Quality political participation and the SDGs in African small island developing states

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 1-30 ◽  
Author(s):  
Suzanne Graham ◽  
Victoria Graham

English abstract: Apart from Mauritius, five of the six African small island developing States (ASIDS) are relativel y new to democracy with several only transitioning from one-party states to multiparty states in the early 1990s. Goals 13 and 14 of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are priority goals for the ASIDS. Given that one of the key tests of a healthy democracy is the depth of civil society, this article seeks to examine the quality of political participation in the ASIDS in relation to these two priority SDGs. In so doing, this article considers conventional and nonconventional forms of participation and the potential impact these different avenues for a public “voice” might or might not have on the ASIDS’ government management of climate change and marine resources.Spanish abstract:Excepto Mauritius, los otros cinco pequeños estados insulares africanos en desarrollo (ASIDS en inglés) recién incursionan en la democracia; algunos de ellos transitan de estados con un solo partido a estados múlti-partidistas a principios de los años noventa. Los objetivos 13 y 14 de los Objetivos de Desarrollo Sustentable (ODS) son prioritarios para los ASIDS. Considerando que una prueba de democracia sana es una sociedad civil robusta, este artículo examina la calidad de la participación política en los ASIDS en relación con estos dos ODS. El artículo considera las formas convencionales y no convencionales de participación y el impacto potencial que estas distintas vías de “voz” pública pueda tener en el manejo del cambio climático y los recursos marinos de las ASIDS.French abstract:A l’exception de l’île Maurice, cinq des six petits états îles en dévelopement (PEID) d’Afrique sont relativement nouveaux en matière de démocratie dans la mesure où certains ont uniquement transité du parti unique au multipartisme au début des années 90. Treize des quatorze ODD sont prioritaires pour les PEID. En partant du constat qu’une des preuves clefs d’une démocratie saine réside dans l’amplitude de la société civile, cet article cherche à examiner la qualité de la participation politique dans les PEID en relation avec deux ODD prioritaires. Ainsi, l’article considère des formes de participation conventionnelles et non conventionnelles ainsi que leur impact potentiel sur une expression publique en particulier, à savoir l’existence d’une gestion gouvernementale des PEID d’Afrique en matière de changement climatique et de ressources marines.

2019 ◽  
Vol 2 ◽  
pp. 1-8
Author(s):  
Jessica Gosling-Goldsmith ◽  
Britta Ricker ◽  
Menno Jan Kraak

<p><strong>Abstract.</strong> Small-scale thematic maps help to visualize world-wide data, yet small nations can be difficult to discern or are omitted completely. This occurs for small island developing states (SIDS), a group of more than fifty states recognized by the United Nations for their social, economic and environmental vulnerabilities. Through this study we proposed and evaluated alternative maps to increase the perceptibility of SIDS using indicator data of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). These goals link social, economic and environmental objectives to achieve globally by 2030. Five cartographic solutions were refined to one based on input from two focus groups of geoinformation scientists and cartographers as well as an interview with a SIDS resident. The selected map was evaluated by a larger audience in an online survey. Most survey participants had some experience with SIDS, worked in international organizations and/or had graduate-level degrees in a geographic-related science. While recommendations for improvement were provided, nearly seventy percent of the participants agreed the presented design was appropriate to represent SIDS in choropleth world maps.</p>


One Ecosystem ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elena Palacios ◽  
Pieter van Beukering ◽  
Boris van Zanten ◽  
Francielle Lacle ◽  
Stijn Schep ◽  
...  

The economy and well-being in Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and other Subnational Island Jurisdictions (SNIJ) highly rely on marine and coastal ecosystem services (ESS). Moreover, SIDS and SNIJ share common challenges in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Building a fact-based solution to demonstrate the link between ESS and SDGs is essential for nature conservation and sustainable development in SIDS and SNIJ. In this study, we developed a 5-step approach to capture the contribution of ESS to the achievement of SDGs in Aruba by means of a shortlist of indicators, with the aim to provide information for optimal policy investments to implement the Aruba 2030 roadmap. The results numerically and spatially demonstrate the contribution of fisheries, nature-based tourism and local cultural recreational ESS to achieve SDG targets 14.7 (increase SIDS' economic benefits from sustainable use of marine resources), 8.9 (devise and implement policies to promote sustainable tourism) and 3.4 (promote mental health and well-being); and how investing in these key ESS could lead to multiplying co-benefits for other SDGs. This paper also discusses how the 5-step approach and the outcomes can be used to assist other SIDS and SNIJ in their ambitions to meet the SDGs.


2020 ◽  
Vol 38 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
José Miguel Rodríguez-Antón

No one has the slightest doubt about the enormous potential that the African continent has as a tourist destination. The diversity of cultures, the great biodiversity that it possesses, the multiple artistic manifestations that it offers and the beauty of the seas that surround it are key pieces in continuing to promote its capacity as a tourist attraction, which is approximately 60 million tourists per year who generate seven percent of exports and employment. However, in order for Africa to take off, it is necessary that a number of conditions related to security, health, education, eradication of poverty, reduction of inequalities, peace and justice and quality of its waters, among others, are intimately related to the Sustainable Development Goals defined in the 2030 Agenda. In this context, we maintain that the implementation of the Circular Economy in Africa will be a key tool in this process of improving the sustainability of this continent in its three aspects, economic, social and environmental, and raising its level of tourism competitiveness.


2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 0326-0332
Author(s):  
Yohani Dominik dos Figueiredo ◽  
Márcia Aparecida Prim ◽  
Gertrudes Aparecida Dandolini

Social innovation and sustainable development are topics of research interest for political leaders and civil society players, as well as for scholars from different disciplinary fields. They are presented as an effective, efficient, and sustainable solution to social problems generated by the present. In this sense, this research aims to identify characteristics of social innovation that are associated with sustainable development, from a narrative review of the literature. As a result, it was possible to identify characteristics such as improving quality of life and well-being, social change, innovative nature, among others, which are directly linked to the constructs of sustainable development. Special attention should be paid to the Sustainable Development Goals, which go hand in hand with social innovation actions as a way to reverse the situation of environmental degradation and social indigence.


Author(s):  
Katarzyna Malgorzata Miszczyńska

Public health, affecting the operations of the entity and its environment, plays an important role in the concept of sustainable development. Health condition affects the quality of life of the individual thus the condition of the economy. Taking into consideration the complex relationship of public health and the concept of Sustainable Development Goals, the analysis seems to be fully justified. The aim of the analysis is to determine challenges and opportunities of the sustainability of selected United Nations Member States healthcare sectors. Particular emphasis in the analysis was placed on the situation of the Polish sector against the background of the analyzed countries. The analysis was based on the Sustainable Development Goals and was carried out using one of the MCDA method.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document