samuel omweri | Mar 11th, 2007
hi Ruhal,
i,m busines man from kenya seling soapstone carvings, is there any way we can sulpy you the oroducts from here?
thanks
samuel
community handcrafts assistane business samuel omweri | Apr 12th, 2010
Dear sir /madam
We are an artisans from western kenya who are looking for Business partnership and community development project,
Here in below is the information about our organization,
we wel come you to work together and make changes in our communities.
Tamokcub project is non profit organization found in Kenya Western part of the country, it is founded by local volunteers. It has hundred artisans who make various handcrafts e.g. soapstone carvings, wood carvings, baskets, bags, T-shirts, Jewelries and others.
The project has been devised to assist the development of a sustainable industry using those native resources that are readily available. Proceeds from the project go towards the project member’s children’s education and to raise the health of all the project participants.
This project seeks to blend the resourceful creativity of the Kenyan artisans with knowledge of western world marketing distribution brought to the project by an experienced business coach.
The vision is to develop a unique product line that will attract the interest of the world, be low cost to distribute globally and be high in unique skilled labour content but low in other production costs. The business developed must be capable of sustaining the group in the long term. With economic sustainability the health and education benefits will flow.
To meet this requirement the group is working on a unique handcrafts concept from various artisans within Kisii and neighboring. All the income generating we get from the sales 100% profit of the project will go the Tamoklub Committee, for the distribution in accordance with their constitution. In addition 50% of the project costs will be expended in the Kenyan artisan groups. The constitution and committee officers are elected by the general members annually.
HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENT
This group which is found in the western part of country faces many problems of diseases mainly Malaria, HIV/ AIDS for example 88% of the community have Malaria 60% have HIV/AIDS their average life expectancy has nearly halved over a period of 15 years as HIV/AIDS has taken its toll. Children born with HIV/AIDS seldom live beyond age of 15 years.
The group’s predominant industry is agriculture. The group as a main central workshop and other various home workshops where they are making their products. The group rents their main workshop. There are no electricity, water or communication services installed. Their homes are predominately mud and stick buildings are still used.
Drought is becoming a problem as a primary issue with lower rainfall generally. A secondary effect on drought in the north and west of the country is forcing human and livestock movement to find grazing further south. Anthrax is a health issue associated with the livestock movements.
EDUCATION
Education is scarce, around one third of teachers in the rural areas have been lost to HIV/AIDS. The Kenyan government has decreed universal primary education but the reality on the ground is the cost of equipment and uniforms, the need for younger family members to take care of their sick members, and the lack of teachers, all conspire to make general primary education of the group’s children currently unachievable. Secondary education is rare.
So we highly welcome any organizations e.g. fair trade organization, N.G.Os and others to partnership with us to assist as in marketing, representing and developing our communities as it is stating from above. contact person Samuel Omweriemail. mumayouth@yahoo.com or tamokcub@yahoo.ca
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