The Synergism and Progress of the UN Sustainable Development Goals
As specified in point 8 of the 2030 UN Agenda for Sustainable Development: “We are announcing today 17 Sustainable Development Goals with 169 associated targets which are integrated and indivisible. Never before have world leaders pledged common action and endeavor across such
What Guatemala taught me that Switzerland could not
“Why did you choose Guatemala?” - “Isn’t it really dangerous there? Especially for women?” These and many other comments from friends and family back home echoed through my head while the plane took off. It was September 14th, 2016 when
Forests: Our Hope for Reducing Climate Change
If you’ve seen recent headlines, you would think we are losing our first line of defence against climate change. According to the Economist, “The world is losing the war against climate change.” The Washington Post recently posited: “This is the
How do we Reframe Agriculture? The case of Uganda
In Uganda, agriculture is still the biggest economic sector, consisting mostly of small-sized farms that grow diverse crops, and it continues to retain a high percentage of the labour force. The experienced farmers use predominantly traditional agro-ecological methods rather than
Solar-e-Cycles: Supporting Development in Africa. Interview with Roger Christen
Around 85% of people in the world have access to electricity, but in sub-Saharan Africa that number drops to 40%. The global disparity of electricity access is not something that many of us think about in our everyday lives, but
Climate Bailout: A financial tool to save the climate
In the financial crisis ten years ago, we saved the banks to prevent a collapse of our economy. Why not use this proven method for climate change mitigation? Dr. Matthias Kroll, Chief Economist (Future Finance) of the World Future Council,
The huge potential role of BRICS in achieving the 2030 Agenda
This article is the fourth of the series: Pipe dream or achievable vision: How can we deliver on the 2030 Agenda? The 2030 Agenda foresees a bright future for humanity, one in which everyone enjoys peace and prosperity on a bountiful
To The Market: Mobilising Artisan Employment
It is no secret that employment empowers. The greatest gift you can give is longevity and security through life, this can be achieved by giving someone who is unemployed a purpose, an income and a source of pride. It is
Global food systems and Aid for Trade: a good mix for financing the SDGs
This article is the third of a series: Pipe dream or achievable vision: How can we deliver on the 2030 Agenda? The 2030 Agenda foresees a bright future for humanity, one in which everyone enjoys peace and prosperity on a bountiful
Sustainability is Our Super Bowl
The Global Goals as the Super Bowl: Are the 17 Sustainable Development Goals inadvertently tripping up our team? I’ve recently become interested in American Football. I might still struggle to know the difference between a wildcat and a West Coast offense, but
Global Partnership: How it Empowers Sustainable Development
Collaboration and multi-stakeholder partnerships have now become overused terms, new fashionable expressions adopted by companies, public institutions and the non-profit ecosystem. They have been presented as the answer to the demands of a growingly complex world and to the challenges
The Tipping Point
Six Elements for a Paradigm Shift in Development Cooperation Once farmers realize, they do not need to wait for external parties to provide development, a tipping point is reached. The moment they take development in their hands by hard work