제23기 UN 전문가 교육 SDGs 에세이 모음집 - Student Essays

Achieving the SDGs by advancing youth participation

The23rd E ssays Student

30 Jul. - 3 Aug. 2024

Produced by. Education Department, Hope to the Future Association

CSO Representative at the United Nations Department of Global Communications (UNDGC)

Member of the United Nations Academic Impact (UNAI) Korea

Web: www.hopetofuture.org | Address: 4F., Dana Bldg., Bongeunsa-ro 176, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea 06125

Tel: +82-2-6952-1616 | Email: webmaster@hopetofuture.org

Editor-in-Chief

Hyeonkyung Ha | Program Manager

Assistant Editor

Jisu Kim | Intern

Ain Kim, Shanghai Korean School

Pulverizing Poverty: Continental Commitment

I. Policies Toward Pulverizing Poverty

Eradicating poverty is a critical global assignment for both, current and future generations. Therefore, the global society, alongside the United Nations (UN), strives to stabilize global economics and support the less fortunate as part of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Among the 17 SDGs adopted by the UN members in 2015, the focus of this essay will be SDG 1: No poverty. To address the urgent challenge of eradicating poverty, various policies and strategies are becoming effective worldwide. In other words, policies from diverse regions play a pivotal role in uprooting poverty, which, following the global plan, should be achieved by 2030. This essay will, therefore, discuss the policies in place to eradicate poverty across the continents, starting from Africa all the way to the Americas. By doing so, the aim of this essay is to shed the light on the global approaches to providing international aid.

II. Africa: Food and Life

The first section of the essay deals with the policies in sub-Saharan African countries. As some of these regions are widely known for extreme poverty, several countries have implemented measures for social protection and COVID-19 management.

For instance, Nigeria is conducting the National Home Grown School Feeding Programme (NHGSFP), which aims to expand domestic food and provide the output to school meals, ensuring children's enrollment, attendance, and retention. As part of the National Social Investment Programmes (NSIP), the project overcame its initial setbacks during 2005 and 2006, finally being able to boost its original goal.

As a result, by 2020, the Nigerian federal government provided nutritious meals to approximately nine million public elementary students from 30 states. The success included the raise in the income of 150,000 small farmers and an increase in job offers for 101, 000 local women through the process. However, spreading the project nationwide and maintaining sustainability for all students is still challenging.

Moreover, many African countries are having programs to recover from Covid 19 impact. For example, the Democratic Republic of the Congo practiced Programme Multisectoriel d'Urgence d'Atténuation des Impacts de la Covid-19 (PMUAIC). It has contributed to mitigating the economic

shock causedbythepandemicand providing emergencysupportforhealth,education, socialprotection, and economic recovery. The PMUAIC support, especially in the health sector, has played an important role in consolidating public health systems and increasing access to healthcare services.

III. Asia: Countryside Revitalization

In Southeast Asia, rapid economic growth in the 20th century and increased GDP led to a reduction in overall poverty. However, the relatively underdeveloped countryside often serves as an example of not only lower incomes, but also limited access to quality education and healthcare.

In the case of China, in 2020, the average income in major cities was 2.56 times higher than in the countryside. People experiencing poverty in the suburban areas are restricted from freely moving to the metropolitan regions due to the Hu-Kou (户口) system, which grants residential rights based on one's registered place of origin. To address this issue, the Chinese government is working to promote the development of rural areas to address their specific needs.

For example, the Chinese government has implemented the Targeted Poverty Alleviation (TPA) program since 2012. The government has precisely identified the poor population and provided tailored assistance, including education, medical services, improved living conditions, and industry development. In addition, the government is also providing job counseling to ensure a sustainable impact.

Through this process, the Chinese government has lifted approximately 80 million socially disadvantaged people out of poverty with an average investment of around $150 per person. Their goal is to establish a Xiao-Kang society (小康社会） where economic growth and humanistic development coexist in harmony.

IV. Oceania: CCT and Welfare

In Oceania, despite achieving economic growth following the post-colonial era in the 1990s, the region has experienced a surge in natural disasters and intensified climate change, which has exacerbated poverty among certain demographic groups. To solve the problem, the Australian government has implemented the Youth Allowance and JobSeeker Payment to provide support for various generations.

TheYouthAllowanceisasocialsecuritypaymentsystemdesignedforstudentsandjob-seeking individuals under the age of 25. Eligibility is determined based on the submission of household income and asset data. Under the standard criteria, selected youth are entitled to a maximum biweekly payment of $987.70 In addition to the cash benefit, the program may also cover the cost of medical treatment and residential support under certain circumstances.

JobSeeker Payment (JSP) similarly provides financial support, but it targets job seekers who are older than 22, yet younger that the age eligible for elderly pensions. Unlike the former Newstart policy, JSP makes sure non-permanent residents of Australia are also eligible. Expenses are determined by the government based on the specific situation, after a thorough review of claimants' data. The

maximum amount is $987.70 for two weeks. However, applicants must demonstrate genuine enthusiasm in their job search, or the allocation may be reduced.

While the Youth Allowance and JobSeeker Payment are intended to support low-income citizens, there is skepticism regarding their long-term efficacy in meeting recipients' needs. Some argue that thesepolicies hinder more substantial efforts. Nevertheless, they haveundoubtedly reduced poverty in the short term for approximately 1.5 million people.

V. Europe: Minimum Wages

According to Eurostat, 21.9% of the European Union (EU) population is in danger of poverty or social exclusion. Statistically, the eastern (Romania, Bulgaria) and southern parts of Europe (Greece, Spain) have relatively high poverty rates, while the northern parts (Sweden, Finland) have lower rates.

To address poverty, EU countries have made significant efforts to implement appropriate laws for the poor, such as minimum wage policies. Interestingly, 7 European countries (6 from the western parts) rank among the top 10 highest minimum wages in the world. This can be attributed to Belgium's recentincreaseintheminimumwagein2024,whichhasresultedin5Europeancountries(Luxembourg, Ireland, The Netherlands, Germany, Belgium) now offering a minimum wage of approximately 2,000 euros, or around two thousand US dollars, to laborers.

Experts expect this move by Belgium to positively affect around 80,000 low-income individuals. Considering Europe's high cost of living, the increased minimum wage can help the poor living in high-cost cities. However, the foreign industry may experience heightened pressure due to these changes.

VI. North/South America: Economic Model

North and South America, while geographically close, differ significantly when it comes to their economic policies. For example, the UN Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) highlighted that South America experienced some of the most severe public health consequences after the global COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, the Ukraine-Russian War has accelerated geo-economic chaos, disallowing the import of raw materials from belligerent countries and the export of products to Europe, where the economic atmosphere has shifted.

However, South America has achieved the financial target attainment rate despite the environmental constraints. A macroeconomic indicator, such as Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) is incredibly advanced due to flexible exchange rates as most countries adopted floating exchange rates. Ten countries utilize a Soft Peg system that manages the rate in a particular range. The central bank's independence is assured, and annual price inflation is officially targeted. With those new economic models, they are in a transformation that will redefine the landscape.

VII. International Aid: Giving Opportunity

Advanced countries are often successful at eradicating poverty within their borders, and struggle to achieve the same in other countries using international aid. The United States government organization Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) and the Non-Government Organization Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) are such representatives-they provide collaborative technology in administration, agriculture, healthcare, and education in third-world countries.

As scientific and technological advancements progress, the international community's assistance must also evolve and improve in accordance with generational shifts. It is, therefore, the responsibility of the international community to closely monitor and sustain global efforts to reduce poverty in a way that is specifically tailored to the contemporary context and local cultural norms.

VIII. Global Citizen

In conclusion, the essay explored policies for SDG Goal 1 across the continents in terms of the following categories: food and life, countryside revitalization, CCT, minimum wages, effective economic models, and international cooperation. The implications of these policies, with strong public support behind them, will serve as a cornerstone for global citizenship, a profound aim of the contemporary society. Although poverty around the world is prevalent, as long as civic minded persons of various generations and nationalities fight for a better world, hope still exists.

Works Cited

(PDF) the Impact of the Global Financial Crisis on Latin America, www.researchgate.net/publication/329778695_The_impact_of_the_global_financial_crisis_on_Latin_America. Accessed 20 July 2024.

Cepal, repositorio.cepal.org/server/api/core/bitstreams/10c71b97-a147-4349-b7ee-7fb952f950c6/content. Accessed 20 July 2024.

“Comisión Económica Para América Latina y El Caribe (CEPAL).” Comisión Económica Para América Latina y El Caribe, Comisión Económica para América Latina y el Caribe, www.cepal.org/es. Accessed 20 July 2024

“DBpia.” Dbpia, www.dbpia.co.kr/journal/articleDetail?nodeId=NODE10721542. Accessed 20 July 2024.

“Foreign Direct Investment in Latin America and the Caribbean 2022.” CEPAL, Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean, www.cepal.org/en/publications/48521-foreign-direct-investment-latinamerica-and-caribbean-2022. Accessed 20 July 2024.

Green Economic Growth for the Democratic Republic of The ..., recovery.smithschool.ox.ac.uk/wpcontent/uploads/2021/03/20200301_OXFORD-VIVID- -Green-Economic-Growth-for-DRC_vf_EN.pdf. Accessed 20 July 2024.

“Japan International Cooperation Agency.” JICA, www.jica.go.jp/english/index.html. Accessed 20 July 2024. "Belgium." JoongAng Ilbo, 30 Mar. 2024, www.joongang.co.kr/article/25239107#home.

Lao PDR, documents1.worldbank.org/curated/en/662071468046756196/pdf/647620BRI020Bo00Lao0PDR0brief111210.p df. Accessed 20 July 2024.

Luxembourg Gross Minimum Monthly Wage, tradingeconomics.com/luxembourg/minimum-wages. Accessed 20 July 2024.

Millennium Challenge Corporation, www.mcc.gov/. Accessed 20 July 2024.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea. "Social Exclusion and Poverty in the EU." Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea, n.d., overseas.mofa.go.kr/beko/brd/m_7560/view.do?seq=908232&amp%3BsrchFr=&amp%3BsrchTo=&amp%3BsrchWord=&amp%3Bsr chTp=&amp%3Bmulti_itm_seq=0&amp%3Bitm_seq_1=0&amp%3Bitm_seq_2=0&amp%3Bcompany_cd=&a mp%3Bcompany_nm=. Accessed 20 July 2024.

National Home Grown School Feeding Programme (NHGSFP ..., literature.academicjournal.io/index.php/literature/article/download/67/73. Accessed 20 July 2024.

“National Home Grown School Feeding Programme.” Action Health Incorporated, 5 May 2018, www.actionhealthinc.org/school-feeding-project/

“Newstart Allowance.” Newstart Allowance - Services Australia, www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/newstartallowance. Accessed 20 July 2024.

Okolo-Obasi, Nduka Elda, and Joseph Ikechukwu Uduji. “The Impact of National Home Grown School Feeding Programme (NHGSFP) on Rural Communities in Nigeria.” Journal of Economic and Administrative Sciences, Emerald Publishing Limited, 15 Mar. 2022,

Taylor & Francis Online: Peer-Reviewed Journals, www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/14797585.2023.2194551. Accessed 20 July 2024.

Yonhap News Agency, 20 July 2024, en.yna.co.kr/.

“Youth Allowance.” Youth Allowance - Services Australia, www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/youth-allowance. Accessed 20 July 2024.

Three Categories of Inequality

I. Inequality in Our Lives

All human beings have a right to pursue their own path and follow their own dreams. Oftentimes, however, the impetus to succeed can be hindered-if not completely halted- by the inequality that permeates our society as a whole. Therefore, it is necessary to acknowledge injustice happening around the globe, thus get the insight to change the world. The goal of this essay is to discuss inequality in terms of three categories: income, education, and healthcare- for only when the distance among these extremes of inequality is decreased, can true progress be achieved.

II. Gini Index

Before delving into the issue of income inequality, it is important first to understand the concept of the Gini index. The Gini index is an official economic inequality indicator published by the World Bank. Its range starts from 0 to 1, with 1 representing the highest level of inequality within a country.

According to the World Bank's Poverty and Inequality Platform (PIP), 52 countries surveyed are currently having a Gini index exceeding 40%, which the World Bank classifies as an extremely high level of inequality. This problem is particularly prevalent in regions such as sub-Saharan Africa and Latin America.

The World Bank's 2014 data, the most recently available, is the most recent available, estimates that South Africa has the highest Gini index of 0.63. This indicates that the top 10% of the population in South Africa holds the same wealth as the bottom 50% (WIDER Working Paper 2023). The stark disparity in income distribution in South Africa raises the question of why such inequality exists in the country

III. Historical Background

The historical legacy of apartheid policies has exacerbated income inequality in South Africa; this much is true. However, it is noteworthy that this issue has persisted and even worsened in the postMandela era, in which apartheid policies were banned. In particular, the wealth share of the extreme poor declined from 13% to 6%.

This suggests that the post-apartheid economic policies may have further entrenched inequality. The South African government appears to have focused its support on capital-intensive and highproductivity industriesinthescientificfield,whileneglectingmorelabor-intensiveprimarysectorssuch as manufacturing, mining, and agriculture.

This selective economic development strategy concentrated benefits on certain segments but lacked adequate support for workers in lower-skilled industries. This pattern is not unique to South Africa but can be observed globally, especially in sub-Saharan Africa.

IV. Taxes Policy, Wealth Tax

Therefore, countries, especially in South Africa, are making various efforts to bridge this gap. One such effort is the implementation of a progressive tax system that imposes a higher tax burden on those with greater wealth. The rationale behind this tax policy is to protect the vulnerable and provide them necessary financial support. The political philosopher John Rawls has argued that welfare fueled by the taxes must be provided for the sake of equality. (Rawls, 1970) Equality is not about providing the same standards and freedoms to those with different starting points, but rather about creating a level playing field, which is why welfare is essential in Rawls' conception of justice.

