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PHILIPPINES -Adi is an entrepreneur, professional host, and content creator whose goal is to create positive change in the world by empowering one person at a time. She is recognized as a YouTube Creators for Change Fellow representing the Philippines. Adi started out as a blogger then moved on to vlogging on YouTube, learning how to produce engaging content along the way. Her first video qualified her to join the SMART Launchpad program, where she learned the fundamentals of video production.
AGUSTIN PORRES
ARGENTINA VARKEY COUNTRY DIRECTOR - Agustin is an experienced Education and Public Policy professional with successful achievements in the development of innovative approaches to education and the development of creative solutions to solve challenges around education. Entrepreneurial minded with the ability to quickly adapt to changing markets, Agustin has worked for many years in the public sector in Argentina as an official at the Ministry of Education of the City of Buenos Aires and the Agency of Social Security; leading the Education Policy area at Fundacion Contemporanea. Before joining the Varkey Foundation as Country Manager to Argentina, Agustin was the Executive Director at FormarHub Foundation, a non-profit organization that supports innovative approaches to education between Latin America and the United States. Agustin has Master Degree in Public Policy with specialization in education from the McCourt School of Public Policy in Georgetown University, Washington D.C. He has postgraduate degree in Politics, Government and Administration at the Catholic University of Argentina with a teacher certification in Philosophy.
AHMED ULLAH
AKINTUNDE OYEBODE
ALICE WAIRIMU NDERITU
AMBARISH RAI
AMINA MOHAMED
AMINI KAJUNJU
AMY OGAN
ANA GABRIELA PESSOA
ANDREAS SCHLEICHER
ANDREW MOFFAT
ANDREW JACK
ANDREW WALES
ANDRIA ZAFIRAKOU
ANNA BERTMAR KHAN
ANNE MCELVOY
ANNETTE DIXON
ANNINA MATTSSON
ANSU SONII, SR
ANTTI KORHONEN
ARCHANA IYER
ARIEL FISZBEIN
ARMAND DOUCET
ARUP GANGULY
ARUZHAN KOSHKAROVA
ARZOU LASHKARI
ASHEESH ADVANI
ASIF SALEH
ASYIA KAZMI
AUMA OBAMA
AYLA GOKSEL
AZHAR SULTANSIKH
BAHAR ABBASSI
BAILEY THOMSON BLAKE
BANA ALABED
BARBARA ZIELONKA
BECKY FRANCIS
BILAL BARAKAT
BILL BOYU NING
BOBBY GHOSH
BOSEDE OGIDAN
BRAYDON BENT
BRIAN COPES
BRIAN LARA
BRIAN MCDANIEL
BRIAN SCHREUDER
BYJU RAVEENDRAN
CAMERON PATERSON
CANDICE ODGERS
CARLA AERTS
CAROLINA GIMENEZ
CATHERINE NAKABUGO
CHARLES CHANG
CHARLES OBORE
CHARLES WILES
CHERIE BLAIR
CHIFUNIRO M'MANGA-KAMWENDO
CHINNAPPA DAS
CHRISTOPHER KHAEMBA
CHRISTOPHER STONE
DAISY MERTENS
DANA LEONG
DANIEL ANSARI
DANIELA CARVAJALINO
DAVID ARCHER
DAVID WESTON
DÉBORA DENISE DIAS GAROFALO
DENIS MIZNE
DENISE CARREIRA
DENNIS SINYOLO
DHAVAL BATHIA
DHUN DAVAR
DIANA ZHANAKBAYEVA
DIANNE SEE MORRISON
DINO VARKEY
DIXIT JOSHI
DIYARA BEISENBEKOVA
DUN XIAO
DZINGAI MUTUMBUKA
ELEONORA VILLEGAS-REIMERS
ELISA GUERRA
ELIZA ERIKSON
ELVIS CHIDERA
EMMA DUNCAN
EMMA RUSSO
ERIN SIMMONS
ESTEBAN BULLRICH
EUGINE CHUNG
FARAH WILLIAMSON
FERNANDO REIMERS
FERNANDO SHAYER
FLOYD GREEN
FRANCIS JIM TUSCANO
GASTÓN GORALI
GELGIA FETZ FERNANDES
GEORGE PAPANDREOU
GLENN WAGNER
GOURI GUPTA
GUILLERMO FRETES
HADI PARTOVI
HANAN AL HROUB
HANNA DUDICH
HANNA DUMONT
HARRY PATRINOS
HELENA POZNIAK
HIBA BALLOUT
HIDEKAZU SHOTO
IMAN USMAN
JAANA PALOJÄRVI
JACK KOSAKOWSKI
JAMIE SAAVEDRA
JAN LYNN-MATERN
JANE PERRYMAN
JARED LEE
JARED SALETIN
JAVIER ARROYO
JAY VARKEY
JEFF HITTNER
JENNA ARNOLD
JERNEJ PIKALO
JEROEN JANSZ
JERRY BAMBI
JESPER RYYNÄNEN
JINGHUAN SHI
JITESH GADHIA
JOÃO COSTA
JOHN INGRAM
JOHN KIM
JOHN MAY
JOHN GOODWIN
JOHN RENDEL
JOHN ROGERS
JOSE MARIA ANTON
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JULIE GICHURU
JUSTINE CASSELL
KAJA JASINSKA
KANDIA KAMISSOKO CAMARA
KAREN GILES
KATIA MOSKVITCH
KAVITA SANGHVI
KENNEDY ODEDE
KENNETH SILBURN
KIRSTEN CAMPBELL-HOWES
KOEN TIMMERS
LAURA CHINCHILLA
LAURA BROWN
LEILA HOTEIT
LEO MARTELLOTTO
LEONOR MAGTOLIS BRIONES
LERATO LEHOKO
LIESBET STEER
LUCY LAKE
LUIS MIGUEL BERMUDEZ GUTIERREZ
LUISA GÓMEZ GUZMÁN
LUTFEY SIDDIQI
MALIHA KHAN
MAMOKGETHI PHAKENG
MARIANA LUZ
MARIE-CHRISTINE GHANBARI JAHROMI
MARIELLE VAN DER MEER
MARIO SANTIBANEZ CARO
MARJORIE BROWN
MARK SEABROOK
MARK VONDRACEK
MARK POLLOCK
MARK REID
MARTIN MILLS
MARTIN SALVETTI
MARTIN SILTBERG
MASUD HUSAIN
MATTEO RENZI
MATTHEW LAWRENCE
MATTHEW OPOKU PREMPEH
MELISSA SALGUERO
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MICHAEL FEIGELSON
MICHAEL WAMAYA
MIKE BUTCHER
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OLIVIER OULLIER
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PETRA WADSTROM
PHILIP REGIER
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PRESIDENT JULIUS MAADA BIO
RACHEL HINTON
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RAMYA VENKATARAMAN
RAVISHANKAR GV
REBECCA WARBRICK
REUBEN ABRAHAM
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UMME KALSOOM SEYAL
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VLADIMER APKHAZAVA
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WALID AMMARI
WENDY KOPP
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XUEQIN JIANG
YAN WANG
YASMIN NOORUL AMIN
YASMINE SHERIF
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YUHYUN PARK
YVONNE ASAMONING
ZAINAB ARKANI
ZHUANG CHEN
ZHUANG CHEN
NEW ORIENTAL EDUCATION AND TECHNOLOGY GROUP
Mr. Zhuang Chen is Director for International Cooperation and Business Development with New Oriental Education and Technology Group. New Oriental is China’s largest private educational service provider, listed in the NYSE in 2006 (EDU). Mr. Chen joined New Oriental in September 2016. He is responsible for tapping overseas high-quality educational resources to strengthen New Oriental’s market-leading position in China’s education sector. He also leads New Oriental’s business development abroad, primarily in building strategic partnerships, investments, M&As. Before joining New Oriental, Mr. Chen worked for the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) in London for 12 years.
ZIYAAN VIRJI
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Added by chris macrae at 5:22am on December 31, 2020
rting fractions to decimals
Comparing fractions 1
Multiplying fractions 0.5
Multiplying fractions by integers
Converting mixed numbers and improper fractions
Adding fractions
Subtracting fractions
Simplifying fractions
Fraction word problems 1
Combining like terms with distribution
Writing expressions 2
One step equations
Expressing ratios as fractions
Percentage word problems 1
Ordering fractions
Dividing fractions word problems
Dividing fractions
Multiplying mixed numbers 1
Comparing improper fractions and mixed numbers
Adding subtracting mixed numbers 0.5
Fractions on the number line 2
Converting decimals to fractions 1
Ordering numbers
Fractions cut and copy 1
Adding subtracting mixed numbers 1
Fractions on the number line 3
Converting decimals to fractions 2
Square roots
Cube roots
Comparing fractions 2
Multiplying fractions word problems
Dividing fractions 0.5
Multiplying fractions
Adding and subtracting fractions
Estimating square roots
Writing proportions
Proportions 1
Ratio word problems
Percentage word problems 2
One-step equations with multiplication
…
g composite functions
Domain of a function
Range of a function
Converting between point-slope and slope-intercept
Linear and nonlinear functions
Converting between slope-intercept and standard form
Ideal stoichiometry
Recognizing features of functions 2
Recognizing functions
Inverses of functions
Shifting and reflecting functions
Finding the equation of a line
Limiting reagent stoichiometry
Inscribed angles 1
Graphing circles
Comparing features of functions 1
Interpreting features of functions 2
Recognizing functions 2
Graphing linear equations
Axis of symmetry
Inscribed angles 2
Graphing circles 2
Comparing features of functions 2
Equations of parallel and perpendicular lines
Graphing linear inequalities
Graphs of inequalities
Translations of polygons
Rotation of polygons
Inscribed angles 3
Graphing and solving linear inequalities
Imaginary unit powers
Adding and subtracting polynomials
Radians to degrees
Degrees to radians
Compass Constructions
The complex plane
Multiplying expressions 0.5
Arithmetic sequences 1
Recognizing conic sections
Graphing systems of equations
Radians and degrees
Absolute value of complex numbers
Complex plane operations
Complex number polar form intuition
Multiplying expressions 1
Multiplying polynomials
Arithmetic sequences 2
Geometric sequences 1
Parabola intuition 1
Equation of a circle in factored form
Distance between point and line
Solutions to systems of equations
Systems of equations with simple elimination
Systems of equations with substitution
Unit circle
Trigonometry 0.5
Adding and subtracting complex numbers
Factoring linear binomials
Arithmetic series
Geometric sequences 2
Parabola intuition 2
Equation of an ellipse
Equation of a circle in non-factored form
Equation of a hyperbola
Graphing systems of inequalities
Systems of equations with elimination
…
ing systems of inequalities
Systems of equations
Reciprocal trig functions
Trigonometry 1.5
Dividing complex numbers
Factoring difference of squares 2
Factoring polynomials 2
Solving quadratics by factoring
Solving quadratics by taking the square root
Systems of nonlinear equations
Systems of equations word problems
Matrix transpose
Trigonometry 2
Special right triangles
Multiplying and dividing complex numbers in polar form
Factoring difference of squares 3
Factoring polynomials with two variables
Factoring polynomials by grouping
Solving quadratics by factoring 2
Completing the square 1
Graphing parabolas in standard form
Matrix dimensions
Matrix addition and subtraction
Scalar matrix multiplication
Pythagorean identities
Addition and subtraction trig identities
Inverse trig functions
Graphs of sine and cosine
Completing the square 2
Vertex of a parabola
Graphing parabolas in vertex form
Defined and undefined matrix operations
Multiplying a matrix by a vector
Multiplying a matrix by a matrix
Law of cosines
Powers of complex numbers
Adding and subtracting rational expressions 0.5
Multiplying and dividing rational expressions 1
Simplifying rational expressions 1
Dividing polynomials by binomials 1
Quadratic formula
Graphing parabolas in all forms
Inverse of a 2x2 matrix
Determinant of a 2x2 matrix
Adding and subtracting rational expressions 1
Multiplying and dividing rational expressions 2
Simplifying rational expressions 2
Dividing polynomials by binomials 2
Quadratic formula with complex solutions
Solutions to quadratic equations
Parabola intuition 3
Determinant of a 3x3 matrix
Limits 1
Adding and subtracting rational expressions 1.5
Simplifying rational expressions 3
Dividing polynomials by binomials 3
Inverse of a 3x3 matrix
Limits 2
Adding and subtracting rational expressions 2
Extraneous solutions
Partial fraction expansion
Recognizing slope
Derivative intuition
Derivatives 1
Recognizing concavity
Power rule
Special derivatives
Visualizing derivatives
Chain rule 1
Product rule
Quotient rule
L'Hôpital's rule
This list of exercises are lowest/furthest section at http://www.khanacademy.org/exercisedashboard
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Area 1
Recognizing fractions 0.5
Positive and zero exponents
Reading bar charts 3
Creating box and whisker plots
Average word problems
Variance
Perimeter of squares and rectangles
Area of squares and rectangles
Equivalent fractions
Negative exponents
Standard deviation
Exploring standard deviation 1
Radius diameter and circumference
Fractional exponents
Exponent rules
Z scores 1
Empirical rule
Area of a circle
Area of triangles
< Scientific notation intuition
Negative fractional exponents
Simplifying radicals
Simplifying expressions with exponents
Z scores 2
Scientific notation
Adding and subtracting radicals
Radical equations
Z scores 3
Orders of magnitude
Significant figures
Multiplying and dividing scientific notation
Multiplying radicals
Simplifying logarithms
Recognizing rays lines and line segments
Simplifying logarithms 2
Combining like terms
Evaluating expressions in one variable
Points, lines, and planes
Measuring segments
Congruent segments
Measuring angles
Angle types
Fractions cut and copy 2
Ordering improper fractions and mixed numbers
Finding percents
Operations with logarithms
Writing expressions
Evaluating expressions in 2 variables
Multistep equations without variables
Segment addition
Midpoint of a segment
Exploring angle pairs
Complementary and supplementary angles
Converting decimals to percents
Converting percents to decimals
Combining like terms with distribution
Writing expressions 2
One step equations
Vertical angles
Vertical angles 2
Units
Expressing ratios as fractions
Percentage word problems 1
Discount tax and tip word problems
Markup and commission word problems
Counting 2
One-step equations with multiplication
Angle addition postulate
Rate problems 0.5
Probability space
2-step equations
Inequalities on a number line
Congruent angles
Parallel lines 1
Triangle types
Rate problems 1
Proportions 2
Permutations
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slope and other analytic geometry.
The coordinate plane
How can we communicate exactly where something is in two dimensions? Who was this Descartes character?
In this tutorial, we cover the basics of the coordinate plane. We then delve into graphing points and determining whether a point is a solution of an equation. This will be a great tutorial experience if you are just starting to ramp up your understanding of graphing or need some fundamental review.
Slope
If you've ever struggled to tell someone just how steep something is, you'll find the answer here. In this tutorial, we cover the idea of the slope of a line. We also think about how slope relates to the equation of a line and how you can determine the slope or y-intercept given some clues. This tutorial is appropriate for someone who understands the basics of graphing equations and want to dig a bit deeper. After this tutorial, you will be prepared to start thinking deeper about the equation of a line.
Equation of a line
You know a bit about slope and intercepts, but want to know more about all the ways you can represent the equation of a line including slope-intercept form, point-slope form, and standard form. This tutorial will satisfy that curiosity
Midpoint and distance
This tutorial covers some of the basics of analytic geometry: the distance between two points and the coordinate of the midpoint of two points.
Equations of parallel and perpendicular lines
You're familiar with graphing lines, slope and y-intercepts. Now we are going to go further into analytic geometry by thinking about the equations of parallel and perpendicular lines. Enjoy!
Graphing inequalities
In this tutorial we'll see how to graph linear inequalities on the coordinate plane. We'll also learn how to determine if a particular point is a solution of an inequality.
x Functions and their graphs Revisiting what a function is and how we can define and visualize one.
Introduction to functions
You've already been using functions in algebra, but just didn't realize it. Now you will. By introducing a little more notation and a few new ideas, you'll hopefully realize that functions are a very, very powerful tool. This tutorial is an old one that Sal made in the early days of Khan Academy. It is rough on the edges (and in between the edges), but it does go through the basic idea of what a function is and how we can define and evaluate functions.
Domain and range
What values can you and can you not input into a function? What values can the function output? The domain is the set of values that the function is defined for (i.e., the values that you can input into a function). The range is the set of values that the function output can take on. This tutorial covers the ideas of domain and range through multiple worked examples. These are really important ideas as you study higher mathematics.
Function inverses
Functions associate a set of inputs with a set of outputs (in fancy language, they "map" one set to another). But can we go the other way around? Are there functions that can start with the outputs as inputs and produce the original inputs as outputs? Yes, there are! They are called function inverses! This tutorial works through a bunch of examples to get you familiar with the world of function inverses.
Analyzing functions
You know a function when you see one, but are curious to start looking deeper at their properties. Some functions seem to be mirror images around the y-axis while others seems to be flipped mirror images while others are neither. How can we shift and reflect them? This tutorial addresses these questions by covering even and odd functions. It also covers how we can shift and reflect them. Enjoy!
Undefined and indeterminate answers
In second grade you may have raised your hand in class and asked what you get when you divide by zero. The answer was probably "it's not defined." In this tutorial we'll explore what that (and "indeterminate") means and why the math world has left this gap in arithmetic. (They could define something divided by 0 as 7 or 9 or 119.57 but have decided not to.)
More mathy functions
In this tutorial, we'll start to use and define functions in more "mathy" or formal ways.
xPolynomials and Rational Functions -Exploring quadratics and higher degree polynomials. Also in-depth look at rational functions.
Factoring quadratics
Just saying the word "quadratic" will make you feel smart and powerful. Try it. Imagine how smart and powerful you would actually be if you know what a quadratic is. Even better, imagine being able to completely dominate these "quadratics" with new found powers of factorization. Well, dream no longer. This tutorial will be super fun. Just bring to it your equation solving skills, your ability to multiply binomials and a non-linear way of thinking!
Completing the square and the quadratic formula
You're already familiar with factoring quadratics, but have begun to realize that it only is useful in certain cases. Well, this tutorial will introduce you to something far more powerful and general. Even better, it is the bridge to understanding and proving the famous quadratic formula. Welcome to the world of completing the square!
Quadratic inequalities
You are familiar with factoring quadratic expressions and solving quadratic equations. Well, as you might guess, not everything in life has to be equal. In this short tutorial we will look at quadratic inequalities.
Polynomials
"Polynomials" sound like a fancy word, but you just have to break down the root words. "Poly" means "many". So we're just talking about "many nomials" and everyone knows what a "nomial" is. Okay, most of us don't. Well, a polynomials has "many" terms. From understanding what a "term" is to basic simplification, addition and subtraction of polynomials, this tutorial will get you very familiar with the world of many "nomials." :)
Binomial theorem
You can keep taking the powers of a binomial by hand, but, as we'll see in this tutorial, there is a much more elegant way to do it using the binomial theorem and/or Pascal's Triangle.
Simplifying rational expressions
You get a rational expression when you divide one polynomial by another. If you have a good understanding of factoring quadratics, you'll be able to apply this skill here to help realize where a rational expression may not be defined and how we can go about simplifying it.
Rational functions
Have you ever wondered what would happen if you divide one polynomial by another? What if you set that equal to something else? Would it be as unbelievably epic as you suspect it would be?
Asymptotes and graphing rational functions
Partial fraction expansion
If you add several rational expressions with lower degree denominator, you are likely to get a sum with a higher degree denominator (which is the least-common multiple of the lower-degree ones). This tutorial lets us think about going the other way--start with a rational expression with a higher degree denominator and break it up as the sum of simpler rational expressions. This has many uses throughout mathematics. In particular, it is key when taking inverse Laplace transforms in differential equations (which you'll take, and rock, after calculus).
xExponential and Logarithmic Functions An look at exponential and logarithmic functions including many of their properties and graphs.
Exponential growth and decay
From compound interest to population growth to half lives of radioactive materials, it all comes down to exponential growth and decay.
x
x
Logarithmic functions
This tutorial shows you what a logarithmic function is. It will then go on to show the many times in nature and science that these type of functions are useful to describe what is happening.
x
x
x
Continuous compounding and e
This tutorial introduces us to one of the derivations (from finance and continuously compounding interest) of the irrational number 'e' which is roughly 2.71..
X Basic Trigonometry
Basic trigonometric ratios
In this tutorial, you will learn all the trigonometry that you are likely to remember in ten years (assuming you are a lazy non-curious, non-lifelong learner). But even in that non-ideal world where you forgot everything else, you'll be able to do more than you might expect with the concentrated knowledge you are about to get.
x
Radians
Most people know that you can measure angles with degrees, but only exceptionally worldly people know that radians can be an exciting alternative. As you'll see, degrees are somewhat arbitrary (if we lived on a planet that took 600 days to orbit its star, we'd probably have 600 degrees in a full revolution). Radians are pure. Seriously, they are measuring the angle in terms of how long the arc that subtends them is (measured in radiuseseses). If that makes no sense, imagine measuring a bridge with car lengths. If that still doesn't make sense, watch this tutorial!
Unit circle definition of trigonometric functions
You're beginning to outgrow SOH CAH TOA. It breaks down for angles greater than or equal to 90. It breaks down for negative angles. Sometimes in life, breaking a bad relationship early is good for both parties. Lucky for you, you don't have to stay lonely for long. We're about to introduce you to a much more robust way to define trigonometric functions. Don't want to get too hopeful, but this might be a keeper.
Graphs of trig functions
The unit circle definition allows us to define sine and cosine over all real numbers. Doesn't that make you curious what the graphs might look like? Well this tutorial will scratch that itch (and maybe a few others). Have fun.
Inverse trig functions
Someone has taken the sine of an angle and got 0.85671 and they won't tell you what the angle is!!! You must know it! But how?!!! Inverse trig functions are here to save your day (they often go under the aliases arcsin, arccos, and arctan).
Long live Tau
Pi (3.14159...) seems to get all of the attention in mathematics. On some level this is warranted. The ratio of the circumference of a circle to the diameter. Seems pretty pure. But what about the ratio of the circumference to the radius (which is two times pi and referred to as "tau")? Now that you know a bit of trigonometry, you'll discover in videos made by Sal and Vi that "tau" may be much more deserving of the throne!
Trigonometric identities
If you're starting to sense that there may be more to trig functions than meet the eye, you are sensing right. In this tutorial you'll discover exciting and beautiful and elegant and hilarious relationships between our favorite trig functions (and maybe a few that we don't particularly like). Warning: Many of these videos are the old, rougher Sal with the cheap equipment!
More trig examples
This tutorial is a catch-all for a bunch of things that we haven't been able (for lack of time or ability) to categorize into other tutorials :
Law of cosines and law of sines
The primary tool that we've had to find the length of a side of a triangle given the other two sides has been the Pythagorean theorem, but that only applies to right triangles. In this tutorial, we'll extend this triangle-side-length toolkit with the law of cosines and the law of sines. Using these tool, given information about side lengths and angles, we can figure out things about even non-right triangles that you may have thought weren't even possible!
x
xParametric Equations and Polar Coordinates An alternative to Cartesian coordinates.
Parametric equations
Here we will explore representing our x's and y's in terms of a third variable or parameter (often 't'). Not only can we describe new things, but it can be super useful for describing things like particle motion in physics.
Polar coordinates
Feel that Cartesian coordinates are too "square". That they bias us towards lines and away from cool spirally things. Well polar coordinates be just what you need!
