Latest news with #SustainableDevelopmentGoals'
Scotsman
5 days ago
- Health
- Scotsman
How Not To Die (Too Soon) by Devi Sridhar review: 'a manifesto of sorts'
Sign up to our Arts and Culture newsletter, get the latest news and reviews from our specialist arts writers Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Here's the quick answer to the question posed in the title of this book by Devi Sridhar, Professor and Chair of Global Health at the University of Edinburgh and advisor to the Scottish and UK Governments, as well as the World Health Organisation, UNICEF and UNESCO: be the kind of person who buys hardback books and has £22 of disposable income (≈24% of the weekly Job Seeker's Allowance). That is not supposed to be flippant, as one of the insistent points in Sridhar's work is the connection between poverty and ill-health. Professor Devi Sridhar The subtitle makes clear another two aspects: 'The Lies We've Been Sold and The Policies That Can Save Us'. Whenever there is a health problem, there are quacks, mountebanks and charlatans. It's unsurprising that in Delhi, for example, there are expensive air-purifiers for sale. But hats off to Moritz Krähenmann, selling eight litre cans of Swiss Alpine air for £17.60 – we breathe, Sridhar notes, six litres a minute. The second part is trickier. Although there are aspects of our lives that we can control, and which have tangible health benefits, others are beyond the capability of the individual. Good luck solving carcinogenic car fumes, 100˚F summers or rivers full of excrement and chemical run-off on your own. (For the record, climate change is not one of the emergencies Sridhar covers). Politics and the bogey-man word 'regulation' are, unfortunately, the answers sometimes. The title may have a slight after-tang of self-help, but the book itself is more concerned with state-level intervention. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The chapters cover what Sridhar calls a 'collective endeavour' to increase life expectancy; although the caveat here is on the quality not the duration of life. The first three chapters, uncontentiously enough, cover taking regular exercise, eating a balanced diet and either not taking up or giving up smoking. Then comes a chapter broadly on mental health. This chapter is more sketchy. It limits itself to anxiety disorders – 'struggling' seems as apt a word as any. There is one flash of really smart writing, when Sridhar having discussed the accusation that 'Sustainable Development Goals' in mental health are 'senseless, dreamy and garbled' writes the criteria were 'mostly vague, largely immeasurable, somewhat attainable, and definitely relevant'. Although one section is headed 'It's hard to get depression taken seriously' it's hard to take seriously when she quotes 'even the darkest night will end and the sun will rise' – it might be Victor Hugo, but it sounds like Hallmark. The next sections are more obviously public: gun control, road traffic accidents, water and air pollution; and an appropriate closure on untimely deaths caused by failures of health systems themselves. I was surprised – given Sridhar is based in Scotland – that neither alcohol nor narcotics were given special treatment, especially since minimum pricing and the recent experiment with safe drug consumption facilities. In the governmental rather than individual, it seems strange to omit warfare: as we see increasingly, it is not just cluster bombs and land mines that significantly reduce life expectancy in conflict zones but the deliberate use of food blockades, targeting of medical facilities and 'kettling' populations. Sometimes the book reads like various articles stitched together (there is a curious point in the nicotine chapter where she cites that the cheapest packet of cigarettes in the UK was £8.82 – in 2017. Would it have been too much trouble to put in that the average is now £16.60? It is at its best when it might have been subtitled 'Things Are More Complicated Than You Think'. For example, a whole book might have been done on Thailand and Sweden: Thailand has the world's worst road deaths, but managed to clamp down with sufficient rigour to have minimal Covid deaths. Sweden has strict 'Vision Zero' road safety but was laissez-faire (or cavalier, take your pick) about liberties during the pandemic, with many more deaths. Sridhar ends with a manifesto of sorts. Change is possible (for the better, I should add), it happens when there is consensus (see the difference between smoking bans and ultra low-emission zone), we can all learn from other countries, even when what we learn is that risks balance out, and the 'private sector is valuable… while it's sometimes the solution, its also sometimes part of the problem', which is gold-star fence sitting. She also has five 'asks' of government: make fresh food cheaper, provide alternatives to cars, privatise water companies, and invest in preventative medicine. I'd like to know quite how this gels with the private sector's role. One other recommendation seems to me plain wrong: 'provide local access to lay therapists, which takes mental health provision out of medical clinics'. Although I very much agree with Suzanne O'Sullivan on over-diagnosis, the benefits of therapy and non-material causes for genuine and painful material harms, the idea of outsourcing something so significant to unregistered amateurs seems ill-considered. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The plethora of contemporary references – Khloé Kardashian, Andy Murray, Catherine Princess of Wales, Feargal Sharkey – bolsters the sense this is in part a laudable exercise in recycling comment pieces. No doubt it will also strengthen the public engagement section for Edinburgh University in the next round of the Higher Education Research Excellence Framework.