Following Rawls’ philosophy, South African government introduced a Wealth Tax in 2018, mandating that individuals with an annual income exceeding approximately $100 million (1.5 million Rand) were required to pay an additional 0.5% of their income. The revenue generated from this tax wasintendedtobeusedforsocialwelfareandinfrastructureinvestments.Itisreportedthatthisinitiative led to an increase of approximately $350 billion in national tax revenue.

As a result, the gap between the bottom 50% and the top 10% in South Africa, which was 63% prior to the introduction of the Wealth Tax, has now been narrowed to 24%. This is a significant achievement, as it demonstrates the primary effectiveness of the wealthy redistributing their wealth to address the issue of extreme income inequality.

V. Possible Direction in Industry

Furthermore, providing more support across various industries could stimulate the growth of diverse occupations, and as these sectors develop, it would be possible to reduce the wage gap between those employed in different fields. Integrating these diverse industries could be a policy approach to pursue, such as the example of Germany's Industrie 4.0, which involves the implementation of technology-based monitoring in the manufacturing sector, to revitalize the industry.

VI. Gender Inequality in Education

Given varied income levels, there are many in the educational field who are socially disadvantaged because of this issue. Particularly in the case of Niger, where extreme poverty affects about 40% of the entire population, the primary school enrollment rate is only 70%, with female students accounting for around 60% and male students around 80%. This is due to the social, religious, and cultural structure that views a woman's role as primarily that of bearing children and raising a family. This has led to the prevalent practice of early marriage, resulting in the average marriage age being 15.7 years. Consequently, married women often find it difficult to access education. To address this issue, the Nigerian government revised the Family Law in 2019, prohibiting marriage for those under 18 years of age, and imposing violators to one year in prison or a fine of up to $180.

A. Textbooks and Learning Materials

In addition to gender inequality in education, learning resources are also relatively scarce in Niger. The nation particularly suffers from a lack of textbooks and learning materials, with a student-totextbook ratio of less than one. Basic learning materials, such as stationery, are also not provided. School facilities, especially in rural areas, are lacking classrooms, toilets, and clean water. Furthermore, according to the United Nations World Food Programme, most students do not receive school meals.

Inthiscontext,thehigh schoolenrollmentratein 2019was22.7%,and thepercentageofthose receiving university education was only 4.3%, in stark contrast to South Korea, where the high school enrollment rate was 98% in 2020, the highest in the world. South Korea provides free education-including tuition, school fees, and textbooks-up to high school, with most regions offering free school meals for all elementary school students. These efforts and policies have enabled South Korea to provide excellent education. Therefore, look for the significant improvements in education, economic development must first be supported as the two goals are directly intertwined.

To address material inequality in education, the government is collaborating with private companies, international organizations, and NGOs (non-governmental organizations), allocating budgets for school infrastructure improvements and expanding the teacher workforce. As a result, the 2021 budget for the Education Sector Development Program (PDSEB) was around $600 million.

B. Literacy Rates

Additionally, many African countries lack written languages, often adopting English for substitution, which can create incompatibilities between the script and the language. Literacy is a fundamental tool for educational delivery. Therefore, it is necessary to follow UNESCO's "Literacy Initiative for Empowerment" policies to have literacy campaigns and develop multimedia materials for adult learners who find it difficult to learn new scripts. For example, in order to increase the motivation of its illiterate adult learners, Niger has been creating and distributing various multimedia resources that teachers can share with their classes, particularly to increase the interest and understanding of illiterate adult learners.

VII. Vaccination Inequalities for Newborns: A Pressing Issue in Africa

It is a well-known fact thatvaccination, especially for newborns, plays a crucial role in maintaining life. However, a staggering 12.7 million children in Africa missed out on essential vaccinations against major infectious diseases during 2019-2021. Alarmingly, 8.7 million of these children did not receive a single dose of the required vaccines. This stark reality is a significant contributing factor to the disproportionately high mortality rates in children under five in Africa, according to UNICEF.

A. Nigerian Policy for Vaccination

In response to this alarming situation, the Nigerian government has launched the National Routine Immunization Strategic Plan, a collaborative project with UNICEF. This initiative aims to support vaccine access and provide essential vaccinations, such as BCG (tuberculosis), Polio, HepB (Hepatitis B), and OPV (Oral Polio Vaccine) to newborns and infants. This policy's core objective is to protect young children's health by ensuring access to these critical immunizations from the earliest stages of life.

VIII. Veil of Ignorance

Asinequalitiesinfinancialsupport,educational opportunities, and medicaltreatments show,unfair distribution of resources has far-reaching consequences. Often times, profit-seeking organizations and like-minded individuals are the ones standing in the way of progress. In addition, the article argued in a broad perspective that unfair distribution occurs by profit-seeking organizations and, most essentially, people in the background and individuals indifferent to the situation are blocking the transformation.

Therefore, the world should make an effort, to offer equal opportunity. In advanced countries, a context of civil movements flows to a person's (or animal's) immoderate freedom. Though those are also important, the directionality should first focus on ensuring equal opportunity for the whole. Only in this case can the marginalized and overlooked people feel a sense of relief and breathe easier. If global society does not move forward together, the gap between the two sides of extremes will expand, not narrow. Hence, as political philosopher John Rawls remarked, society, nation, and individual must draw “Veil of Ignorance” on it. (Rawls, 1970) Behind the Veil of Ignorance, establishing policies for overcoming inequality and defending justice for socially disadvantaged groups, will regrant fundamental rights to them in three essential categories: income, education, and life.

Works Cited

Bayreuth, Universität. Inequality in South Africa since 1960, www.eh-exhibition.uni-bayreuth.de/en/cs/SouthAfrica/index.html. Accessed 20 July 2024.

“Beyond the Numbers-Nigeria Steps up Measures to Reach Eligible Children with Potent Vaccines.” World Health Organization, World Health Organization, www.afro.who.int/countries/nigeria/news/beyond-numbersnigeria-steps-measures-reach-eligible-children-potent-vaccines. Accessed 20 July 2024.

Child Mortality - UNICEF Data, data.unicef.org/topic/child-survival/under-five-mortality/. Accessed 20 July 2024.

Education Index by Country 2024, worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/education-index-by-country. Accessed 20 July 2024.

“Education.” OECD Better Life Index, www.oecdbetterlifeindex.org/topics/education/. Accessed 20 July 2024. “Gini Index.” World Bank Open Data, data.worldbank.org/indicator/SI.POV.GINI?skipRedirection=true&view=map&year=2020. Accessed 20 July 2024.

“Global Child Deaths Reach Historic Low in 2022 – UN Report.” World Health Organization, World Health Organization, www.who.int/news/item/13-03-2024-global-child-deaths-reach-historic-low-in-2022 un-report. Accessed 20 July 2024.

“Original Position.” Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, Stanford University, 24 Oct. 2023, plato.stanford.edu/entries/original-position/.

“Paediatric Association of Nigeria.” Paediatric Association of Nigeria, 1 Jan. 1970, pan-ng.org/immunisation/. Rawls, John. A Theory of Justice. Clarendon Press, 1970.

Seekings, Jeremy. “Poverty, Inequality and Policy in Southern Africa.” ISPI, 1 Aug. 2023, www.ispionline.it/en/publication/poverty-inequality-and-policy-in-southern-africa-137869.

“Unu-Wider : Working Paper : An Assessment of Inequality Estimates for the Case of South Africa.” UNU WIDER, www.wider.unu.edu/publication/assessment-inequality-estimates-case-south-africa. Accessed 20 July 2024.

Wider Working Paper 2023/90-an Assessment of Inequality ..., www.wider.unu.edu/sites/default/files/Publications/Working-paper/PDF/wp2023-90-assessment-inequalityestimates-case-South-Africa.pdf. Accessed 20 July 2024.

“You Searched for Wealth+tax.” South African Revenue Service, 7 Jan. 2021, www.sars.gov.za/?s=Wealth%2BTax.

Anna Seojin Park, Seoul International School

Achieving SDG 1: Analyzing Effective Strategies for Global Poverty Eradication

The global challenge of eliminating poverty is highlighted in Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 1, which aims to "eradicate poverty in all its forms everywhere" by 2030. As per the United Nations SDG Report, if current patterns persist, by 2030, 575 million individuals will remain in extreme poverty and only one-third of nations will have reduced their national poverty levels by half. Dealing with this problem necessitates a varied approach, utilizing a range of tactics from policy measures and economic frameworks to global assistance initiatives. To examine the most efficient methods for eliminating poverty, effective measures and initiatives areevaluated, and factual statisticson the current worldwide poverty situation are presented.

Recognizing that poverty is complex involves understanding that it goes beyond just income insufficiency to fully grasp its extent. This involves limited opportunities to access education, healthcare, clean water, and sanitation, along with lacking social safety nets and being exposed to economic, social, and environmental crises. The World Bank reported in 2020 that approximately 9.2% of the world's population resided below the international poverty line of $1.90 a day. However, this number does not include the millions slightly above this level, still at risk of falling back into extreme poverty.

First and foremost, the key to reducing poverty is economic growth that creates quality employment opportunities. Countries such as China and Vietnam have shown that strong economic growth can help millions escape poverty. Between 1990 and 2015, China's poverty rate decreased from 88% to under 1%, as reported by the World Bank. This is mainly because of its quick economic growth and industrial development, leading to more jobs and higher incomes. Regarding Vietnam, its significant transformation and development in the 1990s have been credited to a set of changes called doi moi, which started in the late 1980s. Annual economic growth nearly reached 8%, benefiting the poor and decreasing poverty from 61% in 1993 to 37% in 1998, showing a widespread impact. The findings from Vietnam and China indicate that a higher growth rate leads to greater welfare gains and overall income increases for individuals in lower socioeconomic brackets.

Furthermore, social protection systems which include unemployment benefits, pensions, and child support need to be implemented globally to eliminate poverty. For example, Brazil has carried out a comprehensive social protection initiative that has had a major effect on reducing poverty. In 2003,

Brazil introduced the Bolsa Família program to reduce poverty and promote social inclusion through conditional cash transfers. According to the World Bank, Bolsa Família has lifted around 3.4 million individuals out of poverty and decreased income inequality by 15% by giving financial assistance to low-income families contingent on children attending school and getting vaccinated. Initiatives like the Bolsa Família have been acknowledged for their role in decreasing poverty and inequality, as well as enhancing health and education results.

In addition, it is essential to have economic models that prioritize the fair distribution of resources and opportunities for all parts of society. The cooperative model has demonstrated potential in countries such as Kenya. Agricultural cooperatives support small-scale farmers by combining resources and working together to improve their incomes and decrease poverty. In Kenya, cooperative movements have strengthened farmers and enhanced their quality of life, showcasing the value of inclusive economic models.

Another tool for breaking the cycle of poverty is education and skill development. Ensuring individuals have access to a good education helps them acquire the necessary skills for secure employment and financial freedom. Nations such as South Korea and Finland have made significant investments in their educational systems, resulting in increased rates of employment and economic expansion. In 2023, they have reached employment rates of 69.2% and 73.6%, respectively. Additionally, matching vocational training programs with market demands can narrow the skills shortage and improve job prospects.

Encouraging gender equality and empowering women is essential for eliminating poverty. Women frequently encounter institutional barriers that restrict their access to economic opportunities. Initiatives that improve women's opportunities for education, healthcare, and financial services can greatly impact poverty reduction. One illustration could be seen in microfinance programs such as the Grameen Bank inBangladesh, which hasaided womenbyoffering smallloansforbusinessventures,resulting inhigher earnings and better quality of life.

Enhancing agricultural productivity and rural development is a potential method since most of the world's poor reside in rural areas and rely on agriculture for their livelihoods. Efforts such as the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) strive to enhance agricultural techniques, availability of high-quality seeds, and improved irrigation strategies. Such programs have the potential to greatly decrease rural poverty by enhancing crop yields and expanding sources of income.

International aid and development assistance are supportive of eradicating poverty, especially in underdeveloped countries. Effective support programs focus on strengthening local skills, enhancing infrastructure, and stimulating sustainable economic growth. Collaborative initiatives such as the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals Fund support diverse programs to alleviate poverty. For example, the SDGs Fund has given Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) technical and financial assistance.

Global data and statistics demonstrate that poverty is distributed worldwide. The United Nations reports that, although progress has been made in reducing poverty, approximately 736 million individuals continue to live in extreme poverty. Poverty is unevenly distributed, with sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia being the areas most impacted. In 2018, over 50% of the world's extremely poor population resided in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the poverty rate stood at 41%. South Asia followed closely, with a poverty rate of 12.4% during that year.

The global poverty levels have worsened due to the COVID-19 pandemic, forcing millions back into extreme poverty. It is estimated by The World Bank that the pandemic has caused an increase of 88 to 115 million individuals living in extreme poverty in 2020, and a further 150 million people are expected to fall into extreme poverty by 2021.

Eliminating poverty in all its various forms is a complicated and multidimensional problem that requires thorough and effective strategies. Realistic and collective methods include promoting economic growth and job creation, establishing strong social protection systems, supporting inclusive economic models, investing in education and skill development, ensuring gender equality, enhancing rural development and agricultural productivity, and utilizing international aid and development assistance. Despite notable advancements, especially in areas such as East Asia, the battle against poverty continues, especially in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. Through the ongoing implementation and expansion of effective tactics to eliminate poverty, the international community can make significant progress in reaching SDG 1 and securing a brighter future for everyone.

Overcoming Challenges for SDG 6: Solutions for Global Clean Water and Sanitation

Having access to clean water and sanitation is a basic human right that is crucial for maintaining human health and overall quality of life. The United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6) targets guaranteeing everyone access to water and sanitation by 2030 through sustainable management. Despite advancements in various sectors, numerous regions across the globe continue to encounter major obstacles in reaching this objective. Globally, there are multiple obstacles to guaranteeing everyone access to clean water and sanitation. To solve this problem, implementing and creating solutions focusing particularly on regions most affected by water scarcity and inadequate sanitation facilities is key.

