Latest news with #SustainableDevelopment
The National
12 hours ago
- General
- The National
If we find a way to measure compassion, can we use it to solve global problems?
The adoption of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development by United Nations member states in 2015 marked a bold global commitment to reimagine a future shaped by justice, equity, peace and sustainability. The agenda's 17 Sustainable Development Goals, or SDGs, have led to critical action on climate change, health and education. Yet progress remains uneven and fragile. Over more than forty years of working to protect children, I have seen the harsh reality and can say with certainty that no group bears the weight of injustice more than children. They are disproportionately affected by poverty and conflict, and in many parts of the world, they are pushed into exploitative labour, denied the chance to go to school, face poor health outcomes, and lack access to clean water and nutrition. These are not isolated challenges but interwoven injustices that rob children of their rights and freedom. Despite many initiatives undertaken and millions of dollars spent, last year's UN Sustainable Development Goals Report found that the world is on track to meet just 17 per cent of these SDG targets. I feel deeply ashamed that we have betrayed our children yet again by missing this year's target of achieving SDG 8.7 – a commitment to ending all forms of child labour by 2025 as part of a broader effort to end slavery, trafficking and forced labour, including child soldiers. Our promise to leave no one behind now seems hollow. Even before the Covid-19 pandemic, the world was off track with respect to Agenda 2030. It is appalling that in 2021, the number of child labourers worldwide increased from 152 million to 160 million. These are not mere numbers – these are children who have been denied justice, who are not free to enjoy their childhood, and who have work tools in their hands instead of books and toys. These are children who we have left behind. We have created so many borders, walls and wars. The effect of conflict on children is catastrophic and often irreversible. Children do not create wars, insurgencies or natural disasters nor are they responsible for any other humanitarian crisis. Nevertheless, they end up caught in the crossfire, often literally. More than 47 million children have been displaced by conflict and violence. Do we really want to pass on this legacy of fear, helplessness and violence to future generations? In 2021, the number of child labourers worldwide increased from 152 million to 160 million As a buzzword, the SDGs remain popular. Corporations, civil society groups and the media have embraced SDGs, often aligning their goals with them. But what real progress are we making? How can we claim to have achieved anything if we leave our children behind? For me, the yardstick of progress is that every child receives their fair share of resources under an umbrella of supportive policies and social protection. Why have we failed? The gap between those suffering from problems and those who can solve them is vast and continues to grow every day. We lack the moral accountability and the responsibility to bridge this gap. As global connectivity grows, we are seeing a paradox emerge in the global political environment between aggressive politics, aggressive faith, and aggressive capitalism that is fostering a hyper-competitive and commercial society. Our behaviours have increasingly become transactional; often, we do only what will benefit us, even if it is at someone else's cost. The real, long-term solution is for us to remind ourselves, constantly, of our capacity for compassion. Based on this philosophy, I founded the Satyarthi Movement for Global Compassion (SMGC) last year, which calls for action in a world plagued by inequality, conflict and injustice. We need to 'globalise' compassion. What do I mean by this? The quality of compassion is traditionally perceived – and has been preached for ages – as a soft, gentle emotion. It is, in reality, a powerful force with transformative power. It is like the air we breathe. Without it, humanity will fail. Compassion is the only force that will unite us and allow us to look beyond our differences. A definition of compassion based on my humble experience of almost half a century's struggle for liberty, dignity and justice for every child is that it is the force born from feeling the suffering of others as one's own, a force that drives mindful and selfless action to end that suffering. We need more of this in the world if we are to achieve the SDGs. To increase the capacity of something, you need to be able to measure it in the first place. We are in the process of developing Compassion Quotient (CQ), which aims to measure individuals' compassion in a similar way to measuring their Intelligence Quotient (IQ) or Emotional Quotient (EQ). Using a multidisciplinary approach, we are developing a comprehensive framework to measure and enhance the level of CQ in individuals and organisations. One of our goals at SMGC is to integrate compassion, as a measurable and cultivable trait, into educational curricula and leadership programmes. We also want to develop indices and metrics to assess compassionate action at a policy level, so as to eventually mainstream the idea of compassion being a guiding principle in global governance. Compassion is essential to ending suffering, and while many leaders speak of it in their speeches, it is time we turn those words into action and hold ourselves accountable. We no longer have the luxury of merely showing intent. We have no choice now but to act with compassion and urgency. Collectively, the world has never been wealthier – economically, intellectually or technologically. It is clear that we need to redefine our approach to life and society. We must build compassionate leadership in all walks of life, whether it is education, the judiciary, governance, or healthcare. This evolution in our thinking would benefit everyone, but, again, most of all, it will benefit our children, who will one day be leaders in their own right, responsible for taking these ideas forward. I refuse to accept that, with all the resources at our disposal, we cannot ensure their freedom, safety, health and education. If we do that, they will be better-placed as adults to ensure it for the generations to follow.
