How India can become a world leader in achieving UN's Global Goals
The new Global Goals for sustainable development are set to be unveiled by the United Nations on September 25 in the presence of 193 world leaders. The goals are a series of ambitious targets to end extreme poverty and tackle climate change for everyone by 2030. This effort might very well be our last chance to save the planet from irreversible damage.
We are simply trying to take that extra step to make sure that the global goals really get that global reach, so that they are understood by everyone and actually work.
Over the next few weeks, the world is set to witness a key event that has the potential to directly influence the efforts aimed at addressing sustainable development throughout the world.
The 193 world leaders will come together at the United Nations General Assembly to unveil the "new" Global Goals. If the goals are met, they ensure the health, safety and future of the planet for everyone on it. And their best chance of being met is if everyone on the planet is aware of them. So the simple but mighty ambition of Project Everyone - is to share the Global Goals with seven billion people in seven days.
The larger aim is to become that generation that ends global poverty, the most determined to fight injustice, inequality and the last to live with the threat of climate change.
Awareness of the new goals is an important aspect that affects the success of the campaign, if everyone is aware of the idea, then it becomes even more possible to achieve. Once the people know and talk about it, the leaders will have to listen; the leaders will have to take action.
India is sealing its position as an international leader economically and in technology, with potential to become a front runner in ending global poverty.
India has consistently surprised the world-stage; it has the potential and can repeat history by moving its present generation to be the initiators and leaders of a movement that aims to end extreme poverty, the most determined to tackle inequalities and the last to standby and do nothing about the effects of climate change.
The United Nations' announcement on September 25 will be followed by a week of events to make the goals famous globally, starting on September 26 and completing on October 2, 2015. The Global Goals campaign plans to reach the world population by educating them on the new goals in a format that is easily understood.
By giving the goals the "loudest" launch and to arm the general public with knowledge by aiming to reach seven billion people in seven days, I believe there is hope to create awareness about the campaign that ultimately needs results with the help of the world itself.
It's the most important long-term plan we have for our survival. The United Nations' success is our success; its failure is our failure. And for the future of everyone on our planet, failure cannot be an option.
India: The global leader in meeting the Global Goals
The ever expanding rich-poor margin in India is a gaping hole that cannot be ignored, the widening gap, the kind not witnessed in any other nation at such high degrees is a riddling problem. Although India isn't the only nation subject to this condition, however, this problem seems persistent and has been around long enough to have a thoroughly dreadful impact on the people of the nation. More than 450 million people survive on less than one pound a day in the world's largest democracy. But amidst all this adversity, there is something very unique about the country - and that is the optimistic attitude of its people, and that in itself is a problem half-solved.
The efforts made by the Indian government is clear evidence that a proactive India is embracing an attitude that entails a change oriented environment and seeks to bring about the right kind of development. The shifting focus of India on attaching its priority to the concerns of the poor and underprivileged section of humanity is a vision so strong that, if India were to implement it right to the end, poverty, poor health, ecological damage and sanitary problems would be a thing of the past, the Indian subcontinent would light up and spill results.
Eradication of poverty, hunger and malnutrition is indispensable for peace and sustainable development. India has started to understand that primacy must be given to the underprivileged and that to pursue a sustainable attitude towards development requires strong commitments from the political and private sectors. This country's specific approach is a sign that India is committed to bringing about the collective change that everyone has been striving to achieve.
At the crossroads of transformation, India stands at the mercy of natural forces; the efforts are being made but now require the support of a much larger entity, the Indian populous. 1.2 billion people strong. All effort cannot be heaved upon the government and officials; we bid the people to make a move, a move that will impact each life on this planet. Amidst the crisis, we believe the people will emerge victorious, if we can systematically tackle the problems faced by the world today.
This is why we seek to reach every person in this world, which includes India's 1.2bn population, to promote The Global Goals.
The plan is in action. A range of initiatives aim to empower Indians, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has driven the message of "Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas" (With everyone's support, there's progress for everyone) to citizens nationally. He is also aware of the fact that in order to make the change in India he and his people wish to see, there needs to be change, and that change will come through togetherness.
Thus the goals will only be achieved if EVERYONE knows about them and this is the plan world leaders will have for their nation and the UN for the wider world.
With over a quarter of the world's population under the age of 14 years old and with India having the largest youth population in the world, children and young people will be most affected by the implementation of the goals. It is their future we are committing to improve.
If we work with our leaders, we can be the change we wish to be and see in countries such as India.