One of the primary obstacles to ensuring clean water and sanitation is the lack of water and excessive exploitation of resources. More than 2 billion individuals worldwide are impacted by a significant problem of water shortage. Population growth, climate change, and the unsustainable use of water are all contributing factors to this issue. Areas such as the Middle East, North Africa, and certain parts of Asia face a significant lack of water. The excessive use of water resources, especially groundwater, worsensthisproblem.InIndia,theoveruseofgroundwaterforfarming hascausedamajor drop in aquifer levels, putting the water supply of millions at risk.

Furthermore, inadequate infrastructure and investment exacerbate the issue of the lack of clean water. Various regions, particularly in less developed countries, do not have the required infrastructure forclean waterand sanitation.AccordingtotheWorldHealth Organization (WHO)and UNICEF, about 2.2 billion people worldwide do not have access to safely managed drinking water services, while 4.2 billion lack safely managed sanitation services. Infrastructure deficiencies are extremely noticeable in sub-Saharan Africa, with just 28% of the population having access to safe drinking water.

Moreover, contamination of watersources by industrial waste, agricultural excess, and raw sewage represents a major risk to the availability of clean water. Substances like heavy metals, nitrates, and pathogens render water unsafe for human consumption. In nations such as Bangladesh, millions are impacted by arsenic pollution ingroundwater, leading to serious health issues. Furthermore, insufficient sanitation facilities result in water source contamination, exacerbating the problem.

Another factor of the issue is climate change and variability. Climate change exacerbates waterrelated issues by changing the patterns of precipitation, escalating the frequency and strength of both droughts and floods and diminishing the dependability of water sources. Extended periods of drought in East Africa have resulted in water scarcity, impacting millions of individuals and animals. Increasing temperatures and shifting weather conditions also affect the accessibility and standard of freshwater resources, making it challenging to guarantee clean water and proper sanitation.

Social and economic inequalities are also a part of the problem of ensuring clean water for all. Unequal access to water and sanitation services disproportionately impacts marginalized groups such as women, children, and the impoverished. In numerous regions worldwide, women and girls are responsible for collecting water, frequently enduring lengthy walks and encountering safety hazards.

Economic inequalities result in low-income families being less able to afford sufficient water and sanitation services, propelling a continued cycle of poverty and health issues.

To address the water and sanitation challenges, the Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM) program can be implemented. IWRM involves managing water, land, and related resources in a coordinated manner to ensure sustainable water resource management. IWRM's goal is to enhance economic and social well-being while also protecting critical ecosystems by recognizing how water use is interconnected across different sectors and areas. South Africa and other nations have adopted IWRM frameworks to enhance water governance and guarantee fair water allocation.

Additionally, increasing investment in water and sanitation infrastructure is crucial for improving access to these services. Collaborations between the public and private sectors, along with assistance from other countries, can have a significant impact on funding infrastructure initiatives. The African Development Bank has financed many water and sanitation projects throughout the continent, increasing access for millions of people. Moreover, creative technologies including solar-powered water pumps and affordable sanitation solutions can assist in connecting infrastructure deficiencies.

Executing stringent pollution control measures and expanding wastewater treatment facilities stands as another solution. Governments must establish rules to block industrial discharge and agricultural runoff from polluting bodies of water. One example is the Water Framework Directive of the European Union, which establishes thorough instructions for safeguarding and enhancing water quality inmembercountries.Investing inwastewatertreatment facilities,especially incities,cangreatly decrease water pollution and encourage the utilization of treated water.

Developing climate-resilient water and sanitation systems is vital for mitigating the impacts of climate change. This includes building infrastructure that can withstand extreme weather, enhancing water storage capacity, and integrating water conservation technologies. Implementing rainwater harvesting and recycling greywater for plant irrigation can help communities adapt to changing climate conditions. In regions such as the Sahel, sustainable farming practices are being promoted to conserve water and sustain livelihoods.

The fifth method for sustainably managing water and sanitation resources is empowering communities through education and engagement. Community-driven efforts, such as building and upkeeping neighborhood water supply systems, can boost ownership and guarantee project sustainability. Educational initiatives promoting hygiene, such as handwashing with soap, can greatly decrease waterborne illnesses. Organizations including WaterAid collaborate with communities to create lasting water and sanitation solutions that are customized to fit local requirements.

Finally, achieving fair access to water and sanitation services involves tackling social and economic disparities. Efforts should be directed toward assisting disadvantaged groups, including females, minors, and individuals in poverty. Including women in decision-making with an emphasis on gender can result in a joint effort for efficient and sustainable solutions. For example, Ethiopia's One Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) National Program integrated water supply and hygiene promotion, with specific attention to gender equality by women actively engaging in the planning, execution, and oversight of sanitation initiatives.

In conclusion, reaching SDG 6 necessitates a multifaceted strategy that tackles the varied obstacles of guaranteeing clean water and sanitation for everyone. Although strides have been taken in certain areas, much work to be done remains, especially in regions hit hardest by water scarcity and insufficient

sanitation resources. Through integrating water resource management, investing in infrastructure, monitoring pollution, implementing climate adaptation strategies, involving communities, and promoting equity, the world can significantly progress towards attaining universal access to clean water and sanitation.

Bomi Lee, Seoul Global High School

How can we eliminate inequality?

- About the UN's Sustainable Development Goals and

Specific Policies

On the road to history, humanity has continued to progress, but the benefits have not been shared by all. Most of the time People have often found themselves in unequal situations, and there have been many discussions and efforts to address them. We've come a long way, but there are still many problems we haven't solved. And this problem of inequality is not just observed within one country, it can also occur between countries.

Having inequality is a problem in itself, but it also has an overall negative impact on society. inequality weakens the trust and cohesion in society. Exacerbate social problems, and slow economic growth. Therefore, inequality doesn't just have adverse effects on those who are suffering from it, but it also has adverse effects on the country as a whole or the international community Even if the citizens are not aware of it well, so we need to address it for sustainable development for mankind.

To solve this problem, the United Nations has adopted Reduce inequality within and among countries as goal 10ofUnited Nations' 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development goals. In more detail, key targets of this can be summarised like this: Increase incomes of low-income populations, eliminate and replace discriminatory policies, improve the international economic environment, and improve migration policies.

First, Increase incomes of low-income populations. This corresponds to Target 1: By 2030, progressively achieve and sustain income growth of the bottom 40 percent of the population at a rate higher than the national average. This is a target to address the most basic inequality: income inequality. Kofi Annan first put income inequality on the international agenda in 2003, and it has since been the focus of a series of key UN bodies. And this showed an improvement. We can see this progress by the most commonly used measure of inequality, Gini Coefficient. The Gini coefficient of income for citizens around the world was 0.687 in 2003, 0.664 in 2008, and 0.63 in 2011, after the global financial crisis. Professor Milanovic's latest analysis reports a lower Gini coefficient of 0.616 in 2013 and 0.601 in 2018.

Second, eliminate and replace discriminatory. This corresponds to Target 2, 3 and 4. It is about promoting political, social and economic inclusion, regardless of specific status. At the legal level, it

aims to eliminate discriminatory laws, policies and practices and to take action through appropriate legislation or policies, or to introduce policies that can help, such as fiscal or wage policies. In the end, it's about taking a broad view and achieving progressive equality. Simply reducing income inequality by improving financial inequality alone is not enough to take off equality. We must also address small, micro-discriminations that go unrecognised by policy to improve inequality. So these targets were adopted to remove discriminatory restrictions and create a social safety net. The United Nations has made a number of efforts to this end, including adopting conventions and making recommendations for improvement.

Third, improve the international economic environment. This corresponds to Target 5 and 6. The targets are to Improve the regulation and monitoring of global financial markets and institutions and strengthen the implementation of such regulations. It is also important to ensure that developing countries have equal representation and a voice in international economic and financial organizations.The outbreak of the global financial crisis in 2008 influenced the Conference on the Financial and Economic Crisis and its Impact on Development, held in 2009. It revealed structural inequalities and vulnerabilities in the global economy. Therefore, these targets were set to improve inequalities in the international economy between countries while also addressing weaknesses in the international economy. If the economic disparities between countries are too large and unevenly distributed, damage to one country will have a much greater impact on the entire economy. Reducing inequality is beneficial for everyone in global society.

And lastly, improve migration policies. This corresponds to Target 7. In its Resolution on International Migration and Development in 1994, the United Nations General Assembly stated that international migration is positive for development and has a range of impacts on both outflow and inflow countries. Migration can fill labour shortages, especially in occupations that are not preferred by nationals. It also helps to create a division of labour and focus within society as task specialisation occurs, which in turn benefits the country.

The practical details of realising these goals are broken down into three main objectives. This corresponds to A, B, C in detailed goals. A is Implement the principle of special and differential treatment for developing countries.This is in accordance with World Trade Organisation agreements. As an example of this action, it recommends that WTO members be given more time to implement agreements, responsibilities or measures that will increase trade opportunities for developing countries. And B is to encourage official development assistance and financial flows, including foreign direct investment, to States where the need is greatest, in particular least developed countries. This is in accordance with their national plans and programmes. This category was created to address the issue of FDI being partial and not all going where it is needed, and to ensure that it goes to countries in particular need. Lastly, C is to reduce to less than 3 per cent the transaction costs of migrant remittances and eliminate remittance corridors with costs higher than 5 per cent. This is because the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) have identified migrant remittances as a direct factor in increasing the income of recipient households, which is important not only as a source of finance for poor households but also for their well-being.

By pursuing this goal 10, we are expecting As we work towards this goal, we look forward to ensuring a better life far and wide. And I think that by reducing inequality, we can enhance social cohesion. And it will set the stage for sustained economic growth over the long term.

In summary, because the international community and affected individuals are suffering from inequality, the United Nations adopted Sustainable Development Goal 10 to address it. This goal talks about increasing the incomes of people with low incomes, eliminating and replacing discriminatory policies, and making the international economy more equal and supporting migration. By implementing this goal, we will ensure a better life for people and strengthen international co-operation to achieve sustainable development.

Works Cited

Goal 10: Reduce inequality within and among countries . (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/inequality/.

Measuring inequality: what is the Gini coefficient? . (2023). Retrieved from https://ourworldindata.org/what-isthe-gini-coefficient.

[

논객닷컴]경제적불평등은어떻게사회에해를끼치는가? . (2019). Retrieved from https://www.dongguk.edu/article/COLUMNS/detail/26691356.

불평등을줄이기위한노력 , 무엇부터시작해야할까? . (2023). Retrieved from https://www.ipsos.com/kokr/%EB%B6%88%ED%8F%89%EB%93%B1-%EC%A4%84%EC%9D%B4%EA%B8%B0-%EC%9C%84%E D%95%9C-%EB%85%B8%EB%A0%A5-%EB%AC%B4%EC%97%87%EB%B6%80%ED%84%B0-%EC%8B %9C%EC%9E%91%ED%95%B4%EC%95%BC-%ED%95%A0%EA%B9%8C.

(16)세계는불평등으로갈라지고있을까 (2023). Retrieved from https://weekly.khan.co.kr/khnm.html?mode=view&artid=202308181047381&code=114#:~:text=%EC%A0%84 %20%EC%84%B8%EA%B3%84%20%EC%8B%9C%EB%AF%BC%EC%9D%98%20%EC%86%8C%EB%9 3%9D,%EB%A1%9C%20%EB%82%AE%EC%95%84%EC%A1%8C%EB%8B%A4%EA%B3%A0%20%EB% B3%B4%EA%B3%A0%ED%95%9C%EB%8B%A4.

외국인력및이민유입의경제적효과 (2011). Retrieved from https://www.kdi.re.kr/research/reportView?&pub_no=11991.

[제887 회] 이민이노동시장에미치는영향분석 (2022). Retrieved from https://www.bok.or.kr/portal/bbs/B0000217/view.do?nttId=10070891&menuNo=200144.

Bomi Shin, BC Collegiate

Challenges and Solutions in Water Sanitation

Accessing clean water, sanitation, and hygiene is not guaranteed as a basic service for everyone, although it is a fundamental human right identified by the United Nations. Being categorized under the Sustainable Development Goals, people are working to address such challenges to safeguard countries that lack these privileges, alleviating the possibility of suffering from severe health issues and economic burdens. Thus, this essay will tackle the problems driven by poor water quality and hygiene, analyze feasible solutions, and lastly discuss the potential side effects of implementing such solutions.

As much as water is used, the water demand is immense. It serves purposes for drinks, washing, agriculture, industrialprocesses,powergeneration, and more.Hence,noonewouldexpectacommunity to function effectively without a stable and adequate water supply. However, according to the United Nations, about 2.2 billion people do not have safely managed drinking water services, and 4.2 billion lack safely managed sanitation services. Even worse, nowadays, the water demand has soared and outpaced the population growth on Earth, leading to extreme water scarcity. Notably, in countries like Ethiopia, at least 60% of its population lives with a limited water supply, and half of them are more likely to drink contaminated water that is from polluted wells and ponds.

Furthermore, there are specific challenges that hinder the efficient allocation and supply of clean water. One of the most crucial aspects could be argued due to the limited infrastructure. Aging and deteriorating infrastructures like water pipes, drains, and distribution systems lust, becoming prone to leaks and breaks. This ultimately results in consequences like water shortage and risk pollution. Although many countries realize these issues, what restraints their action is the expensive costs. Developing and maintaining water infrastructure requires substantial investments. Unfortunately, the localities and low-income earners who need clean water in a daily manner hardly ever grasp the opportunity to finance these investments. Another challenge is the after-effects of climate change. The changing climate patterns have negatively influenced changes in the patterns of precipitation, leading people to experience frequent rainfalls that end up forming hazard pools on the dirt. Besides, intensified storms and floods also play a part in putting additional stress on natural water resources. While there is no guarantee that these issues could be solved, still that does not mean that we are completely helpless in mitigating them.

