Thoughts
As 2006 draws to a close there are a number of major problems facing the world. The persistent growth in inequality within and between nations is one, especially when the benefits of growth flow mainly to those who already are relatively well off. Poverty and food insecurity continue to be serious problems in many countries of the world, and because these problems lead to others such as the production of drugs, environmental degradation, forced or voluntary migration in the search for livelihood they are problems facing the world. The use of military might and the related arms race instead of peaceful negotiations based on conflict resolution or restorative justice methods to resolve conflicts drain budgets which impedes progress towards Millennium Development, World Food Summit and other agreed humanitarian and development goals and therefore is a major problem facing the world. Among the other problems facing the world are man-made and natural disasters such as Darfur, the growing threat to human rights, inadequate worker rights, HIV/AIDS and the limited supply of water in an increasing number of areas.
The world will be a better place if the MDGs and the World Food Summit goals are reached and even better if we draw lessons from the many alternative ways these goals are being pursued so that the pace in which these goals and those to come can be accelerated. The world could be a better place if there were agreement and enforcement of fair wages and worker rights, fair returns for food producers, improved job training programs, better health care and education systems, strong social welfare safety nets for the unemployable or those unable to find a job, sustainable development policies and practices, stronger support for relevant research and analyses, and greater respect for human rights. But to make the world a better place we must embrace a much less expensive way to resolve disputes and conflicts. I am encouraged to see that some of those who have benefited from the growth in inequality are making substantial amounts available to improve the conditions under which the less fortunate live. Let us hope that others follow in their footsteps. The growth in nonprofit humanitarian and development organizations also is a positive development as it facilitates the task of identifying actions that have the best impact. However, it also makes extremely difficult coordination at the national level by those who have development coordination responsibilities. |