Conic Sections A detailed look at shapes that are prevalent in science: conic sections
Conic section basics
What is a conic other than a jazz singer from New Orleans? Well, as you'll see in this tutorial, a conic section is formed when you intersect a plane with cones. You end up with some familiar shapes (like circles and ellipses) and some that are a bit unexpected (like hyperbolas). This tutorial gets you set up with the basics and is a good foundation for going deeper into the world of conic sections.
Circles
You've seen circles your entire life. You've even studied them a bit in math class. Now we go further, taking a deep look at the equations of circles.
Ellipses
What would you call a circle that isn't a circle? One that is is is taller or fatter rather than being perfectly round? An ellipse. (All circles are special cases of ellipses.) In this tutorial we go deep into the equations and graphs of ellipses.
Parabolas
You've seen parabolas already when you graphed quadratic functions. Now we will look at them from a conic perspective. In particular we will look at them as the set of all points equidistant from a point (focus) and a line (directrix). Have fun!
Hyperbolas
It is no hyperbole to say that hyperbolas are awesome. In this tutorial, we look closely at this wacky conic section. We pay special attention to its graph and equation.
Conics from equations
You're familiar with the graphs and equations of all of the conic sections. Now you want practice identifying them given only their equations. You, my friend, are about to click on exactly the right tutorial.
Conics in the IIT JEE
Do you think that the math exams that you have to take are hard? Well, if you have the stomach, try the problem(s) in this tutorial. They are not only conceptually difficult, but they are also hairy. Don't worry if you have trouble with this. Most of us would. The IIT JEE is an exam administered to 200,000 students every year in India to select which 2000 go to the competitive IITs. They need to make sure that most of the students can't do most of the problems so that they can really whittle the applicants down.
Systems of Equations and Inequalities What happens when we have many variables but also many constraints.
Solving systems of equations for the king
Whether in the real world or a cliche fantasy one, systems of equations are key to solving super-important issues like "the make-up of change in a troll's pocket" or "how can order the right amount of potato chips for a King's party." Join us as we cover (and practice with examples and exercises) all of the major ways of solving a system: graphically, elimination, and substitution. This tutorial will also help you think about when system might have no solution or an infinite number of solutions. Very, very exciting stuff!
Systems of inequalities
You feel comfortable with systems of equations, but you begin to realize that the world is not always fair. Not everything is equal! In this short tutorial, we will explore systems of inequalities. We'll graph them. We'll think about whether a point satisfies them. We'll even give you as much practice as you need. All for 3 easy installments of... just kidding, it's free (although the knowledge obtained in priceless). A good deal if we say so ourselves!
Systems with three variables
Two equations with two unknowns not challenging enough for you? How about three equations with three unknowns? Visualizing lines in 2-D too easy? Well, now you're going to visualize intersecting planes in 3-D, baby. (Okay, we admit that it is weird for a website to call you "baby.")
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Added by chris macrae at 1:13pm on August 21, 2013
the world’s richest people. Details about the calculations are provided in the net worth analysis on each billionaire’s profile page. The figures are updated at the close of every trading day in New York.
Rank
Name
Total net worth
$ Last change
$ YTD change
Country
1
Bill Gates
$90.7B
-$115M
+$8.33B
United States
2
Jeff Bezos
$89.3B
-$544M
+$23.9B
United States
3
Amancio Ortega
$82.7B
-$3.61M
+$10.6B
Spain
4
Warren Buffett
$74.5B
+$5.00M
+$1.40B
United States
5
Mark Zuckerberg
$72.5B
+$1.99B
+$22.5B
United States
6
Carlos Slim
$65.3B
-$973M
+$15.4B
Mexico
7
Larry Ellison
$52.2B
-$622M
+$10.7B
United States
8
Bernard Arnault
$51.8B
-$635M
+$12.6B
France
9
Charles Koch
$47.7B
+$192M
+$2.10B
United States
10
David Koch
$47.7B
+$192M
+$2.10B
United States
11
Larry Page
$47.5B
-$505M
+$7.54B
United States
12
Sergey Brin
$46.4B
-$488M
+$7.13B
United States
13
Ingvar Kamprad
$44.9B
+$477M
+$947M
Sweden
14
Jack Ma
$43.5B
-$244M
+$10.2B
China
15
Liliane Bettencourt
$41.9B
-$107M
+$5.72B
France
16
Rob Walton
$39.2B
+$341M
+$4.79B
United States
17
Jim Walton
$38.8B
+$362M
+$4.43B
United States
18
Alice Walton
$37.8B
+$347M
+$4.57B
United States
19
Mukesh Ambani
$34.8B
-$556M
+$12.0B
India
20
Jacqueline Mars
$33.6B
+$202M
+$2.29B
United States
21
John Mars
$33.6B
+$202M
+$2.29B
United States
22
Li Ka-Shing
$33.3B
+$82.8M
+$4.65B
Hong Kong
23
Sheldon Adelson
$32.3B
+$297M
+$4.13B
United States
24
Hui Ka Yan
$31.9B
+$3.77B
+$24.5B
China
25
Pony Ma
$31.8B
+$691M
+$11.0B
China
26
Jorge Paulo Lemann
$31.6B
+$1.11B
+$4.20B
Brazil
27
Wang Jianlin
$30.6B
+$18.1M
+$172M
China
28
Steve Ballmer
$30.2B
-$347M
+$3.84B
United States
29
Phil Knight
$25.6B
-$67.6M
+$2.71B
United States
30
George Soros
$24.4B
$0
-$844M
United States
31
Francois Pinault
$23.8B
-$252M
+$8.75B
France
32
Giovanni Ferrero
$22.8B
-$196M
+$2.57B
Italy
33
Paul Allen
$22.4B
-$101M
+$2.17B
United States
34
Stefan Persson
$22.4B
-$11.8M
-$672M
Sweden
35
Dieter Schwarz
$22.1B
-$353M
+$1.22B
Germany
36
Lee Shau Kee
$21.7B
+$30.6M
+$3.42B
Hong Kong
37
Leonardo del Vecchio
$21.6B
+$50.0M
+$3.30B
Italy
38
Susanne Klatten
$20.7B
-$270M
+$1.07B
Germany
39
Michael Dell
$20.5B
-$155M
+$1.63B
United States
40
Serge Dassault
$20.2B
+$361M
+$4.96B
France
41
Wang Wei
$19.9B
+$84.1M
+$15.2B
China
42
Lee Kun Hee
$19.8B
+$16.2M
+$5.66B
Korea, Republic of
43
Georg Schaeffler
$19.7B
+$35.9M
+$1.81B
Germany
44
Charlie Ergen
$19.7B
-$106M
+$2.03B
United States
45
Carl Icahn
$18.9B
-$113M
-$1.70B
United States
46
Alwaleed Al Saud
$18.7B
-$83.4M
-$1.06B
Saudi Arabia
47
William Ding
$18.4B
-$117M
+$5.58B
China
48
Len Blavatnik
$18.3B
-$48.2M
-$351M
United States
49
Stefan Quandt
$18.2B
-$259M
+$470M
Germany
50
Laurene Powell Jobs
$18.2B
+$107M
-$458M
United States
51
Joseph Safra
$18.1B
+$31.0M
+$2.83B
Brazil
52
Ron Perelman
$17.9B
-$97.0M
+$923M
United States
53
Alexey Mordashov
$17.3B
+$5.36M
+$360M
Russian Federation
54
Donald Bren
$16.9B
$0
+$331M
United States
55
Elon R Musk
$16.8B
-$305M
+$4.21B
United States
56
Yang Huiyan
$16.7B
+$1.04B
+$9.56B
China
57
Lakshmi Mittal
$16.7B
+$137M
+$2.29B
India
58
Vladimir Potanin
$16.6B
+$160M
-$49.8M
Russian Federation
59
Dustin Moskovitz
$16.5B
+$461M
+$5.28B
United States
60
Elaine Marshall
$16.4B
+$66.7M
+$739M
United States
61
Alejandro Santo Domingo
$16.4B
+$637M
+$1.74B
Colombia
62
Robert Kuok
$16.2B
+$11.3M
+$3.14B
Malaysia
63
Azim Premji
$15.9B
+$66.8M
+$3.64B
India
64
Iris Fontbona
$15.8B
-$49.3M
+$3.89B
Chile
65
Tadashi Yanai
$15.8B
-$57.7M
-$2.74B
Japan
66
Ernesto Bertarelli
$15.8B
-$101M
+$1.62B
Switzerland
67
Jim Simons
$15.7B
$0
+$170M
United States
68
Charoen Sirivadhanabhakdi
$15.6B
-$80.9M
+$3.97B
Thailand
69
Thomas Peterffy
$15.6B
+$45.6M
+$1.05B
United States
70
Pallonji Mistry
$15.5B
-$309M
+$1.80B
India
71
Viktor Vekselberg
$15.4B
-$163M
+$1.23B
Russian Federation
72
Leonid Mikhelson
$15.3B
+$33.2M
-$1.96B
Russian Federation
73
Charlene de Carvalho-Heineken
$15.3B
+$52.2M
+$4.15B
Netherlands
74
Masayoshi Son
$15.2B
+$53.9M
+$2.53B
Japan
75
Marcel Telles
$15.1B
+$533M
+$2.29B
Brazil
76
Klaus-Michael Kuehne
$15.1B
-$105M
+$3.56B
Germany
77
Vladimir Lisin
$15.0B
-$121M
+$1.91B
Russian Federation
78
Henry Cheng
$15.0B
+$267M
+$3.61B
Hong Kong
79
Mikhail Fridman
$14.7B
+$54.8M
+$1.42B
Russian Federation
80
Alisher Usmanov
$14.5B
-$10.4M
+$1.60B
Russian Federation
81
Gina Rinehart
$14.5B
+$101M
+$2.13B
Australia
82
Robin Li
$14.5B
-$12.1M
+$2.56B
China
83
Ray Dalio
$14.3B
$0
+$221M
United States
84
Yeung Kin-Man
$14.2B
+$208M
+$2.26B
Hong Kong
85
Aliko Dangote
$14.0B
-$5.74M
+$3.61B
Nigeria
86
Yongxing Liu
$13.9B
-$85.6M
+$3.41B
China
87
Takemitsu Takizaki
$13.7B
+$233M
+$3.09B
Japan
88
Lukas Walton
$13.7B
+$98.2M
+$1.88B
United States
89
Shiv Nadar
$13.5B
-$9.59M
+$1.52B
India
90
Dietrich Mateschitz
$13.4B
-$84.5M
+$2.26B
Austria
91
Lui Che Woo
$13.4B
+$126M
+$3.12B
Hong Kong
92
Si Newhouse
$13.3B
+$277M
+$1.00B
United States
93
Zhang Zhidong
$13.3B
+$308M
+$4.88B
China
94
Alberto Bailleres
$13.3B
-$136M
+$2.52B
Mexico
95
Stefano Pessina
$13.2B
+$14.3M
-$402M
Monaco
96
Hasso Plattner
$12.9B
+$29.7M
+$2.02B
Germany
97
Petr Kellner
$12.9B
-$38.6M
+$1.56B
Czech Republic
98
Carlos Sicupira
$12.9B
+$417M
+$1.83B
Brazil
99
Patrick Drahi
$12.8B
+$64.2M
+$2.49B
France
100
Rupert Murdoch
$12.6B
+$437M
+$1.00B
United States
101
Dilip Shanghvi
$12.4B
-$126M
-$358M
India
102
Andrey Melnichenko
$12.4B
+$114M
+$1.11B
Russian Federation
103
Peter Woo
$12.3B
+$56.5M
+$3.12B
Hong Kong
104
Donald Newhouse
$12.3B
+$277M
+$1.00B
United States
105
Eric Schmidt
$12.2B
-$117M
+$1.57B
United States
106
Luis Sarmiento
$12.2B
+$27.3M
+$894M
Colombia
107
Hugh Grosvenor
$12.2B
$0
+$120M
United Kingdom
108
George Kaiser
$12.2B
+$11.5M
-$1.06B
United States
109
Leonard Lauder
$12.2B
+$55.2M
+$2.20B
United States
110
Steve Schwarzman
$12.1B
-$175M
+$1.99B
United States
111
Steve Cohen
$12.1B
$0
+$899M
United States
112
Heinz Hermann Thiele
$12.0B
-$75.8M
+$1.48B
Germany
113
Sara Mota de Larrea
$11.9B
-$92.3M
+$2.11B
Mexico
114
John Menard Jr
$11.9B
+$124M
+$280M
United States
115
Karl Albrecht Jr
$11.8B
-$190M
+$670M
Germany
116
Beate Heister
$11.8B
-$190M
+$670M
Germany
117
Kjeld Kristiansen
$11.7B
+$4.43M
+$1.56B
Denmark
118
Micky Arison
$11.7B
-$32.6M
+$2.58B
United States
119
Hans Rausing
$11.6B
+$26.0M
+$1.18B
Sweden
120
Budi Hartono
$11.4B
+$94.3M
+$2.07B
Indonesia
121
Alain Wertheimer
$11.3B
+$4.24M
+$1.07B
France
122
Gerard Wertheimer
$11.3B
+$4.24M
+$1.07B
France
123
Roman Abramovich
$11.3B
+$17.7M
+$591M
Russian Federation
124
Raymond Kwok
$11.3B
+$102M
+$1.68B
Hong Kong
125
Mikhail Prokhorov
$11.3B
+$37.5M
+$494M
Russian Federation
126
He Xiangjian
$11.0B
-$239M
+$3.22B
China
127
Thomas Kwok
$11.0B
+$127M
+$1.43B
Hong Kong
128
Michael Hartono
$11.0B
+$94.1M
+$2.03B
Indonesia
129
Vagit Alekperov
$10.9B
+$127M
-$1.10B
Russian Federation
130
Phil Anschutz
$10.7B
-$57.7M
+$69.3M
United States
131
Jan Koum
$10.5B
+$99.9M
+$1.65B
United States
132
Richard Liu
$10.4B
-$160M
+$4.44B
China
133
John Fredriksen
$10.3B
-$64.5M
+$366M
Cyprus
134
Tan Siok Tjien
$10.2B
+$201M
+$1.98B
Indonesia
135
Joseph Tsai
$10.2B
-$107M
+$4.50B
Canada
136
Uday Kotak
$10.1B
+$131M
+$3.03B
India
137
Zhou Qunfei
$10.0B
+$142M
+$2.86B
China
138
Harold Hamm
$10.0B
+$187M
-$5.00B
United States
139
Jim Goodnight
$9.98B
-$310M
+$751M
United States
140
David Tepper
$9.97B
$0
+$112M
United States
141
German Khan
$9.96B
+$38.1M
+$766M
Russian Federation
142
Jim Ratcliffe
$9.94B
-$157M
+$3.74B
United Kingdom
143
Ricardo Salinas
$9.94B
-$7.69M
+$6.09B
Mexico
144
Walter Kwok
$9.85B
+$90.6M
+$1.27B
Hong Kong
145
Dmitry Rybolovlev
$9.77B
-$2.79M
+$165M
Russian Federation
146
Abby Johnson
$9.69B
-$327M
+$2.32B
United States
147
Gennady Timchenko
$9.67B
+$3.61M
-$1.80B
Russian Federation
148
Carl Cook
$9.60B
-$66.4M
+$1.52B
United States
149
Mohammed Al-Amoudi
$9.60B
-$29.2M
+$544M
Saudi Arabia
150
John Malone
$9.31B
+$146M
+$1.20B
United States
151
Blair Parry-Okeden
$9.29B
+$118M
+$576M
United States
152
Jim Kennedy
$9.29B
+$117M
+$575M
United States
153
Gong Hongjia
$9.28B
+$68.4M
+$4.13B
China
154
Eyal Ofer
$9.26B
-$2.21M
+$671M
Israel
155
Reinhold Wuerth
$9.23B
+$82.6M
+$1.34B
Germany
156
Eduardo Saverin
$9.23B
+$257M
+$2.97B
Brazil
157
Galen Weston
$9.21B
-$96.5M
+$632M
Canada
158
Kumar Birla
$9.16B
$0
+$3.13B
India
159
Cyrus Poonawalla
$9.14B
+$74.5M
+$1.14B
India
160
Paolo Rocca
$9.12B
-$100M
-$97.1M
Italy
161
Stephen Ross
$9.10B
$0
+$174M
United States
162
Patrick Soon-Shiong
$9.07B
-$98.6M
+$242M
United States
163
Goh Cheng Liang
$8.91B
+$59.6M
+$2.52B
Singapore
164
Pierre Omidyar
$8.78B
+$59.5M
+$1.90B
United States
165
Joseph Lau
$8.75B
+$145M
+$776M
Hong Kong
166
August von Finck
$8.72B
-$101M
+$727M
Germany
167
Graeme Hart
$8.70B
+$10.0M
+$2.23B
New Zealand
168
Xavier Niel
$8.67B
+$108M
+$1.95B
France
169
Gautam Adani
$8.61B
-$65.1M
+$3.98B
India
170
Andy Beal
$8.55B
$0
-$501M
United States
171
Wang Wenyin
$8.52B
-$62.3M
+$2.15B
China
172
Gianluigi Aponte
$8.49B
-$75.1M
+$1.59B
Switzerland
173
Marijke Mars
$8.38B
+$50.4M
+$570M
United States
174
Victoria Mars
$8.38B
+$50.4M
+$570M
United States
175
Pam Mars-Wright
$8.38B
+$50.4M
+$570M
United States
176
Valerie Mars
$8.38B
+$50.4M
+$570M
United States
177
Thomas Frist
$8.36B
-$117M
+$561M
United States
178
Charles Schwab
$8.29B
-$34.6M
+$487M
United States
179
Mohamed Al Jaber
$8.27B
+$2.08M
+$37.4M
Saudi Arabia
180
Silvio Berlusconi
$8.20B
+$50.0M
+$855M
Italy
181
Sandra Ortega Mera
$8.20B
-$2.76M
+$1.10B
Spain
182
James Dyson
$8.16B
-$103M
+$3.51B
United Kingdom
183
Giorgio Armani
$8.02B
+$22.8M
+$860M
Italy
184
Dietmar Hopp
$7.98B
+$20.3M
+$1.48B
Germany
185
Wee Cho Yaw
$7.85B
+$68.1M
+$1.85B
Singapore
186
Frederik Paulsen
$7.85B
-$266M
+$1.64B
Sweden
187
Oleg Deripaska
$7.81B
+$145M
+$1.69B
Russian Federation
188
Theo Albrecht Jr
$7.80B
-$91.6M
+$495M
Germany
189
Johann Graf
$7.78B
-$125M
+$825M
Austria
190
Roberto Marinho
$7.69B
-$84.3M
+$1.18B
Brazil
191
Joao Marinho
$7.69B
-$84.3M
+$1.18B
Brazil
192
Emmanuel Besnier
$7.68B
-$34.9M
+$412M
France
193
David Geffen
$7.67B
-$41.6M
+$585M
United States
194
Johann Rupert
$7.63B
+$354k
+$1.20B
South Africa
195
Jose Marinho
$7.63B
-$83.5M
+$1.17B
Brazil
196
Robert Rowling
$7.60B
+$105M
+$892M
United States
197
Dave Duffield
$7.59B
-$166M
+$2.48B
United States
198
Heinrich Deichmann
$7.56B
-$87.8M
+$1.04B
Germany
199
Jeff Hildebrand
$7.55B
+$21.7M
-$1.72B
United States
200
Li Shu Fu
$7.55B
+$67.1M
+$4.44B
China
…
Markup and commission word problems
Counting 2
Angle addition postulate
Rate problems 0.5
Writing proportions
Proportions 1
Ratio word problems
Percentage word problems 2
Probability space
2-step equations
Inequalities on a number line
Congruent angles
Parallel lines 1
Triangle types
Rate problems 1
Proportions 2
Permutations
Probability 1
Linear equation word problems
Equations with variables on both sides
One step inequalities
Converse, inverse, and contrapositive
Conditional statements
Alternate interior angles 2
Corresponding angles 2
Alternate exterior angles 2
Same side interior angles 2
Same side exterior angles 2
Angles 1
Triangle angles 1
Rate problems 2
Combinations
Independent probability
Expected value
Age word problems
Multi-step equations
Absolute value equations
Compound inequalities
Adding vectors
Logical arguments and deductive reasoning
Conditional statements and truth value
Parallel lines 2
Angles 2
Angle bisector theorem
Triangle inequality theorem
Permutations and combinations
Dependent probability
Multistep equations with distribution
Converting 1-digit repeating decimals to fractions
Expressions with unknown variables
Scaling vectors
Quadrilateral types
Probability with permutations and combinations
Basic set notation
Solving equations in terms of a variable
Converting multi-digit repeating decimals to fractions
Expressions with unknown variables 2
Congruency postulates
Congruent triangles 1
Quadrilateral angles
Angles of a polygon
Graphing points
Congruent triangles 2
Graphing points and naming quadrants
Points on the coordinate plane
Ordered pair solutions to linear equations
Similar triangles 1
Basic triangle proofs
Area of parallelograms
Area of trapezoids, rhombi, and kites
Identifying linear relationships
Similar triangles 2
Fill-in-the-blank triangle proofs
Circles and arcs
Areas of circles and sectors
Solid geometry
Identifying slope of a line
Solving for the y-intercept
Solving similar triangles 1
Wrong statements in triangle proofs
Shaded areas
Pythagorean theorem
Understanding function notation
New operator definitions 1
Direct and inverse variation
Line graph intuition
Solving for the x-intercept
Solving similar triangles 2
Heron's formula
Distance formula
Positive and negative parts of functions
Evaluating expressions with function notation
Domain and range
New operator definitions 2
Average rate of change
…
from UN Headquarters, New York at:http://enb.iisd.org/hlpf/2017/
The 2017 meeting of the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) under the auspices of the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) took place from 10-19 July 2017, at UN Headquarters in New York. The meeting focused on the theme of “Eradicating poverty and promoting prosperity in a changing world.” In addition to representatives of Member States, 77 Ministers, Cabinet Secretaries, and Deputy Ministers, and nearly 2500 stakeholders participated.
During the first week, the Forum reviewed progress on the implementation of the 2030 Agenda, including at the regional and sub-regional levels. The Forum carried out four thematic reviews related to the 2017 theme on: Addressing multi-dimensions of poverty and inequalities; Multi-stakeholder perspectives; Taking forward the Small Island States Accelerated Modalities of Action (SAMOA) Pathway; and Countries in Special Situations: Least developed countries (LDCs) and landlocked developing countries (LLDCs), and special challenges of middle-income countries (MICs).
Six Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were reviewed in depth: SDG 1 (no poverty); SDG 2 (zero hunger); SDG 3 (good health and well-being); SDG 5 (gender equality); SDG 9 (industry, innovation and infrastructure); and SDG 14 (life below water). Thematic reviews also took place on two issues related to SDG 17 (partnerships for the Goals): Investing in and financing for SDGs; and Advancing science, technology and innovation (STI) for SDGs. In addition, sessions were held on leveraging interlinkages for effective implementation of SDGs, and science-policy interface and emerging issues. The events of the first week were summarized in a wrap-up session on Friday, 14 July.
The Ministerial Segment convened from 17-19 July, and included 13 sessions where 43 countries presented their Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs). In parallel, a general debate took place, where UN Secretary-General António Guterres’s report on the theme of the 2017 ECOSOC session was presented, along with the Committee for Development Policy’s report. Over the three days, 91 Ministers, and other high-level representatives of Member States, including one Prime Minister, delivered statements as part of the High-level General Debate.
A Ministerial Declaration was adopted during the closing session on 19 July, following votes on two paragraphs: peaceful, just and inclusive societies, with a reference to the removal of obstacles to the full realization of the right of self-determination of peoples living under colonial and foreign occupation; and means of implementation, including promotion of a universal, rule-based, multilateral trading system. The Declaration was adopted with both paragraphs intact.