In response to these issues, several solutions have been proposed. One well-known example is the sewagetreatment plant. Asewagetreatment plant runswastefulwaterthroughmultiplestagestocollect, retreat, and discharge it. The methods proceed as follows. First, the screen chambers remove large solids. Then, sedimentation tanks separate solids from liquids. After, microorganisms break down organic matter; and lastly, additional purification is completed. This meticulous procedure ensures the removal of contaminants and pollutants from wastewater and produces clean, odorless water that can be safely used. Besides, there are various size options based on the requirements and the needs of the environment. For example, in places that are urban and can only afford a limited amount of space, small plants that range from a fewhundred acres can help small housings or individual enterprises. In lands

that can cover large acres like rural areas, large plants can be placed to manage wastewater for agricultural purposes. Simply, this solution can be efficient when there are budget constraints and designated areas.

Another solution is funds. According to the World Health Organization, every $1 invested in water and sanitation provides a return of $14.3 in the form of reduced healthcare costs and increased productivity. Hence, offering sources of funds helps respond to urgent needs and builds for long-term impacts. This is because many people who need financial support face individual, distinct issues regarding poor water quality, scarcity, and sanitation. Some of the types of funds from the government or non-profit organizations are community savings, credits, and funds; loans from small finance institutions; flexible payment options; and subsidization from the ministry. Specifically, The LowIncome Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is a federal program that provides energy assistance for low-income households. They aim to indirectly help with water-related expenses by providing $3.4 billion in block grants to the states. Although LHEAP is not designed specifically for water subsidies, this program epitomizes critical government assistance for supporting basic water access for low-income households. Yet, considering that the government takes charge of the entire population of its countries, the specific criteria to be categorized under “low-income household” becomes subjective based on which state each family is in. Hence, for more direct water assistance personalized for each family, members of the family need to individually apply through the state’s LIHEAP office or the local action agencies.

Lastly, for people whose agriculture is underdeveloped due to an unsupportive environment and insufficient government support, a portable water purification system, PuriBag, emerges as an appropriate solution. Puribag is designed for people who need reliable, lightweight, and efficient water purification solutions outdoors. The filtration component comprises an activated carbon filter made from coconut shells to reduce chlorine taste and odor from ponds and nearby water sources. Thus, people living in hazardous areas with access to only contaminated water can easily unpack the Puribag and purify the water into safe, drinkable water. Moreover, Puribag has been awarded a Comprehensive Protection rating from the World Health Organization, an award acknowledging that the product meets the World Health Organization emergency drinking water guidelines, ensuring safe drinkable water in crisis situations.

Overall, poor water quality and sanitation is still an ongoing crisis that our humanity will continue to encounter for at least several decades, or even forever. Yet, it is crucial to realize that there is also a clear fact that our technological advancements and policies are effectively providing feasible solutions to prevent issues of clean water and hygiene. Hence, by embracing these solutions, health issues will slowly be minimized and will help sustain the surrounding ecosystems for future generations as well.

Exploring Global Inequality and Effective Solutions

Inequality continues to hinder the progress of social development. Defining equality, equality refers to the state of being equal, especially in status, rights, and opportunities, indicating that individuals are given the same resources and opportunities, regardless of their circumstances. Yet, although the world emphasizes the importance of maintaining equality for all human beings, inequality is still prevalent in various aspects of our society. Hence, this essay will present an outline of worldwide inequality, focusing on income disparities, access to education, and healthcare. Furthermore, the essay will look at the policies and initiatives that have been effective in reducing inequality and discuss possible flaws.

Unfortunately, as of 2024, no country in the world has reached full equality. In terms of Global wealth, the inequalities caused by wealth differences remain extremely high. According to the International Monetary Fund, the richest 1% of the world’s population owns 45.7% of global wealth, while 52.2% of adults with less than $10,000 in wealth hold only 12% of global wealth. Similarly, with incomes, the top 10% captures 52% of the global income, while the poorest half just receives 8.5% of the global income. Gender inequality is not an exception. Although there is some progress, it has been slow and uneven. Following the current rate, it is estimated that it will take another 131 years to achieve gender equality worldwide. This is because nowadays, only 10% of the world’s Head of State are women, women enjoy less than two-thirds of the legal rights available to men, the global pay gap is about 20%, and one-third of women have experienced physical abuse. Lastly, although there are plenty more, access to education is also a serious factor that depicts inequality. For instance, factors such as poverty, gender, and geographic location continue to impact negatively upon education opportunities. Nonetheless, at the moment, it is essential to point out that while inequality still occurs globally, the world is working urgently toward reducing these discrepancies through numerous efforts and laws aimed at fostering equity and inclusivity.

For decades, the gap between the rich and the poor has been growing, and due to the coronavirus, the global economy went into recession. Specifically, during the pandemic,

low-wage workers lost a higher share of jobs than high-wage workers since low-income employers could no longer afford to pay their employees and thus had to cut down their expenditures on wages. Thankfully, To solve this issue the government implemented tax relief and income support or transfers. Although it may seem obvious and insignificant, these policies are crucial to stabilize the economy, address wealth disparities, and reduce inequalities, contributing to a more equal economic environment. Not only during the pandemic but also before and after it, various programs were implemented as well. For instance, policymakers are advocating the creation of automatic tax cuts and benefits, which are also known as automatic stabilizers. This technique omits the need to pass through Congress whenever there is an economic recession, enabling a successful and quick protocol against economic downturns. However, one weakness might be that automatic stabilizers are designed to activate automatically, but they cannot be customized to specific economic conditions or uniquechallenges. Hence, based on the situation, additional policies or interventions might be required to be enacted manually to settle the problems.

Gender inequality is also a major issue the government and other organizations are willing to combat. Tackling gender inequality, in 1963, the United States aimed to abolish wage disparity based

on gender. It demands that employers can not pay unequal wages to men and women who perform jobs requiring equal skill, effort, and responsibility under similar working conditions. This policy is known as the Equal Pay Act of 1963. This policy covers all forms of compensation such as salaries, wages, bonuses, stock options, profit sharing, vacation pay, and more. Additionally, for those who ignore these legislations, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has the right to file a lawsuit on behalf oftheemployee.Yet,giventhatitisnowintheyear2024,regulationsfrom1963aregraduallyreceiving criticism from the public. Many question if there is such a thing as accurately defining “equal.” What if an employer merely changes a job title to make one job look superior to another? Hence, although there are numerous laws that prohibit discrimination against gender, people still somehow find ways to deviously pass through laws.

Lastly, access to education remains unequally distributed across various geographic places and socioeconomic classes, necessitating the need for effective solutions to resolve these disparities. As briefly mentioned above, according to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), 87% of individuals in developed countries gain internet access easily, while only 19% of the population in developed countries gain access to the internet, showing a significant digital divide. Given that we are currently living at the peak of the digital era, having trouble accessing the internet or knowing how to utilize useful online resources limits students’ ability to conduct research and gain knowledge. Hence, to combat these challenges, solutions like establishing local learning centers can provide additional educational resources and support communities without widespread internet access. For instance, The Seoul Metropolitan Government has increased the number of `Digital Literacy Education Centers' ' so that citizens can learn how to use digital devices like smartphones and kiosks. Moreover, by implementing classes with 3 different levels, it becomes educationally more effective by allowing small adjustments based on individual abilities and needs. Overall, the total of 36 literacy education programs had a successful start in preventing low-educated and illiterate people from being left out of the opportunity to acquire basic education.

In conclusion, it is a clear fact that inequality pervades in almost all aspects such as education, wealth, workspaces, and more. Although many notice the injustices regarding these issues, it may be hard to actually point out every single instance, making it crucial for proactive measures to address these issues. Thus, interventions such as fiscal incentives, equal wages, learning centers, and other policies would ultimately help reduce inequality, shaping an equitable society.

Bora Jung, Sookmyung Girls' High School

Challenges and Solutions for SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

From the start of humanity, water has always been a lifeline for humans. Acknowledging the importance of access to water, the United Nations stated that access to clean water and sanitation is an inalienable human right, including it in the SDGs: seventeen goals aiming towards enhancing the peace and prosperity of all people, where clean water and sanitation is the sixth goal of seventeen. However, despite its significance, not all people have a chance to enjoy clean water and sanitation. According to the report conducted by the United Nations, 2.2 billion people lack the opportunity to enjoy the convenience of drinking safely managed water, and 4.2 billion are not able to use safely managed sanitation. Inother words,billions ofpeople lack a fundamental human right. Because of the poor water services, 432,000 diarrheal deaths occur annually. Access to clean water and sanitation ensures human dignity; solutions should come out to secure water equality for all. For the solutions to be effective, the international society has to overcome the challenges that obstruct achieving SDG 6.

The primary causes that challenge the attainment of SDG 6 are water scarcity and poor infrastructure. Water scarcity encumbers people in acquiring water, resulting in less affordable water for drinking and hygiene since the amount of water continues to decrease. Nowadays, over forty percent of the population experiences water scarcity, and the figure trends toward further increase. Water scarcity is greatly affected by contamination. Water used in agriculture and industries interflow with sewage and waste, which flows into the freshwater system. The procedure pollutes freshwater, consequently reducing water availability and potential usability. In addition, climate change contributes to water scarcity. As global temperatures rise, more water evaporates; the evaporated water ultimately falls on land as rain. The rain does not return with water replenishment but with aggravated natural disasters such as drought and flood, which either dry the earth or intensify the contamination. The more scarce the water becomes, the harder it is to supply water to people whose survival and well-being depend on safe, clean water.

Another obstacle poor infrastructure disturbs the efficient utilization of water and water management due to aged or damaged apparatuses, negligence by the government, inefficient water management systems, and more. South Africa, one of the regions with the highest water stress, has been going through a water crisis due to a lack of infrastructure and water management. Two problems are recognized to have mainly driven South Africa to a water-stressed region. The first problem is that the water management system in South Africa has been aged and damaged, yet the government keeps on

taking a neglectful attitude. The government cuts down the budget for the maintenance and repair of water infrastructure; moreover, it delays the repair. For example, the Lesotho and Giyani water projects experienced delays for nine and ten years, respectively. Insufficient water supply for drinking and sanitizing by South Africans has been caused by limited engineering capacity as well, creating nonrevenue water during the procedure of water provision. In Gauteng, water for agriculture is lost by forty to forty-nine percent; water for drinking by up to forty-four percent. As the case of South Africa shows, the lack of infrastructure exacerbates the water shortage the signal insinuating the failure to ensure clean water and sanitation for all people.

Although the situation remains bleak, solutions have emerged to guarantee access to clean water and sanitation for all populations. A salient way to expand access to uncontaminated, pure water is by using advanced technology. About seventy percent of the earth's surface consists of oceans. Yet the amount of water usable for humans is highly insufficient less than one percent is suitable for supplementing thelivesof humans. Aiming toincreasetheutility oftheabundant resourcesontheearth, individuals and corporations have developed seawater desalination, a process of removing dissolved minerals from the seawater. Saudi Arabia a desert country where water collects only from aquifers practices desalination to sustain the livelihoods of the citizens. Currently, seventy percent of water comes from desalinating seawater. Thanks to technology, Saudi Arabian people assist themselves in acquiring freshwater for survival-related requisite uses despite its dry climate being inadequate for obtaining water. In addition to desalination, a lifestraw is another case of employing appropriate technology to solve the water scarcity complication. The lifestraw is a portable device that removes waterborne bacteria through filtration. Opposite to the desalination system, it cannot filter saline water; however, lifestraws enable direct drinking from rivers, water holes, lakes, and streams. The lifestraw is a widely-used item within African communities, also dropping the cases of infection by guinea worm disease from one hundred thousand to only fifteen. Not only do lifestraws boost the convenience of drinking water in water-stressed countries, but also they prevent waterborne diseases by filtering bacteria in water. As explored, utilizing technologies is a great way to consummate water equality.

Moreover, policies and regulations function as practical solutions for the challenges while the international community strives to attain SDG 6. Water pricing is an economic regulation spotlighted as a distinctly practical solution. It sets a higher price for water since the new price considers the water treatment and distribution in the price calculation. Water pricing is considerably effective in helping people avoid excessive use of water this has significant importance in situations where water resources are finite when ample water is the core supply for the well-being of people. In addition, since raising the price of water influences everyday life, the awareness of water scarcity and the import of economizing water grows widespread. With sixty-five percent of its water reservoirs reported not to have reached normal water levels, India has reconsidered its water price, seeking more efficient water use via water pricing. As the overuse of water harms humans, lessening the usable and accessible water, regulations such as water pricing are required to achieve the goal of ensuring water access to every portionofthepopulation.Toencouragegeneralparticipationinusingwaterefficiently,thegovernments have also practiced a policy called water efficiency standards. The policy aims to support local efforts to conserve water resources by setting the minimum amount of water required to be maintained. Washington is a representative case for a state that has introduced water efficiency standards, regulating the right to use water if disobedience occurs. For example, new and future installations of plumbing fixtures should follow the required water conservation stated in the Utah Code a set of state laws in Washington. By specifying the requirements for achieving SDG 6, the policies and regulations drive the society towards preserving water and preventing its overuse, which works as an assistance for fulfilling SDG 6.

Thecriticalfactor oftheseventeengoalsworking towardsenhancingsustainability and well-being, SDG 6 focuses on ensuring clean water and hygiene for people in short of those water services. The obstacles water scarcity and poor infrastructure challenge the achievement of SDG 6, but solutions are introduced and implemented to overcome these challenges. Desalination, lifestraws, water pricing, and water efficiency standards are productive solutions to accomplish water equality for all. Due to climate change and population growth, the intensity of water scarcity and the level of consequences are gradually increasing. As every one dollar of input returns 4.3 dollars by reducing health care costs and increasing productivity, the effort is efficacious in enhancing the quality of water services. With individual, corporational, national, and international cooperation active, humanity would gain the ability to protect fundamental human rights and maintain sustainable communities.

How Youth Can Foster Global Partnerships for Achieving SDGs

"Talentwinsgames,butteamworkandintelligencewinschampionships"isthequotebytheformer basketball player Michael Jordan. The quote illustrates the importance of partnerships for a weighty achievement. At the global scale, the achievement refers to SDGs, the sustainable development goals. Consisting of seventeen categories, according to the United Nations (UN), SDGs "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." As much as SDGs are significant, much effort is required to fulfill all goals and transform our world into a better place for every portion of humanity. Proposed as the last goal for sustainable development, maintaining strong partnerships is the effort spotlighted as a pivotal factor for attaining SDGs. As stated in a UN report, youth participation in a global scene furthers the partnerships within the international community and multi-stakeholders. With the involvement of the youth, global partnerships facilitate sustainable development on the international stage.

