A literature-based review on potentials and constraints in the implementation of the sustainable development goals

How does foreign direct investment contribute to Sustainable Development Goals? Evidence from African countries

The Global Agenda for Social Work and Social Development ( The Agenda ) is being developed by three global, professional organizations – International Association of Schools of Social Work, International Council on Social Welfare, and International Federation of Social Workers. Launched in 2010 to strengthen the international profile of social work and social development, it enables social workers to make a stronger contribution to policy development. The Agenda identifies four fields for action by global institutions, local communities, and the three organizations: promoting social and economic equalities, promoting dignity and worth of peoples, working toward environmental sustainability, and strengthening human relationships. This article links The Agenda process with parallel developments within the worldwide social work professional community.

Global Agenda for Social Work and Social Development

The 2030 Agenda calls for a change in thinking in order to implement sustainable development goals (SDGs) and targets as a system. To achieve this goal, the 2030 Agenda established five pillars (“5 Ps”): people, planet, prosperity, peace and partnership. Here, we present a classification of these SDGs and their targets based on the five pillars. Our aim is to improve our understanding of interactions by assessing whether potential synergies and trade‐offs are related to the classification of the targets. We surveyed 30 people and asked them to associate the content of target labels with the pillars. We classified SDG and targets according to an original quantification system. We determined whether the interactions were linked to similar or different classifications of the targets. We observed that the more similar the targets were in terms of classification, the more positive the interactions. We also noted that synergies exist between targets of different classifications. Our findings are useful for applying a systemic approach for policy coherence in sustainability analysis.

Sustainable development goal interactions: An analysis based on the five pillars of the 2030 agenda

Construction and real estate have been central to the debates on sustainable development. However, the dominant definition of sustainability in construction and real estate remain centred on the environmental dimension. The 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) offer new opportunities for the building sector to expand its focus. The available literature utilizes the existing green ratings, sustainability assessment tools and standards as the basis for investigating how construction and buildings can contribute to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. However, less focus was placed on exploring the broad intersection between the building sector, on the one hand, and the SDGs and their targets on the other. This paper uses a multi-step methodology to analyze the potential role of construction and real estate in the 2030 Agenda. The paper identifies SDG targets that depend (directly or indirectly) on construction and real estate activities, and reveals that 17% of the SDG targets are directly dependent and 27% of the targets are indirectly dependent on these sectors’ activities. The identified targets are analyzed and are found to be related to all 17 goals—with the largest contributions to SDGs 11, 6, and 7. The results of the analysis are mapped and illustrated in order to provide insights to academics, practitioners and governments. This research contributes to the literature on the implementation of the 2030 Agenda. It also exposes the synergistic possibilities, and the partnerships required, to make use of the potential role of construction and real estate in the implementation of the UN Agenda.

/pdf/on-the-role-of-construction-in-achieving-the-sdgs-43r0luw35w.pdf

On the Role of Construction in Achieving the SDGs

The global agenda of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) provides Social Workers an opportunity to redefine their role pertaining to people empowerment, socio-economic development, human rights and the environment. This is especially so for Social Workers in Malaysia whose roles have been narrowly defined in the past. The Global Agenda enhances these possibilities for Social Workers as the SDG goals and values have parallels relevance and application with Social Work practice. However, there are challenges too, as Social Work practice addressing both human rights and environmental concerns address structural issues viewed as politically sensitive and therefore might be confrontational in nature. Nonetheless, Social Workers must stand alongside their service users as partners in development and address issues of injustice and inequality courageously and uncompromisingly abiding by Social Work Principles and Values.

/pdf/sustainable-development-goals-and-social-work-opportunities-4xsuyxlrly.pdf

Denison Jayasooria

Papers

Sustainable Development Goals and Social Work: Opportunities and Challenges for Social Work Practice in Malaysia