Today we had an opportunity to speak about the progress of the Global Goals set forth by the United Nations by way of the 2030 campaign. We spoke with Moe Rock who is President of the World Philanthropy Group an international NGO that is opened under the veil of the United Nations SDG Target 17.17.
According to the U.K. Department for International Development: The 17 Global Goals for Sustainable Development (the Goals)1 will shape the world’s approach to growth and sustainable development until 2030. Building on the progress made by the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) between 2000 and 2015, this ambitious agenda sets out the framework through which the world will work together to combat the most pressing challenges of our time, including eradicating extreme poverty, ending hunger, protecting our environment and breaking down gender barriers..
Headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland we spoke with Moe Rock via satellite from the Southern California chapter HQ. We spoke progress that has been made for and by the United Kingdom, as well as ways to improve the involvement of the community moving forward.
Thank you for taking the time and being with us, what role do you see the United Kingdom playing in the Global SDS?
It is a pleasure to speak with you today, the fact of the matter is historically speaking the United Kingdom has had a vital role in the leadership factor for humanitarian, environmental and economic global goals of general progress. We look forward to building stronger partnerships in the next decade with community leaders of the U.K. to expand on the influence level that the U.K. has had not only internationally but also within the confines of the nation. The people of the U.K. also have a lot of progress that needs to be made to ensure that by 2030 things such as gender equality, no poverty and education are solidified accordingly.
What needs to happen to ensure that the 2030 agenda is met for the United Kingdom?
This is and has been the consistent question that we must ask ourselves daily, at the present moment the best answer is derived from the executive summary. To ensure that the cross-departmental action necessary to achieve the SDGs is implemented, and to ensure policy coherence across Whitehall, top level political leadership is needed. Responsibility for the Goals should ideally be in the Prime Minister’s Office, or with a senior minister with a significant domestic policy-making remit. As well as The Voluntary National Review process is an opportunity to engage stakeholders in producing a comprehensive and integrated plan to implement the SDGs. Given Its coordinating role, it would be appropriate for the Cabinet Office to lead an inclusive and transparent process to produce a whole-of-government response.
It sounds like there is yet progress to be made, what specifics can you say with regard to the current goals and the UK?
The UK is performing well on nearly a quarter of all the indicators and is given a green rating. Over half of indicators are rated amber which means there is gap in policy or poor performance on those indicators. Less than twenty percent are rated red which means there is little to no policy in place, or where performance on these indicators is poor.
You have spoken before about the “Five Ps” that are important to the World Philanthropy Group endeavors, for those that do not know what are they?
The “Five Ps” are People, Prosperity, Peace, Partnership and Planet. All of the members of our global community are united in making our world a better place.
One problem that has had many failed attempts to reach a solution for is poverty, this time around with the global agenda what different changes can be made to finally have an end to this issue?
It is indeed no secret that eradicating poverty in all its forms remains one of our greatest challenges facing humanity. While it is important to note that the number of people living in extreme poverty has dropped by significantly more than half in recent history– from about two billion in nineteen ninety, to less than nine hundred million by twenty fifteen – too many people are still struggling on a day to day basis to meet the most basic human needs.
The only way to realise a solution to this problem is for the global community to finally come together. Ultimately this is what our vision for the World Philanthropy Group is. We believe that by bringing communities together this problem will finally have the long waited solution. We have tried everything else, sending food kids, throwing money at the problem but ultimately those are failed attempts and only help alleviate the symptoms and not the causes. What WPG is proposing is to establish networks of Philanthropists and Communities that will leave no one in poverty and no one alone. Remember a Philanthropist by definition is anyone that has goodwill to fellow members of the human race not only limited to those that contribute large financial sums but by anyone that wishes to help fellow mankind and indeed the planet.
How can individuals, groups or other entities get involved with the World Philanthropy Group?
You can contact your local chapter leader or if you do not have one in wherever it is around the world that you are you can apply to become one. Visit WorldPhilanthropyGroup.Org and remember the words of Mahatma Gandhi, “In a gentle way, you can shake the world.”
Thank you for inspiring us and taking time out of your day to speak to us.
The pleasure was mine. Namaste.