Before exploring how youth fosters global partnerships, recognizing that maintaining global partnerships is essential holds high importance. Global partnerships refer to cooperation between stakeholders governments, private sectors, civil societies, etc. The United Nations has stated that cooperation on an international scale activates the shares of knowledge, technology, and resources that supplement the lack of elemental assets for countries in need. The fact that global partnerships contribute to addressing the world crisis to the public is the first reason why global partnerships are indispensable in accomplishing sustainable development. Nowadays, urgent problems representatively, climate change, inequality, and pandemic recovery dominate the topic of concern in direct touch with those concerns as they accelerate the rapid decrease of the world's sustainability. However, the general public often lacks the realization of the events taking place in the world. In this situation, enhancing the partnerships between countries, municipalities, civil societies, and private sectors helps raise public awareness of the seriousness and severity of the issues prevailing in societies globally. Focusing on the role of international partnerships led by governments in diverse countries, managing global partnerships further supports developing countries by supplementing finances, resources, and technologies requisite for securing fundamental rights for every human, thereby making one more step towards enhancing the sustainability of the future. For example, the International Monetary Fund, IMF, supports countries by providing financial assistance and fosters financial support from developed countries. Lastly, cooperation is the most fundamental and significant impact of global partnerships. By working together, the international community can make notable achievements. The Paris Agreement is exemplary for emphasizing theneed forglobal cooperation. The agreement provides the framework for the countries to follow and reinforces the responsibility of each country and cooperation between developed and developing countries, aiming for net zero by 2050. Its effectiveness in raising public awareness, providing the necessities for sustaining lives, and strengthening international cooperation has highlighted the noteworthiness of retaining global partnerships.

Considered the biggest asset for a sustainable future, the youth participating in global decisionmaking processes and global partnerships strengthens the effectiveness of efforts for sustainable development. The youths, possessing creative and innovative spirit, are indispensable stakeholders in

directing societies to be more supportive to the upcoming days. Since the importance of the youth holds a large amount of value, promoting the youth to foster global partnerships is necessary for all. For the youth to be part of the decision-making, the authorities must acknowledge the youth as partners who together develop strategies and policies to sustain the international communities. For example, the Peruvian government facilitated twenty-six local and national forums in partnership with the National Youth Authority and the National Center for Strategic Planning. In 2018, the partnership brought out the Youth Participation Process for the SDGs. The twenty-six forums where the youth and government interacted for actions towards achieving sustainable development goals have resulted in the approval of the Youth Vision for 2030 at the National Youth Congress, aiming towards obtaining the hopes, challenges, opinions, and perceptions of the representatives of the Peruvian youths. Another method to encourage the youth to participate in global partnerships is by providing adequate, sufficient platforms to communicateand form international networks. TheECOSOC United Nations Economicand Social Council Youth Forum is one of the platforms fostering youth participation at a worldwide level, whereas NSC North-South Centre promotes the youth to interact at a regional level. Providing an equal partnership and platform facilitates youth participation in global decision-making procedures. Accordingly, benefits follow after. Since the stakeholders consider the perceptions and opinions of the youth, the authorities gain the ability to offer far more practical solutions for problems in the field of youth. Also, promoting the youth to be part of making solutions for mitigating global issues strengthens the power of the youth to be active and effective in solving certain complexities. Since the youth shapes the future, providing a better environment for the youth to participate in global partnerships would act as fuel for driving the future to a more sustainable community. As a part of global partnerships, the youths would lead the future to be more cooperative and supportive of the sustainable development goals that every part of the world aims for.

As maintaining global partnerships possesses high value in fulfilling the seventeen goals of SDGs, youth participation requires active promotion and encouragement. For the youth to be engaged in global decision-making procedures, the authorities need to provide suitable environments for youth to share opinions and perceptions on their situation. In addition, the stakeholders should appreciate the youths by considering them as equal stakeholders and deliberate on their ideas when making decisions. When the youth have opportunities to be part of global partnerships, cooperation and collaboration in the future will be effectively fostered, leading the international society to a sustainably developing population. Attaining the SDGs by 2030 requires five to seven trillion dollars annually, which is an unprecedented scale. Nonetheless, when assisted by global partnerships and the fostering of the youths as stakeholders, achieving the SDGs is not deemed impossible.

Catherine Daan (Kate) Kim, Chadwick International School

Ensuring Clean Water and Sanitation: Challenges and Solutions for SDG 6

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), established by the United Nations in 2015, aim to address global challenges and achieve a better sustainable future by the year 2030. Among the goals, SDG 6, which states “Clean Water and Sanitation”, focuses on ensuring pure water and sanitary services–crucial for human health and environmental sustainability. This essay will discuss the challenges associated with achieving SDG 6 and propose feasible solutions to combat the obstacles.

I. Challenges

Water scarcity is a significant challenge in numerous parts of the world. According to the United Nations Statistics Division (UNSD), an estimated 2.4 billion people are living in water-stressed countries (2020). Water scarcity becomes an issue when communities are not able to meet their hydroneeds ascribed to “insufficient supplies and inadequate infrastructure” (CFR). While the presence of water scarcity itself destructs the community, followed by many negative effects. Health issues are a fundamental area of consideration; contaminated water can lead to both short and long term health issues.

Water pollution and contamination from industrial, agricultural, and domestic sources poses a major threat to achieving clean water supplies. In a rapidly developing world, where industry activity is principal than ever, industry-pollution contribution is a substantial issue. Mass-producing companies often discharge wastewater that are “toxic, reactive, carcinogenic or ignitable” (RSC). Once these enter greater bodies of water, without proper management strategies pollution will pose “dreadful environmental effects”. The agricultural field plays a part in water pollution as well. Agricultural runoffs–soil being washed away by rain–carry fertilizers and pesticides. Once they are washed off and delivered into nearby bodies of water, the pollutants initiate excess contamination.

Inadequate infrastructure in developing countries also hinder the achievement of SDG 6. Many regions lack pipelines, treatment facilities, and sewage systems. “Developing nations [often] lack the resources to install infrastructure for running water, especially in remote, rural communities that may be difficult to reach” (Cross Catholic). According to the United Nations, 80 percent of people who lack basic drinking water services live in rural areas. This deficiency is a challenge because it limits the ability to deliver safe water. Without the proper gadgets in treating water, many communities will be forced to rely on contaminated water sources under unsanitary conditions.

With the presence of ongoing issues, achieving SDG 6 becomes increasingly challenging. That circumstances like these have been prolonged through decades, it is certainly a difficult task to create change.

II. Solutions

Enhancing water treatment and recycling is imperative to solving the issue. Investing in modern water treatment technologies–as along with promoting wastewater recycling–has a significant power in reducing water pollution. There are several advanced treatment methods into doing so; for instance, membrane filtration and UV disinfection, which can remove contaminants and pathogens from water. Application of such methods make it safe for reuse in “beneficial purposes such as agriculture and irrigation, potable water supplies, groundwater replenishment, industrial processes, and environmental restoration” (EPA). With many fields to target through the implication of water treatment and recycling, it is a way worthy of investment; water quality and availability may rise via use.

Allocating resilient infrastructure may also put on hand in moving out the challenges posed against the achievement of SDG 6. It is to develop robust water and sanitation infrastructure in order to provide reliable access to clean water services. This includes constructing pipelines, treatment plants, and sewage systems–and being able to maintain them. International cooperation and funding, such as the World Bank’s Water and Sanitation Program, can support these efforts through technical and financial assistance headed towards developing countries. Another example is the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), who “works with partners across the water sector and beyond to provide the knowledge and tools” to ensure water-related infrastructure is kept sustainable. The “key areas for action” are the Water Treatment Clearinghouse and Alternative Technologies and Assessment, both reliable information-sharing platforms in displaying cost-effective and innovative options in installing infrastructure.

Another crucial factor is promoting water-affordability and access. This means to ensure that water and sanitation services are “affordable” and “accessible” to all is vital. Governments and organizations can implement policies that subsidize costs for low-income households. Later, they may be able to invest in community-based solutions that well-empower local populations to manage their water resources. There may be grant funding from the government to help displaced or poor cities pay what they are able to afford while also giving hand for them to receive the funds needed for utility-operation. In addition, education and awareness campaigns provided together can inform communities about the importance of hygiene and safe water practices.

Addressing climate change is also fundamental in combating climate-related challenges. To meet the goal of SDG 6, mitigating the impacts of climate change is essential. This is to protect water resources. Actions of this objective involve reducing greenhouse gas emissions, promoting renewable energy sources, and implementing adaptive measures to cope with changing water patterns and availability. Climate change is one of the significant sectors that disturb water accessibility. Due to the change in environment, “(weather patterns are) disrupted, leading to more frequent and more intense extreme weather events, unpredictable water availability, exacerbating water scarcity and contaminating water supplies” (UNICEF). By addressing the root causes of climate change, safeguarding water resources for future generations may become possible.

Achieving SDG 6, Clean Water and Sanitation, is an imperative task that requires concerted efforts from many portions of our world–from governments, organizations, to communities worldwide. By addressing the oppressive challenges immersing from our current world (water scarcity, pollution, and insufficient infrastructure) through sophisticated methods of treatment (water treatment and reuse, building strong infrastructure, promoting water access, and addressing climate change), clean water and sanitation can be ensured for all. Although water covers a great proportion of our world, it is still not bleak to aim for the achievement of SDG 6.

Reducing Inequalities: Examining Policies and Their Impact for SDG 10

Organized by the United Nations (UN) in 2015, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) strive to give notice of the global challenges and “objectify” a more equitable and sustainable future by 2030. Among the 17 goals, SDG 10 states, “Reduced Inequalities”. This goal focuses on “reducing inequalities” within and among countries, addressing disparities in income, education, as well as healthcare. This essay aims to look at the current state of global inequalities, examine existing policies, and determine the successfulness in mitigating these disparities.

I. Current State of Inequalities

Income inequality remains a pressing global issue. According to the World Inequality Report 2022, the top 10 percent of the global population takes 52 percent of global income, while the bottom 50 percent accounts for only 8.5 percent. This existing disparity is stark in both developed and developing countries. In many nations, economic growth benefits the wealthy disproportionately. “Populations can be divided up in different ways to show different levels and forms of income inequality, such as income inequality by gender or race” (Kopp), and these measures can be checked through several platforms, such as the Gini Index, These “analyze the level of income inequality in a population” (Kopp). It is said that over forty years, “there has been a broad trend of rising income inequality across countries” (Qureshi). Income inequality has increased in developed or “major emerging” economies, which altogether include two-thirds of the global population and 85 percent of global GDP.

Access to quality education is another critical area where inequality persists. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) reports that approximately 258 million children and youth were out of school in 2018, with significant disparities based on gender, location, and socioeconomic status. In low-income countries, only 4 percent of the poorest children complete upper secondary school compared to that of the richest, which is 36 percent. Education inequality limitsopportunitiesformillionsand perpetuatescyclesof poverty. “Thedisadvantaged aren’t provided with equal education opportunities compared to wealthier peers”(GGI), which makes it harder for the displaced to excel in education themselves. With this continuous phenomenon of “who-getswill-continue-to-get”, the inequality of education will, of course, and poverty will continue on and on.

Health care disparities also vary widely. The World Health Organization (WHO) highlights that more than half of the world’s population lacks access to essential health services. The gap between rich and poor often is the main cause of such accessibility issues. One’s socioeconomic status and geographic location link strongly with disparities in health care. Take an example in maternal mortality rates significantly being higher in sub-Saharan Africa compared to other regions. This makes the inequalities in healthcare infrastructure and access crystal clear. Apart from the presence of healthcare inequality globally, even in one country, such discrimination exists. For instance, “Americans living in rural areas are more likely to die from unintentional injuries, heart disease, cancer, stroke and chronic lower respiratory disease than their urban counterparts” (NCSL).

II. Policies and Interventions

Several countries have Income Redistribution Policies, aiming at reducing income inequality through progressive taxation and social welfare programs. In detail, Income Redistribution Policies are actions from the government in utilizing taxes accumulated from higher-class citizens to allocate to and support the poor. “The redistribution of incomes through taxes and public transfers helps to reduce poverty and inequality, thereby strengthening the economy and fostering social well-being” (OECD). In statistics, it is shown that Nordic countries, especially the “The very generous, service‐oriented ‘social–democratic’ welfare states” (Benner), Sweden and Denmark, have successfully reduced income disparities through high tax rates on the wealthy and comprehensive social safety nets. These policies have funded public services such as healthcare, education, and unemployment benefits, making a rise in a more equitable distribution of wealth.

Connecting to education, improving access to education has been a focus for many governments and international organizations. There are Conditional Cash Transfer Programs (CCF), for example Brazil’s Bolsa Familia and Mexico's PROSPERA program, that provide financial incentives to lowincome families for sending their children to school and attending regular health check-ups. The Programa Bolsa Família (PBF) is a government-initiated program where the “poor” families receive cash transfers under the circumstance of using money for school and vaccination. “The conditional cash transfer model successfully reduced levels of inequality and hunger – with significantly fewer people living below the poverty line – and closing the historical rural-urban gap” (CPI). The PROSPERA program,similarly,isaconditionalcashtransferprogramwherepoorfamiliesreceivemonetarybenefits under requirements. “Common requirements for programs like Prospera typically include mandating school enrollment for children and ensuring regular health check-ups” (The Borgen Project). Both programs have significantly increased school enrollment and attendance rates, particularly among girls and marginalized communities.

Universal Healthcare Initiatives aim to provide individuals with access to essential health services without financial difficulties. Japan’s statutory health insurance program “provides universal coverage” (Tikkanen). Funded majorly by taxes or individual contributions, people receive benefits of “hospital, primary, specialty, and mental health care, as well as prescription drugs” (Tikkanen). Another case is Germany, where healthcare is set mandatory in the country. It is stated that an estimated 86 percent of the nation is enrolled in “statutory health insurance, which provides inpatient, outpatient, mental health, and prescription drug coverage” (Tikkanen). Both countries have established healthcare systems funded through a combination of taxes and mandatory health insurance. These systems ensure that even the poorest citizens receive medical care, reducing health disparities and improving overall public health outcomes.

