Review the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, then evaluate the following statement by Katja Iversen, CEO of Women Deliver: “The SDGs are not a menu, they are a roadmap. We need to ask ourselves: Who can we do this with, and who does this affect?”
Discuss the difference between a roadmap and menu in reference to the SDGs and why a roadmap analogy makes more sense. In your response, reference at least two different goals between Goals 4 and 17 that are connected to health. Additionally, identify two key targets for reaching Goal 3 and why you think these are critical. Discuss two actions you could take to help make progress toward reaching the SDGs as a global society. Refer to the United Nations’ “The Lazy Person’s Guide to Saving the World” in the Topic Materials.
http://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/takeaction
http://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/sustainable-development-goals/
Expert Solution Preview
Introduction:
The United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals are essential for securing a sustainable future for all. As a medical professor responsible for creating assignments for medical college students, it is important to evaluate the statement by Katja Iversen, CEO of Women Deliver, regarding the roadmap and menu analogy of the SDGs. This response will discuss the difference between a roadmap and menu, goals 4 and 17 connected to health, critical targets for reaching Goal 3, and actions to help make progress towards achieving the SDGs as a global society.
Answer:
The SDGs are a roadmap as they provide a clear direction for achieving sustainable development. A roadmap provides a plan with designated milestones leading up to a destination. In contrast, a menu refers to options or choices presented without a clear path taken to reach a desired goal. The analogy of a roadmap is more suitable as the goals provide specific targets for achieving sustainable development.
Goal 4 focuses on ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education, while Goal 17 is centered on strengthening global partnerships for sustainable development. These goals are connected to health as education is integral in creating health awareness and promoting healthy behaviors. Additionally, partnerships aid in ensuring access to healthcare and health services that are essential for achieving good health.
Two critical targets for reaching Goal 3 are reducing global maternal mortality ratio and ending preventable deaths of newborns and children under five years of age. These targets are crucial as maternal and child health are significant indicators of the overall health of a population. Improvements in these areas will lead to a healthier population.
Two actions that can be taken to help make progress towards achieving the SDGs as a global society are advocating for sustainable economic growth and promoting responsible consumption and production. Sustainable economic growth ensures that resources are utilized efficiently and the environmental impacts are minimized. Promoting responsible consumption and production leads to sustainable lifestyles, reduces resource depletion, and minimizes waste.
In conclusion, a roadmap is more appropriate than a menu analogy for the SDGs as it provides a clear path towards achieving sustainable development. Goals 4 and 17 are connected to health, while reducing global maternal mortality ratio and ending preventable deaths of newborns and children under five years of age are critical targets for Goal 3. Advocating for sustainable economic growth and promoting responsible consumption and production are actions that can be taken towards achieving the SDGs as a global society.