A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE HLPF
The HLPF was called for by the UN Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20) in June 2012 in its outcome document, “The Future We Want,” to follow up on the implementation of sustainable development.
UNGA-67: The 67th session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA) adopted resolution 67/290 on the format and organizational aspects of the HLPF on 9 July 2013. It decided that the HLPF, consistent with its intergovernmental, universal character, will:
provide political leadership, guidance, and recommendations for sustainable development;
follow up and review progress in the implementation of sustainable development commitments;
enhance the integration of the three dimensions of sustainable development (social, economic, and environmental); and
have a focused, dynamic, and action-oriented agenda, ensuring the appropriate consideration of new and emerging sustainable development challenges.
The resolutions called for the meetings of the Forum to be convened every four years under the auspices of the UNGA at the level of Heads of State and Government―two days at the beginning of the UNGA session; and every year under the auspices of ECOSOC―for eight days, including a three-day ministerial segment.
Both meetings will adopt negotiated declarations. The Forum, under the auspices of ECOSOC, will conduct regular reviews, starting in 2016, on the follow-up and implementation of sustainable development commitments and objectives, including those related to the means of implementation, within the context of the “post-2015 development agenda.”
FIRST SESSION OF THE HLPF: The inaugural session of the HLPF on 24 September 2013, under the auspices of the UNGA, focused on the theme of “Building the future we want from Rio+20 to the post-2015 development agenda.” Heads of State and Government and Ministers discussed: moving from vision to action; global partnerships for development; and mapping the way forward for eradicating poverty and achieving sustainable development.
2014 SESSION OF THE HLPF: The second session of the HLPF, under the auspices of ECOSOC, convened from 30 June to 9 July 2014, and focused on “Achieving the Millennium Development Goals and charting the way for an ambitious post-2015 development agenda including the SDGs.” A Ministerial Declaration was adopted at the end of the meeting.
2015 SESSION OF THE HLPF: The third session of the HLPF, under the auspices of ECOSOC, convened from 26 June to 8 July 2015, and focused on “Strengthening integration, implementation and review – the HLPF after 2015.” Moderated discussions took place on, inter alia, supporting national action through HLPF outcomes; keeping science involved in SDG implementation; tracking progress through existing mechanisms; the HLPF in the next 15 years; reviewing and monitoring progress; and realizing the SDGs. A Ministerial Declaration was adopted at the end of the meeting.
2030 AGENDA: The intergovernmental negotiation process on the post-2015 development agenda included thirteen meetings of an Open Working Group to formulate the 17 SDGs and 169 targets; and a series of eight sessions to develop “Transforming Our World: The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development,” a package that includes a declaration, the SDGs, means of implementation, and a framework for follow-up and review of implementation. The 2030 Agenda, adopted at the September 2015 UN Sustainable Development Summit, calls on the HLPF, under the auspices of ECOSOC, to carry out voluntary, state-led national reviews to provide a platform for partnerships.
2016 SESSION OF THE HLPF: The fourth session of the HLPF, under the auspices of ECOSOC, convened from 11-20 July 2016, focusing on the theme of “Ensuring that no one is left behind.” In addition to moderated dialogues, five sessions focused on the first round of VNRs submitted by 22 countries. A Ministerial Declaration was adopted at the end of the Forum, following a vote on the retention of a paragraph relating to the Paris Agreement on climate change. The Declaration was adopted with the paragraph intact.
HLPF 2017 SUMMARY
ECOSOC President Frederick Musiiwa Makamure Shava, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Zimbabwe, opened HLPF 2017 on Monday, 10 July, and invited Member States to adopt the provisional agenda (E/HLPF/2017/5) for the session. He noted that the HLPF will carry out in-depth discussions on a set of SDGs for the first time.
Highlighting key messages from the UN Secretary-General’s report on progress towards the SDGs (E/2017/66), UN Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs Wu Hongbo said the report uses the global indicator framework developed by the UN Inter-Agency and Expert Group on SDG Indicators (IAEG-SDGs), which was just adopted by the UNGA earlier in July 2017.
On behalf of Major Groups and other Stakeholders (MGoS), Vivania Ditukana Tatawaqa, Women’s Major Group, called for reflection on the role of civil society in 2030 Agenda implementation.
Keynote speaker Robert Johnson, Institute for New Economic Thinking, described the new “dangerous discontents” of globalization, calling on them not to direct their discontent at emerging and poor countries.
Keynote speaker Sakiko Fukuda-Parr, The New School, highlighted issues that could compromise SDG implementation, including: inadequate strengthening of data collection capacity; gaps and distortions in the global indicator framework due to limitations in data collection; and lack of balance among the indicators.
Implementation at the regional and sub-regional levels
This session, on Monday, 10 July, was chaired by ECOSOC President Shava.
Noting insufficient progress on a third of the SDGs in the region, Shamshad Akhtar, UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific, said baseline data availability varies considerably across the Asia-Pacific region.
Alicia Bárcena, UN Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean, identified progress on, among other matters: creating inter-institutional and inter-sectoral architecture at the highest political levels; strengthening regional architecture; and converting regional forums into multi-stakeholder spaces.
Identifying peace in the region as a global and regional responsibility, Mohamed Ali Alhakim, UN Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia, identified common efforts to address migration, prevent depletion of natural resources, and eliminate barriers to women’s participation in development efforts.
Olga Algayerova, UN Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), emphasized the need to: consider how SDGs link with existing development plans; tackle persistent gender gaps; and use a sub-regional approach for SDGs that have transboundary dimensions.
Highlighting an annual gross domestic product (GDP) growth of almost 4% from 2010-2015 in her region, Aida Opoku-Mensah, UN Economic Commission for Africa, said challenges include: data gaps; inequality; illicit financial flows; and weak public institutions.
Panelists then discussed the key drivers of change in their respective regions, emphasizing: investments in green technology; human capital development; management of natural resources; domestic resource mobilization; horizontal and vertical coordination across policy areas and government levels; and multi-stakeholder partnerships.
Shava called for a discussion on lessons learned on means of implementation (MOI) for SDGs in the regions. Panelists noted the need to: leverage private finance; address tax evasion and illicit financial flows; continue to provide official development assistance (ODA); improve investments in research and development; and tap into the opportunities provided by regional economic integration.
In the discussion, participants highlighted, inter alia: the challenges of small island developing states (SIDS), including a high rate of indebtedness; sub-regional efforts to promote innovation; and addressing climate change at the regional level. A number of participants emphasized the mutually reinforcing nature of regional visions and the 2030 Agenda, and the role of the regional economic commissions.
A more detailed summary of the discussion is available at: http://enb.iisd.org/vol33/enb3329e.html
THEMATIC REVIEW ON ERADICATING POVERTY AND PROMOTING PROSPERITY IN A CHANGING WORLD
Four thematic reviews on the theme of HLPF 2017 took place during the first week – two (on addressing multidimensional poverty and inequalities, and multi-stakeholder perspectives) for three hours each; and two (on the SAMOA Pathway and countries in special situations), for 90 minutes each.
ADDRESSING MULTI-DIMENSIONS OF POVERTY AND INEQUALITIES: Nabeel Munir, Deputy Permanent Representative of Pakistan and ECOSOC Vice President, opened this session on Monday, 10 July. Vikas Swarup, High Commissioner of India to Canada, moderated.
Panelist Sabina Alkire, Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative, introduced the Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) and provided examples of how the MPI approach has allowed countries to identify gaps in national policies, budgets, and inter-sectoral coordination.
Panelist Claudia Vasquez Marazzani, Colombia, said the MPI has enabled her government to improve coordination, reduce the rural-urban poverty divide, and anticipate changing poverty levels.
Panelist Anthony Lake, UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF), noted that half of all “multi-dimensionally” poor people in the world are children, and called for a renewed focus on better data and equity.
Lead discussant Laura Stachel, We Care Solar, described the efforts of her organization to augment existing healthcare programmes by incorporating the issue of energy access.
Lead discussant Emem Omokaro, African Society for Ageing Research and Development, called for a “life cycle” approach to development that recognizes the importance of social inclusion.
From the floor, participants raised, inter alia: the importance of social protection systems as a key instrument for poverty eradication; institutional interventions needed to promote synergies and multiplying effects to eradicate poverty through a multi-dimensional approach; the “incompleteness” of the SDG indicator framework; a rights-based response to economic crises; national strategies for poverty eradication, gender equality, and employment; and the need for gender-disaggregated data to capture individual-level differences in the MPI.
Panelists further raised: the interlinkages between challenges in education, employment, and health, especially for vulnerable youth; the risk of proliferation of different national measures; and the need for a global MPI to complement national MPIs.
A more detailed summary of the discussion is available at:http://enb.iisd.org/vol33/enb3329e.html
MULTI-STAKEHOLDER PERSPECTIVES: This session on Tuesday, 11 July, was chaired by Jürgen Schulz, Deputy Permanent Representative of Germany to the UN and ECOSOC Vice President.
Luisa Emilia Reyes Zuñiga, MGoS HLPF Coordination Mechanism, highlighted the role of the Mechanism in ensuring rights of access to, and inclusive participation in, the HLPF are upheld and potentially expanded.
Under-Secretary-General Wu called for the active engagement of all stakeholders to build ownership of the SDGs.
MGoS: Challenges and pathways to eradicating poverty and promoting prosperity in a changing world: This part of the discussion was moderated by Maruxa Cardama, Cities Alliance.
Wellington Chibebe, for Workers and Trade Unions, highlighted reporting on the SDGs by trade unions to complement VNRs, and stressed the importance of SDGs 1, 3, and 5 for workers.
Sehnaz Kiymaz, for Women, stressed empowering women and girls affected by conflict, and the need for dedicated funding for gender issues.
As a Member States’ respondent, Kenya noted the importance of: international cooperation on trade that allows Africa to finance its needs; national good governance; and inclusion and participation.
Louise Kantrow, for Business and Industry, said a number of companies have already begun to integrate SDGs into their sustainability efforts.
Luis Miguel Etchevehere, for Farmers, highlighted access to innovation to reduce production costs, and better marketing for farm products.
As a Member States’ respondent, Indonesia proposed six “I’s” for poverty eradication: initiative, intervention, incentive, innovation, including all, and international cooperation.
Noting that persons with disabilities are exposed to multiple forms of discrimination, José Maria Viera, for Persons with Disabilities, urged their inclusion in national poverty reduction programmes.
Roberto Bissio, for the Financing for Development Civil Society Group, stressed that financing must “first do no harm.”
Katarina Popovic, Education and Academia stakeholder group, said education remains underfunded despite the importance of SDG 4 (quality education).
During the discussion, participants highlighted: leadership for innovative government; cohesion; involvement of all stakeholders; respect for diversity; inclusion of climate change in VNRs and the HLPF 2017 ministerial declaration; and the need to secure land rights of indigenous peoples.
Leaving no one behind: Ensuring an enabling environment for effective MGoS implementation and monitoring of the SDGs: ECOSOC Vice President Schulz chaired this session. Naiara Costa, Together 2030, moderated.
Saúl Zenteno-Bueno, for Children and Youth, highlighted shadow reports by youth on national implementation, and the importance of peer-to-peer learning.
Rosalea Hamilton, for NGOs, called for a participatory approach to budgeting.
James O’Brien, the stakeholder group of Volunteers, called on governments to reflect on how volunteers can engage in monitoring by citizens.
As a Member States’ respondent, Slovenia underlined the role of volunteerism in supporting social cohesion.
Jan van Zanen, Mayor of Utrecht, the Netherlands, underlined that full ownership of the 2030 Agenda at the local level is a decisive factor in ensuring the Agenda’s implementation.
John Patrick Ngoyi, Together 2030, called upon the HLPF to establish clear and meaningful mechanisms to collect and analyze reports on the contribution of civil society towards 2030 Agenda implementation.
Keikabile Mogodu, Indigenous Peoples, emphasized that recognition and protection of Indigenous Peoples’ rights is central to eradicating poverty.
As a Member States’ respondent, Sweden described her country’s efforts to bring “the entirety of society” into its VNR process.
In the ensuing discussion, countries and stakeholders raised, inter alia, the need to: give due consideration to barriers that prevent lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer persons from active participation in society; effectively monitor progress on secure land rights for women; support faith-based groups to counter narratives of discrimination; promote peer-to-peer learning between local authorities; address the legal problems faced by persons with disabilities; and establish “unusual partnerships” with business.
A more detailed summary of the discussion is available at: http://enb.iisd.org/vol33/enb3330e.html
TAKING FORWARD THE SAMOA PATHWAY: This session, on Wednesday, 12 July, was chaired by Cristián Barros Melet, Permanent Representative of Chile to the UN. Pennelope Beckles, Permanent Representative of Trinidad and Tobago to the UN, moderated.
Panelist Shahine Robinson, Minister of Labour and Social Security, Jamaica, described the objective and institutional framework of Vision 2030 Jamaica and the importance of high-level engagement and bipartisan support in its realization.
Panelist Tuitama Leao Talalelei Tuitama, Minister of Health, Samoa, described the challenge that non-communicable diseases (NCDs) represent for SIDS, and noted responses, including the Apia Challenge; a forthcoming healthy islands framework; and efforts to amend Samoa’s food and tobacco laws.
Discussant Maria Helena Semedo, Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO), outlined the objectives of the Global Action Programme on Food Security and Nutrition in SIDS.
Discussant Paula Vivili, the Pacific Community, described regional initiatives to address NCDs in the Pacific region.
From the floor, participants raised, inter alia: the persistent challenge of quality data collection; SIDS’ vulnerability to external forces such as global crises, climate events, and unfair trade practices; dedicated support for national statistical systems and offices; and the close link between the SAMOA Pathway and HLPF processes.
Panelists further raised: policies discouraging lifestyles that cause NCDs; and the importance of nutritional education.
A more detailed summary of the discussion is available at: http://enb.iisd.org/vol33/enb3331e.html
COUNTRIES IN SPECIAL SITUATIONS: LDCS AND LLDCS, AND SPECIAL CHALLENGES OF MICS: This session, on Wednesday, 12 July, was chaired by ECOSOC Vice President Melet, and moderated by Swarnim Waglé, National Planning Commission, Nepal.
Panelist Amira Gornass, Chair, UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Committee on World Food Security, said investments in smallholder agriculture will benefit SDGs 3, 5, and 13 (climate action) and highlighted the Framework for Action for Food Security and Nutrition in Protracted Crises.
While highlighting Bangladesh’s recent graduation to lower-MIC status, panelist Farah Kabir, Action Aid, warned of the “feminization of poverty.”
Panelist Nikhil Seth, UN Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR), underscored the need for: sub-national engagement; a nexus-approach; stakeholder engagement; and better data and harnessing of technology.
DiscussantMasud Bin Momen, Permanent Representative of Bangladesh to the UN, underscored: resilience building; migration as a development enabler; and technology, innovation, and data.
Discussant Larysa Belskaya, Belarus, called for greater support for sustainable development in MICs.
Discussant Lazarous Kapambwe, Permanent Representative of Zambia to the UN, identified unemployment as the greatest challenge for LDCs.
During the discussion, participants discussed, inter alia: the specific development needs of post-conflict countries; specific challenges of MICs; and the necessity of a global partnership to address security needs.
In closing, panelists stressed: the role of statistical capacity to leverage interventions; action on climate change; and the importance of agriculture.
A more detailed summary of the discussion is available at: http://enb.iisd.org/vol33/enb3331e.html
REVIEW OF IMPLEMENTATION OF THE SDGS
SDG 1 (NO POVERTY): This session, on Tuesday, 11 July, was chaired by ECOSOC President Shava. Carolina Sanchez-Paramo, World Bank Group, moderated.
Highlighting findings from the 2017 Sustainable Development Goals Report, Stefan Schweinfest, Director, UN Statistics Division (UNSD), Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA), said that despite progress, three quarters of a billion people still live in extreme poverty, and social protection coverage varies worldwide, missing many vulnerable populations.
Panelist Martin Ravallion, Georgetown University, said while progress has been made in reducing absolute poverty, challenges remain in reducing relative poverty; and better anti-poverty policies are needed to complement economic growth.
Panelist Yang Zhi, Mayor of Jingzhou, China, highlighted China’s pledge to lift 70 million out of poverty by 2020, noting efforts to scale up infrastructure investments; strengthen social protection systems; and advance e-commerce networks in villages.
Panelist Yaw Ansu, African Center for Economic Transformation, emphasized the need to improve: access to land and tenure security; productivity on farms; and profitability of agriculture.
Panelist Janet Gornick, City University of New York, highlighted drivers of high poverty levels, including market income inequality and meager state redistribution.
Lead discussant Deborah Greenfield, International Labour Organization, identified decent work and universal social protection as critical drivers of poverty and inequality reduction.
Lead discussant Chibebe, International Trade Union Confederation, highlighted the importance of quality job creation, access to democratic decision-making, and comprehensive social protection systems.
In the discussion, panelists noted, inter alia: the need for international cooperation on data collection and analysis to address child poverty; the links between SDG 8 (decent work and economic growth) and SDG 1; holistic approaches to poverty reduction; education as a catalyst to end poverty; and the unique vulnerability of SIDS.
A more detailed summary of the discussion is available at:http://enb.iisd.org/vol33/enb3330e.html
SDG 2 (ZERO HUNGER): This session, on Tuesday, 11 July, was chaired by ECOSOC President Shava and moderated by Gerda Verburg, Scaling-Up Nutrition Movement.
Providing statistics related to SDG 2, Min Yongyi, DESA, noted that while agriculture is an important means to poverty reduction, domestic and foreign investment in agriculture is declining.
Panelist Esther Penunia, Asian Farmers’ Association for Sustainable Rural Development, emphasized: access rights to natural resources for the poor; market infrastructure and access; and addressing climate change.
Panelist Elizabeth Mpofu, La Via Campesina, stressed: education; better measures of human progress; and negative impacts of budget cuts on social goals.
Lead discussant Eugenio Diaz-Bonilla, International Food Policy Research Institute, stressed that a universal poverty-based safety net would cost less than 0.1% of world GDP.
Lead discussant Meena Bilgi, Women Organizing for Change in Agriculture and Natural Resources Management, urged identification of emergent challenges in rapid urbanization.
Lead discussant Patrick Caron, Committee on World Food Security, called for local innovation to improve natural resources management and inclusive and cross-sectoral national policies to ensure the right to food.
A number of international organizations called for putting smallholder farmers at the center of food policy to ensure gains made against hunger are secured.
In the discussions, participants raised, inter alia: national efforts to address food and nutrition security; gender equality to improve agriculture outcomes; land degradation; a rights-based approach to addressing conflict, natural disasters, and migration; reducing trade barriers; agricultural technology financing for developing countries; and food labeling.
Panelists further noted the need for: sustainable agriculture to be socially just, environmentally sound, and economically viable; a facility to prepare projects with appropriate risk-benefit profile for private sector support; institutional arrangements across levels and between stakeholders that help to break down sectoral barriers; and physically and financially accessible health and nutrition programmes by mainstreaming disability into food security programmes.
A more detailed summary of the discussion is available at: http://enb.iisd.org/vol33/enb3330e.html
SDG 3 (GOOD HEALTH AND WELL-BEING): This session, on Wednesday, 12 July, was chaired by ECOSOC Vice President Munir, and moderated by Nata Menabde, World Health Organization.
Providing statistics related to SDG 3, Francesca Perucci, UNSD, highlighted reduced maternal mortality and improved child survival rates, but stressed that rates of progress must increase.
Highlighting that 14 of the 17 SDGs can be linked directly to health, panelist Laura Flores, Permanent Representative of Panama to the UN, urged national sectoral bodies to address these interlinkages.
Panelist Michael Myers, Rockefeller Foundation, called for: deliberate efforts to address equity; addressing future challenges; and collaboration across sectors.
Citing an emerging consensus among policymakers that the current system of biomedical innovation is “deeply broken,” discussant Rachel Cohen, Drugs for Neglected Diseases Initiative, called for: practical approaches to biomedical innovation; and strategies to promote collaboration in science.
Discussant Marie Hauerslev, International Federation of Medical Students Associations, said political will, policy coherence, and investments in health are needed to achieve SDG 3.
From the floor, participants raised the need to: address the interconnections between SDGs 3 and 5; increase public allocation for healthcare; address structural causes of poverty and understand the social determinants of health; recognize silos as a barrier to better health outcomes in SIDS; address NCDs; recognize the role of insurance in facilitating access to health services; ensure data disaggregation based on ethnicity; and address barriers to health services for older persons.
A more detailed summary of the discussion is available at: http://enb.iisd.org/vol33/enb3331e.html
SDG 5 (GENDER EQUALITY): Marie Chatardová, Permanent Representative of the Czech Republic to the UN and ECOSOC Vice President, opened this session on Wednesday, 12 July. Craig Mokhiber, Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, moderated.
Providing a statistical update on indicators, Francesca Perucci, UNSD, highlighted: persistence of violence against women; the gap between engagement of women and men in household work; and low representation of women in decision-making.
Panelist Salma Nims, Jordanian National Commission for Women, said fiscal and technical solutions do not necessarily address the power and social relations that hold back women’s empowerment and stressed the importance of incorporating gender into planning.
Panelist Jane Sanyu Mpagi, Ministry of Gender, Labour, and Social Development, Uganda, highlighted her country’s initiative to make “gender compliance certificates” a prerequisite for obtaining funds from Parliament, and recommended enacting laws and policies that tackle root causes of inequality.
Discussant Roberto Bissio, Third World Institute, highlighted the value of funding to transform previously unpaid care work, and “women-washing” by corporations.
Discussant Nalini Singh, Fiji Women’s Rights Movement, stressed the importance of autonomous feminist movements.
In the discussion, participants addressed, inter alia: countries’ efforts to promote gender equality; laws and policies to protect workers in the formal and informal economy; intergenerational partnerships; measures to combat discrimination, violence, and harmful practices; the importance of sexual and reproductive rights; preventing gender-based violence; the need for gender disaggregated data; and gender as a crosscutting issue throughout the 2030 Agenda.
Panelists further raised the need for: “feminist theory” to address the whole system; and women’s involvement in SDG monitoring and implementation.
A more detailed summary of the discussion is available at: http://enb.iisd.org/vol33/enb3331e.html
SDG 9 (INDUSTRY, INNOVATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE): ECOSOC President Shava chaired this session, on Thursday, 13 July. Miguel Ruiz Cabañas, Vice Minister for Multilateral Affairs and Human Rights, Mexico, moderated.
Panelist John Danilovich, International Chamber of Commerce, highlighted: policy coherence; trade facilitation reform; finance to enable businesses to access international markets; and harnessing the trade potential of the internet.
Panelist Maria Kiwanuka, Special Advisor to the President of Uganda, highlighted the need to: focus on productive sectors; optimize benefits and reduce delays of infrastructure projects; and balance capital-intensive and labor-intensive innovation.
Panelist Magnus Arildsson, Ericsson, stressed improving knowledge systems to increase food production, and harmonizing technology standards to allow data interoperability.
Providing a global overview of progress towards SDG 9, Min Yongyi, DESA, highlighted: continued concentration of production in a few geographic areas; major investments in transportation and energy sectors; and a 23% increase in value addition in manufacturing between 2005 and 2016.
Discussant Patrick Ho, China Energy Fund Committee, listed infrastructure, technology, and investment as three key elements to achieve SDG 9, saying these elements should promote economic prosperity, equity, and environmental sustainability.