Mid East Info
30-04-2025
- Business
- Mid East Info
Majra – National CSR Fund reviews key community initiatives and approves new frameworks to enhance corporate social responsibility in UAE
H.E. Mubarak Al Nakhi: 'We seek to lay the groundwork for a more connected and impactful future through co-creation, verification, and recognition frameworks that align with national priorities and Sustainable Development Goals' Meeting emphasised private sector engagement and the launch of new evaluation tools, including the Impact Index. MAJRA – National CSR Fund held its second Policies and Strategies Committee meeting for 2025 to explore ways to advance the UAE's sustainable development goals through enhanced cross-sector collaboration and the rollout of new tools and frameworks to drive national impact. The meeting was Chaired by H.E Mubarak Al Nakhi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Culture, and Head of the Policies and Strategies Committee, and attended by H.E. Hanan Ahli, Managing Director of the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Centre, and the Deputy of the Policies and Strategies Committee; Bedour Saeed Al Raqbani, Board Member of American University of Sharjah; H.E. Abdulaziz Al Jaziri, Deputy CEO of Dubai Future Foundation and Sarah Shaw, CEO of Majra – National CSR Fund. The meeting reviewed key ongoing initiatives and approved several tools designed to streamline sustainable project qualification and verification processes. It also placed a major emphasis on increasing private sector engagement in the fund's initiatives, validating project assessment mechanisms, and introducing new initiatives such as the Impact Index. It also addressed the 'Transformational Projects Framework', which is being developed by the Emirati committees for social responsibility and sustainability, chaired by the chambers of commerce and industry in each emirate. The strategy formulated as a part of the Impact Retreat held in November 2024 was also reviewed, and strategic initiatives aligning with the UAE's vision to enhance social sustainability, were launched. H.E. Mubarak Al Nakhi said, 'Inspired by the insightful vision of the UAE's wise leadership and in accordance with their forward-looking directives, we are creating a roadmap to build a more sustainable and prosperous future by strengthening the private sector's corporate social responsibility framework. We also hope to enhance sustainable impact and expand the participation of private sector institutions in light of global changes and best international practices, further building upon the achievements of Majra's key initiatives like 'Impact Seal', 'MAJRA Council', and 'Impact Index'. Sarah Shaw, CEO of Majra, said: 'Majra is responsible for providing the necessary frameworks and enablers to enhance the contribution of the private sector in shaping the UAE's sustainable future, while embedding social responsibility and sustainable impact as cornerstones of the institutional work system. Furthermore, we remain steadfast in our efforts to establish a robust foundation for collaborations, and sustainable impact, by supporting the approved projects and activating the reference frameworks specified under the impact index.' The committee further reviewed updates to the Sustainable Impact Challenge, including the integration of the Majra Entity Portal and the launch of new award categories within the challenge. These updates aim at expanding outreach and encouraging broader participation from businesses and organisations across the UAE in this challenge, which was launched during the fourth edition of Investopia 2025. The meeting also reviewed the roadmap of the Impact Index, a national benchmarking tool designed to measure CSR, ESG, and sustainability performance in the private sector. It also facilitates data collection, in line with national and international frameworks, such as the SDGs, Dow Jones Sustainability Index, and MSCI. Currently, Majra is preparing the first report, set to be released in early 2026, in collaboration with the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Centre, as well as other international organisations. At the end of the meeting, committee members reaffirmed their commitment to advancing Majra's strategic vision by endorsing mechanisms that promote transparency, inclusivity, and long-term impact across all initiatives and programmes.