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Business Standard
3 days ago
- General
- Business Standard
Indian youth spend more time on work, women continue to get a raw deal
In 2019, out of the 1,440 minutes in a day, Indian youth spent 148 minutes on employment-related activities, which increased to 158 minutes in 2024 Amitava Saha Gopal Saha Listen to This Article Time Use Survey (TUS) plays a pivotal role in understanding how individuals across different age groups and gender participate in paid and unpaid activities. TUS data depicts how gender norms and societal roles influence the way men and women divide their time, both within the household and in broader society. Recognising the importance of unpaid work by women, the United Nations, in its 2030 agenda for Sustainable Development, has introduced an indicator for measuring the 'proportion of time spent on unpaid domestic and care work, by sex, age, and location,' to track progress towards gender equality and women empowerment.
Daily Tribune
5 days ago
- Politics
- Daily Tribune
HRH Crown Prince Arrives in Malaysia
On behalf of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, arrived today in Malaysia, to lead the Kingdom of Bahrain's delegation at the ASEAN-GCC Summit and the ASEAN-GCC-China Summit. His Royal Highness will also pay an official visit to Malaysia, during which he will meet with senior Malaysian officials to further enhance bilateral cooperation and joint coordination between the Kingdom of Bahrain and Malaysia. Upon arrival, His Royal Highness was received by Yang Berhormat Senator Dato' Seri DiRaja Dr. Zambry bin Abdul Kadir, Minister of Higher Education in Malaysia. His Royal Highness was accompanied by His Excellency Dr Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, His Excellency Shaikh Salman bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, the Minister of Finance and National Economy, Her Excellency Noor bint Ali Al-Khulaif, the Minister of Sustainable Development, His Highness Shaikh Abdullah bin Isa Al Khalifa, the Private Secretary to the Crown Prince, His Excellency Colonel Shaikh Ahmed bin Isa Al Khalifa, the escort officer to HRH the Crown Prince, along with several senior officials.
Daily Tribune
5 days ago
- Politics
- Daily Tribune
HRH the Crown Prince and Prime Minister arrives in Malaysia
On behalf of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, arrived today in Malaysia, to lead the Kingdom of Bahrain's delegation at the ASEAN-GCC Summit and the ASEAN-GCC-China Summit. His Royal Highness will also pay an official visit to Malaysia, during which he will meet with senior Malaysian officials to further enhance bilateral cooperation and joint coordination between the Kingdom of Bahrain and Malaysia. Upon arrival, His Royal Highness was received by Yang Berhormat Senator Dato' Seri DiRaja Dr. Zambry bin Abdul Kadir, Minister of Higher Education in Malaysia. His Royal Highness was accompanied by His Excellency Dr Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, His Excellency Shaikh Salman bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, the Minister of Finance and National Economy, Her Excellency Noor bint Ali Al-Khulaif, the Minister of Sustainable Development, His Highness Shaikh Abdullah bin Isa Al Khalifa, the Private Secretary to the Crown Prince, His Excellency Colonel Shaikh Ahmed bin Isa Al Khalifa, the escort officer to HRH the Crown Prince, along with several senior officials.
