SDG Report - Goal #1 - No Poverty
Sustainable Development Goal 1: No Poverty
Overview
The United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 1 aims to end poverty in all its forms everywhere by 2030. Poverty, in this context, encompasses both extreme poverty, defined as living on less than $1.90 a day, and other dimensions of poverty, such as lack of access to basic services, education, and social protection.
Key Targets
SDG 1 includes seven main targets, each focusing on specific areas to reduce poverty:
Eradicate Extreme Poverty: By 2030, the goal is to end extreme poverty for all people everywhere, currently measured as living below the international poverty line of $1.90 per day.
Reduce National Poverty: Reduce the proportion of men, women, and children living in poverty according to national definitions.
Implement Social Protection Systems: Develop social protection systems and measures that cover the poor and vulnerable, ensuring access to services like healthcare, education, and employment.
Equal Access to Resources: Ensure that all people, particularly the poor and vulnerable, have equal rights to economic resources, basic services, and ownership of land and other forms of property.
Reduce Vulnerability to Disasters: Reduce the exposure and vulnerability of the poor to climate-related and other shocks and disasters, which often worsen poverty levels.
Mobilize Resources for Poverty Reduction: Ensure significant mobilization of resources from a variety of sources to provide adequate and predictable means to implement programs that help alleviate poverty.
Build Resilience: Establish systems that enhance resilience and recovery from economic, social, and environmental shocks.
Current Challenges
Despite progress in recent decades, poverty remains a critical global issue:
Economic Inequality: Disparities in income, wealth, and opportunities prevent many from escaping poverty.
Access to Basic Services: Millions still lack access to clean water, healthcare, and education, perpetuating cycles of poverty.
Impact of COVID-19: The pandemic pushed millions back into poverty, especially in low-income countries, impacting employment, education, and healthcare.
Climate Change: Extreme weather events, rising temperatures, and droughts worsen poverty, particularly in vulnerable communities.
Successful Initiatives
Efforts to combat poverty have had success, offering models for future actions:
Conditional Cash Transfers (CCTs): Programs in countries like Brazil (Bolsa Família) and Mexico (Prospera) provide direct financial assistance to low-income families, incentivizing education and healthcare access.
Microfinance Programs: Organizations like Grameen Bank offer small loans to the poor to foster entrepreneurship and self-reliance.
Universal Basic Income (UBI) Trials: UBI trials in Finland and Kenya have tested the effectiveness of providing a guaranteed income to help lift people out of poverty.
Role of Model UN Students
As MUN students debate and simulate international diplomacy, you can focus on:
Policy Proposals: Advocate for policies that encourage economic growth, investment in education, and healthcare access.
Global Partnerships: Support international collaboration to fund poverty reduction programs, especially in developing countries.
Emergency Response Plans: Develop ideas for disaster risk reduction and climate adaptation to protect vulnerable populations from poverty-inducing shocks.
Conclusion
Eradicating poverty is not just a goal but a prerequisite for achieving other SDGs, like zero hunger, quality education, and reduced inequalities. As future diplomats and leaders, your engagement with SDG 1 helps shape a more equitable world.