Zawya
29-04-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Majra - National CSR Fund reviews key community initiatives and approves new frameworks to enhance corporate social responsibility in UAE
H.E. Mubarak Al Nakhi: 'We seek to lay the groundwork for a more connected and impactful future through co-creation, verification, and recognition frameworks that align with national priorities and Sustainable Development Goals' Meeting emphasised private sector engagement and the launch of new evaluation tools, including the Impact Index. Dubai, MAJRA – National CSR Fund held its second Policies and Strategies Committee meeting for 2025 to explore ways to advance the UAE's sustainable development goals through enhanced cross-sector collaboration and the rollout of new tools and frameworks to drive national impact. The meeting was Chaired by H.E Mubarak Al Nakhi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Culture, and Head of the Policies and Strategies Committee, and attended by H.E. Hanan Ahli, Managing Director of the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Centre, and the Deputy of the Policies and Strategies Committee; Bedour Saeed Al Raqbani, Board Member of American University of Sharjah; H.E. Abdulaziz Al Jaziri, Deputy CEO of Dubai Future Foundation and Sarah Shaw, CEO of Majra – National CSR Fund. The meeting reviewed key ongoing initiatives and approved several tools designed to streamline sustainable project qualification and verification processes. It also placed a major emphasis on increasing private sector engagement in the fund's initiatives, validating project assessment mechanisms, and introducing new initiatives such as the Impact Index. It also addressed the 'Transformational Projects Framework', which is being developed by the Emirati committees for social responsibility and sustainability, chaired by the chambers of commerce and industry in each emirate. The strategy formulated as a part of the Impact Retreat held in November 2024 was also reviewed, and strategic initiatives aligning with the UAE's vision to enhance social sustainability, were launched. H.E. Mubarak Al Nakhi said, 'Inspired by the insightful vision of the UAE's wise leadership and in accordance with their forward-looking directives, we are creating a roadmap to build a more sustainable and prosperous future by strengthening the private sector's corporate social responsibility framework. We also hope to enhance sustainable impact and expand the participation of private sector institutions in light of global changes and best international practices, further building upon the achievements of Majra's key initiatives like 'Impact Seal', 'MAJRA Council', and 'Impact Index'. Sarah Shaw, CEO of Majra, said: 'Majra is responsible for providing the necessary frameworks and enablers to enhance the contribution of the private sector in shaping the UAE's sustainable future, while embedding social responsibility and sustainable impact as cornerstones of the institutional work system. Furthermore, we remain steadfast in our efforts to establish a robust foundation for collaborations, and sustainable impact, by supporting the approved projects and activating the reference frameworks specified under the impact index.' The committee further reviewed updates to the Sustainable Impact Challenge, including the integration of the Majra Entity Portal and the launch of new award categories within the challenge. These updates aim at expanding outreach and encouraging broader participation from businesses and organisations across the UAE in this challenge, which was launched during the fourth edition of Investopia 2025. The meeting also reviewed the roadmap of the Impact Index, a national benchmarking tool designed to measure CSR, ESG, and sustainability performance in the private sector. It also facilitates data collection, in line with national and international frameworks, such as the SDGs, Dow Jones Sustainability Index, and MSCI. Currently, Majra is preparing the first report, set to be released in early 2026, in collaboration with the Federal Competitiveness and Statistics Centre, as well as other international organisations. At the end of the meeting, committee members reaffirmed their commitment to advancing Majra's strategic vision by endorsing mechanisms that promote transparency, inclusivity, and long-term impact across all initiatives and programmes.
Indian Express
22-04-2025
- Business
- Indian Express
Chandrababu Naidu meets Union Ministers in Delhi, discusses Andhra development projects
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu called on senior members of the Union Cabinet including Home Minister Amit Shah in the Capital on Tuesday. Several development-related projects in the state under the ambit of various ministries were said to have come up for discussion during meetings. Union Jal Shakti Minister CR Paatil said detailed discussions were held on both the upcoming and existing central projects. 'Today a very important meeting was held with the Hon'ble Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh Shri N. Chandrababu Naidu Ji, Union Civil Aviation Minister Shri Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu Ji, Minister of State for Rural Development and Communications Dr Chandrasekhar Pemmasani Ji, senior officials of the Ministry of Jal Shakti and Government of Andhra Pradesh,' Paatil said on X. 'In the meeting, there was a detailed discussion on the progress and upcoming plans of national water missions like Jal Jeevan Mission, Swachh Bharat Mission, PMKSY-CADWM and interlinking of rivers. An emphasis was put on further accelerating the pace of rainwater harvesting and groundwater recharge, especially in Andhra Pradesh. The Government of India… is fully committed to provide all possible assistance to Andhra Pradesh for sustainable water management and achieving Sustainable Development Goals' he added.' he added. Naidu met Minister of State for Law & Justice Arjun Ram Meghwal who said that 'a meaningful dialogue took place on enhancing judicial access, various welfare schemes of the Centre and contemporary issues' between him and the delegation led by Naidu. Union Minister for Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal, in a post on X, said his meeting with Naidu had centred around exchanging 'views on the developmental initiatives and opportunities for boosting trade, investment, and industrial growth in Andhra Pradesh.' This was followed by Naidu calling on Union Home Minister Amit Shah. Sources said pending financial assistance for development related projects in the state had been broached by the Naidu-led delegation during his meetings including the Polavaram-Banakacharla link project.
