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The world currently is running a very unstable operating system. The economic approach of western style capitalism is based on an underlying assumption that economic growth leads to lasting and favorable prosperity. This philosophy is very much evident in the praise been given to the Chinese miracle that has seen growth levels of around 10% of GDP since 1978 when major reforms were done to its economy. If such growth was to be rolled out globally, the consequences on the planet would be devastating as there are not enough resources on the planet to meet needs demanded at those levels (see http://www.commondreams.org/headlines05/0310-03.htm). In other words, if every planet achieved levels of consumption and ‘development’ as high as most developed countries, the world would move in the opposite direction to where the MDGs are trying to take us.
The question therefore is, how do we reform the economic and political systems that run the world so achieve the interconnected goals of economic development, sustainable development and environmental conservation? Questions that revolve around these issues are probably the world’s most pressing ones and require the most honest, open dialogue about creating solutions that work. Failure to address these issues will lead to cycles of unrest, economic upheaval and struggles for power and dominance unlike anything we have seen at a global level.
It is therefore really urgent to re-engineer these systems. Initiatives like the Earth Charter (see www.earthcharter.org) provide promising frameworks that can be used to develop different, more sustainable systems. But there has to be a real shift from dialogue to action on these issues. We need committed political and economic ‘engineers’ or leaders to help create this transformation with the greatest urgency.
2. More trade (as opposed to aid) and a focus on economic development
It may seem as though this point is contradictory to my last statement, but actually, the two work together. Most people are poor because they are not capable of participation in economic activities that generate a livelihood. Increase access to global trade can reduce the number of people living in poverty without relying on international aid as a primary tool. But this increased trade will need to be under a system that promotes equitable trade and sustainable development.
A major opportunity lies in agriculture. Involving more people from developing countries in a global food system that also promotes equitable and sustainable agriculture is something that is very possible and that could have a great impact on reducing poverty. Farmers in the United States and Europe receive enormous subsidies that keep them in business and provide unfair competition against farmers elsewhere, directly going against the aims of the MDGs.
The global economy has to integrate the economies of poorer countries and unnecessary barriers to trade must be removed. Aid alone will not achieve poverty reduction. It fosters a dependency that reduces the ability of developing nations to be masters of their own development. Perhaps a strategy should be included in the framework of the MDGs that makes increasing sustainable trade one of the main pillars of the goals. Trade is already included as one of the goals, but I would like to see if get more emphasis because of the potential it has for creating employment and livelihood opportunities in the world’s poorest communities.
3. Invest in people, especially youth
Poverty affects people more than anything else. In creating new systems and promoting trade and increasing investments and international aid, people must be at the center of these movements. More can be done to improve the ability of people to address their developmental challenges.
Young people make up over 50% of the world’s population, and increasing population growth means that there will be increases in the number of youth in the world. The current disengagement of youth at large in addressing development challenges, and the failure of the world’s leading institutions and bodies as well as governments and other organizations to harness the energies and resourcefulness of youth is a big deterrent to achieving development goals. Additionally, the unemployment of youth is critical. Gainfully employed, productive youth add tremendous value to their communities. If a certain percentage of development dollars were channeled directly to youth development, it would be interesting to see the impact this would have on levels of poverty in areas where such a policy was implemented.
The MDGs must be applauded for their commitment and reference to education. This is a clear example of how human-investment can be undertaken. Giving people the skills and capacities to be productive and to participate in many affairs affecting their lives. A different debate can be held on the types of education and what education should really achieve. That’s a separate conversation altogether. But as a starting premise, it is really important to focus on developing people if we are to reduce poverty and achieve other MDGs at all.
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Dumisani
I write because I believe in the power of ideas! Thoughts are what have changed the world... Every revolution, every legislation, every act started off as a thought. All thoughts are inspired by other thoughts expressed in song, essays, research, poetry, spoken word, action...
I write because I love. I hope that my writing inspires and informs you as much as the writings of others has done to me in my life.
~dumisani
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Comments
Damian Profeta | Apr 26th, 2005
Me fascinó la claridad y contundencia del análisis. Coincido plenamente.
Un abrazo, Dumi!
True... Antony Felix O. O. Simbowo | May 4th, 2005
But what are you doing to solve the poverty issue in your own way...Let the truth about unfair global trade, horrendous debts, corruption, misrule and misgovernment etc be told..It would be futile to reduce poverty while some goonic leader somewhere is looting his country's resources, buffoonic rebels are still fighting in DR-Congo, Uganda, Ivory Coast, Colombia....Among other plethora of realities..
Walk the talk..Ideas are powerful..Niccolo Machiavelli agrees with you.
Excellent Analysis Chloe | May 6th, 2005
Your analysis of the current MGD situation is excellent. Well written, as well. I love that you included The Earth Charter as a viable alternative solution to global development.
changing the finance structure Kate Moore Davenport | May 9th, 2005
great stuff!! just have to add that i have come across a growing phenomenon, complimentary currency. check out www.accessfoundation.org
to me this addresses changing those dibilating systems and making a difference with our own lives. your three steps are on!!!
Tahita Khan | May 29th, 2005
http://observer.guardian.co.uk/business/story/0,6903,1494543,00.html
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