Discussant Arne Holte, World Blind Union, said SDG 9 is the best way to ensure “no one is left behind” if the impacts on all sections of society, including the disabled, are proactively considered during the development of technology, goods, and services.
From the floor, participants raised, inter alia: efforts to support start-ups and small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs); the Accelerated Agriculture and Agro-Industry Development Initiative; VNRs as a tool to open dialogue between government and the business community; net neutrality; and the challenge of matching capital to available projects.
Panelists emphasized the need for: concrete examples; local inputs to drive down costs; a focus on farmers in “public-private-producer” partnerships; improved access to global production chains; progress in building internet and transport infrastructure; removal of trade barriers; and the promotion of digital commerce to benefit SMEs.
A more detailed summary of the discussion is available at: http://enb.iisd.org/vol33/enb3332e.html
SDG 14 (LIFE BELOW WATER): ECOSOC President Shava chaired this session, on Thursday, 13 July.
Keynote speaker Peter Thomson, UNGA President, called for: implementation of the workplan of the 2017 UN Ocean Conference; collective responsibility to restore the health of oceans; and political momentum.
Calling on donor countries to meet their special commitments to SIDS, keynote speaker Olof Skoog, representing Isabella Lövin, Minister for International Development Cooperation and Climate and Deputy Prime Minister of Sweden, and Co-President of the Ocean Conference, said the Conference reflected an innovative North-South partnership model that could be used for other SDGs.
Keynote speaker Luke Daunivalu, representing Josaia Voreqe (Frank) Bainimarama, Prime Minister of Fiji, Co-President of the Ocean Conference, highlighted the: high number of voluntary commitments from the Conference that cover all ten SDG 14 targets; limited capacity of SIDS to address threats to oceans; and the need to follow-up on conference outcomes.
Keynote speaker Wu Hongbo highlighted efforts by the UN to prepare a preliminary analysis of nearly 1400 voluntary commitments, and identify synergies with existing partnerships.
Kate Brown, Global Island Partnership, moderated the discussion that followed.
Miguel de Serpa Soares, UN Under-Secretary-General for Legal Affairs, said UN Oceans, an interagency collaboration mechanism, could play an important role in SDG 14 implementation if sustainable funding is assured.
Providing statistics related to SDG 14, Min Yongyi, DESA, said recent gains in marine protected areas are being jeopardized by climate change, overfishing, and marine pollution.
Panelist Jake Rice, Department of Fisheries and Oceans, Canada, noted there is sufficient knowledge to go from commitments to action, and urged “smarter” use of the oceans.
Panelist Marjo Vierros, Global Ocean Forum, called for participatory and inclusive implementation of SDG 14.
Discussant Ronald Jumeau, Permanent Representative of Seychelles to the UN, called for a strong review mechanism to track progress on the Ocean Conference Call for Action and SDG 14.
Discussant Tui Shortland, Pacific Indigenous and Local Knowledge Centre of Distinction, stressed that indigenous peoples must be acknowledged as primary actors in ocean management and their roles institutionalized.
In the discussion, participants addressed, inter alia: national strategies for implementing SDG 14; the importance of the ongoing discussions on marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction; the role of research and scientific knowledge for decision-making on marine and coastal resources; the empowerment of local communities; and the importance of the legal framework provided by the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, including the delimitation of maritime zones.
A more detailed summary of the discussion is available at: http://enb.iisd.org/vol33/enb3332e.html
REVIEW OF IMPLEMENTATION OF THE SDGS AND THEMATIC REVIEW OF SDG 17
This session, on Thursday, 13 July, included two panels, on: investing in, and financing for, SDGs; and advancing STI for SDGs.
INVESTING IN, AND FINANCING FOR, SDGS: ECOSOC Vice President Munir chaired this session.
Keynote speaker Marc Pecsteen de Buytswerve, Permanent Representative of Belgium to the UN, presented the report of the 2017 ECOSOC Forum on Financing for Development (E/FFDF/2017/3).
Presenting highlights from the report, keynote speaker Jerry Matthews Matjila, Permanent Representative of South Africa to the UN, emphasized, inter alia: gender equality; resilient infrastructure; long-term oriented investments, including in social protection systems; and international efforts to cap illicit financial flows.
Manuel Montes, the South Centre, moderated the discussion that followed.
Presenting key statistics, Stefan Schweinfest, Director, UNSD, said that while ODA rose by 8.9% from 2015 to 2016, bilateral aid to LDCs fell by 3.9%.
Panelist Gebeyehu Ganga Gayito, Deputy Permanent Representative of Ethiopia to the UN, stressed that renewed global commitment and political determination are needed to accelerate implementation of the Addis Ababa Action Agenda (AAAA).
Panelist Peter Adriaens, Equarius Risk Analytics, identified opportunities to mainstream sustainable development finance, including: focusing on systemic economic development; finding the right financing mechanisms; and re-education and re-training of policymakers.
Panelist Kajsa Olofsgård, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Sweden, stressed the importance of multilateralism and inclusiveness.
Noting that public-private partnerships have frequently fostered corruption, discussant Chee Yoke Ling, Third World Network, called for greater UN oversight and norm-setting.
From the floor, participants discussed, inter alia: the different financing needs of LDCs and MICs; the second annual SDG Business Forum; South-South cooperation and triangular cooperation; adherence to the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities; the need for an enabling environment to involve youth; policy coherence; and the need for strong language on MOI.
Panelists further called for: effective multilateralism that complements national efforts; transformative partnerships in finance; and national leadership to drive policy coherence.
A more detailed summary of the discussion is available at: http://enb.iisd.org/vol33/enb3332e.html
ADVANCING SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION FOR SDGS: ECOSOC Vice President Melet chaired this session, and Susil Premajayantha, Minister of Science, Technology, and Research, Sri Lanka, moderated.
Presenting the Co-Chairs’ summary of the 2017 Multi-stakeholder Forum on Science, Technology and Innovation for the SDGs (STI Forum) (E/HLPF/2017/4), Macharia Kamau, Co-Chair of the STI Forum, said “deep dives” to explore the STI dimension of each SDG are necessary; called for more attention to low-cost, low-technology solutions in line with local realities; and urged support for the Technology Facilitation Mechanism (TFM) to enable its effective functioning.
Vaughan Turekian, STI Forum Co-Chair, highlighted: the importance of the STI Forum in discussing best practices and creating networks between government, the private sector, and academia; the call for a robust science advisory mechanism for the UN Secretary-General; and the need to focus on capacity building.
Panelist Heide Hackmann, Co-Chair of the 10-Member Group of High-Level Representatives in Support of the TFM, identified three priorities: enhanced collaboration within the scientific community; new forms of engagement with policy and public action; and exploiting the potential of big data and machine learning.
Discussant Nebojša Nakićenović, International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis, called attention to cuts in global research funding, and the risk of the marginalization of STI in the sustainable development process.
Discussant Donovan Guttieres, Major Group for Children and Youth, said STI should support the 2030 Agenda and not reinforce existing inequalities.
In the discussion, participants discussed, inter alia: digital divides in the availability and affordability of technology; the importance of technology education for young women and girls; the need to ensure technology is environmentally sound; the need for appropriate governance of information and communication technology; the inclusion of women, youth, and people with disabilities in STI; and recognition of the importance of traditional knowledge as complementary to science across all the SDGs.
Panelists further raised, inter alia: the need to safeguard the voice of science in times of rising populism; the limited time remaining to build a system to catalyze STI for the 2030 Agenda; and the need to find a “real home” for the private sector at the UN.
A more detailed summary of the discussion is available at: http://enb.iisd.org/vol33/enb3332e.html
LEVERAGING INTERLINKAGES FOR EFFECTIVE IMPLEMENTATION OF SDGS
This session, on Friday, 14 July, was chaired by ECOSOC Vice President Chatardová, and included two panels, on interlinkages and on data and statistics.
INTERLINKAGES: Minh-Thu Pham, UN Foundation, moderated this panel.
Panelist Debapriya Bhattacharya, Centre for Policy Dialogue, urged: exploring intralinkages between targets before considering interlinkages across Goals; consideration of interlinkages in budgetary allocations; and addressing the international systemic dimensions of interlinkages.
Describing the importance of addressing interlinkages in efforts to tackle HIV/AIDS, panelist Michel Sidibé, Joint UN Programme on HIV/AIDS, called for clarity on how the HLPF can facilitate a move away from state-centric approaches to genuine multi-sectoral and multi-stakeholder partnerships.
Panelist Charles Arden-Clarke, UN Environment, identified the need to promote policy coherence through inter-ministerial coordination, and make use of integrated funding to achieve intersecting targets for sustainable consumption and production.
Discussant Michael Gerber, Special Envoy for Global Sustainable Development, Switzerland, stressed the integrated nature of the SDGs as an opportunity for policy coherence at all governance levels.
Discussant Irene Khan, International Development Law Organization, underscored the importance of transparent, rule-based processes and mechanisms that ensure appropriate, inclusive, and equitable arrangements for SDG implementation.
In the discussion, participants addressed, inter alia: national systems to promote an interlinked approach for implementation of the SDGs; the need to incorporate non-quantitative indicators; the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development’s Policy Coherence for Development framework; interlinkages in the new European Consensus for Development; a “mutual gains approach” that can help to bring together multiple interests and move beyond trade-offs; elimination of systemic and structural barriers; and integration of human rights in follow-up and review of the 2030 Agenda.
Panelists further raised, inter alia: the need to avoid confusion between processes and outcomes; the importance of addressing stigma, exclusion, and prejudice; the need for high-level coordination of sustainable development efforts at the national level; inclusion of non-state actors in SDG coordination; and persisting confusion about whether interlinkages should be merely aspirational or also measurable.
DATA AND STATISTICS: Debapriya Bhattacharya moderated this panel.
Roberto Olinto, Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics, said data disaggregation is necessary to find the “no one” in the goal of “leaving no one behind.”
Judith Randel, Development Initiatives, said disaggregated data sheds light on the different aspects of people’s identities and what holds them back.
Anil Arora, Statistics Canada, said national statistics offices bring the statistical rigor that is necessary to generate useful information and called for greater statistical literacy.
From the floor, participants addressed, inter alia: the need for international organizations to share best practices on use of disaggregated data; challenges of inter-ministerial coordination and data collection; and the need for detailed methodological standards that can be harmonized across countries.
Panelists further raised, inter alia: the need to ensure that “no national statistics office is left behind”; the importance of investment in data, and of data comparability; and the need to complement big data with “soft” measures such as privacy regulations.
A more detailed summary of the discussion is available at: http://enb.iisd.org/vol33/enb3333e.html
SCIENCE-POLICY INTERFACE AND EMERGING ISSUES
The session, on Friday, 14 July, was chaired by ECOSOC Vice President Melet. William Colglazier, American Association for the Advancement of Science, moderated.
Panelist Endah Murniningtyas, National Development Planning Agency, Indonesia, underscored that the Global Sustainable Development Report (GSDR) aims to provide an evidence-based instrument to support policymakers in poverty eradication.
Panelist Peter Messerli, University of Bern, recommended: better use of available knowledge; mobilization and innovation of science; and institutionalization of science-policy interfaces at the international level.
Panelist Wang Ruijun, UN Commission on Science and Technology for Development, underscored the need to identify STI capacity gaps for SDGs, especially in developing countries.
Discussant Tolu Oni, University of Cape Town, urged close interaction between academia and policymakers to bridge competing interests and incentives.
Discussant Stuart Taberner, Research Councils UK, recommended mobilizing national research systems to steer science towards generating impact, and towards promoting new skill sets to engage with societal changes.
In the discussion, participants addressed, inter alia: evidence-based education policies; the need for greater engagement in, and transparency from, the GSDR process; recommendations from UN Environment’s first Science-Policy Forum; learning from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s approach; community-based monitoring and information services as complementary sources of data; and institutionalized spaces for stakeholder engagement in the GSDR.
Panelists also raised, inter alia: the interface between traditional and modern knowledge, and science; the generalization and aggregation of knowledge as necessary for implementation of the SDGs; the widening gap between developed and developing countries with regard to new and emerging technologies; and the need for the GSDR process to engage with all UN agencies.
A more detailed summary of the discussion is available at: http://enb.iisd.org/vol33/enb3333e.html
WRAP-UP SESSION
On Friday evening, 14 July, ECOSOC President Shava and Under-Secretary-General Wu provided an overview of the first week of HLPF 2017.
Shava noted signs of progress and said that while the week had focused on a limited number of Goals, the indivisible, integrated, and interlinked nature of the SDGs highlights the need for collaborative implementation.
Calling the HLPF “the right platform on the right track” for the follow-up and review of the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs, Wu said the Forum was able to analyze gaps, go beyond sectoral boundaries, and encourage transformative actions.
A more detailed summary of the discussion is available at: http://enb.iisd.org/vol33/enb3333e.html
MINISTERIAL SEGMENT
Opening the Ministerial Segment on Monday morning, 17 July, ECOSOC President Shava called for solidarity and cooperation to address key global challenges such as extreme poverty, inequality, conflicts and terrorism, and climate change.
Stressing the 2030 Agenda is “the pathway that will guide humankind to a sustainable way of life,” UNGA President Peter Thomson highlighted the importance of awareness-raising, and a focus on implementation on the ground.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres said the 2030 Agenda could make globalization fair, and outlined key proposals for reform of the UN development system, including: empowerment of resident coordinators; gender mainstreaming in 2030 Agenda implementation; and coherent and accountable funding.
Noting the presence of immense wealth but major inequality in the world, Jeffery Sachs, Earth Institute, Columbia University, identified obstacles to progress, including: vested interests, for instance of the oil, coal, and gas lobbies; “belligerent leaders” that perpetuate conflict; and an absence of “big, bold thinking.”
Shava, along with the ECOSOC Vice Presidents, presented main messages from the previous week. He highlighted: the increasing role of regional cooperation; improvements in inter-sectoral coordination and mainstreaming at the national level; and persistent inequality.
ECOSOC Vice President Chatardová highlighted the value of: multi-sectoral health interventions; legal provisions and institutional frameworks tied to human rights conventions for women’s empowerment; and reflection of interlinkages in budget allocations.
ECOSOC Vice President Melet called for more systemic and systematic cooperation between governments and communities to overcome barriers to financing.
ECOSOC Vice President Schulz encouraged governments to find ways to further incorporate other major stakeholders into the SDG implementation process, including the private sector, farmers, women’s groups, and youth.
ECOSOC Vice President Munir urged acceleration of national efforts and strengthening of international cooperation to support policies and programmes for implementation of the 2030 Agenda.
A more detailed summary of the discussion is available at: http://enb.iisd.org/vol33/enb3334e.html
REPORTING BY MINISTERIAL CHAIRS OF THE REGIONAL FORUMS ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT: This session, on Monday, 17 July, was chaired by ECOSOC President Shava.
Lahcen Daoudi, Minister Delegate to the Head of Government in charge of General Affairs and Governance, Morocco, highlighted poverty eradication, good governance, and equality as priorities for sustainability in the Western Asian region.
Francisco Guzmán Ortiz, Office of the President, Mexico, highlighted key messages from the Latin American and Caribbean region, including on the importance of: poverty eradication; multilateralism; gender equality; and developing indicators for progress on sustainable development that go beyond per capita income.
Rosemarie Edillon, National Economic and Development Authority, the Philippines, noted two key outcomes adopted by the Asia-Pacific region: a regional roadmap for implementing the 2030 Agenda; and a document on the form and function of the Asia-Pacific Forum on Sustainable Development.
Noting the integrated nature of the 2030 Agenda and the African Union’s Agenda 2063, Gervais Meatchi, National Planning Authority, Togo, highlighted the following issues for the African region: integrated approaches; harmonization with national plans; resilient infrastructure; and sustainable use of oceans.
Laurence Monnoyer-Smith, Ministry of Environment, Energy and the Sea, France, said the key issues for the UNECE countries include: adapting the SDGs to the national level; building statistical capacity; and high-level political engagement to integrate the SDGs into existing policies.
A more detailed summary of the discussion is available at: http://enb.iisd.org/vol33/enb3334e.html
VOLUNTARY NATIONAL REVIEWS: Forty-three countries presented their VNRs over thirteen sessions during the Ministerial Segment.
Voluntary National Reviews 1: This session, on Monday, 17 July, was chaired by ECOSOC President Shava.
Presenting the VNR for Luxembourg, Carole Dieschbourg, Minister of Environment, and Romain Schneider, Minister for Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Affairs, outlined the following national priority areas: social inclusion; quality education; decoupling the economy from carbon emissions; improved land use planning; and more effective environmental protection.
Presenting the VNR for Nepal, Min Bahadur Shrestha, National Planning Commission, highlighted: the enshrinement of all three dimensions of sustainable development in Nepal’s 2015 Constitution; three high-level committees established to promote SDG implementation; progress in promoting gender equality; and challenges related to financing and provincial- and local-level implementation.
Presenting the VNR for Brazil, José Antônio Marcondes de Carvalho, Ministry of Environment, Energy, Science and Technology, described the establishment of a 16-member National Commission for the SDGs, with eight members from government and eight from civil society. He welcomed efforts by Brazilian civil society to disseminate and localize the SDGs.
Lead discussant Rita Schwarzelühr-Sutter, Minister for Environment and Nature Conservation, Building and Nuclear Safety, Germany, inquired about: multi-stakeholder engagement; how conflicts between different government departments are addressed in SDG implementation; and integration of SDGs into the national budget.
Lead discussant Adil Najam, Boston University, called for bridging the differences in the way donor and developing countries approach SDG 17 in their VNRs, and noted that the HLPF and UN have a key role in ensuring that crosscutting lessons are drawn from the VNRs of different countries.
A more detailed summary of the discussion is available at: http://enb.iisd.org/vol33/enb3334e.html
Voluntary National Reviews 2: This session on Monday, 17 July, was chaired by ECOSOC Vice President Munir.
Presenting the VNR for Monaco, Serge Telle, Minister of State, described: the allocation of 1.1% of revenue to ODA, focused on LDCs; a focus on healthcare and education as part of his country’s global efforts; over-achievement on Kyoto Protocol mitigation targets and a national goal to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050; and national priority areas related to SDG 14.
Presenting the VNR for Japan, Fumio Kishida, Minister of Foreign Affairs, highlighted: the establishment of the SDGs Promotion Headquarters; examples of “Public-Private Action for Partnership” projects; and efforts to promote international cooperation based on the notion of human security.
Presenting the VNR for Indonesia, Bambang Brodjonegoro, Minister of National Development Planning, highlighted the adoption of a presidential decree on SDG implementation and the establishment of a National Coordination Team on the SDGs. He said Indonesia’s next medium-term development plan will incorporate all SDG targets.
A more detailed summary of the discussion is available at: http://enb.iisd.org/vol33/enb3334e.html
Voluntary National Reviews 3: This session, on Monday, 17 July, was chaired by ECOSOC Vice President Melet.
Presenting the VNR for Costa Rica, Olga Marta Sánchez Oviedo, Minister of Planning, highlighted a national pact on the SDGs that brings together all three branches of government as well as civil society. She described specific actions taken on zero hunger, health, infrastructure, and marine life.
Presenting the VNR for the Netherlands, Lilianne Ploumen, Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation, said her country scores high on welfare, trust in institutions, education, and health but must address greenhouse gas emissions, renewable energy, and the gender pay gap. Martijn Visser, Youth Representative for Sustainable Development, called on his country to prioritize education, climate action, and equality. Eugene Rhuggenaath, Prime Minister of Curaçao, highlighted challenges of SIDS and the importance of SDG 17.
Presenting the VNR for Bangladesh, Abul Kalam Azad, Principal SDG Coordinator, noted efforts to mainstream the SDGs by establishing an office to oversee the exercise. Noting coherence between national policies and the SDGs, he said 14 out of the 17 SDGs are thematically aligned and three are partially aligned with his country’s 7th Five-Year Plan.
Presenting the VNR for Kenya, Irungu Nyakera, Ministry of Devolution and Planning, highlighted the establishment of an interagency technical committee that works with civil society organizations and the private sector, and an SDGs Liaison Office working with sub-national governments. He identified a lack of disaggregated data and inadequate funding as challenges.
Michele Brooks, Purposeful Journey Consulting Group, moderated the question and answer session.
A more detailed summary of the discussion is available at: http://enb.iisd.org/vol33/enb3334e.html
Voluntary National Reviews 4: This session, on Monday, 17 July, was chaired by ECOSOC Vice President Melet.
Presenting the VNR for Chile, Marcos Barraza, Minister of Social Development, said that while only 11.7% of his country’s population are poor in terms of income, 29% of people are in multi-dimensional poverty. He described four priorities in his country’s efforts to achieve the SDGs: sustainable and inclusive economic development; reducing inequality; addressing climate change and environmental protection; and bolstering institutions and democracy.
Presenting the VNR for Malaysia, Abdul Rahman Dahlan, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, highlighted: the adoption of a multi-stakeholder participatory governance structure; the organization of a national SDG symposium; studies on data readiness and gaps; development planning mapping exercises involving NGOs and the private sector; and the formulation of a national SDG roadmap.
A more detailed summary of the discussion is available at: http://enb.iisd.org/vol33/enb3334e.html
Voluntary National Reviews 5: This session, on Tuesday, 18 July, was chaired by ECOSOC President Shava.
Presenting the VNR for Belgium, Alexander De Croo, Deputy Prime Minister, said the SDGs have led to the formulation of an umbrella national development strategy in his country, including a common reporting mechanism. He highlighted four lessons from the process, including the need to: incorporate SDG targets into internal and external policy frameworks; identify areas for further action, such as water and air quality; follow up on, and review, implementation; and invest in awareness raising.
Presenting the VNR for Benin, Abdoulaye Bio Tchané, Minister of State for Development and Planning, said his country has identified 49 of the 169 SDG targets as national priorities, and emphasized the importance of an enabling environment. He highlighted areas of progress, including: the drafting of a government action plan; a global survey on food security; and the creation of a “smart” city that allows education, research, and entrepreneurship to flourish.
Presenting the VNR for Peru, Javier Abugattás Fatule, President of the Board of Directors of the National Center for Strategic Planning, noted his country’s geographical, topographical, and cultural diversity, and stressed the importance of accounting for this diversity at the local level in implementing the SDGs. He said that while Peru is incorporating the 2030 Agenda into its national policies and plans, it is also projecting a holistic vision to go beyond 2030.
Lead discussant Gilbert Houngbo, International Fund for Agricultural Development, noted challenges in measuring progress against indicators where data is lacking, and underlined the need for resources to build statistical capacity.
A more detailed summary of the discussion is available at: http://enb.iisd.org/vol33/enb3335e.html
Voluntary National Reviews 6: This session, on Tuesday, 18 July, was chaired by ECOSOC President Shava.
Presenting the VNR for Guatemala, Miguel Ángel Moir Sandoval, Minister of Planning, described his country’s efforts to create a participatory process, raise awareness, and identify priority SDGs. He highlighted the following national challenges: poverty, with 59.3% of the population living in poverty and 23% living in extreme poverty; food insecurity, with 16% of the population suffering malnutrition; gender-related challenges, including violence against women; and the exclusion of indigenous communities.
Presenting the VNR for Zimbabwe, Obert Mpofu, Minister of Micro-Economic Planning and Investment Promotion, and Grasiano Nyaguse, from the same ministry, described efforts to: identify national priorities (poverty reduction, food and nutrition, gender, health, and public administration and governance); integrate the SDGs into national strategies; enhance multi-stakeholder participation at all levels; establish an institutional structure, including the identification of focal points in key ministries and oversight by Parliament; identify targets and indicators, with 2015 as the base year; agree on a development assistance framework with the UN; align budgetary processes; and enhance domestic revenue to implement the SDGs.
