Delegation From Represented By
United Kingdom Johnson County Community College
Position Paper for the Economic and Social Council
“To maintain peace and security,” as set forth in the Charter of the United Nations, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland welcomes the recent strengthening of the Economic and Social Council. The tumult of our time never tires, and with great urgency the United Kingdom encourages member states of the United Nations to reaffirm commitments to banish blight within our local regions, and global community. To approach these aims effectively, the United Kingdom also reminds Member States of our purpose to be a “harmonizing centre” in the advancement of friendly, co-operative relations among free states. It is with excellent compassion, that the United Kingdom renews and extends its continued commitment to partner with citizens of the world, progressing toward a better world. As stated on 16February 2009 in the New UK White Paper on International Development, “The global community faces enormous challenges. The economic crisis, food Security, climate change, energy insecurity, conflict, rising population – these are the challenges of unprecedented magnitude which affects us all, and in particular the world’s poorest and most vulnerable. The nature of this interdependence means that it has never been so important to invest in our common future.” Our earth, our problems, our solutions—the time is now to own the opportunities, before us, and therein seize progress.
I. Improving Economic Development of LDCs through Reducing the Digital Divide
The havoc wreaked among Least Developed Countries shows little sign of slowing, as natural disasters continue to take their toll against the trudge of LDC’s through these difficult economic times. As the UK Minister of State for International Development, Garth Thomas, has said, “Now more than ever the world’s poorest and most vulnerable need to know they can rely on an effective international response.” Though the United Nations possess power, to achieve maximum efficiency, it is imperative that agencies of the UN work alongside NGOs, faith groups, individuals, and governments willing to resolve issues in the name of equal rights and the self-determination of peoples. Time and again, as economic development uplifts a region, it’s denizens experience a greater quality of life, participate in stable governance, and contribute to the global economy. It is this progress the United Kingdom pursues. The absence of these ideals forms the pathos that fuels the passion of individuals within the United Kingdom to engender practical solutions to the world’s problems. We approach our deadline for the Millennium Development Goals lacking the necessary momentum to adequately address the problems facing LDCs, and the world at large. To spur . The arduous task of the first seven MDGs reinforces the importance of the eighth development goal, again bringing to light the importance of the eighth and final development goal—fostering global partnerships. The enormous evils facing humanity these coming years as through the ages, are not only the individuals perpetrating heinous acts of violence or exploitation, but also the poverty, disease, illiteracy, and environmental degradation that allow like evils to exist while impeding the progression and development of society. While goals set forth in the subtopics of the eighth development goal concurrently serve to address other global problems, ICT development alone cannot see to the proliferation of equal rights. In order to reduce the digital divide between developed countries and LDCs, it is imperative that impediments to development are properly addressed and eradicated. The progress toward this end has proven substantial, but the enormous obstacles we face demand an improved approach, and serious, aggressive action—via the implementation of FOCUSED, INTEGRATED TRACKING (FIT). Serving as the way and the destination, FIT works to maximize current and future efforts. FOCUSED solutions effectively disburse aid to where it is both most needed, and most prepared in order that development may be sustained, the environments in which states and individuals receive aid demands susceptibility, such that solutions are tailored to the needs of recipients. Making the best of our investment also requires INTEGRATED TRACKING. Integrated aid orchestrated using the knowledge gleaned through the breadth and depth of multilateral research, and the know-how of international development institutions on the ground reduces inefficiencies and allows for continued collaboration between governments in the name of security. Continued tracking of international aid for development is paramount to the long-term success of these development programs, so current mechanisms monitoring the impact of aid ought to be reinforced and expanded, in the resolved stride toward the eradication of the damaging emergency of poverty, which threatens international safety.
II. The Role of the Private Sector in Advancing the Millennium Development Goals, Particularly for Sustainable Development.
The interdependence of our global community warrants great concern as crisis after crisis undermines the global financial structure; climate change, food and energy insecurity, and environmental degradation threaten the lives and livelihoods of millions, upon millions, and eventually us all; thus, the UK strongly urges fellow Member States to join the work undertaken in the steadfast approach to accomplishing the MDGs, with particular regard for the seventh MDG—developing sustainably. The connections uniting this world are the very same that tie nations in bondage, and pull them apart—the resources sustaining humanity currently do not allow for the satisfaction of the basic needs of billions, though they can. In its publication UK International Priorities, The Foreign Commonwealth Office Sustainable Development Strategy posited that sustainable development aims to “enable all people throughout the world to satisfy their basic needs and enjoy a good quality of life without compromising future generations.” Currently, the future of our nations precariously relies on the collective proactive actions we take today. The eight Strategic Priorities established in 2003 by the UK Government, which guide the FCO’s work, include “Sustainable Development, underpinned by democracy, good governance and human rights.” A key priority, and weapon in the fight against global terrorism, sustainable development provides the underlying foundation for continued good governance. Good governance founded in the principles of equal, human rights. Recognizing the items established in the United Nations Global Compact, regarding human rights, labour, the environment, and anti-corruption. In order to accomplish these ends, action must be coordinated bilaterally, and multilaterally; and especially on an individual basis. Facing the problems of climate change and sustainable development head on, individuals in the UK have begun to respond as both consumers, and especially actors. The knowledge contributed to the global community is perhaps best epitomized through the Transition Initiatives begun in towns across the UK. Transition Totnes groups, initiated by communities, gear up for continued low-carbon growth through the expansion of green jobs, and local and regional solutions to energy and food security—with especial regards to natural resource management. The international community is completely on board with such efforts, and the governing bodies of the UK, and its international organizations urge Member States to ramp up its efforts through dogged partnerships between the public and private sectors. This cannot be accomplished without preparation, which is why the UK proposes this three point plan of action: TEP (Transformative, Enhanced Partnerships). The nature of sustainable development challenges not only actors, but the entire industrial mode of production. TRANSFORMATIVE bilateral actions, promoting development in ENHANCED PARTNERSHIPS with good governance across borders, and private and public organizations in the approach to conditions suitable for heavy private investment.