Author: spoonjen

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Intersectionalities in Inclusive Sustainable Development

When different identities overlap at a particular time, it is called an intersectionality. People exhibit intersectionalities between many different characteristics including, but not limited to, age, gender, sexuality, minority, disability, and SES. The convergence of these characteristics means all the stressors and challenges from each identity are brought together. Continue reading →

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Multistakeholder Internet Governance

With any type of tool or technology that is present in many nations around the world, there is the issue of governance. Who is responsible for how it is run and maintained? As there is no global government, the issue of anarchy makes the governance of transnational issues difficult. However, in recent decades, multistakeholder governance has become the best solution. Continue reading →

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Inclusive Education

The 2011 Report on World Disability estimated that there are 93-150 million school-aged children with disabilities around the world, most of whom will not complete primary education. Inclusive education works to provide all people, especially persons with disabilities, the same choices and freedom to pursue their education. Inclusive education is an aspect of development that cannot be overlooked. Doing so would allow inequities to flourish in the community, hindering development. Information and communication technologies (ICTs) can be used in inclusive education to help bridge the gap in accessibility by providing a learning environment that caters to the specific needs of the learner. Continue reading →

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Inclusive Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR)

It has become apparent that the world’s exposure to disasters has increased faster than its ability to reduce risk and vulnerabilities to people and infrastructures. Climate change is strengthening storms and increasing the damage caused by natural disasters. Specific reports from 2004-2014 showed the disaster mortality rate of persons with disabilities was 2-4 times higher than other members of communities. Continue reading →

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World Urban Forum

The World Urban Forum (WUF) was established by the UN in 2001 to examine rapid urbanization and its impacts on cities, economies, climate change, and policies. This premier conference on urban issues is held every two years for participants to share practices and knowledge on how cities are built, planned, and managed. The objectives of the World Urban Forum include increasing awareness of sustainable urbanization, improving collective knowledge of inclusive sustainable urban development, and increasing coordination and cooperation to advance and implement sustainable urbanization. Continue reading →

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Inclusive Cities

As the world’s population has increased, so has the sizes of its cities. This does not particularly refer to the area cities occupy, but rather the number of people living in cities. Though cities only take up about 2 percent of the land on Earth, they consume over 60 percent of global energy consumption and contribute to 70 percent of the economy (GDP), global waste, and greenhouse gas emissions. City populations are diverse, generally including many cultures, ethnicities, and socioeconomic classes. Unfortunately, inequities are frequently apparent among city populations as some citizens are not allowed the same opportunities as others due to circumstances often beyond their control. Continue reading →

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Development Theory

Development Studies emerged in an intellectual and political context in the 1960s and has become an integral part of everyday undertakings around the world. More of a subject than a discipline, Development Studies focus on development and create cross-disciplinary insights into the field. There are many different views of development, such as a long-term process of structural societal transformation and short-to-medium term outcomes of desirable targets. It is important to keep both perspectives in mind when attempting to define development. Continue reading →

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Grand Challenges

Despite the constant improvement of science and technology and social development, some monumental problems defy solution. These grand challenges can be social, such as inclusivity and equality, technical, like cures for cancer and finding new energy sources, or both. Tom Kalil, formerly of the White House’s Office of Science and Technology Policy described grand challenges as “ambitious but achievable.” Grand challenges should be measurable with defined targets and indicators. Their goals should motivate people, inspire individuals to spend a significant proportion of their lives working to solve these complex issues. Continue reading →