Presenting the VNR for Italy, Gian Luca Galleti, Minister for the Environment, Land and Sea, highlighted a forthcoming action plan containing quantified objectives for 2030 and said regions and local governments will also define sustainable development strategies. Luca Maestripieri, Directorate General for Development Cooperation, said Italy’s development cooperation goes beyond “traditional areas,” to also support better data, resource mobilization, and private sector involvement. Enrico Giovannini, Founder, Italian Alliance for Sustainable Development (ASviS), highlighted ASviS’ efforts to bring together over 170 civil society organizations to: report on the state of the SDGs in Italy; make proposals; and organize outreach on the SDGs.
Underscoring “we don’t need resources, we need honesty,” lead discussant Andrés Mideros, National Secretary of Planning and Development, Ecuador, called for addressing tax evasion at bilateral and multilateral levels. He stressed the importance of participatory processes and mechanisms for follow-up of SDGs, and the importance of data.
Lead discussant Jessica Espey, Sustainable Development Solutions Network, provided five recommendations for VNRs: identifying the national stakeholders that have been consulted; setting out how local and regional governments will be engaged; quantifying objectives and thresholds for success; introducing national targets for data investments; and earlier publication, to allow for comments and engagement.
A more detailed summary of the discussion is available at: http://enb.iisd.org/vol33/enb3335e.html
Voluntary National Reviews 7: This session, on Tuesday, 18 July, was chaired by ECOSOC Vice President Chatardová.
Presenting the VNR for the Czech Republic, Richard Brabec, First Deputy Prime Minister, said the VNR process involved stakeholders for ensuring factual accuracy and wider acceptance. He outlined progress on the 2030 Agenda, including low levels of unemployment, and the lowest number of people threatened by poverty and social exclusion in the EU. Among challenges, he listed climate change, structural barriers to the shift to a low-carbon economy, and the need to increase ODA.
Presenting the VNR for Jordan, Imad Fakhoury, Minister of Planning and International Cooperation, said his country is under “economic siege” due to regional instability. He highlighted: the SDG Roadmap adopted by all stakeholders; integration of the SDGs and targets into the country’s three-year executive development plan; and pilot projects in two regions to inform sub-national planning.
Presenting the VNR for Thailand, Don Pramudwinai, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Thapana Sirivadhanabhakdi, Thai Beverage Public Company, and youth delegate Potcharapol Prommatat, highlighted: the importance of localizing the SDGs; integration of the country’s Sufficiency Economy Philosophy and the SDGs into national development strategies and budgets; progress on SDG 4; partnerships with the private sector; and the importance of good education for all.
Presenting the VNR for Argentina, Gabriela Agosto, National Council of Coordination of Social Policies; with Mabel Bianco, Foundation of Women’s Study and Investigation, and Andrea Avila, Randstad, outlined two stages of work that preceded monitoring of the SDGs: internal prioritization of SDGs; and inter-institutional efforts to select the Goals and indicators. They highlighted the commitment of 10 provinces and the city of Buenos Aires to implement the SDGs, and said their country hopes to have specific data on implementation in 14 of the 23 provinces by 2018.
A more detailed summary of the discussion is available at: http://enb.iisd.org/vol33/enb3335e.html
Voluntary National Reviews 8: This session, on Tuesday, 18 July, was chaired by ECOSOC Vice President Schulz.
Presenting the VNR for Belarus, Marianna Shchetkina, Council of the Republic of the National Assembly, highlighted several institutional and policy mechanisms, including: a national sustainable development strategy; a programme of socio-economic development; and sector- and region-based programmes. She noted progress in addressing poverty, food security, decent jobs, and women’s empowerment.
Presenting the VNR for Portugal, Teresa Ribeiro, Secretary of State of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, highlighted: intra-governmental guidelines for the 2030 Agenda adopted in 2016; the crucial role of Portugal’s National Statistical Institute, and Agency for Development and Cohesion; a public consultation process led by civil society; and support for adapting the UN development system to follow up on, and improve effectiveness of, the 2030 Agenda. Mário Parra da Silva, UN Global Compact Network Portugal, introduced Alliance SDGs Portugal, a multi-stakeholder platform that seeks to bring the SDGs and targets “into the real world.”
Presenting the VNR for Uruguay, Álvaro García, Minister of Budget and Planning, highlighted: the special emphasis on growth and equity; good access to health services; low levels of corruption; and strong social protection systems in his country. He described efforts to: address child poverty; increase market share in agricultural products by further improving phytosanitary measures; reduce suicide rates in the 20-25 age group; pass a bill to reduce gender-based violence; close the infrastructure gap; and increase spending in STI.
A more detailed summary of the discussion is available at: http://enb.iisd.org/vol33/enb3335e.html
Voluntary National Reviews 9: This session, on Tuesday, 18 July, was chaired by ECOSOC Vice President Schulz.
Presenting the VNR for Sweden, Ardalan Shekarabi, Minister for Public Administration, Carola Lemne, Confederation of Swedish Enterprise, Katrin Stjernfeldt Jammeh, Mayor of Malmö, and Björn Fondén, Swedish Youth Delegate to the UN, highlighted: progress on 49 indicators, including on education, health, and infrastructure; peace and democracy as preconditions for progress; municipal-level efforts to implement the SDGs; the private sector as the bearer of solutions; and the need for young people to be given resources and space in decision-making.
Presenting the VNR for Nigeria, Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, Presidential Senior Special Advisor on the SDGs; Priscilla Achakpa, Civil Society Strategy Group; and Mories Atoki, Private Sector Advisory Group, said that their country’s progress on SDGs has been held back by: the economic crisis triggered by the decline in oil prices; the humanitarian crisis in the Northeast; and continued militancy in the Niger Delta. They highlighted progress towards implementation of the 2030 Agenda, including ongoing work on an SDGs needs assessment; and efforts to establish a baseline for tracking performance across national and sub-national government levels.
Presenting the VNR for Panama, Maria Luisa Navarro, Vice Minister of Multilateral Affairs and Cooperation, highlighted a sustained reduction in poverty levels, and in rates of malnutrition and hunger, but said that persistent inequality calls for targeted interventions in priority areas. She identified next steps in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda, including: closing institutional gaps in human rights-based policies; bolstering a multi-dimensional approach; and strengthening the national statistics system and non-governmental and private sector participation.
Lead discussant László Borbély, State Counsellor, Romania, posed questions to: Nigeria, on the global indicator framework; Panama, on challenges in promoting synergies in SDG implementation, at both the policy and financing levels; and Sweden, on recommendations for mapping and implementing the SDGs.
Reflecting on success factors across VNRs, lead discussant Claire Melamed, Global Partnership for Sustainable Development, highlighted the importance of: robust institutional frameworks at the highest governmental levels as well as local levels; broad social policies, which support a range of people, together with narrow social policies that target individuals; effective economic policies that reduce inequality; and knowledge and data.
A more detailed summary of the discussion is available at: http://enb.iisd.org/vol33/enb3335e.html
Voluntary National Reviews 10: This session, on Wednesday, 19 July, was chaired by ECOSOC Vice President Melet.
Presenting the VNR for Ethiopia, Yinager Dessie Belay, Minister of the National Planning Commission, said rapid economic growth has led to a reduction in the poverty rate from 44% in 2000 to 22% in 2015. He highlighted progress towards achieving the SDGs, including: integrated measures to build quality infrastructure; investments in renewable energy; continued promotion of industrial development; soil conservation projects; and legislation ensuring land access for rural women.
Responding to questions from Norway, India, Denmark, Sudan, Colombia, the stakeholder group on Ageing, and Persons With Disabilities, Dessie said civil society contributed to a three-layered process of consultation at the local, regional, and national levels, and the Ethiopian Standards Agency has provided disaggregated and timely data.
Presenting the VNR for Honduras, Jorge Ramón Hernández Alcerro, Minister Coordinator of the Presidency, outlined criteria for inclusion of Goals in the national SDG agenda: the Goal must be relevant for Honduras, and linked to the country planning system; and the country must possess sufficient resources to implement it. Highlighting progress on SDG 2 and SDG 6 (clean water and sanitation), he said that the adoption of the MPI had complemented income-based assessments.
In response to questions from the stakeholder group on Education and Academia and Colombia, Alcerro discussed: the approval of a new tax code and institution for tax collection; the third Honduras Open Government Partnership plan; and the recent submission of the 2013 MPI baseline.
Presenting the VNR for India, Arvind Panagariya, National Institution for Transforming India (NITI) Aayog, said existing national programmes are aligned with the Goals, including those providing: subsidized grain to 800 million people; health coverage to poor households; maternity benefits; financial inclusion; improved infrastructure; and incentives for innovation. Highlighting India’s rapid growth as the key instrument for eradicating poverty, he described efforts to involve stakeholders, and identify measurable outcome indicators.
In response to questions from Guatemala, Ethiopia, and Belarus, Panagariya, with other members of his delegation, said India has reduced fossil fuel subsidies, but faces challenges in their elimination; sub-national governments are keenly involved in SDG implementation; and consultations with local bodies and states have been carried out to discuss indicators to monitor progress on SDGs.
Presenting the VNR for the Maldives, Abdullahi Majeed, Minister of State for Environment and Energy, noted commitments to mainstream sustainable development and highlighted: the formation of a technical committee for SDG implementation; the development of a monitoring framework, which needs further financial and technical support; and the need for additional efforts on good governance, justice, and economic disparity to consolidate gains.
Responding to questions raised by Singapore, Belize, the Comoros, Norway, and the Scientific and Technological Community, Majeed and his team noted, inter alia, the importance of human capital and ongoing efforts to prioritize the SDGs using a consultative process.
Voluntary National Reviews 11: This session, on Wednesday, 19 July, was chaired by ECOSOC Vice President Munir.
Presenting the VNR for Azerbaijan, Ali Ahmadov, Deputy Prime Minister, described his country’s transformation as a transition from communism to democracy, misery to wealth, and outdated to modern infrastructure. He highlighted state strategies under execution or soon to be initiated, for: the education of women; employment; and improvement of maternal and child health. Among critical challenges to development in the region, he stressed “security, stability, and social cohesion.”
Responding to questions from Belarus, Armenia, Children and Youth, and Tajikistan, Ahmadov replied that the conflict in the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh represents the greatest obstacle to his country’s continued development, and that his country remains a responsible actor in addressing global problems.
Presenting the VNR for Afghanistan, Abdul Sattar Murad, Minister of Economy, highlighted an ongoing process of prioritization, alignment, and localization of the SDGs, noting 109 indicators have been divided over eight social and economic sectors. Among challenges he identified a lack of professional and technical capacity, finance, and technology; and conflict and insecurity. Nahid Farid, Member of Parliament, called for gender equality and peace. Zahra Nadiri, Senior Advisor to the President on UN Affairs, underscored Afghanistan’s battle against terrorism “on behalf of humanity and UN values.”
Responding to the stakeholder group of Volunteers, Murad and his delegation emphasized Afghanistan’s women’s empowerment programme and highlighted a significant rise in the number of girls going to school.
Presenting the VNR for Belize, Omar Figueroa, Minister of State in the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Forestry, the Environment, Sustainable Development and Climate Change, outlined his country’s process of SDG prioritization through its Horizon 2030 programme. He highlighted: interventions and constraints to addressing poverty; a determination to extend Belize’s national health insurance scheme from 35% to full coverage; the National Gender Equality Policy; and innovative programmes in marine ecosystem management.
Responding to questions from Jamaica, the Maldives, Singapore, and the stakeholder group of Volunteers, Figueroa and his delegation highlighted efforts to ensure a consultative process in development of their country’s monitoring and evaluation framework and stressed the importance of creating intra-governmental synergies to ensure efficient use of finances.
Presenting the VNR for Denmark, Kristian Jensen, Minister of Finance, discussed an action plan that identifies prosperity, people, planet, and peace as priorities, with partnerships as a crosscutting principle. He stressed the need for further action on sustainable consumption and production, and the integration of marginalized groups. Ida Klockmann, Danish Family Planning Association, called for a gap analysis on all the SDGs and targets, and the integration of human rights. Answering questions posed by Indonesia, Jamaica, Estonia, NGOs, and Ethiopia, Jensen and his team noted the need for: multi-stakeholder forums; data availability; specific actions to promote social mobility; and learning and evaluation.
Voluntary National Reviews 12: This session, on Wednesday, 19 July, was chaired by ECOSOC Vice President Munir.
Presenting the VNR for Togo, Prime Minister Komi Sélom Klassou said that the SDG targets are prioritized to align with national objectives, the Economic Community of West African States Vision 2020, and Agenda 2063. He outlined his country’s plans to: establish agricultural hubs to consolidate self-sufficiency and improve agricultural trade balance; become a logistics hub in the sub-region; and formulate a strategy for growth of the blue economy.
Presenting the VNR for Cyprus, Nikos Kuyalis, Minister of Agriculture, underscored that despite an unprecedented economic crisis, his country remains “on a good course” to meet the SDGs. He highlighted the introduction of a national healthcare system that will improve utilization of resources and quality of care, and reduce inequality. Sotiris Themistokleous, Center for the Advancement of Research and Development in Educational Technology, stressed that corporate social responsibility can be a medium for the private sector to engage with SDGs in Cyprus.
Lead discussant Risto Artjoki, State Secretary, Ministry of Finance, Finland, identified VNRs as key tools for stakeholder engagement, stressing the importance of involving youth, women, the scientific community, and parliamentarians in particular. He asked Togo about administrative reforms deemed necessary to implement the 2030 Agenda, and encouraged continued structural reforms in Cyprus.
Lead discussant Emele Duituturaga, Pacific Islands Association of Non-Governmental Organizations, said leaving no one behind boils down to “space, voice and resources.” While welcoming efforts by Togo and Cyprus to engage stakeholders, she cautioned that marginalized groups may not have been reached. She called for ECOSOC guidelines for citizen engagement that draw on inputs from MGoS, and for publication of shadow NGO reports on the UN website.
On questions raised by Morocco and Volunteers, Prime Minister Klassou emphasized the importance of: making results visible; tackling cultural barriers; preventing gender equality; and the critical role of infrastructure.
On questions raised by the stakeholder group of Volunteers, Denmark, Indonesia, Slovenia, and Morocco, Kuyalis and his team described efforts to: increase the participation of women in public life; promote environment-friendly marine aquaculture; support SMEs; make results visible; tackle cultural barriers to gender equality; and address infrastructure needs.
Voluntary National Reviews 13: This session, on Wednesday, 19 July, was chaired by ECOSOC Vice President Munir.
Presenting the VNR for Botswana, Slumber Tsogwane, Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, described three guiding principles for development of his country’s national roadmap: coordination, implementation, and data use. Highlighting the national poverty eradication programme, he stressed its focus on the poorest segment of the population, the 6.4% of people who live on less than US$1.25 per day. Tsogwane underscored that linkages between poverty eradication and other Goals and targets, such as those related to good health and nutrition, are necessary to facilitate his country’s development trajectory.
In response to a question from Workers and Trade Unions, Tsowagne said that his country’s national steering committee includes unions.
Presenting the VNR for Qatar, Saleh bin Mohammed Al-Nabit, Minister of Development Planning and Statistics, highlighted the Qatar National Vision 2030, adopted in 2008, which rests on the four pillars of human, social, economic, and environmental development. He noted less than 1% youth unemployment, high levels of internet access, and the government’s emphasis on quality education.
Responding to Children and Youth and Persons with Disabilities, Qatar highlighted: 20% of revenue set aside for the education sector; an “unshakable commitment” to SDGs 5 and 7 (affordable and clean energy); and a ministry that addresses persons with disabilities.
Presenting the VNR for Slovenia, Alenka Smerkolj, Minister for Development, Strategic Projects and Cohesion; Kamal Izidor Shaker, Member of Parliament; and Albin Keuc, Sloga Platform, noted: the decision to embed the SDGs into the country’s new development framework rather than design a separate parallel process; inclusion of the human right to water in the Constitution; and the need for policy coherence and civil society empowerment.
Responding to the Czech Republic, the United Arab Emirates, and the stakeholder group on Ageing, Slovenia highlighted: a focus on women’s empowerment and children’s well-being in development assistance; and a consultative process to develop Slovenia’s development strategy. Sabina Carli, UN Youth Delegate of Slovenia, stressed the importance of ensuring the government’s doors remain open in the SDG implementation process, and urged citizens “to go knock on them as loud as you can” if they are closed.
Presenting the VNR for Tajikistan, Nematullo Hikmatullozoda, Minister of Economic Development and Trade, highlighted the synergies between the 2030 Agenda and national plans, including the National Development Strategy 2030 and the Mid-Term Development Plan 2020. He noted the need for greater financial investments in securing clean and safe water and called for international partnerships.
Responding to questions raised by Pakistan, the Russian Federation, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Belarus, Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, and Afghanistan, Hikmatullozoda highlighted the role of inter-ministerial coordination in the achievement of the SDGs; and his country’s support for inclusivity and broad participation in SDG implementation.
Presenting the VNR for El Salvador, Jaime Miranda, Vice Minister for Development Cooperation, said the government has prioritized nine Goals and 117 targets. Among key elements of progress in implementation of the 2030 Agenda, he cited: political leadership at the highest level; establishment of a national sustainable development agenda; technical coordination among the implementation team; and alignment with national development priorities. Miranda stressed that adaptation of the 2030 Agenda to the national context is a “means, not an end.”
Responding to questions from Belgium and NGOs, Miranda underscored that inclusion is a fundamental principle in his country’s five-year education plan.
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ive communities; 17 everything other collaboration worthy of sdg generation innovating including humanising machine intel deeply and diversely in line with nature - not all versions latest= if something interests you most ask me chris.macrae@yahoo.co.uk
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abedjobsbrowndubai.pptx 2021-22 connecting post-covid's biggest challenges with 20 years since mrs steve jobs asked abed& educators to share sustainability globally
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Beyond%20power%20games.docx
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over last 40 years 1 billion Asians ended extreme poverty
WHICH OF FAZLE ABED'S TOP 5 PARTNERS women empowering CURRICULA INTEREST YOU?
1 financial services to end poverty - goal 1
2 food last mile services to end famine
3 health last mile services to end unnecessary deaths of children and mothers
4 lifelong livelihood teaching and learning
5 inclusive and resilient communities - prepped for disaster and renewal
-rsvp chris.macrae@yahoo.co.uk to help first 50 university coalition curricula share
from 1970: join exp learning of Asian regional ceo shell oil multinational who faced 3 by one million-death disasters- cyclone, war , famine ?-overall fazle abed's 50 year learning curve innovated 2 systems changing humanity of aid and international relations 1 bottom up disaster relief 2 microfranchises which turned village mothers into small business and family leaders 1 before fazle abed, international disaster relief agencies flew in, rebuiilt and flew out- charitable funds were for relief not learning with people living there; BRA-Collab innovated bottom up disaster relief: empower grassroots womens networks building $15 homes led to 2a village mothers economically deliver food security to end starvation, and provide last mile basic health services -oral rehydration and with unicef 1980 vaccinating nation, advancing life expectancy by 25 years and scaling village solutions with alumni of fazle abed , from 1996 www.ebrac.com; from death 2019 at brac/abed university coalition download 50 year report of sir fazle abed on university & download linked organigram brac first 30 years
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developing nation Speech: The Complementary Role of Civil Society Organisations in Government speech by Fazle Hasan Abed at launch of South Asia Human Development Report, in Dhaka on September 19, 1999. Honourable Minister for Finance Ms Khadija Haq Mr David Lockwood
It is with a great sense of loss and sorrow that I recall Mahbub ul Haq's last letter inviting me to launch Dhaka: 1998 report on Human Development in South Asia. I had prior commitments abroad. Today,1999 Report on Human Development in South Asia, which Mahbub ul Haq had planned and initiated but left unfinished, is completed under the leadership of his devoted wife and co-worker. We mourn his passing; take courage from his conviction : South Asia will emerge out of its dehumanising poverty.
Since the first report in 1997, we see South Asian region has human development level amongst the lowest in the world. Though significant improvements have been made in certain sectors, problems of dehumanising poverty, illiteracy, disease, malnutrition, women and children abuse and environmental degradation loom large. Unfortunately, old and centralised systems of governance have proved their inability to handle the development crisis alone.
As Report points out, “A vast majority of people in South Asia remain alienated from the formal structures of political and economic governance. These institutions of governance have tolerated, if not perpetuated, multiple inequities in South Asia. High unemployment, poor living conditions, and increasing squalor have led to a growing sense of frustration amongst the people and have pushed many to the very brink of despair.” Shocking are the daily headlines of violence against women such as acid burns, rape and dowry deaths. Startling revelation: Bangladesh has the highest reported rate of rapes against women in the region - 33 times the rate in Nepal. As we know, there is no dearth of laws to eliminate discrimination against women. However, find that despite this, gender discrimination and women's exploitation continue to be a malaise in our society.
Our judicial system is heavily burdened; prompt justice is not available, causing untold human distress. Bangladesh has the highest number of cases pending in the courts - 14 times the rate in Nepal, that is 5,285 cases pending in courts per 100,000 people. Bangladesh is the most iniquitous of the South Asian nations where income of the lowest deciles of our population is only 5.8 percent of the highest 10 percent.
This report rightly highlights problems confronting human development in our society. However, I should like to remind ourselves that Bangladesh has made significant progress in many fields. Food production has doubled, life expectancy has increased by 30 percent, infant mortality has declined by 40 percent and the fertility rate has recorded a dramatic decline, reflecting our people's awareness of the dangers of high population growth. Some advances have been made in the education sector, but it is not adequate to improve Bangladesh's standing in this region. The stark reality: even after a quarter of a century almost one half of our people are still living below the poverty line, malnutrition is pervasive, while health problems such as high maternal mortality, anaemia and tuberculosis cause widespread concern.
One of the greatest impediments to good governance in Bangladesh is the polarisation of party politics. Almost any policy or action initiated by the party in power will elicit the wrath of the political opposition, regardless of the merit of the case. Street action, accompanied by violence and intimidation, is the stock in trade of the political parties. All major parties consider it their democratic right to call hartals accompanied by violent picketing to make people cower in submission. That these hartals cause great hardship to the poor and incalculable damage to the economy is hardly of any consequence to our political parties.
Further: all the major parties unashamedly harbour anti-social elements, use them for extortion and intimidation and, when needed, for vote-rigging and street action. Heedless of the consequences of this abhorrent practice on the economic and social life of the nation, the political parties, I regret to say, are transforming themselves into a legalised mafia.
This year's Report underlines that in many South Asian states democracy is fast turning into an empty ritual. Strong institutions operating within their respective mandates are necessary for good governance. However, one of the problems confronting the well being and autonomy of the civil society institutions in Bangladesh is their indiscriminate politicisation. Associations of professionals such as doctors, teachers, lawyers and organisations of interest groups such as Trade Unions and students have all been utilised by political parties for furtherance of their selfish party political ends.
When institutions are politicised in this manner, their purpose and role in serving their respective constituencies are distorted and emasculated, leaving a frightening vacuum. Dominant political personalities hold sway over their respective parties, within which democratic processes and norms are painfully absent. Loyalty to individuals is prized above loyalty to ideals. This year's Report points out that powerful ruling personalities and weak institutions have fortified misgovernance in our region.
The greatest progress in Bangladesh over the last 25 years have been the women's organisations in rural and urban Bangladesh and the NGOs who have facilitated their emergence through grassroots work in empowerment and poverty reduction. Some 6 million women are members of their community organisations, accessing micro finance for their economic enterprises, health care and education for themselves and for their children.
