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The guiding light of global policy

By Ioan Voicu - posted Friday, 3 February 2017


In an ideal model, if it is based on equality, inclusion and social justice, solidarity generates mutual duties among all members of society and across the global community of nations. And that, in turn, should point the way towards global partnerships and multilateral cooperation among all development actors, including governments, inter-governmental and non-governmental institutions, civil society, the private sector and academic communities.

Working in solidarity, many states are today on track in their urgent task to halve the proportion of people living in extreme poverty, but some deep and formidable economic and social disparities still remain among and within a great number of countries. As reminded at the United Nations high-level dialogue mentioned above, recent figures show that the eight richest
people in the world have the same wealth as the 3.6 billion poorest.

Towards radical decisions

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In accordance with the UN doctrine, there are five imperative objectives for the 21st Century for which solidarity is essential: achieving sustainable development; preventing and mitigating conflicts, human rights abuses and the impacts of natural disasters; building a safer and more secure world; supporting countries in transition; and engaging the talents of women and young people.

In a world facing the above imperatives, solidarity must offer solid foundations for global solutions. Thus, solidarity has a vital role in the collective efforts to positively resolve a multitude of difficult problems highly visible in our interconnected world.

If the spirit of solidarity is omnipresent and active, people are able to fully participate in the formulation and implementation of plans, policies and programs to deal with the most complex issues and to shape a prosperous common future for all.

Yet, in a realistic approach, it is necessary to recognize that despite some indisputable progress, gigantic efforts are still needed for the implementation of the 2030 Agenda containing 17 sustainable development goals. A clear answer is expected to the fundamental question whether universal responsibility and global solidarity can, indeed, become a new development paradigm for the years to come.

There are dignified ways to portray and identify harsh realities at various levels. It is obvious that in many circumstances solidarity is all but a fiction in a world of global vulnerabilities, discontinuities and perplexities. Therefore, more attention must be paid to the UN strong appeals addressed to all citizens of the world to advance solidarity as a global family and leave a legacy of peace, prosperity and sustainable progress for generations to come. All countries must be part of the process of finding the best workable solutions during the present era of profound transformations.

A most responsible test is posed by theUN 2030 Agenda. It highlights the inseparable linkage between climate change and development priorities. Fighting the negative consequences of climate change is an integral  part of the very foundations of sustainable development. It demands the world community of nations to stand in true solidarity and speak with one voice.

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The 2015 Paris Agreement on Climate Change, which is already in force, should be treated as a promising starting point in writing a new history for our planet.

There is no doubt that 2017 will be a turbulent and tumultuous year demanding challenging choices and difficult decisions.
In this regard, it is appropriate to remind the topical remarks of the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on taking the oath of office in the UN General Assembly on December 12, 2016. He said: “Fear is driving the decisions of many people around the world. We must understand their anxieties and meet their needs, without losing sight of our universal values. It is time to reconstruct relations between people and leaders — national and international; time for leaders to listen and show that they care,
about their own people and about the global stability and solidarity on which we all depend.”

Learning from history

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This article was first published on Inside Asean.



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About the Author

Dr Ioan Voicu is a Visiting Professor at Assumption University in Bangkok

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