Ensuring no one is left, reducing inequalities is crucial for achieving sustainable development. The need for comprehensive and inclusive policy interventions are underscored through the persistent challenges ofincome disparity and unequal access to education. Seen through thecase studies, countries thathaveimplicatedprogressivetaxationoruniversalsupportprogramshaveshownpromiseinbridging existing discriminatory gaps. This ultimately demonstrates that targeted efforts can lead to significant improvements in equity and social welfare.

Works Cited

Author Dávila Lárraga, Laura. “How Does Prospera Work?: Best Practices in the Implementation of Conditional Cash Transfer Programs in Latin America and the Caribbean.”

Inter-American Development Bank, 15 Apr. 2016, https://publications.iadb.org/en/how-does-prospera-workbest-practices-implementation-conditional-cash-transfer-programs-latin.

“Basic Information about Water Reuse | US EPA.” US EPA, 13 Aug. 2019, https://www.epa.gov/waterreuse/basic-information-about-water-reuse.

Bollyky, Thomas. “Water Stress: A Global Problem That’s Getting Worse.” Council on Foreign Relations, 5 Dec. 2023, https://www.cfr.org/backgrounder/water-stress-global-problem-thats-getting-worse.

“Bolsa Família in Brazil.” Centre For Public Impact (CPI), https://www.centreforpublicimpact.org/casestudy/bolsa-familia-in-brazil. Accessed 20 July 2024

Insights, GGI. “Access to Education: The Impact Of Inequality On Education.” Gray Group International LLC, https://www.graygroupintl.com/blog/access-to-education. Accessed 20 July 2024.

Kopp, Carol. “Income Inequality Definition: Examples and How It’s Measured.” Investopedia, 20 June 2024, https://www.investopedia.com/terms/i/income-inequality.asp.

OECD. “Redistribution of Income.” OECDiLibrary, https://www.oecd-ilibrary.org/docserver/gov_glance-201777en.pdf?expires=1721484780&id=id&accname=guest&checksum=9BD6E161D4A63F05C93B748F4BAEC750.

Scharpf, Fritz. “9 Sweden and Denmark Defending the Welfare State.” Oxford Academic, 1 Sept. 2000, https://academic.oup.com/book/10199/chapter-abstract/157882262?redirectedFrom=fulltext.

Qureshi, Zia. “Rising Inequality: A Major Issue of Our Time | Brookings.” Brookings, 11 Jan. 2022, https://www.brookings.edu/articles/rising-inequality-a-major-issue-of-our-time/.

Sagarino, Michele. “Why Do Some Nations Lack Access to Clean Water? | Cross Catholic Outreach.” Cross Catholic Outreach, 2 Oct. 2023, https://crosscatholic.org/blogs/2023/10/why-do-some-nations-lack-access-toclean-water/.

Shah, Maulin. “CHAPTER 1: Industrial Wastewater and Its Toxic Effects.” Twitter LinkedIn Facebook, 18 Nov. 2021, https://books.rsc.org/books/edited-volume/937/chapter/741366/Industrial-Wastewater-and-Its-ToxicEffects.

Sheidu, Precious. “Prospera: Mexico’s Successful Conditional Cash Transfer Program - The Borgen Project.” The Borgen Project, 21 Mar. 2024, https://borgenproject.org/conditional-cash-transfer-program/.

Tikkanen, Roosa. “Germany.” Logo Icon, 5 June 2020, https://www.commonwealthfund.org/internationalhealth-policy-center/countries/germany.

Tikkanen, Roosa. “Japan.” Logo Icon, 5 June 2020, https://www.commonwealthfund.org/international-healthpolicy-center/countries/japan.

“Water and the Global Climate Crisis: 10 Things You Should Know.” UNICEF, 15 Mar. 2024, https://www.unicef.org/stories/water-and-climate-change-10-things-you-should-know.

Dahyun Jeong, Shanghai Korean School

The Challenge Towards Clean Water

Access to clean water and sanitation is fundamental, yet it remains a critical challenge in many parts of the world today. The United Nations’ SDG (Sustainable Development Goal) 6 to “ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all” , underscores the urgency of addressing these challenges globally. This essay delves into the difficulties associated with ensuring clean water and sanitation, explores innovative solutions implemented to tackle these challenges, and highlights the importance of clean water and sanitation in shaping a sustainable future.

I. The Critical Need for Clean Water and Sanitation

The benefits of access to water, sanitation, and hygiene are substantial. Meeting the fundamental need for safe drinking water is paramount. However, realizing these benefits fully necessitates access to sufficient sanitation facilities and adopting proper hygiene practices. These elements are interconnected and crucial for achieving broader development objectives, such as eradicating poverty and hunger, reducing inequalities, and promoting good health and well-being. Virtually every other development goal relies on adequate water, sanitation, and hygiene. Most importantly, these aspects are recognized as human rights by the United Nations and are essential for all individuals' health, dignity, and prosperity.

II. Current State of Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene Globally

However, billions of individuals still lack access to safely managed water and sanitation services. Marginalized groups are particularly affected, facing discrimination in their efforts to obtain these essential services. For instance, according to research by UNICEF (United Nations Children’s Fund), 600 million children lack access to safely managed drinking water, 1.1 billion lack access to secure sanitation facilities, and 689 million lack basic hygiene services. Each year, 829,000 people die from diarrheal diseases directly caused by unsafe water. Despite claims by organizations that they have made efforts, their performance in achieving the 2030 goals has been inadequate. To meet the targets set by Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH), developing countries need to triple their current investment requiring at least $114 billion annually and accelerate progress fivefold.

III. Global Challenge in Securing Clean Water: Water Quality in Distribution Networks

There are two primary challenges associated with ensuring clean water and sanitation: water contamination within distribution systems and the escalating issue of water scarcity. In the United States, analyses of waterborne disease outbreaks reveal a concerning upward trend linked to distribution system issues. Out of 294 reported outbreaks, 30% were attributed to deficiencies within these systems. Notably, cross-connection system pollution accounted for 51% of these incidents. Microbial contamination within segments of distribution systems poses significant health risks. Moreover, inadequate maintenance can foster biofilm formation inside pipes, potentially facilitating the growth of harmful bacteria such as E. coli and other gastrointestinal pathogens. These bacteria have the potential to replicate and colonize sections of distribution systems. According to the World Health Organization (WHO),approximately2billionpeopleworldwiderelyonwaterfrompipescontaminatedwithbacteria, leading to diseases such as diarrhea, cholera, and typhoid. Aging infrastructure exacerbates these contamination issues. A recent report by the American Water Works Association (AWWA) highlights that a significant portion of water distribution system pipes in the United States is approaching the end of their expected lifespan within the next decade. Data from the American Society of Civil Engineers indicate that over 240,000 water main breaks are already occurring due to aging infrastructure. Without proper replacement of pipes, ongoing corrosion and leaks may bring metals like copper and lead into drinking water, posing severe health risks.

IV. Global Challenge in Securing Clean Water: Water Scarcity

By far, agriculture is the largest global demand for freshwater resources. The International Water Management Institute estimates that over 70% of the world's water supplies are used for irrigation. Specifically, producing one kilogram of grain requires between 300 to 3000 liters of water, with an annual per capita requirement of 1300 cubic meters for this type of food production. The intensified demands of irrigated agriculture have significantly escalated global water usage over the past half-century. This trend has led to severe aquifer depletion in countries like China, India, and Pakistan, and the drying up of major rivers in Asia and Mexico due to agricultural withdrawals. Urbanization further worsens water scarcity issues. Las Vegas, for example, has experienced rapid population growth, making it one of the fastest-growing cities in the United States. Between 2002 and 2020, its population increased by approximately 45%, resulting in a substantial surge in water demand. According to the Southern Nevada Water Authority, average daily water usage per person in Las Vegas stands at about 870 liters, more than double the U.S. average of 370 liters. Similarly, in New Delhi, the growing population has driven water demand to nearly 1200 million gallons. The continuation of agricultural production and urban expansion is likely to exacerbate water scarcity problems, causing serious threats to human health and ecosystems worldwide.

V. Adopting Innovative Sanitation Solutions

To tackle these challenges, a concept known as Ecological Sanitation (EcoSan) blends traditional practices with innovative approaches. Historically, EcoSan involved utilizing human excreta as fertilizer, a practice that has been employed for centuries. The modern adaptation of EcoSan involves storing and treating excreta over several months to facilitate organic decomposition and eliminate microbial pathogens. EcoSan toilets are particularly beneficial for conserving water resources and

preventing water contamination, as they require minimal or no water for flushing and utilize high temperatures to accelerate the breakdown of harmful microorganisms. For example, in Kenya, particularly in the Kibera slum area, the implementation of EcoSan toilets has played a pivotal role in addressing water scarcity and enhancing hygiene standards. These toilets process excreta into compost, reducing harmful emissions and enhancing public sanitation. The use of composted waste as fertilizer also supports urban agriculture, promoting sustainable land use practices. By minimizing water consumption through EcoSan toilets, communities have effectively managed water deficiencies. Overall, EcoSan not only conserves water but also improves soil fertility and supports sustainable development in urban areas facing water and sanitation challenges. In addition to EcoSan toilets, the LifeStraw has also gained worldwide recognition for its effectiveness in water purification. This portable water filtration device relies solely on filtration technology to provide safe drinking water by removing contaminants such as bacteria, parasites, and microplastics. LifeStraw has made a significant impact in various countries,including Haiti, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Bangladesh, where it has provided immediate access to safe drinking water. This intervention has greatly improved health outcomes in communities by reducing waterborne diseases and enhancing overall well-being. Its invention is recognized as a global effort to ensure clean drinking water for all.

VI. Envisioning a Future with Universal Access to Clean Water

In summary, ensuring access to clean water and sanitation encounters consequential challenges such as impacts of contamination and waterscarcity. Nonetheless, successful global initiatives highlight how these hurdles can be overcome through innovative technologies, community involvement, and sustainable practices It is crucial to sustain these efforts with renewed determination and cooperation. By fostering collective action, we can strive toward a future where clean water is a universal reality. With continued dedication, achieving widespread access to clean water is very much within our reach.

Works Cited

“About Global Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH).” Global Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH), 23 Apr. 2024, www.cdc.gov/global-water-sanitation-hygiene/about/index.html

“Global challenges in water, sanitation and health.” PubMed, 2006, pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16493899/

Goal 6 Department of Economic and Social Affairs sdgs.un.org/goals/goal6

Jack, Just in Case". “LifeStraw Review: An Expert Puts It To The Ultimate Test.” Skilled Survival, 9 Jan. 2024, www.skilledsurvival.com/lifestraw-personal-water-filter/

Martin. “Water and Sanitation - United Nations Sustainable Development.” United Nations Sustainable Development, 19 Oct. 2023, www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/water-and-sanitation/ WaterAid, and WaterAid. “EcoSan toilets: an alternative to conventional sanitation in vulnerable locations.” WASH Matters, 6 July 2023, WaterAid, and WaterAid. “EcoSan toilets: an alternative to conventional sanitation in vulnerable locations.” WASH Matters, 6 July 2023, washmatters.wateraid.org/blog/ecosan-toiletsan-alternative-to-conventional-sanitation-in-vulnerable-locations

Path Towards Global Inequality Reduction

Inequality remains one of the most pervasive and pressing challenges of the 21st century. Among various inequalities, those related to income, education, and healthcare are the most impactful. Together, these forms of inequality create a vicious cycle that affects the overall development and prosperity of society. Despite the growing recognition of the importance of addressing inequalities, there remains a shortage of visible progress. This paper delves into the global state of inequalities and highlights some of the successful policies or interventions that have been implemented to lessen these disparities within and among countries.

I. Income Inequality: Bridging the Gap Towards Global Prosperity

Income disparities, marked by the uneven distribution of wealth and resources, not only exacerbate social stratification levels but also delay economic growth and social cohesion. In 1820, the wealthiest nations, such as Great Britain and the Netherlands, were only three times richer than the poorest countries like India and China. Since then, this gap has increased to 100 to 1 and continues to widen. Globally, the richest 1% of the population now possesses over 46% of the world’s wealth, according to the Credit Suisse Global Wealth Report of 2023. The rapid expansion of economies has exacerbated income disparities universally, but nowhere more so than in the United States. Federal Reserve data reveals that by 2021, the wealthiest 10% had increased their share of total wealth by 8% compared to 1989, now owning 68%. Conversely, the bottom 90% saw their share decrease by 8%. This trend underscores a concentration of income among a small minority. Unfortunately, structural barriers such as racial and gender discrimination together with socio-economic disadvantages ensure that 62% of individuals born into the bottom half remain there throughout their lives. These factors widen the income gap even further. Nonetheless, there have still been endeavors to reduce this gap. One of them is investment in education. South Korea, specifically, has made significant efforts in this area, including providing free public education up to the secondary level and offering subsidies for higher education. With a high school enrollment rate of 76.2%, South Korea ranks 4th among the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD)countries in terms of educational access. Furthermore, data from the Korea Statistical Information Service (KOSIS) indicates a positive correlation between educational achievement and income levels. Generally, individuals with higher educational attainment tend to earn more compared to those with lower levels of education. By ensuring universal access to quality education and opportunities for skills development, there has been increased economic participation among younger generations. This has contributed to reducing social immobility and narrowing the income gap across different segments of the population.