Whilst NGOs would be expected to applaud the pro-poor stance of every government policy or programme, it is their duty to protest when the government tends to ignore the needs of the poor. If the smashing of squatter settlements by bulldozers without provision of any alternative shelter did not elicit protest from the civil society organisations, particularly NGOs, the legitimacy of these institutions would come under question. These protests are part of the ingredients of good governance. Responsible governments must not resent these protests but effectively respond toward the mitigation of the grievances.
Recently, there has been irresponsible talk alluding to NGOs as alternative government. Nothing can be further from the truth. NGOs are civil society organisations voluntarily created by citizens for the express purpose of dealing with the multiplicity of social or economic problems. Legitimacy of an NGO has to be earned through service to the community, by being responsive to the needs of the people it serves, by being accountable to donors and government and by providing opportunities to its own staff to reach their creative potential in the performance of their service. This year's Report correctly states, “The NGOs can supplement and complement government efforts but can never replace them.”
Over the past 27 years, successive governments have pronounced piously on the need for decentralisation and devolution. Each government instituted their own form of a local government structure, only to be set aside by the next regime. So, there is no stable local government other than the lowest tier - the Union Council. Bangladesh has the most centralised government power, the protagonists of which are reluctant to share it within a decentralised framework. Consequently, services such as provision of primary education and basic health are administered by the central government far removed from the people. As a result, basic services in the field of human development are of such indifferent quality.
In 1980s, with the help and support of UNICEF and the NGOs, immunisation coverage in Bangladesh reached nearly 80 percent. Over the last eight years, however, as a result of poor quality service, indifferent management and lack of commitment to children, the coverage of immunisation - the most important health intervention known to humans - has now declined to less than 55 percent. Although the impact of this decline resultS in higher mortality among the children of the poor, no protest has been heard in the centre of power. As long as centralised authorities remain in charge, significant improvement in the quality of services cannot be expected. Decentralised governance, allowing people to participate in their own development and empowering them to respond to their own needs is a sine qua non for lasting progress in human development.
This Report of the Mahbub ul Haq Human Development Centre is a reminder to all of us of the nature and extent of the unfinished agenda of our time. Mahbub ul Haq's legacy will continue to guide us in the long and difficult journey that lies ahead of us to ensure for our people a dignified and meaningful existence.
Thank you.
Lecture: Development
This lecture on development was delivered by Fazle Hasan Abed at the University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands on October 11, 1999.
Introduction
A quarter of a century ago Bangladesh began life with a wrecked economy. The infrastructure normally associated with nationhood did not exist. Colonised for centuries, brutalised by war and natural calamity, its people were poorly equipped for the sudden task of making a country. Schools, health facilities, communications and industry, stunted from the outset, all lay in ruins. Against insurmountable odds, however, Bangladesh has done more than simply survive. Food production has almost doubled. Life expectancy has increased by almost 30 percent and child mortality has decreased by 40 percent. Infrastructure has developed, new industries have come up and the people have reaffirmed their commitment to democracy.
The image of Bangladesh is no longer the 'international basket case'. Depressing statistics of natural disasters, runaway population growth, high maternal and infant mortality, malnutrition and poverty are gradually being replaced by encouraging examples of success.
Over the last decade and a half Bangladesh has achieved world class results in many fields. The coverage of immunisation reached 80 percent from a low of 2 percent in 1985, although it has again started to decline more recently. The contraceptive prevalence rate (CPR) has risen to nearly 50 percent from under 10 percent in the mid-seventies, with a consequent drop in total fertility from 7 to about 3. Net enrolment in schools has increased to 77 percent, with girls equalling boys. Poverty alleviation programmers have made impressive gains. Major credit programmes now serve more than seven million poor and destitute families, more than half of the country's poor population. Those who had the least access to credit now have the most; it comes literally to their doorstep. The percentage of poor households has declined from 54 percent to 38 percent.
The private sector has also grown substantially and here the ready-made garments industry deserves a special mention. With over 2,500 factories employing over a million workers, most of whom are women, it has already become one of the country's major export earners, with long-term implications for the empowerment of women.
However, in spite of these successes Bangladesh still remains one of the poorest countries on earth, ranking 12th from the bottom of 192 countries in the World Bank's new system of measuring the wealth of nations. Almost 40% citizens live below the poverty line and cannot meet their basic minimum needs. The poorest, who constitute the bottom 10 percent of the population, still sadly remain outside the reach of most development programmes. Poverty alleviation and the empowerment of the poor remain an unfinished task for this nation.
Non-Government Organizations (NGOs) and their Role
One of the most important groups of institutions that have emerged in Bangladesh to deal with rural and urban poverty is the Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO). The emergence of development-oriented NGOs in the Third World is of fairly recent origin. Once the Vietnam War ended, conflicts and starvation in Africa, Latin America and Asia returned to the centre screen of global news. The viewers in Europe and North America, touched by scenes of misery, gave money to charity organisations of their countries to do good in faraway countries. Established Northern NGOs became bigger and new ones entered the arena. In addition to receiving donations from the public, they began to receive substantial sums from their governments and the United Nations agencies. The new generation of Northern relief workers nurtured the growth of indigenous NGOs proving that they were worthy of the trust and confidence of the donors. With support from the donors, increasing experience, expertise and recognition at home, the local NGOs have expanded their horizon beyond relief to development. They now address the more delicate and difficult social and economic issues on a national scale. They still respond to emergencies when the need arises.
The emergence of indigenous NGOs and their involvement in development is also a reflection of the failure of the elite system to respond to the needs of the very poor. The end of colonial days led to the emergence of a powerful elite that increasingly concentrated economic and political power in its own hands. More experienced in collecting rent than managing productive assets, the privileged class has been proficient in appropriating existing wealth. In many instances they actually depleted the productive assets of the country, especially environmental assets. Social and economic power was divided among the politicians, the military, the bureaucrats and the businessmen. Students, trade unions and the conservative religious establishment were wooed and manipulated. Personal loyalties changed from time to time, but the overall alliance remained the same. Any benefits of development were divided up among themselves. Short-term gain and long-term power remained the motivation of the elite and the greatest obstacle to social reform and the economic betterment of the rest of society. Robert Chambers has called this elite section the 'over-class' and has described succinctly how they dominate the 'under-class'. The solution to today's development challenges lies, in the opinion of Chambers, on how the two classes converge, narrow the gap by enabling the 'over class' to accept less and the 'under class' to gain more.
A coalition of socially conscious individuals who led the NGOs sought a larger sense of fulfilment than simple charity. They wanted change - social and economic change. But they were also conscious of the human nature to resist change, unless people were convinced that there is a reasonable chance that there will be benefits and that they will get at least a share of it. For us, in Bangladesh, the experience in neighbouring West Bengal and elsewhere had shown that trying to force radical change by mobilising the poor to confront the elite often ended up making their situation even worse. We believe that the politics of confrontation is ultimately counter-productive. We chose to focus on the fundamental elements that empower the people to achieve strength.
The problems faced by Bangladesh are so numerous and of such magnitude that the government alone cannot effectively address all of these at once. One of the most important factors leading to the growth and scale of the NGO programmes in the South has been the use of NGOs as a preferred channel by the bilateral and multilateral institutions. The failure of the state to manage development in an effective manner at the grassroots have led many donor agencies in search of alternatives. This was readily provided by the vibrant NGO sector active in the South.
Adopting a National Development Agenda
Empowerment of the poor and poverty alleviation are the two facets of BRAC's primary goal. Social mobilisation is the sine qua non for the empowerment of the poor. It is the most cost-effective way of reaching large numbers of households. We look at poverty from a holistic viewpoint. In the words of Amartya Sen, the Nobel laureate economist, “The point is not the irrelevance of economic variables such as personal incomes, but their severe inadequacy in capturing many of the causal influences on the quality of life and the survival chances of people.” Along with income and employment generation, BRAC helps in forming organisations of the poor, conscientization and awareness- building, gender equity and training for human resource development. The logic of these programmes is the creation of an 'enabling environment' in which the poor can participate in their own development. But increasing awareness alone cannot bring change. Economic empowerment is at the heart of other forms of empowerment.
The Rural Development Programme
Our income generating programmes and other activities in the economic field have brought BRAC into the world on the free market economy. Until quite recently, the conventional wisdom was that NGOs are inherently incapable of entering the rough and tumble world of business. Although we have had our fair share of failures, we have also proved our ability to create economic institutional value without sacrificing our values.
Providing credit to the poor is an important component of our Rural Development Programme (RDP). An equivalent of US$ 750 million has been given as loans to rural poor women without collateral. The repayment rate is 98 percent and the members have accumulated savings of over US$ 51 million. Consciousness, peer group dynamics and BRAC staff supervision are important factors for the success of the credit programme.
Realizing the fullest potential of micro-credit to improve the lives of the poor on a sustainable basis had been held back by the virtual absence of modern production technology in rural Bangladesh. Much of the micro-credit has been used for traditional activities, and not enough has been done to include new technology. The profit made from traditional activities is modest, not enough to generate an investable surplus. In the case of BRAC, 70 percent of its loan portfolio is in traditional activities. The need for infusion of more productive technology is being gradually recognised, and BRAC has made a significant commitment towards this. BRAC provides training, improved raw materials and marketing support in certain sectors. Examples are high yielding varieties of birds, vaccination, hatchery and chick rearing units in poultry, artificial insemination in livestock, fish hatchery development, seed multiplication, tissue culture and use of hybrid seeds in crop production, improved varieties of mulberry trees, quality production of cocoons and modern reeling facilities etc. About 30 percent of the existing loan portfolios are devoted to technology-oriented/intensive activities. Such activities increase the profit margin of the participants through increased productivity.
Wherever possible, BRAC seeks vertical and horizontal integration in its income generating projects. At brac poultry, activities cover the whole process - from eggs to chicken to breeding to animal feed and vet services. BRAC financed hatcheries sell day-old chicks to women who rear them as broilers or layers. The eggs and birds are then sold to the consumers as well as to BRAC hatcheries. BRAC is also involved in such ancillary activities as training, veterinary care and feed. BRAC pioneered poultry-raising in Bangladesh. Today, it is a thriving industry and eggs and chicken are no longer the food of the fortunate few. Similar backward and forward linkages have also been successfully established in other programmes. Before taking up a new experiment, we do consider whether it would be financially and operationally feasible on a national scale.
Reaching the Very Poorest
For many years, development meant macro-economic development - infrastructure, steel mills and so on. "Trickle down” inherently meant that the poor would be at the very end of the benefit stream. Reality was even worse, for those who benefited from development had other assets that worked in conjunction with the new inputs. Through this process the rich become richer, and the poor, poorer. If it is hard work for a rich person to become richer, it is infinitely more so for a poor person to break out of the prison of poverty.
Reaching the poorest of the poor - those who have nothing at all, households headed by women with small children and no ostensible means of income, or where the head of the household is chronically sick, is an extremely difficult challenge. These “ultra poor” who constitute the bottom 10 percent of the population (or about 12 million) are unable to take advantage of the traditional development programmes of the government or even the more grassroots programmes of the NGOs. Still, BRAC believes that they are not entirely beyond reach. Whatever we can do to help them would make a critical difference in their lives.
BRAC has responded to the needs of these people by initiating a programme called the Income Generation for Vulnerable Group Development (IGVGD). The government of Bangladesh, since the 1970s, has been providing a ration of 31 kg of wheat per month for 18 months to the utterly destitute women in rural areas. BRAC had been working with the government since 1988 in providing training on poultry-raising to these women for the period they receive the free wheat. With the help of the government, BRAC has provided easy loans to them to purchase and rear poultry. The idea is that when the ration is withdrawn after 18 months, the women can continue to earn an income from the poultry equivalent at least to the value of the food ration. BRAC has also linked these women with the government livestock development to receive vaccines for their poultry. Currently, there are over 300,000 women participating in this programme.
Non-Formal Primary Education
In 1986 BRAC started experimenting with non-formal primary education programmes for children from poorer families. We knew from our years of experience in rural areas that there was much demand for education among the poorer families. Accordingly, we developed the Non-formal Primary Education Programme (NFPE) that best suited the realities of rural Bangladesh. We are humbled by the overwhelming response of the parents and children, and proud of our ability to open and operate more than 34,000 one-room schools where more than a million children - 70 percent girls - are receiving an education they would have never received otherwise. Unlike the micro-credit programme, which now supports most of its own costs through interest earning, NFPE requires donor support. Although the unit cost is very low (US$ 18 per child per year), supporting 1.1 million children requires US$ 22 million a year. We would have liked the government of Bangladesh to fund this programme because this group of children is not covered by the public sector. Unfortunately, we remain totally dependent on overseas donors, and I am grateful to the government of the Netherlands and NOVIB, as well as to the other donors, for their generous support. The effectiveness, popularity and need for this programme bestows upon BRAC a responsibility to continue. We expect to bring the joy of learning to several million children over the next five years.
Women in Development
BRAC has been promoting a new culture in the development field with women at the forefront of all activities. Most of the recipients of credit are women, 70 percent of students and 80 percent of the teachers of BRAC schools are female, health and poultry workers are all women. Breaking the barriers of a predominantly conservative traditional Muslim society, BRAC has even succeeded in training female field workers to use bicycles and motorcycles in performing their duties. Women are running rural restaurants, vaccinating poultry, treating patients, doing carpentry and managing people. All these activities were traditionally in the male domain.
Our efforts have not won us universal approval. Many programmes and staff have been subjected to physical attack and harassment. Under the guise of safeguarding Islamic values, the vested interest groups whose realm of influence is receding, is fighting a rear guard battle to safeguard its own interests. Their reaction confirms our belief that we are on the right path.
Measuring Programme Impact: The BRAC-ICDDR,B Study
BRAC and the International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (ICDDR,B) jointly carried out a study which examined the impact of BRAC programmes on human well-being. In one area of Matlab Bazar, which the ICDDR,B has had under demographic surveillance since 1964 and which has a health intervention programme, BRAC introduced the following integrated development activities: micro-credit, basic education for children and adolescents and organisation of the poor. The impact of this integrated programme on nutrition, child survival, household expenditure patterns, education, women's empowerment etc. were compared with a similar area in Matlab under surveillance but with only a health programme. A few of the results are summarised below.
The BRAC-ICDDR.B project collected mid upper arm circumference (MUAC) information at two points of time - 1992 when the BRAC intervention was about to start and 1995 when the intervention was about three years old. Table 2 compares the severe protein-energy malnutrition (PEM) (represented as MUAC<125 mm) over time and between BRAC members and poor non-members. It shows that the prevalence of severe PEM has significantly declined among BRAC member households but there was no such change among poor non-members.
International Policy Formulations
Because of its success in implementing pro-poor programmes in Bangladesh, BRAC is called to serve in international commissions and committees, and on the boards of different foundations and academic institutions. Examples of such involvement include the World Bank NGO Committee, the Independent South Asian Commission on Poverty Alleviation, and the International Commission on Health Research for Development. ThUS, we have been able to influence the agenda and recommendations of these in favour of the poor.
Critical Questions for NGOs:
How Can NGOs be Made Sustainable?
Broadly, BRAC looks at sustainability from two angles - sustainability of the impact of BRAC's interventions on its participants and sustainability of BRAC itself. The impact on participants can be seen from different dimensions such as material, social/institutional and environmental. A number of evaluations have documented the kind of lasting impact that BRAC is bringing in the lives of the poor -see previous section.
The sustainability of BRAC as an organisation is also important if the current crusade against under-development is to continue. When it became apparent that poverty alleviation and social development needed long-term commitment and that our own work was contributing towards the improvement of the conditions of the poor, we looked at ways to assure our own existence. In order to reduce dependence on donors, BRAC started setting up commercial ventures and developing income generating assets of its own. One of BRAC's early projects to help women market their handicrafts, has turned into the most popular handmade clothing and handicraft marketing operation in the country. 'Aarong' has seven retail outlets in the country and a sizeable export business. Thousands of women earn an income from this venture, as does BRAC itself. A number of other revenue-earning projects are at various stages of maturity or development. At the moment, over 60 percent of BRAC's budget comes from its own sources.
To Whom are NGOs Accountable?
In Bangladesh, the NGOs have proved their ability to make a significant contribution to society, yet we constantly hear the criticism that the NGOs are not accountable. However, the people levelling these criticisms, from the political arena or media, have no clear idea of the meaning of accountability or any firm understanding of how NGOs should be accountable, or to whom. While the NGOs are financially accountable to the donors and fiscally to the government, most significantly they are morally accountable to the people because of their extensive involvement in people's lives.
BRAC has followed a reflexive bottom-up approach: this allows us to design policies and programmes according to the priorities and needs of the people on the ground. At the village level, the participants of BRAC programmes meet at regular intervals to discuss issues relevant to their lives and voice their problems. These priorities and concerns are taken as the basis of BRAC's programmes. The series of weekly, monthly and quarterly meetings of the field and headquarter staff ensure two-way flow and responsive actions. In an effort to ensure this connection with the priorities of BRAC's participants, all programme ideas emanating from management are fine-tuned through a series of focus group meetings with potential participants prior to their implementation.
In addition, BRAC has entire departments including Internal Audit, Monitoring and Research that are devoted to ensuring the organisation's effectiveness, accountability and transparency. Our activities are carried out within legal and contractual frameworks mandated by both the government and donors which include regular audits by national and international audit firms and the yearly publication of our income and expenditure statements in our Annual Reports. As these policies demonstrate, BRAC is conscious of the many partners with which it must maintain open and transparent relationships.
Are NGOs Growing too Big?
The NGO sector in Bangladesh has been called “The Invisible Government”, “The Third Sector” and so on. Such labels are not always appellations of admiration. There is sometimes a sense of apprehension and envy. The bigger they grow, some say, the greater is the potential that the NGOs will rival the political parties.
How large should an NGO be? Traditionally NGOs have been small and worked in small areas. “Small is beautiful” has been their motto. This is changing. Now scores of NGOs can be found that work nationally (such as BRAC or Grameen Bank in Bangladesh) or regionally (such as AMREF in four countries of East Africa). From the experience of BRAC, our size has given us access to many a fora that we might not otherwise have reached.
In the words of a researcher on NGOs - where poverty is pervasive,
'Small scale' merely means insignificant
'Politically independent' can mean 'powerless' or 'disconnected'
'Low cost' can mean 'under financed' or 'poor quality'; and
'Innovative' can mean 'temporary' or 'unsustainable.'
The problems of Bangladesh and other third world countries are so big, multifarious and pervasive and the governments are so beset with big issues of macro management that they cannot reach the people. Their primary preoccupation turns out to be preservation of power and hence the reluctance to share it in a decentralised structure. Thus, the creative talents of local politicians and functionaries and the people themselves, cannot blossom. Consequently these programmes often lose touch with the reality on the ground and are executed indifferently rendering those ineffective. This creates frustration and indignation in a society which looks upon these as exercises in futility.
The NGOs, on the other hand, start at the bottom and start small. The successful ones among them grow riding on their success and thereby gaining in experience. Often their programmes are undertaken in response to the demands of or in consultation with programme participants at the grassroots level and are therefore easily accepted by these for whom these are intended.
Over the past few years, NGOs are increasingly being co-opted into government programmes as sub-contractors at the behest of bilateral and multilateral donors. Their involvement in the implementation of state administered programmes open up new avenues for their funding and growth. Through this process, however, NGOs risk losing their autonomy and legitimacy as civil society institutions. It is imperative that Southern NGOs reflect on these dynamic processes and remain vigilant in protecting their roles as advocates for the distressed and disenfranchised.
Special Problems Faced by Southern NGOs
The Southern NGOs need to work in diverse and often difficult situations. They face problems at home as well as with the NGOs and donors in the North that support them.
Problems at home
BRAC has been able to operate and grow for the last 27 years in spite of the great political uncertainties that the country has at times experienced. While successive governments, both civil and military, have subjected the country to major policy shifts, I should like to believe that recognising our contributions they have allowed us to go on with our work. The problem we face with all governments alike is that we are subjected to a host of regulations and cumbersome procedures in the approval and implementation of our programmes. We are also occasional victims of overzealous bureaucrats who believe that they are the final arbiters of what is good for the nation. Their policies, procedures and practices that test our resolve, can at times frustrate our efforts. The NGOs also at times face opposition from political parties of all spectrum - the religious fundamentalists usually being in the front line. The NGO goal of empowerment of the poor is often interpreted by fundamentalists as an attempt to diminish the power of the politicians and the bureaucrats. This is because they regard NGOs as power brokers in competition with them. The NGOs view things from a different perspective, believing that the empowerment of people with better awareness and education will create a society that will be able to achieve the nation-building agenda of the future.
Relations with Donors
A lot has been said about the problems that the Southern NGOs face with their Northern donors. Southern NGOs have argued for a more equitable partnership with their Northern partners based on mutual recognition of the contribution of each side. The over-dependence of Southern NGOs on their Northern partners affects the type, quality and quantity of their work. In a world where the location of the next disaster and the call for compassion is unpredictable, Southern NGOs are trying to reduce their dependence on external funds. Although most of BRAC's Northern partners have had confidence in BRAC from its earliest days, it too is working on reducing its vulnerability.
The Changing Role of Northern NGOs
If the Southern NGOs reduce their reliance on funding and technical support from the North, does it mean that the need for close collaboration will cease? I think not. I see far more important roles in store for Northern NGOs. I will discuss two - development education and advocacy.
Development Education
The concept and promotion of development education is very recent. It started around 1970 in Europe, which coincided with the end of the first UN development decade. Western volunteers and other development workers returning home wanted to share their experiences with their compatriots in government and society. The compassionate tradition of Europe and in Canada provided a conducive environment, but it took several years to receive enough support in the United States, which was preoccupied with the aftermath of the Vietnam War and domestic political problems. However, through a 'framework' published in 1984, the US private voluntary organisations put forward their own commitment to development education.
Development education is not based on pure economic theory or social research but empirical evidence and experience. It is the outcome of putting the most probable theories into the reality of underdevelopment, drawing lessons and sharing them with people concerned with third world development. It is a new field. It is also an important field because we need people who have a solid grounding in the underlying issues so that they can educate their societies as to the value of supporting development in other countries.
Advocacy
Another role of NGOs of the North is advocacy with their national governments and international bodies. The NGOs have been quite successful, particularly in Europe, in their advocacy role. Apart from increasing the quantum of aid, other ways of protecting the interests of the poor in the Third World should be explored. I should like to address a concern I have with respect to the type of advocacy that is needed. The idea of measuring growth based primarily on increases in GDP is very limited in its approach. In principle, no one can seriously dispute the need for growth, but to what extent is it the necessary and sufficient condition for poverty reduction? I think this needs to be examined very carefully.
We would do well to remember that GDP-based development in East Asian countries has been successful in reducing poverty only in societies where agrarian reform and universal education preceded the growth-oriented model of development. Reforms in the countries of East Asia destroyed the power of the landed elite and created the ground for sustained poverty reduction. In countries such as mine that have not gone through any meaningful agrarian reform, the access to growth by the most disadvantaged populations remains limited. It is this access that NGOs like BRAC are engaged in developing. The advocacy for structural adjustment and policy reform by the Bretton Woods institutions should be aimed at first facilitating this process, a process of creating an enabling environment in which the poor can participate in their own development. Liberalisation of imports and reduction of the crushing debt burden of countries facing severe economic hardship will remove the glass ceiling which is holding them back. In my view, giving people the power to earn an income through their own efforts is better than spending money to remedy the consequences of impoverishment.
