Understanding Development: MDGs, SDGs, and UNDP

The Issue of Development

• The presentation covers the concept of development, Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Development: Its Definitions

• Development definitions include past and current viewpoints.
• The presentation contains an illustration of Millennium Development Goals.
• Further examples of Development are mentioned in the presentation.
• Westernisation is raised as an issue of development.
• Development and culture are discussed.

Development as Change

• Development implies positive and beneficial change for society.
• The UNDP uses the Human Development Index (HDI) to rank countries.
• HDI data can be found in the Human Development Reports.

UNDP Perspectives

• Human development is widening people's choices and improving their well-being
• Three essential choices for people are a long and healthy life, knowledge, and a decent standard of living.

Amartya Sen on Development

• According to Sen, development expands real freedoms, contrasting with views focused on economic indicators, industrialization, or modernization.

Earlier Perspectives

• Development was once viewed as purely economic.
• Economic indicators like GDP and per capita income were key measures.
• Infrastructural facilities in a country indicated development.
• Industrialization equated to development.

Outmoded Ideas About Development

• Development was seen as about nation states rather than people.
• Countries with strong currencies like the dollar, pound, and yen were considered DEVELOPED.
• Countries with weak currencies like the Cedi and Naira were labeled as UNDEVELOPED.
• This recalls the ethnocentric distinction between "CIVILISED" and "UNCIVILISED" countries.

Comment on Income Distribution

• Earlier development definitions didn't consider income distribution within countries.

• High GDP/per capita income may hide skewed wealth distribution, common in capitalist countries.

• Norway exemplifies a country with relatively even income distribution.

• A large GDP is merely a statistic if nationals are predominantly poor and hungry.

• A big GDP means nothing if the majority see no improvement in their lives.

• A big GDP means nothing if Youth are dependent on narcotic stimulants.

• A big GDP means nothing if People exist in polluted environments.

• A big GDP means nothing if People are not free to worship the gods they like.

• A big GDP means nothing if Nationals lack a say in selecting their leaders.

• A big GDP means nothing if Many live in ignorance or lack information necessary to make choices.

• Development is more than GDP.

How Can Development Be Meaningful

• Development should be people-centered and people-oriented.
• It should enable access to basic needs like food, shelter, and clothing.
• People should be able to live a dignified life and meet their aspirations.
• Development should consider culture and environment.
• It should involve people and address their basic concerns, avoiding imposition.

Millennium Concept of Development

• In September 2000, the UN declared the 'Millennium Development Goals' (MDGs).
• The UN expected all nations to achieve the MDGs by 2015, but this didn't happen.

The Specific MDGs

• Eradication of extreme poverty & hunger.
• Enrolment towards achieving Universal Primary Education by 2015.
• Encouraging Gender Equity and empowerment of women in all aspects of life.
• Reduction in infant mortality.
• Improve maternal health.
• Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria, and other diseases;
• Integrate the principles of sustainable development into national policies.
• To reverse the loss of environmental resources.
• Develop Global partnerships for development.

Features of the MDGs

• MDGs addressed the entire world.
• All countries could continue to develop further.
• MDGs covered economic, social, political, environmental, and health issues.
• MDGs targeted the individual welfare.
• The goals are interlinked.
• The MDGs shed light on the concept of development.

The Sustainable Development Goals

• The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were amplified from the MDGs at the end of 2015.
• There are 17 SDGs with the aim to end poverty and hunger.
• To ensure access to health and education for all, and achieve gender equality.
• To enhance equality between individuals and nations.
• To protect the environment, combat climate change and promote sustainable growth.

Matching SDGs to MDGs

• SDGs connect to MDGs through themes like dignity, people, planet, prosperity, partnerships and justice
• The SDGs covering dignity (ending poverty and fighting inequality) connect to Poverty and hunger (MDG 1,3)
• The SDGs covering people (healthy lives) connect to primary education MDG 2, Gender Equality, Child Morality, Maternal health, AIDS/malaria (MDG 4, 5, 6)
• The SDGs covering planet (Protect ecological systems) connect to sustainable development (MDG 7).
• The SDGs covering partnerships connects to global partnerships (MDG 8).

Development & Westernisation

• It is an implied attitude that Development equates to Western-isation.
• Development = adopting western ways and views like alien family systems, Western languages, communication, western foods, western religions, etc.
• Japan and Taiwan didn't develop by merely westernising, but retaining aspects of their individual cultures.
• Imposing western ways & solutions on another communities may backfire.

Adaptation

• Development from a perspective of a people may not equate to westernisation but learning from other nations.
• Advantageous and compatible technologies can be beneficial in development of society
• Imported ideas/things have to be customised.
• Blind imitation isn't beneficial but to adopt and adapt is.

Development and Culture

• Development and culture should be human-centred.
• Both are about change and should bring about the best living conditions for people and their communities.
• Both have dimensions addressing economic, social, political, religious, technological, aesthetic concerns.
• Both also seek to enable communal and personal goals and aspirations.
• Development is culture specific.

Development and Cultural Sensitivity

• Cultural norms institutionalise the best for society.
• Both positive and negative norms/practices coexist.
• The unacceptable aspects must be corrected.
• Culture can be unmade and development is key to that.
• Agenda of development must account for cultural context, culture is a tool for progress.
• Cultural sensitivity should be enshrined in Development.
• Development strategies must exploit strengths and positive aspects of culture.

Outmodedness: The Stick and Carrot

• Legislate: Laws can be introduced to stop offensive practices.
• Educate the community on the harmful effects of harmful practices.
• Build alliances within the community to check and prevent offensive practices.
• Introduce conditions that would wean people off the offensive practices by addressing their benefits and finding acceptable substitutes.

FGM: The Banda Case

• Banda is a community in Tain Dist. of the BA. with a culture of Female Genital Mutilation [FGM] and widowhood rites.
• Traditional Council was persuaded with education that these practices are harmful.
• Traditional council subsequently passed by-laws forbidding them, with penalties.
• Sacrifices made to the ancestors to seek their support for the change.

Banda stick actions solution.

• Culprits pay fines (7 white rams & 28 bottles of Schnapps) whilst also being reported to police.

Banda carrot actions solution.

• TGIR would be in place to enable young girls to study the history of their people.
• Educated about HIV/AIDS, and given instruction on issues such as traditional dancing and dressing and self-maintenance.
• TGIR involves being trained in home management skills.

Additional Alliance actions:

• Involves chiefs and authorities, NGOs and funding whilst appeasing ancestors and gods to gain support.

Explore the concept of development through various definitions, including past and current viewpoints. Covers Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Also examines UNDP perspectives and Amartya Sen's views on development.