Global Issues and initiatives

Global issues are problems of economic, environmental, social, and political concerns that affect the entire world as a community. As globalization advances, the number of issues like Clean Water, Food Security, Health, Human rights, maternal health, Girls’ access to education, digital access, Foreign Aid Budgets, Women’s Rights, Refugees, and so on has been increasing. These issues disrupt the natural framework of humanity, disturbing economic and social progress.

International organizations such as the United Nations, Aid organizations, NGOs, and even governments are making constant supporting efforts to ensure that the goal of sustainable development is achieved for every individual across the whole world.

Water scarcity: When we’re talking about clean water, we are often referring to drinking water, but it is also essential that water for all domestic use is clean. The USGS defines clean, safe water as “water that will not harm you if you come in contact with it.” Demand for water is rising owing to rapid population growth, urbanization, and increasing water needs from the agriculture, industry, and energy sectors. Water scarcity affects more than 40 percent of people, an alarming figure that is projected to rise as temperatures do. Although 2.1 billion people have improved water sanitation since 1990, dwindling drinking water supplies are affecting every continent.

Food Security: Food security as defined by the World Food Summit in 1996 – is “when all people, at all times, have physical and economic access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food that meets their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life”. Globally, 12.9 percent of the population is undernourished. Developing countries struggle with providing an adequate food supply to their people; as a result, nearly 795 million people do not have enough food to meet their nutritional needs. The World Food Programme, a humanitarian effort established by the U.N. to combat hunger and food security, is working to bring relief to developing countries, currently assisting more than 80 countries every year.

Health: The World Health Organisation (WHO) defines Health as a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. The enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health is one of the fundamental rights of every humanbeing without distinction of race, religion, political belief, economic or social condition. The World Health Organization is a global initiative that provides antibiotics and vaccinations all over the world. Since its inception, polio cases have declined by 99 percent, tuberculosis treatment has saved more than 37 million people, and in 2016, zero cases of Ebola were reported in West Africa. Despite the efforts of the WHO, diseases like HIV/AIDS, Malaria, and TB, are not eradicated and they continue to claim the lives of thousands of people across the world.

Human Rights: The United Nations describes that human rights are rights inherent to all human beings, regardless of race, sex, nationality, ethnicity, language, religion, or any other status. The human rights that the Covenant seeks to promote and protect include

• the right to work in just and favourable conditions;
• the right to social protection, to an adequate standard of living and the highest attainable standards of physical and mental well-being;
• the right to education and the enjoyment of the benefits of cultural freedom and scientific progress.

International human rights law lays down the obligations of Governments to act in certain ways or to refrain from certain acts, to promote and protect human rights and fundamental freedoms of individuals or groups. One of the great achievements of the United Nations is the creation of a comprehensive body of human rights law—a universal and internationally protected code to which all nations can subscribe and all people aspire. The United Nations has defined a broad range of internationally accepted rights, including civil, cultural, economic, political, and social rights. It has also established mechanisms to promote and protect these rights and to assist states in carrying out their responsibilities.

Girls’ access to education: According to UNICEF estimates, around the world, 129 million girls are out of school, including 32 million of primary school age, and 97 million of secondary school age. In countries affected by conflict, girls are more than twice as likely to be out of school as girls living in non-affected countries. Every day, girls face barriers to education caused by poverty, cultural norms and practices, poor infrastructure, violence, and fragility. Girls’ education is a strategic development priority for the World Bank.

Maternal health: Maternal health is a global human rights issue, making it one of the key examples of global issues. There are an estimated 830 pregnancy-related deaths each day. The United Nations Population Fund develops relationships with governments around the world to train healthcare professionals to provide expert maternal care to expecting mothers.

Digital access: Digital access is the ability to fully participate in digital society through a computer or a mobile device. Digital access allows individuals to connect with others, regardless of geographical barriers. Through social media platforms and online communities, people can share ideas, collaborate on projects, and build meaningful relationships. This luxury is absent in many countries, as more than four billion people do not have access to the internet. Internet connectivity would assist those living in developing countries with finding help and aid. With online options, people in need can contact international aid programs to get assistance faster.

 Foreign Aid Budgets: Foreign aid is money, goods, services, or technical assistance that one country provides to another. It can come from Governments, international organisations like United Nations, or Non-profit organisations. By providing funds, goods, and technical assistance, donors can help countries improve their infrastructure, health care, and education systems. This can lead to increased economic growth and improved living standards for citizens of the recipient nation. The Indian government has allocated ₹5,667.56 crore as grants and loans to foreign governments for the fiscal year 2024-25. Bhutan is the primary recipient of Indian government grants and loans. The loan provided in the fiscal year 2023-24 exceeded the budget estimates for grants and loans in 2024-25.1 Feb 2024. In 2023, the United States government donated around 9.5 billion U.S. dollars in humanitarian aid worldwide. The European Commission and Germany followed with over two billion U.S. dollars.

Women’s rights: Women’s rights are human rights. Women suffer discrimination in many areas: laws, the workforce and gender-based stereotypes and social practices. Attaining equality between women and men and eliminating all forms of discrimination against women are fundamental human rights and United Nations values. In India, the Ministry of Women and Child Development has been administering various special laws relating to women such as ‘The Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005’, ‘The Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961’, ‘The Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act, 1986’, ‘The Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013’, and ‘The Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006’. India has been a signatory to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) since 1992. In adherence to its commitment to ensuring child rights, the Government has framed the National Policy for Children 2013 and National Plan of Action 2016. It has also framed the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection) Act, 2015, The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012, and The Commissions for Protection of Child Rights (CPCR) Act, 2005.

Refugees are people forced to flee their own country and seek safety in another country. They are unable to return to their own country because of feared persecution as a result of who they are, what they believe in or say, or because of armed conflict, violence, or serious public disorder. Refugees are sometimes denied entry into other countries, leaving them without basic human rights such as food, healthcare, education, and jobs. Children make up the largest percentage of refugees. The U.N. Refugee Agency currently provides aid and safekeeping to 59 million refugees.

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), also known as the Global Goals, were adopted by the United Nations in 2015 as a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure that by 2030 all people enjoy peace and prosperity. They are (1). No poverty (Eradicating poverty); (2).Zero hunger; (3). Good Health and well-being; (4).Quality Education; (5).Gender Equality; (6).Clean water and sanitation; (7). Affordable and clean energy; (8).Decent work and economic growth; (9).Industry, innovation, and Infrastructure; (10). Reduced Inequalities;  (11). Sustainable cities and communities; (12).Responsible consumption and production; (13).Climate Action; (14). Life below water; (15). Life on Land;  (16). Peace, Justice, and strong institutions; (17). Partnerships for the Goals.  The above 17 SDGs are integrated—they recognize that action in one area will affect outcomes in others, and that development must balance social, economic, and environmental sustainability.

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