Structural bilateral aid
I would like to take this opportunity to respond to the Netherlands government's policy on 'Structural Bilateral Aid' announced earlier this year. As we understand it, the Netherlands government plans to concentrate its aid in a smaller number of countries that meet three criteria - namely, the level of poverty and aid requirement, the quality of recipient government's policy and the quality of governance. In principle, we wholeheartedly endorse the objective of the policy, that is, to achieve greater effectiveness.
The level of poverty in Bangladesh and the aid requirement are well known. The honourable minister for Development Cooperation has said in her letter to the Lower House of the Dutch Parliamenton 26 February that: “[Aid] is most effective in poor countries where the quality of governance and policy is good.”
I share this conviction which conforms to both common sense and empirical evidence, but I would like to examine this statement a little further. The sentence implies that in order to qualify for aid, the country has already established good policy and achieved good governance. Good governance is more than ensuring democratic elections, freedom of speech and press, and commitment to free trade. These fundamental conditions exist in Bangladesh, and we are pleased that Bangladesh has been selected as qualifying for structural bilateral aid. What I would like to propose is that achieving good governance should be a development objective in itself. As we look to the future the issue of democratisation and governance looms large.
Democratization, Governance and Civil Society
This last decade of the 20th Century bears unmistakable indications of the democratisation of the word's political system. We have seen the fall of autocratic regimes in and around us. There has been an upsurge of democratic ideals that will only empower the civil society. According to a recent World Development Report, 177 countries - nearly two out of three - use popular elections to choose their leadership. In the 1970s, only one out of four countries had governments according to their people's choice. We do not have to look far to see the reason for the revival of the civil society. Many states had failed to uphold the inherent rights of the people. Fear, intimidation, and an absence of reward had stunted creativity, innovation and the free flow of ideas necessary to move with the times. States had lost their way in the labyrinth of their own organs and short-sighted interests. In short, states had failed to meet the expectations of the people.
But road to good governance is much more arduous and delicate than the introduction of the democratic process. There are many factors that influence or are an integral part of good government. To cite a few - respect for and enforcement of law and order, transparency and accountability, 'the public servant' awareness and respect for people's rights, the people's own awareness of rights and recourse to and the existence of an independent and honest judicial system. In developed countries, the positive factors are taken for granted and the negative factors are relatively insignificant. The situation is the reverse in poorer countries and directly correlated to income disparity. The wealthy and the powerful are often an obstacle to good governance as much as the poor and women are victims of bad governance.
Conceptually, there is a merit to the contention that where there is good governance, aid is effective. I also believe that where there is good governance, Non-Governmental Organisations can be even more effective. In Bangladesh, some elections have been reasonably free and fair, but the progress has not been consistent. The last election, under a neutral caretaker government and with the active support of many international and local organisations, afforded the NGOs an opportunity to carry their empowerment agenda a step further by encouraging more women to vote and voice their opinions. Hundreds of BRAC's village organisation members have become their communities' representatives in local government.
We are convinced that the main thrust for development of a country must come from within, but we must remain mindful of the fact that the world community is inseparably linked through interdependent economics and shared socio-political views. There are common problems such as environmental degradation, AIDS, drugs and organised crime that transcend national boundaries. They are not 'government problems' to be resolved in intergovernmental conferences. They are people's problems. The people need to be empowered to deal with them, and for this there will continue to be the need for NGOs, both in the South and in the North.
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Speech: BRAC University (abrudged)
Delivered by Fazle Hasan Abed at the inauguration of BRAC University in Dhaka on June 16, 2001.
The Chief Guest Hon'ble President of the People's Republic of Bangladesh Mr. Justice Shahabuddin Ahmed, Vice Chancellor of BRAC University Professor Jamilur Reza Choudhury, Excellencies, Faculty and the 1st batch of students of the BRAC University,
It is a great privilege to be here today on this occasion of the inauguration of BRAC University. This is a momentous day in BRAC's history. In the three decades of BRAC's existence we have traversed a long and challenging course in support of a singular mission - that of poverty alleviation in Bangladesh. Pervasive poverty is the outgrowth of a specific pattern of development and reflects a lack of certain values and priorities. Tackling poverty and hunger cannot be done simply by providing food and jobs. The system that perpetuates that condition also needs to be undone and this is the most challenging task of all. Poverty is the result of a complex interlinking of political, economic and cultural systems that have a long history and are deeply entrenched. Ending poverty and deprivation entails what is tantamount to 'cultural revolution' where the causes and not the symptoms are addressed.
Addressing this culture of poverty necessitates change at both the societal and individual levels. BRAC had been addressing the needs of the poor at the grassroots with its economic and social development programmes and has also been building institutions that would spearhead changes at the societal level. The logic of BRAC programmes is the creation of an 'enabling environment' in which the poor can participate in their own development. Providing credit to the poor has been an important component of our programmes since 1975. Over six thousand crores of taka have been given to poor women with a repayment rate of nearly 98 percent. The women members who number more than 39 lakhs have accumulated over 400 crores of Taka in savings. Consciousness, peer group dynamics and BRAC staff supervision are important factors for the success for our micro-finance programme.
We knew from our years of experience in rural areas that there was a great demand for education among the poorer families. Accordingly, we developed the Non-Formal Primary Education (NFPE) programme that best suited the realities of rural Bangladesh. We are humbled by the overwhelming response of the parents and children and proud of our ability to open and operate 34,000 one-room schools. Today, I am happy to be able to tell you that more than ten lakh poor Bangladeshi children are attending classes in these schools and nearly twenty lakh have already graduated. We expect to bring the joy of learning to several millions in the years to come.
With the help of over 20,000 village-based female volunteers, BRAC reaches out with essential preventive, reproductive and curative health care to three and a half crore people. The seminal programme that brought oral rehydration for diarrhoea to the doorstep of the people all over the country in the eighties is all too well known to be mentioned. BRAC pioneered the 'Directly Observed Therapy Short Course' or DOTS for the treatment of tuberculosis even before the World Health Organisation formally started promoting it.
The success of development is not assessed by the number of programmes run or the amount of money spent, but by the measurable improvement in the lives of the people that are served. BRAC values the importance of research and evaluation to both policy design and programme implementation. Since 1975 our Research and Evaluation Division (RED) has played a critical role in designing and assessing the impact of BRAC's development initiatives. Recent works have shown how BRAC has impacted on the lives of its participant including income, literacy, nutritional status, child survival and women's status. A study has found that BRAC's contribution to Bangladesh's GDP stood at 1.15 percent in 1998 as against 0.7 percent in 1995. The impact of BRAC research is also seen beyond BRAC. Several national and international institutions have found their work useful in policy formulation and for academic purposes. The value of BRAC research is attested by the number of collaborative researches done with other institutions including Cornell University, London School of Economics, University of Manchester, Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies, and the International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (ICDDR, B), to name among many.
BRAC is also active in training at the national and international levels. The Global Partnership for NGO Leadership and Management provides post-graduate diploma and Masters level training in collaboration with an NGO in Zimbabwe and the School for International Training Vermont, USA.
BRAC's been on an epic journey over the last three decades and a most exhilarating one. BRAC is a learning organisation, and we have realised that in spite of present economic hardships and the consequent deprivation of the mind, in this land of ancient civilization, where institutions of learning had flourished, even when the concept was scarcely known in large parts of the world, knowledge and learning are still valued and revered. I, here, refer to the civilization that was nourished centuries ago by knowledge acquired in the centres of learning like Mainamati, and Paharpur. This was followed by Islam's message of peace, brotherhood and enlightenment which enriched our minds. Stressing on the primacy of knowledge for human existence, one of the messages of Islam enjoined that should need be, 'we must go even to China to seek knowledge'. But somewhere along the line, during the centuries of domination we fell back. For a variety of socio-political reasons, the situation was even more unsatisfactory in the area that now constitutes Bangladesh. The armed liberation struggle for Bangladesh and the consequent necessity of the building up of its war-ravaged economy had additionally put Bangladesh at a comparative disadvantage in relation to other developing countries, where transition from colonial rule to independence has been smoother and more peaceful. It is, therefore, a national imperative for us to endeavour now to close that yawning gap. The learning process of BRAC has made us realise that despite extremes of poverty in our society, despite the obvious backwardness of our economy, Bangladesh must harness its human resource to enable us to compete in today's global economy, extricate our people out of poverty and flourish in tomorrow's knowledge society. The BRAC University is our modest contribution to that effort.
Education is the backbone of a nation. Our age is replete with examples of countries and of people who have prospered because they have intelligently invested in education. We in this country are grappling with the complex problem of poverty. We now know that its elimination does not merely entail a rise in income, it involves a widening of choices and we can widen the choices of people by providing them with greater learning. Education is undoubtedly the key element in empowerment. BRAC is therefore involved in education and wishes to be so, even in a more diverse fashion in the days and years to come.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
The University is not a collection of fine buildings but a gathering of fine minds. Some of the best institutions of learning in human history have been nurtured by humble surroundings. Remember that Plato's Academy was a garden and his dialogues were held under the shade of a tree. While we will make every effort to procure the best possible equipment and provide the most appropriate ambiance, we need the co-operation of the society as a whole for achieving quality in the gathering of the best available minds, teachers and students alike, under the roof of this University. We are confident that BRAC University will be strategically placed to spearhead such changes.
We hope this University becomes a centre of excellence for training the minds of our youth, not just one for the learning of knowledge per se, but where knowledge, so gathered, is made useful for the society we live in and for purposes for which this University has been set up. In contemporary times knowledge has become a key factor of production that can immeasurably advance any nation's productive capacity. As we see all around, new knowledge has given nations the scope to leapfrog across stages of development and has opened up countless opportunities. For reasons I have touched upon earlier we can indeed move in giant steps. Universities such as ours can become a tool for the acquisition of this new learning and therefore an agent for social change and progress.
In the march forward of the humankind, we have examples both in the East and the West, of educational institutions enduring through centuries. A day may indeed come when, for the Bangladesh society, development organisations like BRAC, as they are today, will be redundant, and will need to redefine their goals. But it is our dream that BRAC University, as a Centre of Excellence in Education, will thrive and prosper through the centuries ahead and provide vigour and vibrancy to the society, as is still being provided by Heidelberg, Sorbonne, Oxford or Harvard.
What distinctive features of education can BRAC University will offer its students? We are determined to provide students opportunities to acquire breadth of knowledge and interest by exposing them to a range of disciplines over and above their chosen field of specialisation. Students will be encouraged to acquire a sense of history, an appreciation of the arts and sciences, a love of language and an understanding of the streams of human activity that form one's culture. A general fund of knowledge and basic understanding of the major intellectual disciplines will form the foundation, and rigorous study of at least one discipline will be required. They will gain appreciation of the subtleties of arguments and complexities of conflicting evidence and interpretation which will take them beyond the superficial. A really good education should not only challenge students to learn what is known in a discipline, it should help them to grasp how knowledge is created. Students should be brought to the boundaries of what is known and should be helped to experience what it takes to move the boundaries back. It is not only the acquiring and imparting of knowledge that a University should cater for. The University must also be the centre of knowledge creation, as is the case with many Universities in the West. Research will form an integral part of regular activities of the BRAC University and one of its distinctive features. The students and faculty will have the unique access to the world of BRAC, as a laboratory which, I am sure, no other University in the world can offer!
I hope BRAC University will offer students undergraduate education of sufficient depth and breadth to be powerful, flexible and profound. Multifarious and complex problems that characterise today's Bangladesh cries out for creative leaders in various professions, occupations and disciplines. I hope BRAC University will produce a new breed of leaders who will play a vital and proactive role in our national development.
I should like to thank friends and colleagues from Bangladesh and abroad who have served on the BRAC University's advisory committee and those who have contributed to the University's preparatory phase. My grateful thanks to:
Mr. Faruq A. Choudhury, Adviser BRAC
Mr. M. Syeduzzaman, former Finance Minister
Prof. Derek Bok, former President of Harvard University
Prof. Lincoln Chen of Rockefeller Foundation
Mr. Francis Sutton of Ford Foundation
Prof. Hafiz G. A. Siddiqi of North South University
Dr. Riaz Khan, formerly of BRAC and
Dr. David Fraser, former President of Swarthmore College
I wish to recall the guidance that was provided by the late Professor David Bell of Harvard University whose recent passing away has been a great loss to us.
We are grateful to the Hon'ble President of the People's Republic of Bangladesh Mr. Justice Shahabuddin Ahmed for his presence on this occasion as chief guest. This gives us immense joy and encouragement. I thank all of you for being present here today on this happy occasion.
Let me conclude by reciting what the great Chinese philosopher Confucius had said about knowledge and development two and a half thousand years ago.
When knowledge is extended.
the will becomes sincere.
When the will is sincere.
the mind is correct.
When the mind is correct.
the self is cultivated.
When the self is cultivated,
the clan is harmonized.
When the clan is harmonized,
the country is well governed.
When the country is will governed,
there will be peace throughout the land.
Thank you.
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The Emergence and Present Status of NGOs in Bangladesh: A BRAC Perspective
This article by Fazle Hasan Abed appeared in the Weekly Holiday on December 2, 2002.
For three decades I have devoted myself to work relating to the alleviation of poverty and the empowerment of the poor. My experiences have been largely tied to my work on the ground and I have thus learnt from experience. I am therefore not a theoretician. However, this is not to say that I am not aware of the rich history and tradition of the NGO movement and that my path has not been lit by the achievements of individuals and organisations who have been engaged in the development field, both in this country and abroad.
My experiences have defined for me what I conceive as the NGO movement. I view this as a movement carried out by individuals or organisations that are essentially out of the governance structure of the society, who do not formulate state policies, but can, in varying degrees, influence them. It is not possible to locate exactly the time in history when the NGO movement commenced, but it commenced from the time when an individual or a group of people living in a remote age and not belonging to the ruling class thought of the development of their weaker compatriots and took some actions in that regard. This may take us back to the world of prophets, social reformers or for that matter to anyone who wished to bring about a change that would uplift and empower the weak.
In Bangladesh and many other developing countries, non-government organisations (NGOs) are playing an increasingly important and critical role in national development. Historically, their role in development has tended to address the need of the disadvantaged sections of a society, such as the poor women, children, ethnic or religious minorities, refugees, slum dwellers, or more recently in Africa, the orphans left by epidemics such as AIDS. In many countries, NGOs wield healthy influence on local policies. Internationally also, they are becoming more active and relevant in the wake of globalisation and other new and emerging international orders. In my article I shall look at the recent history of non-governmental development in this part of the world and how NGOs and contemporary thinking have shaped the developmental evolution of society. I share with you our experiences at BRAC.
NGOs Internationally
NGOs or similar organised activities are found as early as in the first part of the seventeenth century. At that time aid was sent to British and Irish Protestants who were fighting the Indians in North America. Such aid later culminated into more organised 'developmental' activities including setting up of schools and health services for the Indians, Afro-Americans and poor whites, as well as colleges and universities for the affluent population. In this context the Quakers deserve mention. In the United States today human slavery is regarded as not only wrong but utterly indefensible and an affront to humanity. It was the work of the Quakers in the 1750s and the anti-slavery movement in post 1830s that gradually caused slavery to become a thing of the past in America.
Although some contemporary European NGOs such as the Red Cross, the Salvation Army or the Catholic Relief Services were formed during or immediately after the First World War, the major thrust came after the Second World War in the rebuilding of Europe. CARE and Oxfam, for example, are the products of World War II. The difference between the NGOs set up before and after World War II is that the latter were more secular in their approach than the former. Following the 'rebuilding' of Europe, the NGOs turned their attention to the developing countries. Soon they found support in this work from their own governments in the North. Donor countries turned to NGOs, seeing them as more efficient conduits for development assistance than official agencies.
NGOs that emerged in the Third World in large numbers are of very recent origin. Poverty, natural disaster, war and other misfortunes provided grounds for NGOs to grow and proliferate in the developing world. "When someone perceives a need, an NGO is likely to follow,” remarked an NGO analyst. The most popular motto of most NGOs in the Third World is "empowerment of the powerless". They refer to the neglected and poorer sections of the community but they have also involved themselves in a host of other activities, including local infrastructure development, family planning, education, employment and income generation. Many others provide various services such as health care, agricultural extension and micro-finance.
History of development and NGOs in Bangladesh: Tagore a pioneer
The lives of the poor in Bangladesh have been characterized by hunger, misery and subjugation through the centuries. They have been subject to exploitation by colonialists and their local agents. There is little known in the written history about any organised efforts for their development. Rabindranath Tagore was among the first who saw the need for their development and coined the term 'rural development'. Tagore was sensitive to the contradiction between his responsibilities as the representative of his family including those of looking after its land interests and the uplift of the 'riots'. In his own words:
ÈpfKhj kuäLV´JPo KZPuo fJPT fjúfjú TPr \JjmJr ßYÓJ IJoJr oPj KZuÇ âPo FA kuäLr hM”U ‰hjq IJoJr TJPZ xM¸Ó yP~ Cbu, fJr \Pjq KTZM Trm FA IJTJ–ãJ~ IJoJr oj Zala TPr CPbKZuÇ fUj IJKo ßp \KohJrL mqmxJ TKr, KjP\r IJ~mq~ KjP~ mq˜, ßTmu mKeT-mOK• TPr Khj TJaJA FaJ KjfJ∂A uöJr Kmw~ oPj yP~KZuÇ fJrkr ßgPT ßYÓJ Trfáo TL TrPu FPhr oPjr ChPmJij y~, IJkjJPhr hJK~fô FrJ IJkKj KjPf kJPrÇ'
Some intellectuals and journalists of the then Bengal also felt the need for the development of the 'riots' even before the time of Tagore. For example, Paryichand Mitra writing in The Bengal Spectator on November 1, 1843, eighteen years before the birth of Tagore, believed that the development of the country depended on the development of the 'riots'. In his own words, "Promote their (riots') well being and the well being of the country is promoted." You will appreciate that such an utterance was quite bold for that time in history. In this context it is pertinent to recollect the contribution of reformers like Raja RamMohan Roy, Ishwar Chandra Bidyasagar and Begum Rokeya. RamMohan Roy lived in Bengal in late eighteenth to early nineteenth century. His untiring efforts and the work of his Brahmasamaj led to the abolition of the practice of Suttee (xfLhJy k´gJ) in 1829. Soon afterwards, Bidyasagar came forward for societal reform. His assault paved the way for the acceptance of the remarriage of widows in Hindu families. The contribution of Begum Rokeya in education for Muslim women is well known to us.
But Tagore added new dimensions and scale to such reforms. His philosophy of development evolved and was guided by his interactions with the poor as their 'zamindar'. He experimented in building institutions and cooperatives for rural development. He realised that a major problem of the poor was indebtedness, and he started providing credit to them at low interest rates. He also saw the future in the introduction of modern technology. He introduced tractors but was frustrated when their use was found to be restricted because of fragmentation of the land.
The landmark work of Tagore in his experimentation on rural development was the setting up of 'Sriniketan' at Bishwabharati. Through this he initiated self-reliant development programmes for the poor by setting up cooperative societies. The cooperative societies that flourished in this part of the subcontinent afterwards have their origin in Sriniketan.
Other approaches since Tagore
Separate and independent civil society movements distinct from the work of Rabindranath Tagore or similar others that followed him can also be identified. These are initiatives taken to serve specific needs. The civil society created organisations to cater to such needs. The orphanages and x“TJr TKoKa (the last rites committee) are among this group. The Anjuman-e Mufidul Islam is an illustrious name in this respect in Bangladesh since the pre-partition days.
The Family Planning Association of Bangladesh is another example of civil society initiative to introduce and popularise a new concept. Set up in the fifties, the Association's seminal work has now made family planning a way of life. Although many other organisations and the government must share in the success, the Association did the initial ground breaking work.
The Comilla model
Following the cooperatives proposed by Tagore, the Comilla approach to rural development earned name and fame nationally and internationally. The approach or model grew out of a series of experimental programmes conducted by the Bangladesh Academy for Rural Development (BARD) in Comilla in the sixties and early seventies.
The essence of the model is the belief in the capacity of human beings to solve their own problems. The model prescribes a two-tier cooperative system and building of three kinds of infrastructure - administrative, physical and organisational - for rural development. The work of BARD has transformed agricultural growth in the Comilla area. Unfortunately, it faced problems in replication because of over-dependence on bureaucracy.
The post-liberation NGOs: a new breed
Today's NGOs stemmed from the 'volunteer activities' that came into being in 1972 following the independence of Bangladesh. The War of Liberation resulted in the birth of a new nation. It also brought in its trail a massive task of relief and rehabilitation. Imbibed with the spirit of the Liberation War, many Bangladeshis took part in the rehabilitation work and created voluntary organisations. A large number of Bangladeshi NGOs emerged through this process.
The number of NGOs has increased manifold since then. Currently there are around 15,000 registered entities, big and small. Around 1,500 of these organisations are registered under the Foreign Donations Regulation Ordinance of 1978, and are authorised to receive foreign assistance. Over 900 NGOs are involved in operating micro-credit programmes. Although there are many types of NGOs, we refer here only to those that have development orientation. While most of the large NGOs that are active in Bangladesh started off with relief work following the liberation of the country, a great many have now transformed themselves into development organisations. They now address the more delicate and difficult social and economic issues on a national scale. The end of colonial days had led to the emergence of a powerful elite that increasingly concentrated economic and political power in its own hands. More experienced in collecting rent than managing productive assets, the privileged class has been proficient in appropriating existing wealth, in many instances actually depleting the productive assets of the country, especially environmental assets. Short-term gain and long-term power remained the motivation of the elite and the greatest obstacle to social reform and the economic betterment of the rest of society. The government, as the main agent of change, could not live up to the expectation.
The emergence of indigenous NGOs and their involvement in development is a reflection of the failure of the elite to respond to the needs of the poor. A coalition of socially conscious individuals who led the NGOs sought a larger sense of fulfilment than simple charity. They wanted change - social and economic change. But they were also conscious of the tendency of human nature to resist change unless people are convinced that there is a reasonable chance that there will be benefits and that they will get at least a share of it. Experience in neighbouring West Bengal and elsewhere had shown that trying to force radical change by mobilising the poor to confront the power-holders often ended up making their situation even worse. Learning from history that the politics of confrontation is mostly counter-productive, the NGOs chose to focus on the fundamental elements that empower people.
The problems faced by Bangladesh are so numerous and of such magnitude that state initiatives alone cannot effectively address them at once. The need for others, such as the NGOs, to remain involved in development action over the long haul has become increasingly apparent. To remain small and beautiful is comforting but it is not enough. Poverty in Bangladesh is not in small and isolated pockets but exists throughout the country, and is much more deeply entrenched than is normally apparent. By any definition Bangladesh is a very poor country in spite of its rich and varied cultural tapestry, its literature, its music, a history rich in heroism and daring deeds. It is an incomparably beautiful and fertile land, capable of supporting a larger population per square mile than any other on earth. These things are often lost in crushing statistics.
Bangladesh began life with a wrecked economy. The infrastructure normally associated with nationhood did not exist. Colonized for centuries, brutalised by war and natural calamities, its people were poorly equipped for the sudden task of making a country. Schools, health facilities, communications, industry were stunted from the outset, and all lay in ruins. Against insurmountable odds, however, Bangladesh has done more than simply survive. Food production has more than doubled and life expectancy has increased by more than 30 percent. Both total fertility and infant mortality have been halved. Primary school enrolment has reached nearly 80 percent and the gender gap in enrolment has disappeared. Infrastructure has been set in place, new industries have flourished and people have reaffirmed their commitment to democracy. It is now well recognised that the contribution of NGOs in many of these achievements has been significant. Let me now briefly dwell on BRAC since its inception in 1972.