II. Education Disparity: Closing the Knowledge Divide for Universal Progress

Education inequality perpetuates poverty and constrains pathways to social mobility, affecting individual potential and societal advancements. While the standard of education varies globally, education disparity manifests itself locally in all countries. Around the world, 258 million, or 17% of the world’s children and adolescents lack access to educational opportunities. The proportion is much larger in developing countries: 31% in sub-Saharan Africa and 21% in Central Asia, compared to only

3% in Europe and North America. Additionally, in these African regions, the challenge of extreme educational poverty (a child in education for less than two years) persists. The lack of schooling has negative effects on the population and country. Without acquiring basic knowledge in schools, individuals face significant barriers to social and economic development On a global scale, there is nearly a 100-year difference in the education levels of developing countries and developed nations. Economist Lant Pritchett’s research suggests that it will take 65 years for average adults in developing countries and 85 years in low-income countries to reach 12 years of school in developed countries. The main reason for the relatively low education disparity in developed countries lies in the implementation of various education programs. Canada’s Pathways to Education, for example, aims to support high school students from low-income communities with tutoring, mentoring, and financial assistance. The effectiveness of such programs is evident: a cumulative rate of 73% of Pathways graduates successfully transitioned to post-secondary education. Also, in specific studies, such as in Kingston, Ontario, the ontime graduation rates before and after the introduction of Pathways increased from 40% to 79%. These initiatives contribute to Canada’s low dropout rate of 8.5%, emphasizing their role in enhancing educational outcomes and eventually reducing the educational gap.

III. Healthcare Inequity: Promoting Well-being for All

Lastly, healthcare inequality results in disparate health outcomes, with the most vulnerable populations lacking access to essential medical services and facing higher mortality rates. According to The Commonwealth Fund, a private foundation that provides a better healthcare system for the socially vulnerable, racial and ethnic disparities in the United States are severe, with almost 40% of Hispanic and Native American populations uninsured, compared to only 8% of Caucasians. Similarly, in the United Kingdom, black British infants experience preventable diseases at higher rates and face a mortality rate three times higher than white infants. The UK ranks 30th out of 49 OECD countries in terms of child mortality, reflecting these healthcare inequities Geographical disparities further worsen healthcareinequality Forinstance,according totheNationalVectorBorneDiseaseProgram,ruralareas account for over 60% of malaria cases in India, which is 2.5 times higher than in urban areas. Moreover, 48% of the rural population has access to sanitation facilities compared to 81% in urban areas. The healthcare condition is worsening in the countryside due to having one government hospital serving a district with over 1.6 million people, 81% of rural hospitals lacking at least one specialist, and a single doctor being responsible for more than 10,000 patients. These statistics highlight the stark contrast in healthcare access and outcomes within a country, underscoring the necessity for targeted interventions to bridge this gap. One of the interventions is the Affordable Care Act (ACA), a comprehensive healthcare reform law enacted in the United States. With their expansion of insurance coverage, 20 million uninsured Americans gained health insurance coverage. Additionally, their preventive services saw increased utilization rates among insured individuals, leading to cost savings by reducing the need for more expensive treatments. The law benefited vulnerable populations such as low-income individuals and minorities. It also promoted better health outcomes and provided people with more equitable opportunities for healthcare.

IV. A Path to Equity: Global Efforts and Hope for the Future

In summary, disparities in income, education, and healthcare remain significant global challenges, yet successful interventions offer apath forward. TheUnited Nations has prioritized reducing inequality as its SDG 10, highlighting a global commitment to address these issues. Despite the persistence of

inequality, ongoing efforts and initiatives provide hope for a more equitable future. Tackling inequality requirescollectiveactionfromallofustoensurethateveryonehastheopportunitytothrive.Byworking together, we can create a world where equity is accessible to all, leaving no one in the shadows.

Works Cited

“Evaluation of Pathways to Education, final report.” Canada.ca, 22 Apr. 2022, www.canada.ca/en/employment-social development/corporate/reports/evaluations/pathways-educationreport.html

“Global Inequality - Inequality.org.” Inequality.org, 25 Apr. 2024, inequality.org/facts/globalinequality/#global-income-inequality

“Global Wealth Report.” Credit Suisse, www.credit-suisse.com/about-us/en/reports-research/global-wealthreport.html

Hiam, Lucinda, et al. “NHS and the whole of society must act on social determinants of health for a healthier future.” BMJ, Apr. 2024, p. e079389. doi.org/10.1136/bmj-2024-079389.

S. Hennen. “The State of Inequality in Germany.” Forum for a New Economy, 21 Sept. 2023, newforum.org/en/the-state-of-inequality-in-Germany/

WHO releases the largest global collection of health inequality data 20 Apr. 2023, www.who.int/news/item/2004-2023-who-releases-the-largest-global-collection-of-health-inequality-data

“World Bank Open Data.” World Bank Open Data, data.worldbank.org/indicator/SI.POV.GINI?end=2023&skipRedirection=true&start=2023&view=map

David H. Kim, Seoul Foreign School

Eradicating Poverty

Eradicating poverty is a fundamental challenge, particularly for developing countries. Poverty results in unemployment, low income, hunger, and inadequate healthcare, leading to a poor quality of life and making it difficult for people to make a living. For children, poverty creates barriers to learning and recreation, hindering their development and future opportunities. The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals aim to eradicate global poverty by 2030. However, approximately 700 million people still live in poverty, surviving on less than $2.15 a day. To tackle this issue, developing countries need to adopt comprehensive strategies that address the root causes of poverty and promote sustainable development.

One of the primary strategies for eradicating poverty is economic empowerment and job creation. Developing countries need to implement policies that stimulate diverse economic activities across various sectors, especially agriculture, manufacturing, and services. Agriculture, often the backbone of developing economies, requires particular attention. By investing in modern agricultural techniques, providing access to quality seeds and fertilizers, and promoting sustainable practices, countries can significantly boost productivity. Supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) is also crucial. SMEs are vital engines of economic growth and job creation. By providing SMEs with access to credit, technical assistance, and market opportunities, governments can foster an entrepreneurial culture and drive economic development from the grassroots level.

Infrastructure development is another critical aspect of economic empowerment. Investing in transportation,energy,anddigitalinfrastructurecansignificantlyreducebusinesscosts,improvemarket access, and attract investments. Reliable infrastructure facilitates trade, enhances connectivity, and enables businesses to operate more efficiently. For instance, good transportation networks can reduce the time and cost of moving goods, while reliable energy supply ensures continuous production and reduces operational disruptions. Similarly, digital infrastructure opens up new opportunities for businesses, allowing them to reach broader markets and leverage digital technologies for growth.

Education and skill development are pivotal in breaking the cycle of poverty and fostering sustainable development. Ensuring free, quality education for all children is essential. Education equips individuals with the knowledge and skills needed for better employment opportunities and empowers them to make informed decisions about their lives. To reduce disparities, it is crucial to focus on making education accessible to marginalized communities, including those in rural areas and girls who often face significant barriers to education. Governments should invest in building and maintaining schools, training teachers, and providing learning materials to create a conducive learning environment.

Vocational training and skill development programs are equally important. Aligning these programs with local labor market needs ensures that individuals acquire skills that are in demand, thereby enhancing their employment opportunities. Emphasizing high-demand sectors like technology, healthcare, and renewable energy can create a workforce ready to meet the challenges of a modern economy. For example, training programs in information technology can prepare individuals for jobs in the rapidly growing digital economy, while healthcare training can address the shortage of medical professionals in many developing countries. Renewable energy training can support the transition to sustainable energy sources, creating jobs and contributing to environmental sustainability.

Improving healthcare systems and expanding social protection are vital components of poverty eradication strategies. Investments in healthcare infrastructure, such as building hospitals and clinics, providing training for healthcare workers, and ensuring the availability of essential medicines and services, can significantly improve health outcomes. Accessible and affordable healthcare allows individuals to lead healthier lives, reducing the economic burden of illness and enhancing productivity. Preventive care and public health initiatives, such as vaccination campaigns and health education programs, can further improve health outcomes and prevent the spread of diseases.

Social protection systems are essential to safeguard vulnerable populations against economic shocks and reduce income inequality. Developing comprehensive social protection programs, including cash transfers, unemployment benefits, and pension schemes, provides a safety net for those in need. Cash transfers can help families meet their basic needs and invest in their future, while unemployment benefits can support individuals duringperiods of job loss. Pension schemes ensure that the elderly have a source of income in their later years, reducing their dependence on family members. By providing financial security, social protection programs enable individuals to focus on improving their skills and finding better employment opportunities.

Good governance and strong institutional capacity are crucial for the successful implementation of poverty eradication strategies. Enhancing transparency, reducing corruption, and ensuring effective use of public resources can create an environment conducive to growth and development. Transparent governance ensures that resources allocated for poverty reduction are used effectively and reach those who need them most. Reducing corruption enhances trust in government institutions and encourages investment, both domestic and foreign.

Building institutional capacity involves strengthening government institutions and public servants to improve service delivery, policy implementation, and regulatory frameworks. This can be achieved through training programs, technical assistance, and knowledge sharing with more developed countries. Effective institutions can better design and implement policies that promote economic growth, education, healthcare, and social protection. They can also respond more effectively to emerging challenges, such as natural disasters or economic crises, ensuring that progress in poverty reduction is sustained over time.

International partnerships and aid can provide critical support to developing countries in their efforts to eradicate poverty. Global cooperation allows for the sharing of knowledge, technology, and financial resources, enabling developing countries to implement poverty reduction strategies more effectively. International organizations, development agencies, and foreign governments can provide technical assistance, capacity building, and funding for infrastructure projects, education programs, healthcare initiatives, and social protection systems.

Foreign aid, when effectively targeted and managed, can have a significant impact on poverty reduction. It can support essential services, such as education and healthcare, and help build the infrastructure needed for economic development. However, it is crucial that aid is aligned with the recipient country's development priorities and is used with transparency and accountability to ensure that it reaches the intended beneficiaries and achieves sustainable results.

Eradicating poverty is a multifaceted challenge that requires a comprehensive and coordinated approach. Developing countries must focus on economic empowerment and job creation, education and skill development, healthcare and social protection, fostering good governance, and leveraging international partnerships and aid. By addressing the root causes of poverty and promoting sustainable development, these countries can create a better future for their populations and contribute to the global effort to eradicate poverty by 2030. The commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and the collaborative efforts of the international community are essential in achieving these ambitious but attainable objectives.

Ensuring Clean Water Source and Sanitation

Ensuring clean water sources and sanitation are among the most important challenges to overcome in today's world. Access to clean water and sanitation is a fundamental human right that directly impacts health, education, and economic productivity. However, major challenges remain, particularly in developing countries, where it is reported that only 20 to 30 percent of the population has access to clean water sources. This fundamental problem needs to be addressed and treated comprehensively. This essay explores the significance of SDG 6, the effects of water and sanitation deficiencies on people in developing countries, and potential solutions to these pressing problems.

Access to clean water and sanitation is crucial for several reasons. Firstly, it significantly improves health outcomes by reducing the prevalence of waterborne diseases such as cholera, dysentery, and typhoid. These diseases are major causes of morbidity and mortality, particularly among children under five. Ensuring clean water and proper sanitation can prevent these illnesses, leading to healthier communities and reduced healthcare costs.

Secondly, clean water and sanitation are essential for economic productivity. When people are healthy, they can work more effectively and contribute to their communities and economies. In contrast, illnesses caused by unsafe water and inadequate sanitation reduce the workforce and productivity, leading to economic losses. Additionally, the time and effort required to collect water from distant sources diminish the time available for education and income-generating activities, perpetuating the cycle of poverty.

Thirdly, access to water and sanitation facilities improves educational outcomes. Children, especially girls, often miss school due to illnesses related to poor water quality or because they are responsibleforfetchingwater.Inadequatesanitationfacilitiesatschoolscanalsodiscourageattendance, particularly for menstruating girls who may lack privacy and proper hygiene facilities. Ensuring access to clean water and sanitation at schools can increase attendance and educational achievement.

Despite the clear benefits of clean water and sanitation, many developing countries face significant challenges in providing these essential services. One of the primary obstacles is infrastructure deficiencies. Many regionslackthenecessaryinfrastructure toprovidesafedrinking waterandadequate sanitation facilities. This includes both the initial construction and the ongoing maintenance of water supply systems and sewage networks. Inadequate infrastructure often results in unreliable water supplies and unsanitary conditions, which pose serious health risks.

Resource constraints are another major challenge. Limited financial resources hinder the development and maintenance of water and sanitation infrastructure. Economic instability and competing priorities for government funding exacerbate this problem. As a result, many communities rely on unsafe water sources and makeshift sanitation facilities, which are inadequate to meet their needs.

Environmentalfactorsalsocomplicateeffortstosecurecleanwaterandsanitation.Climatechange, pollution, and over-extraction of water resources strain the availability of clean water. Droughts, floods, and changing weather patterns disrupt water supplies and damage infrastructure. Pollution from

industrial and agricultural activities contaminates water sources, making them unsafe for consumption. Over-extraction of groundwater depletes aquifers, reducing water availability for future generations.

Governance issues further impede progress. Poor governance, including corruption and lack of political will, often results in inadequate policy implementation and resource allocation. Effective management and regulatory frameworks are essential for ensuring sustainable water and sanitation services, but many developing countries struggle with weak institutions and insufficient oversight.

Cultural and educational barriers also play a role. Lack of awareness and education about the importance of clean water and proper sanitation practices can hinder the adoption of necessary measures. Cultural norms may also impact the acceptance and use of sanitation facilities. For example, some communities may resist using toilets due to traditional practices or beliefs.

Addressing water and sanitation challenges in developing countries requires a multifaceted approach involving governments, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and the international community. One key strategy is investing in infrastructure and technology. Governments and international donors should prioritize funding for the construction and maintenance of water supply systems, sewage networks, and sanitation facilities. Innovative technologies, such as low-cost water purification methods and eco-friendly sanitation solutions, can provide sustainable solutions in areas where conventional infrastructure is not feasible.

Community education and engagement are also crucial. Education programs should raise awareness about the importance of clean water, sanitation, and hygiene practices. Schools should integrate hygiene education into their curricula to instill good practices from a young age. Community involvement in planning, implementing, and managing water and sanitation projects ensures that the solutions are culturally appropriate and meet local needs. Empowering women and youth, who are often the primary users and managers of water and sanitation facilities, is particularly important.