South China Morning Post
5 days ago
- Health
- South China Morning Post
Study Buddy (Challenger): World Happiness Report says care and community are key
Content provided by British Council Read the following text, and answer questions 1-9 below: [1] Caring is sharing – a saying the World Happiness Report has put to the test in its latest research. Focusing on how caring benefits both the recipient and the giver, the organisation discovered that the way people treat one another profoundly affects their overall well-being. [2] The World Happiness Report is published by the Wellbeing Research Centre at the University of Oxford in partnership with Gallup and the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network. [3] Since 2012, the World Happiness Report has released annual findings on global happiness, each exploring unique facets of well-being, such as age or the Covid-19 pandemic. This year, the organisation focused on caring and how it can be a key part of developing societal and individual happiness. [4] Looking at 2022 and 2023 Gallup poll data across 142 countries, World Happiness Report researchers discovered that sharing meals can have an incredible effect on happiness. 'Sharing meals proves to be an exceptionally strong indicator of subjective well-being – on par with income and unemployment,' according to the report. 'Those who share more meals with others report significantly higher levels of life satisfaction and positive affect, and lower levels of negative affect. This is true across ages, genders, countries, cultures and regions.' [5] It is a tough realisation because the researchers said more people in the United States are eating meals alone. In 2023, around 25 per cent of Americans reported spending all their meals alone within the past 24 hours – a statistic that increased by 53 per cent over the past two decades. [6] Familial bonds inside a household can boost happiness, but social connections outside the home are also important. This is particularly true for young adults. In 2023, the researchers said nearly a fifth of young adults worldwide reported having no one to count on for social support in their lives. It marked a 39 per cent increase since 2006. [7] 'Young adults across the globe face increasing mental health challenges,' the report said. 'Once considered one of the happiest phases of life, young adulthood has taken a troubling turn. Young people in North America and western Europe now report the lowest well-being among all age groups. In fact, the World Happiness Report 2024 found the fall in the United States' overall happiness ranking was largely due to a sharp decline in well-being among Americans under 30.' [8] A major reason social connection improves happiness among young adults is its ability to dilute the toxic effects of stress. It also paves the way for growth. 'Historically, young adulthood has been one of the most social periods of life, as young adults tend to form more friendships and spend more time socialising than people in other age groups,' the researchers said. 'In addition to fulfilling social needs, young adult relationships lay the foundation for psychological and social growth in later life stages, providing a network of support that can sustain well-being and resilience in years to come.' Source: Tribune News Service, April 16 Questions 1. In paragraph 1, what is the relationship between caring and happiness, according to the World Happiness Report's latest research? 2. Find a phrase in paragraph 1 that means 'to investigate the validity of something'. 3. Based on paragraph 3, which of the following best describes the researchers' approach to understanding happiness? A. They assume happiness is a fixed concept. B. They recognise that different factors may influence happiness. C. They want to identify a single, universal key to global happiness. D. none of the above 4. Are there any specific groups of people for whom sharing meals does not correlate with increased happiness, according to paragraph 4? Why? (2 marks) 5. What does the 'tough realisation' in paragraph 5 refer to? 6. Paragraph 6 suggests … A. a diverse network of relationships is beneficial for well-being. B. familial connections are the main source of happiness for young adults. C. young adults' significant lack of social support is primarily due to fewer family bonds. D. social support networks naturally improve as individuals age out of young adulthood. 7. Based on paragraph 7, what is the historical perception of young adulthood regarding happiness? 8. List two concerning trends mentioned in paragraph 7. (2 marks) 9. What are the long-term benefits of forming social relationships during young adulthood, according to paragraph 8? In 2023, around 25 per cent of Americans reported eating all their meals alone within the past 24 hours. Photo: Shutterstock Answers 1. Caring and happiness have a positive relationship because how people treat one another profoundly affects their overall well-being. (accept all similar answers) 2. put to the test 3. B 4. No, the report says sharing meals correlates with increased happiness across ages, genders, countries, cultures and regions. 5. Although there is a strong positive correlation between sharing meals and well-being, more Americans are eating many of their meals alone. 6. A 7. Young adulthood was once considered one of the happiest phases of life. 8. Young adults across the globe are facing more mental health challenges, and the United States' happiness ranking dropped mainly because of this sharp decline in well-being for Americans under 30. 9. Young adult relationships lay the foundation for psychological and social growth in later life stages, providing a support network that can sustain well-being and resilience in years to come. (accept all similar answers)
