MDG: Together for Equality blog by M.Whitfield: Sustainable Development

There is no point in taking on an initiative if there is comprehension of data. It is therefore paramount to interpret the data accurately in order to be able to utilize it in a manner that is to the benefit of those most affected. Hans Rosling mentioned and pointed out many trends in developed as well as undeveloped countries. He showed in a clear, and sometimes humorous way, trends in these countries and how within these trends, countries that were viewed to be industrial and civilized by today’s standards (such as the US) were the focal point and baseline by which other countries were compared against. As an example, during a point in the video, Hans compared and contrasted the US and Philippians in relation to health and economic growth. The Philippians in 2007 have almost the same economy as the US during the 1st world war. But the US health in 1957 was the same as the Philippines was in 2007. The Philippians were healthier than the US but the US dominated economy-wise.
After watching this very enlightening video by Hans Rosling, to me sustainable development means to reduce hunger and poverty in impoverished countries without endangering the environment, but instead building it. Throughout the presentation by Hans, he showed how this was possible. This can be achieved by educating the population, providing them with the means and know-how to survive and grow. Hans also pointed out several factors that are important for development. He listed human rights, environment, governance, economic growth, education, health and culture. From this list, he stated that economic growth was the most important "mean" while culture was most the most important “goal”. Measurement of sustainable development is difficult to gauge but is possible. As Hans stated, it is a gradual progression and one that can be determined, but only over a prolonged period of time. To measure sustainable development, you look at the dimensions of development which are: human rights, environment, governance, economic growth, education, health and culture (as also mentioned previously in this writing and in the video). The UK government, for its country, uses certain indicators that point to certain trends. Some of these trends that show sustainable development were:

Woodland bird populations in the North West increased by more than in any other region from 1994 to 2003
The region has seen the largest decrease in the number of homeless households since 1998 and the largest decrease in the proportion of young adults not in employment, education or training since 1997
The North West has the highest level of household waste produced per person and the highest rate of cigarette smoking in the country, with 30 per cent of people in the region considered to be smokers
The region has seen the largest decrease in pupils walking or cycling to school since 1992-4. The North West had the smallest regional decrease in people killed or seriously injured in road accidents, and has the highest road accident casualty rate of the regions

The goals of the MDG are directly related to sustainable development and as such are paramount to the success thereof. Reaching each goal is a milestone to with efforts to reduce poverty, disease and environmental factors. As a refresher, the eight goals of the MDG are:
1. Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger - increase in food prices, low wages and insecure jobs are the main reasons for poverty and hunger in under developed countries.
2. Achieve universal primary education – low enrollment in schools and the inability to have programs that target poor communities has resulted in low percentage of children completing their education.
3. Promote gender equality and empower women – continue to open doors for young girls in education and the work force.
4. Reduce Child Mortality - diseases and lack of vaccinations for children are lowering their life expectancy rates, raising awareness and vaccinating these children will increase their mortality rates.
5. Improve maternal health – conditions for women who are pregnant are affecting their chances of survival in terms of carrying the baby to term or surviving after child birth.
6. Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria & other diseases – although the HIV/AIDS epidemic is on a decline it still affects millions of people today. Sexual education and disease awareness in under developed countries is a way of helping to increase the decline.
7. Ensure environmental sustainability – researching and targeting the affects of gases in the air that are affecting Global Warming
8. Develop a global partnership for development – targeting aid relief for under developed countries.