Retheorizing

SEP to SDGs

Fra Anil Sakya

�The SDGs are …

• A set of 17 goals for the world’s future, through 2030
• Backed up by a set of 169 detailed Targets
• Negotiated over a two-year period at the United Nations
• Agreed to by nearly all the world’s nations, on 25 Sept 2015

What is new and different �about the 17 SDGs?

First, and most important, these Goals apply to every nation … and every sector. Cities, businesses, schools, organizations, all are challenged to act. This is called

​

Universality

Second, it is recognized that the Goals are all inter-connected, in a system. We cannot aim to achieve just one Goal. We must achieve them all. This is called

​

Integration

And finally, it is widely recognized that achieving these Goals involves making very big, fundamental changes in how we live on Earth. This is called

Transformation

Let’s take a tour …

#1: End poverty in all its forms everywhere

Buddha says:

‘Poverty is a cause of suffering in the world.’

#2: End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition

and promote sustainable agriculture

Buddha says:

‘Hunger is the worst disease’

#2: End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture

#3: Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages

Buddha says:

‘When body gets weak mind gets weak too.’

#4: Ensure inclusive and quality education for all and promote lifelong learning

Buddha says:

‘Extensive learning and knowledge of arts and sciences are the highest blessings.’

#5: Achieve gender equality and empower women and girls

‘It is not only men who are wise, women too are equally wise.’

‘Both men and women are equal in attaining nibbana.’

#6: Ensure access to water and sanitation for all

Buddha says:

‘Not to defecate, urinate, or spit in proper water.’

#7: Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all

Buddha says:

‘mindful way of living by not harming ecology.’

#8: Promote inclusive and sustainable economic growth, employment and decent work for all

Buddha says:

Right Livelihood: ‘Here is the only system which will eradicate crime. Your Majesty should supply seed and fodder to those who work in agriculture or animal husbandry; he should supply capital to those who work in commerce; he should organise food and wages for those who work in his service. Then those people will concentrate on their work and not harass the countryside. Your Majesty will acquire a great pile. The countryside will be secure, free from public enemies. People will be happy, and dandling their children on their laps will live, I think, with open doors.”

#9: Build resilient infrastructure, promote sustainable industrialization and foster innovation

Buddha says:

‘Right and constructive Livelihood’

#10: Reduce inequality within and among countries

Buddha says:

“It is not the birth that makes a noble person or an ignoble person, but it is one’s actions (the way one lives one’s life) that determines whether one is a noble person or an ignoble person”

#11: Make cities inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable

Buddha says:

‘a good city and community should comprise of 7 sappayas or suitable ecological factors of: abode, resort, speech, person, food, climate, and posture.’

#12: Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns

Buddha says:

‘If a man be ever mindful, if he observes moderation in consumption. His sufferings will be but slight; he will grow old slowly, preserving his life.’

#13: Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts*

Buddhism tells us that human well-being and the natural world are interconnected. Buddha also regards climate as an important part of human comfort.

#14: Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources

Buddha says:

respect life of all beings or non-violence

#15: Sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, halt and reverse land degradation,

halt biodiversity loss

Buddha says:

respect all forms of life including plants and trees.

#16: Promote just, peaceful

and inclusive

societies

Buddha says:

‘Nibbana is ultimate peace.’

#17: Revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development

Buddha says:

‘Happy is the unity of the community’

Each goal is

important

in itself …

Each goal is

important

in itself …

And they

are all

connected

Each goal is

important

in itself …

And they

are all

connected

Pratītyasamutpāda ( Pali: paṭiccasamuppāda), commonly translated as dependent origination, or dependent arising, is a key principle in Buddhist teachings, which states that all dharmas ("phenomena") arise in dependence upon other dharmas:

"if this exists, that exists; if this ceases to exist, that also ceases to exist".