Younger than Bangladesh by a few months, BRAC and the BRAC experience parallel the development of the country and are a reflection of the capacity of its people for hard work, innovation and achievement. The last century has seen enormous improvements in the quality of life worldwide. In this situation, I believe that mankind's greatest failure and greatest challenge is its inability to eradicate poverty. It should be our greatest embarrassment that at this point in time, when we are able to produce more than enough food to feed the entire population of the world, there still remain 800 million people who suffer from hunger and malnutrition. A quarter of the population in the developing world lives on less than a dollar a day. In Bangladesh, 40 percent of the population lives below the poverty line. They struggle everyday in an effort to make sure that their families can eat something and are not denied opportunities for education and basic health care.
Those of us that have grappled with the dilemma of poverty know that it is not an accident and it is not our lack of ability that has left this problem largely unaddressed. Pervasive poverty is the outgrowth of a specific pattern of development and reflects certain values and priorities. The poor are oppressed by a profound lack of opportunity to access the basic necessities of life, thus creating a perpetual under-class that live in conditions that many would characterize as sub-human. Attacking poverty and hunger is not done simply by providing food and jobs. The system that perpetuates this condition must also be undone and this is the most challenging task of all. Poverty is the result of a complex interlinking of political, economic and cultural systems that have a long history and are deeply entrenched. Ending poverty entails what is tantamount to a 'cultural revolution' where the causes and not just the symptoms are addressed.
Addressing this 'culture of poverty' necessitates change at both the societal and individual levels. This requires organisations that are prepared to work as agents of change in their own societies. It is this role that BRAC has been seeking to fill for the past thirty years. But however much we strive to be agents of change, we must also admit that we are all, to some extent, products of a society dominated by the very attitudes we are seeking to alter. In this context, a change agent must work within the organisation while at the same time working to make a bigger impact on society at large.
Allow me to describe our experience at BRAC so that you can understand the events and history that has shaped my current thinking. BRAC is a development organisation now with more than 26,000 full-time staff and 34,000 part-time functionaries working in more than 60,000 villages of Bangladesh. When BRAC was started in February, 1972, it was essentially a relief and reconstruction effort to help the victims of the liberation struggle in one of the remotest parts of the country. We soon realised, however, that the needs were much greater than we had imagined. Poverty was so pervasive that we could not just walk away from the people. Even so, we thought we would take a limited number of initiatives and in a couple of years develop replicable models of the kind of work that needed to be done to eliminate rural poverty. The rest would be up to the national government and the people. As time passed, however, we realised that we had been too optimistic.
Just after the war there were no organisations, governmental or otherwise, that were capable of implementing our models on a national scale. We realised that we had to do this work ourselves. So we set about replicating our pilot projects to demonstrate that they could be effectively scaled up. We also worked at building an organisation that was capable of tackling poverty on a national scale.
One of our earliest programmes, which succeeded in going nationwide, was the Oral Therapy Extension Programme. Our pilot project had shown that mothers who received proper training could make and administer a homemade rehydration fluid for children suffering from diarrhoea, which was a major killer of children in Bangladesh. We decided to expand the programme nationwide. Over a ten year period, 2,000 BRAC workers, 90 percent of them women, visited households all over rural Bangladesh, training 13 million women to prepare and use the oral rehydration therapy. Ongoing monitoring and an incentive payment system for field workers improved the programme's quality and contributed to consistent increases in efficiency and effectiveness. ORT is now a part of the Bangladeshi culture and the recent drop in infant and child mortality in the country is attributed largely to this effort. This early experience proved to others as well as to us that BRAC could tackle poverty-related programmes on a national scale.
Presently, nearly four and a half million poor women, representing as many families, are directly involved in BRAC's development endeavours. We have extensive programmes in many aspects of food and cash crop production, as well as other income-generating activities. We run 34,000 non-formal primary schools for children who have been deprived of education due to poverty and gender bias. 70 percent of the students of BRAC's schools are girls which, we hope, will contribute towards the empowerment of the next generation of women. BRAC provides services to a population of 35 million, with the help of more than 20,000 village health workers in preventive, curative and reproductive health. We have also been one of the pioneers of the "Directly Observed Therapy Short-Course" (DOTS) for treating tuberculosis, which has been described as a breakthrough by the WHO. Empowerment of the poor and poverty alleviation are the two facets of BRAC's primary goal. Social mobilisation is the sine qua non for the empowerment of the poor and the most cost effective way of reaching a large number of households. We look at poverty from a holistic viewpoint. In the words of Amartya Sen, the Nobel laureate economist, "The point is not the irrelevance of economic variables such as personal incomes, but their severe inadequacy in capturing many of causal influences on the quality of life and the survival chances of people." Along with income and employment generation, BRAC helps in forming organisations of the poor, conscientization and awareness building, training for gender equity and human resource development. These programmes contribute to the creation of an 'enabling environment' in which the poor can participate in their own development. But increasing awareness alone cannot bring change; concrete steps must be taken to promote the economic empowerment of the poor.
Providing credit to the poor is an important component of our programme. Over Taka 8,100 crore have been loaned without collateral to poor women. Our programme confounded many of the sceptics with its repayment rate of 98.6 percent and the members' savings of Taka 465 crore. Consciousness, peer group dynamics and BRAC staff supervision are important factors for the success of this programme. The full potential of micro-credit in improving the lives of the poor has been held back by the virtual absence of modern production technology in rural Bangladesh. Micro-credit has been used for traditional activities that do not generate sufficient profit to create an investable surplus. Though 50 percent of our current loan portfolio is invested in traditional activities, BRAC has made a significant commitment towards promoting new technology. Our investments in technology have included: tissue culture and use of hybrid seeds in crop production; high yielding varieties of birds, vaccination, hatchery, and chick rearing units in poultry; and improved varieties of mulberry trees, quality production of cocoons and modern reeling facilities for our sericulture programme. Effectively using these technologies requires training that can substantially increase productivity and profits.
BRAC seeks to capitalise on its network of producers by creating vertical and horizontal integration for its income-generating projects. For example, in the case of our pioneering poultry programme, activities cover the whole process from eggs to chickens. BRAC financed hatcheries sell day old chicks to women who rear them as broilers or layers. The eggs and birds are then sold to the consumers as well as to BRAC hatcheries. BRAC is also involved in such ancillary activities as training, veterinary care, and feed production. Today poultry rearing is a thriving industry, and eggs and chicken are no longer the food of the fortunate few.
Reaching the poorest of the poor - those who have nothing at all - is an extremely difficult challenge. These extreme poor, who constitute the bottom 15 percent of the population (approximately 20 million people in Bangladesh), are unable to take advantage of the traditional development programmes of the government or even the grassroot-based programmes of the NGOs. BRAC has responded by initiating the Income Generation for Vulnerable Group Development Programme (IGVGD). Since the early 1970s the government of Bangladesh has been providing a monthly ration of 31 kg of wheat for 24 months to utterly destitute women in rural areas. BRAC has been working with the government since 1988 to provide training and credit so that these women can start small poultry rearing enterprises. The programme's goal is that after the food rations are withdrawn the women will be able to earn an income equivalent to, if not greater than, the value of the food ration. Currently, there are over 300,000 women participating in this programme and over a million of these very poor women have been mainstreamed into BRAC's Development Programme.
In 1986, BRAC started experimenting with non-formal primary education programme for children from poorer families. We learnt from our interaction with the people in rural areas that there was a great demand for education among the poor and the existing public system lacked the imagination to respond to such a demand. Accordingly, we developed our Non-formal Primary Education (NFPE) programme which best suited the realities of rural Bangladesh. We are humbled by the overwhelming response of the parents and children and proud of our ability to open and operate more than 34,000 one-room schools where currently 1.2 million children, of which two-thirds are girls, are receiving an education they would have never received otherwise. Two million children have already graduated from our schools, a large number of whom have transitioned on to secondary schools. We expect to bring the joy of learning to several million more children in the years to come.
BRAC has long realised the importance of research and evaluation to both policy design and programme implementation. Since 1975, BRAC's Research and Evaluation Division (RED) has played a crucial role in designing and assessing the impact of BRAC's initiatives. I should mention one such study which was carried out jointly with the Bangladesh-based International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (ICDDR,B) that looked at the impact of BRAC's programmes on a variety of indicators of human well-being. It found that the BRAC member households spent significantly more on food than poor non-member households. This expenditure was reflected in higher calorie intake, decline in malnutrition and increase in the rates of child survival among BRAC households as compared to those that were not involved in BRAC programmes. BRAC's education programmes also showed significant impact. The performance of students in both BRAC-member and non-member households improved in the longitudinal study between 1992 and 1995, but the study showed that improvement was significantly higher in BRAC-member households and in girls over boys. A recent study has found that BRAC's contribution to Bangladesh's GDP stood at 1.15 percent in 1998.
BRAC has been promoting a new culture in the development field with women at the forefront of all activities. Most of the recipients of credit are women, 70 percent of students and 90 percent of the teachers of BRAC schools are female and health and poultry workers are all women. Breaking the barriers of a predominantly conservative society, BRAC has even succeeded in training female field workers to use bicycles and motorcycles in performing their duties. Women are running rural restaurants, vaccinating poultry, treating patients, doing carpentry and managing people - all these activities were traditionally in the male domain. Our efforts have not evidently won us universal approval. Over the past few years many programmes and staff have been subjected to physical attacks and harassment. Under the guise of safeguarding Islamic values, the vested interest groups whose realm of influence is receding, are fighting a rear guard battle to safeguard their own interests. Their reaction confirms our belief that we are on the right path.
Despite our focus on the economic and social empowerment of women within our programmes, we have discovered that an organisation cannot stand apart from the society in which it belongs. Societal norms and values that exclude or devalue women affect the attitudes of staff and managers, the way agenda are set, what they focus on and who participates in decision making. In the late 1980s we began a concerted effort to bring more women into the organisation as programme organisers, our front-line staff. We found ourselves experiencing difficulty attracting and retaining female staff to work in the field, not because of the rigours of the work, but because of the subtle harassment and lack of respect they faced inside the organisation from male colleagues and outside from men in the communities in which they worked. We then took up a long and arduous task of transforming our organisation.
We are enthusiastic about the results of these efforts at organisational change but we realise that changing a gender-biased culture within an organisation of 26,000 people is a process that will take many years. Gender biases are deeply held and they manifest themselves in a wide range of behaviour, attitudes and work practices. But we are optimistic that our dual track approach of changing gender-biased values and norms and the organisational systems and practices in which they are embedded, and continuing to focus on women's empowerment in all aspects of our programming will mutually reinforce each other. We expect that it will move us in the direction of creating a productive and enabling environment that is well equipped to promote gender equality in the communities within which we work.
A country's greatest asset in the global economy is its people. Bangladesh, to compete in the globalised economy of the 21st century, will need to commit itself to the development of its human resources. Although good progress has been made in increasing enrolment in primary schools, the secondary schools are providing very low quality education to our children. There is huge wastage. Untrained and demoralized teachers, inappropriate curricula and the widespread practice of cheating in examinations produce high school graduates with low educational attainment. These students are unprepared to positively contribute in professional or higher learning environments.
BRAC has taken up a pilot programme to improve teachers' education, curriculum development and effective teaching practices in the high schools of Bangladesh. Computer technologies, the use of websites and media, and access to quality materials by teachers and students should revitalize the country's neglected secondary schools. For many years the best and the brightest Bangladeshi students have left the country in large numbers to study at colleges and universities abroad. They have left because the quality of university education in our country has deteriorated and has not kept up with the latest ideas. BRAC thus established the BRAC University last year to provide quality, post-secondary education to our children. However, the state of education as a whole in Bangladesh is worrisome and I think secondary education is the weakest link in our educational chain. Without a good secondary educational base, proper human resource is difficult to develop. In BRAC we have been giving urgent thought to this problem and I urge the Government and the civil society to do likewise so that we tackle this problem through a combined national effort.
I should like to take this opportunity of sharing with you my views on some questions regarding the NGOs, which are raised in our country from time to time. One is that of their accountability. There seems to be a point of view that NGOs are not accountable enough about their activities. This is not borne out by facts. For instance, my organisation, BRAC, has departments of internal audit and monitoring that are devoted to ensure the organisation's effectiveness, accountability and transparency. Moreover, all of our activities are carried out within legal and contractual frameworks mandated by both the Government and donors, which include regular audits by national and international audit firms and the yearly publication of income and expenditure statements in our Annual Report. We are conscious of our many partners with whom we must maintain open and transparent relationships. While the NGOs are financially accountable to the donors and fiscally to the Government, they are morally accountable to their primary development partners - the poor.
Then there is the question of NGOs' involvement in commercial activities. It should be remembered that NGOs have initiated commercial ventures to support their programmes so that they are able to lessen their dependence on donor contribution. Many of these commercial enterprises have backward linkages. For instance, poultry farms have been established to supply the rural women with millions of day old chicks. Same is the case with poultry feed and seed processing plants. The milk plant of BRAC has been set up to connect the rural milk producers to the city market and to ensure fair prices for them. The Aarong handicraft outlets have been set up to market the handicrafts produced by the rural artisans to the urban areas. Establishment of commercial enterprises by NGOs is not a new phenomenon. A non-profit organisation like Harvard University has a number of hotels and other enterprises and have assets worth US$ 17 billion, and Oxfam has hundreds of shops in England. The profits of such ventures are diverted to the budget for financing the main programme of the NGOs. In the USA 8 percent of the GDP is contributed by the non-profit organisations. Such ventures in Bangladesh are neither funded by the donors nor are the NGO exempted from duties and taxes including income tax.
Then there is the question of NGOs' involvement in the politics of the country. As I have stated at the outset, I believe that only the people and organisations who are essentially out of the government power structure should conduct NGO activities. My three decades in development have further strengthened that belief. It is of course necessary for the NGOs to heighten the political awareness of their development partners, i.e. the grassroots people. But the NGOs themselves, I firmly believe, should not get involved directly in party politics. While NGOs should be alert and concerned with the broader political issues, direct involvement in party politics will not only limit the operational autonomy of the NGOs, but also, in the face of political antagonism, limit their operational autonomy and sustainability.
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Added by chris macrae at 2:18pm on January 5, 2021
KERRY GLASGOWIS HUMANITY'S LAST BEST CHANCE - Join search for Sustainaabilty's Curricula
101ways-generation.docx 101 ways education can save the world WHAT IF WE DESIGNED LIFELONG LIVELIHOOD LOEARNING SO THAT so that teachers & students, parent & communities were empowered to be ahead of 100 times more tech rather than the remnants of a system that puts macihnes and their exhausts ahead of human life and nature's renewal 2016 is arguably the first time thet educatirs became front and centre to the question that Von neummn asked journalist to mediate back in 1951- what goods will peoples do with 100 times more tech per decade? It appears that while multilaterals like the Un got used in soundbite and twittering ages to claim they valued rifghts & inclusion, pubblic goods & safety, they fotgot theirUN tech twin in Genva has been practising global connectivity since 1865, that dellow Goats of V neumnn has chiared Intellectual Cooperation in the 1920s which pervesrely became the quasi trade union Unesco- it took Abedian inspired educations in 2016 ro reunite ed and tecah as well as health and trade ; 7 decades of the UN not valuing Numenn's question at its core is quite late, but if we dare graviate UN2 aeound this digital coperation question now we give the younger half if the world a chnace especially as a billion poorest women have been synchronised to deep community human development since 1970
Dear Robert - you kindly asked for a short email so that you could see if there is a CGTN anchor in east coast who might confidentially share views with my expectation of how only Asian young women cultural movements (parenting and community depth but amplified by transparent tech in life shaping markets eg health, food, nature..) can return sustainability to all of us
three of my father's main surveys in The Economist 1962-1977 explain imo where future history will take us (and so why younger half of world need friendship/sustainable adaptation with Chinese youth -both on mainland and diaspora)
1962 consider japan approved by JF Kennedy: argued good news - 2 new economic models were emerging through japan korea south and taiwan relevant to all Asia Rising (nrxt to link the whole trading/supply chains of the far east coast down through hong kong and cross-seas at singapore)
1 rural keynsianism ie 100% productivity in village first of all food security- borlaug alumni ending starvation
2 supercity costal trade models which designed hi-tech borderless sme value chains- to build a 20 million person capital or an 8 million person superport you needed the same advances in engineering - partly why this second economic model was win-win for first time since engines begun Glasgow 1760 ; potentially able to leverage tech giant leaps 100 times ahead; the big opportunity von neumann had gifted us - knowhow action networking multiply value application unlike consuming up things
1976 entrepreneurial revolution -translated into italian by prodi - argued that future globalisation big politics big corporate would need to be triangularised by community scaled sme networks- this was both how innovation advancing human lot begins and also the only way to end poverty in the sense of 21st C being such that next girl born can thrive because every community taps in diversity/safety/ valuing child and health as conditions out of which intergenerational economic growth can spring
in 1977 fathers survey of china - argued that there was now great hope that china had found the system designs that would empower a billion people to escape from extreme poverty but ultimately education of the one child generation (its tech for human capabilities) would be pivotal ( parallel 1977 survey looked at the futures of half the world's people ie east of iran)
best chris macrae + 1 240 316 8157 washington DC
IN MORE DETAIL TECH HUMAN EXPONENTIALS LAST CHANCE DECADE?
- we are in midst of unprecedented exponential change (dad from 1960s called death of distance) the tech legacy of von neumann (dad was his biographer due to luckily meeting him in his final years including neumann's scoping of brain science (ie ai and human i) research which he asked yale to continue in his last lecture series). Exponential risks of extinction track to mainly western top-down errors at crossroads of tech over last 60 years (as well as non transparent geonomic mapping of how to reconcile what mainly 10 white empires had monopoly done with machines 1760-1945 and embedded in finance - see eg keynes last chapter of general theory of money); so our 2020s destiny is conditioned by quite simple local time-stamped details but ones that have compounded so that root cause and consequence need exact opposite of academic silos- so I hope there are some simple mapping points we can agree sustainability and chinese anchors in particular are now urgently in the middle of
Both my fatherwww.normanmacrae.netat the economist and I (eg co-authoring 1984 book2025 report,retranslated to 1993 sweden's new vikings) have argued sustainability in early 21st c will depend mostly on how asians as 65% of humans advance and how von neumann (or moores law) 100 times more tech every decade from 1960s is valued by society and business.
My father (awarded Japan's Order of Rising Sun and one time scriptwriter for Prince Charles trips to Japan) had served as teen allied bomber command burma campaign - he therefore had google maps in his head 50 years ahead of most media people, and also believed the world needed peace (dad was only journalist at messina birth of EU ) ; from 1960 his Asian inclusion arguments were almost coincidental to Ezra Vogel who knew much more about Japan=China last 2000 years ( additionally cultural consciousness of silk road's eastern dynamics not golden rule of Western Whites) and peter drucker's view of organisational systems
(none of the 10 people at the economist my father had mentored continued his work past 1993- 2 key friends died early; then the web turned against education-journalism when west coast ventures got taken over by advertising/commerce instead of permitting 2 webs - one hi-trust educational; the other blah blah. sell sell .sex sell. viral trivial and hate politicking)
although i had worked mainly in the far east eg with unilever because of family responsibilities I never got to china until i started bumping into chinese female graduates at un launch of sdgs in 2015- I got in 8 visits to beijing -guided by them around tsinghua, china centre of globalisation, a chinese elder Ying Lowrey who had worked on smes in usa for 25 years but was not jack ma's biographer in 2015 just as his fintech models (taobao not alibaba) were empowering villagers integration into supply chains; there was a fantastic global edutech conference dec 2016 in Tsinghua region (also 3 briefings by Romano Prodi to students) that I attended connected with great womens education hero bangladesh'sfazle abed; Abed spent much of hs last decade hosting events with chinese and other asian ambassadors; unite university graduates around sdg projects the world needed in every community but which had first been massively demonstrated in asia - if you like a version of schwarzman scholars but inclusive of places linking all deepest sustainability goals challenges
and i personally feel learnt a lot from 3 people broadcasting from cgtn you and the 2 ladies liu xin and tian wei (they always seemed to do balanced interviews even in the middle of trump's hatred campaigns), through them I also became a fan of father and daughter Jin at AIIB ; i attended korea's annual general meet 2017 of aiib; it was fascinating watching bankers for 60 countries each coming up with excuses as to why they would not lead on infrastructure investments (even though the supercity economic model depends on that)
Being a diaspora scot and a mathematician borders (managers who maximise externalisation of risks) scare me; especially rise of nationalist ones ; it is pretty clear historically that london trapped most of asia in colomisdation ; then bankrupted by world war 2 rushed to independence without the un or anyone helping redesign top-down systems ; this all crashed into bangladesh the first bottom up collaboration women lab ; ironically on health, food security, education bangladesh and chinese village women empowerment depended on sharing almost every village microfranchise between 1972 and 2000 especially on last mile health networking
in dads editing of 2025 from 1984 he had called for massive human awareness by 2001 of mans biggest risk being discrepancies in incomes and expectations of rich and poor nations; he suggested that eg public broadcast media could host a reality tv end poverty entrepreneur competition just as digital media was scaling to be as impactful as mass media
that didnt happen and pretty much every mess - reactions to 9/11, failure to do ai of epidemics as priority from 2005 instead of autonomous cars, failure to end long-term carbon investments, subprime has been rooted in the west not having either government nor big corporate systems necessary to collaboratively value Asian SDG innovations especially with 5g
nye:csis jan2020 dc the greatest debate help search 2025NOW.COM
I am not smart enough to understand how to thread all the politics now going on but in the event that any cgtn journalist wants to chat especially in dc where we could meet I do not see humans preventing extinction without maximising chinese youth (particularly womens dreams); due to covid we lost plans japan had to relaunch value of female athletes - so this and other ways japan and china and korea might have regained joint consciousness look as if they are being lost- in other words both cultural and education networks (not correctly valued by gdp news headlines) may still be our best chance at asian women empowerment saving us all from extinction but that needs off the record brainstorming as I have no idea what a cgtn journalist is free to cover now that trump has turned 75% of americans into seeing china as the enemy instead of looking at what asian policies of usa hurt humans (eg afghanistan is surely a human wrong caused mostly by usa); a; being a diaspora scot i have this naive idea that we need to celebrate happiness of all peoples an stop using media to spiral hatred across nations but I expect that isnt something an anchor can host generally but for example if an anchor really loves ending covid everywhere then at least in that market she needs to want to help united peoples, transparency of deep data etc
please map how and why - more than 3 in 4 scots earn their livelihoods worldwide not in our homeland- that requires hi-trust as well as hi-tech to try to love all cultures and nature's diversity- until mcdonalds you could use MAC OR MC TO identify our community engaging networks THAT SCALED ROUND STARTING UP THE AGE OF HUMANS AND MACHINES OF GKASGOW UNI 1760 12 3 - and the microfranchises they aimed to sustain locally around each next child born - these days scots hall of fame started in 1760s around adam smith and james watt and 195 years later glasgow engineering BA fazle abed - we hope biden unites his irish community building though cop26 -ditto we hope kamalA values gandhi- public service - but understand if he or she is too busy iN DC 2021 with covid or finding which democrats or republicans or american people speak bottom-up sustainable goals teachers and enrrepreneurs -zoom with chris.macrae@yahoo.co.uk if you are curious - fanily foundation of the economist's norman macrae- explorer of whether 100 times more tehc every decade since 1945 would end poverty or prove orwell's-big brother trumps -fears correct 2025report.com est1984 or the economist's entreprenerialrevolutionstarted up 1976 with italy/franciscan romano prodi