Policy and governance reforms are necessary to create an enabling environment for sustainable water and sanitation services. Governments must establish and enforce regulations to protect water sources from pollution and over-extraction. Integrated water resource management (IWRM) approaches, which consider the entire water cycle and involve all stakeholders, can ensure sustainable water use. Strengthening institutions and building the capacity of local and national authorities are also essential for effective governance.

Innovative financing mechanisms can help overcome resource constraints. Public-private partnerships (PPPs) can mobilize resources for water and sanitation projects, bringing in investment, technology, and management expertise. Microfinance options and subsidies can support the construction of household-level water and sanitation facilities, making them affordable for low-income families. International aid and grants from development agencies, international organizations, and philanthropists can also fund large-scale initiatives.

Ensuring clean water sources and sanitation is a fundamental challenge that requires urgent attention, particularly in developing countries. Access to these essential services is crucial for health, education, and economic productivity. The lack of clean water and sanitation has severe consequences, including health crises, economic stagnation, and educational disruptions. Addressing these challenges requires a comprehensive approach that includes infrastructure investment, community education and engagement, policy and governance reforms, and innovative financing mechanisms. By working

together, governments, NGOs, and the international community can achieve SDG 6 and ensure a better future for all.

Ensuring Clean Water and Sanitation: Challenges and Solutions for SDG 6

Sustainable Development Goal 6 proposes a world where everyone has access to water and sanitation as well as the sustainable management of water and sanitation. From basic drinking needs to industrial needs, access to water and sanitation is essential for human health and needs of life. Until 2030, the goal has eight targets to be achieved, the targets covering water supply, sanitation, sustainable water resource management, and so on. Despite significant improvement in the sector, around 2 billion people around the world do not have access to clean and safe drinking water, and approximately 3.6 billion people, 46% of the world's population, lack proper sanitation services. To achieve the set goals until 2030, it will require a considerable increase in current global rates of progress: six times the rate for drinking water, five for sanitation, and three for hygiene (UN). In this essay, we will analyze and scrutinize the challenges and following solutions that have been outlined for each of the following problems : water scarcity, lacking infrastructure, and governance and management.

First, we will look into the challenges and solutions in ensuring clean water and sanitation for all. The most fundamental problem faced when tackling SDG 6 is the problem of water scarcity. This happens due to a variety of factors: demand for water may be exceeding the supply, infrastructure and distribution systems may be inadequate, contamination, conflict, or poor management of resources. On every continent, water scarcity is a problem that is on the rise, with impoverished communities most badly influenced. As stated above, water scarcity is caused by a variety of factors, therefore, water scarcity can not be defined as a problem that persists only in certain regions. Water scarcity can happen anywhere depending on the circumstances affecting the demand and supply of water at the given moment of time. Therefore, exceptional caution is needed when it comes to water scarcity. Over the years, the UN has implemented different methods to tackle water supply. The most accessible method of minimizing water scarcity is to participate in ‘water stewardship’. Water stewardship is defined as using water in a way that is socially equitable, environmentally sustainable and economically beneficial (UNIDO). Water stewardship on individual and industrial scales can help the problem of water scarcity by a large part. For instance, Coca-Cola has implemented a global water stewardship program aimed at improving water efficiency and supporting local water sustainability projects. By 2020, Coca-Cola had replenished 160% of the water it used in its beverages and their production, returning approximately 346 billion liters of water to nature and communities through 203 projects in 71 countries. The company improved water-use efficiency by 25% between 2010 and 2020, saving approximately 100 billion liters of water annually in their operations.

Eu Park, Northfield Mount Hermon School

Secondly, the problem to tackle is the problem of lack of infrastructure. Infrastructure can pertain from water treatment plants to wastewater reuse facilities, and plays a crucial role in ensuring clean water and sanitation. There are some reasons why infrastructure is lacking in some parts of the world. First of all, generally, water is an under-valued and under-priced resource. Second, water infrastructure is generally capital intensive with high sunk costs. A very long pay-back period with high initial investment is expected. Lastly, both publicly and privately, improvements in water generate benefits in terms of valued goods and services, as well as reduced water-related risks. These benefits cannot be monetised easily, or their positive impacts appear often unrelated or outside the water infrastructure investment. To this day, many developing regions lack the necessary infrastructure for water purification, distribution, and wastewater treatment. The lack of infrastructure often results in contaminated water or water that is under the safety levels, which can pose severe health issues. Inadequate infrastructure also means that even if clean water sources exist, they may not be accessible to the populations that need them. A good case study for the improvement of infrastructure is the nation of Singapore. Singapore has invested heavily in its water infrastructure, implementing advanced technologies and systems to ensure a sustainable water supply. The "Four National Taps" strategy of Singapore includes water from local catchments, imported water, highly purified reclaimed water (NEWater), and desalinated water. By diversifying its water sources and investing in technology, Singapore has achieved self sufficiency in water despite limited natural freshwater resources. For instance, five NEWater plants provide 30% of Singapore’s water requirements, and by 2060 NEWater is expected to meet 50% of Singapore’s requirements (Journal of Water Management Modeling).

Lastly, the final problem in achieving water and sanitation for all is the lack of governance and management. Effective governance and management are essential for the sustainable management and distribution of water and sanitation. Poor governance often leads to inefficient water use, pollution, and conflicts over water resources. Often in impoverished communities, corruption, lack of enforcement of regulations, and inadequate policies can exacerbate these issues. In many regions, fragmentation of watermanagementoverdifferentagenciesleadstoproblemsincoordination andorganization.Totackle this issue, integrated water resources management (IWRM) has been advocated as a comprehensive approach. IWRM is defined as the whole management of water, land, and its related resources to maximize the economic and social welfare without compromising the sustainability of vital ecosystems (Global WaterPartnership). AgreatexampleofsuccessfulIWRMimplementation isAustralia'sMurray Darling Basin. The Murray Darling Basin Plan, created by the Murray Darling Basin Authority (MDBA), is an water management plan designed to balance the water requirements of the environment, communities, and industries. The plan includes policies such as water trading, setting sustainable limits, and investing in water-saving infrastructure. Through involving stakeholders from various sectors, the Murray Darling Basin Plan has made significant progress in managing water resources sustainably and equitably.

Ensuring clean water and sanitation for all faces challenges like water scarcity, inadequate infrastructure, and poor governance. However, targeted solutions can address these obstacles. Water stewardship mitigates water scarcity by improving efficiency and supporting local communities. Advancements in infrastructure ensure reliable water supplies through innovative technologies and diversified sources. Effective governance highlights the importance of integrated water management and stakeholder collaboration. By adopting these strategies, significant progress can be made in SDG 6 by 2030. It is important for local and global projects to combine the efforts to make access to clean water and sanitation an universal reality.

Global Goals. "Goal 6: Clean Water and Sanitation." Accessed July 15, 2024. https://www.globalgoals.org/goals/6-clean-water-and-sanitation/.

SDG6 Data Portal. "SDG 6 Data Portal." Accessed July 15, 2024. https://www.sdg6data.org/en/node/1.

UNICEF. "Water Scarcity." Accessed July 16, 2024. https://www.unicef.org/wash/waterscarcity#:~:text=Four%20billion%20people%20%E2%80%94%20almost%20two,where%20water%20supply %20is%20inadequate.

United Nations. "Water and Sanitation - United Nations Sustainable Development." Accessed July 17, 2024. https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/water-and-sanitation/.

UN Water. "UN-Water." Accessed July 17, 2024. https://www.unwater.org/.

United Nations Economic Commission for Europe. "SDG 6 Case Studies." Accessed July 17, 2024. https://unece.org/fileadmin/DAM/trade/wp6/documents/2018/Standards_for_SDGs/SDG6/SDG6_case_studies.p df.

United Nations Industrial Development Organization. "Water Stewardship." Accessed July 17, 2024. https://www.unido.org/our-focus-safeguarding-environment-resource-efficient-and-low-carbon-industrialproduction-industry-and-adaptation/waterstewardship#:~:text=Water%20stewardship%20is%20defined%20as,site%20and%20catchment%20based%20 actions.

The Coca-Cola Company. "2020 Business & Environmental, Social, and Governance Report." Accessed July 17, 2024. https://www.coca-colacompany.com/content/dam/company/us/en/reports/pdf/coca-cola-businessenvironmental-social-governance-report-2020.pdf.

Wateroam. "Singapore's Four National Taps." Accessed July 17, 2024. https://www.wateroam.com/waterfacts/singapores-four-national-taps.

Global Water Partnership. "About Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM)." Accessed July 19, 2024. https://www.gwp.org/en/gwp-SAS/ABOUT-GWP-SAS/WHY/About-IWRM/.

Murray–Darling Basin Authority. "Key Elements of the Basin Plan." Accessed July 19, 2024. https://www.mdba.gov.au/water-management/basin-plan/key-elements-basin-plan.

UNESCO. "United Nations World Water Development Report 2023." Accessed July 19, 2024. https://www.unesco.org/reports/wwdr/2023/en/download

High-Level Panel on Water. "Water Infrastructure and Investment." Accessed July 19, 2024. https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/content/documents/hlpwater/08-WaterInfrastInvest.pdf. Journal of Water Management Modeling. "Homepage." Accessed July 19, 2024. https://www.chijournal.org/C375.

Reducing Inequalities: Examining Policies and Their Impact for SDG 10

Sustainable Development Goal 10 proposes a world where equality and prosperity is available to everyone - regardless of gender, race, religious beliefs or economic status. In order for the world to prosper, everyone must have the right to be treated equally and rightfully. Until 2030, the goal has ten targets to be achieved, the targets covering all aspects of inequalities: income inequality, social and economic inclusion, discrimination, migration, and so on. Recently, significant improvements have been seen, such as the Gini coefficient (measure of inequality) dropping from 70 to 62 through the span of 29 years until 2019. However, according to the World Inequality Report 2022, the wealthiest 10% of the global population owns 76% of all wealth, and the Covid-19 pandemic has exacerbated inequality, reversingthetrendofdecreasinginequalities.Inthisessay,wewillanalyzeandscrutinizethechallenges and following solutions that have been outlined for each of the following problems : income disparity, access to education, and healthcare.

First, we will look into the challenges and solutions in ensuring equality for all. The most fundamentalproblemfacedwhentacklingSDG10istheproblemofincomedisparity.Incomedisparity, or income inequality is defined as the difference in how income is distributed among the population (OECD). To this day, the richest 1% of the global population owns more than 45% of the world’s wealth, while the bottom 50% owns less than 1% of the world’s wealth. Income disparity can come from a number of different reasons, including: advances in technology, gender and race bias, education, and so on. To some extent, income inequality is to be expected, because of basic differences in an individual’s talent, effort,and luck. However,too muchincomeinequality could "erodesocialcohesion, lead to political polarization, and ultimately lower economic growth”, according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Therefore, an intervention is needed when it comes to drastic differences in income. The Scandinavian region in Northern Europe is one of the best models to study when it comes to income disparity. The Scandinavian implements a highly progressive tax system, where higher income earners pay a higher percentage of their income in taxes compared to lower income earners. For example, the top marginal tax rate in Sweden is around 57%. This progressive taxation model allows equitable wealth redistribution across society. Also, the Scandinavian nations are famous for providing social safety nets using its progressive taxation model. These include: universal healthcare, education, pensions, unemployment benefits, and so on. These policies have led to the Scandinavian region having one of the lowest levels of income inequality in the world. The Gini coefficient in the Scandinavian region is comparatively low, with a range of 27-30 while the world Gini coefficient range was around 65.

Secondly, the problem to tackle is the problem of access to education. Access to education is important because it can provide individuals with the knowledge, skills, and confidence they need to succeed in life and contribute to society. However, access to education is in disparity. Various factors including: socioeconomic situation, location, gender, and ethnicity all are currently affecting the access to quality education. It is a fact that children from the poorest families are four times less likely, that comes from low-income countries, to be in school than those from the richest countries. Additionally, gender disparity is a big issue when it comes to education. Girls are more likely than boys to be out of school since there are regions where they prioritize boys' education over girls’ education. Also,

geographic barriers, such as living in rural areas, can also prevent people from accessing schools. A great case study for improving education access can be found in Kenya. For instance, Kenya has made significant improvements in improving educational access through the Free Primary Education (FPE) program launched in 2003. As the name suggests, the Kenyan government removed the fees required to attend school. Prior to FPE, primary school enrollment rates were significantly lower, particularly among children from low-income households. In 2003, before the introduction of FPE, only about 5.9 million children were enrolled in primary school with enrollment rates around 80%. By 2010, after the implementation of FPE, enrollment rates surged to over 95%, with approximately 8.6 million children in school. Additionally, the gender disparity in education has also seen improvement. According to UNESCO, the gender parity index for primary school enrollment in Kenya improved from 0.85 in 2000 to 0.95 in 2015, indicating a more equitable access to school for both boys and girls.

Lastly, The final problem with SDG 10 is the lack of access to healthcare. Access to healthcare is crucial in ensuring that everyone has the right to lead healthy lives. Healthcare access inequalities can come from a number of different reasons, including socioeconomic status, location, and lack of systems to support healthcare. It was announced by the World Health Organization (WHO) that more than 4.5 billion people worldwide more than half of the world's population were not fully covered by essential health services in 2021. For example, people in impoverished regions often face challenges such as improper healthcare infrastructure, high expenses, and limited availability of medical professionals. A notable case study in addressing these issues is South Korea, which has achieved significant progress in providing universal healthcare to its citizens. South Korea implemented its National Health Insurance (NHI) system in 1989. The National Health Insurance is a program designed to ensure that all South Koreans have access to healthcare services. The NHI system is mostly funded through government funding. This makes healthcare accessible and affordable across the country. South Korea has an amazing healthcare coverage rate which almost reaches 100% of the population in the NHI system, as of 2022. Subsequently, this led to improved healthcare for the general population and less financial burdens. For instance, the infant mortality rate in South Korea is one of the lowest in the world, at approximately 2.8 deaths per 1,000 births, compared to the global average of 27.5. Consequently, In 2015, South Korea ranked first in the OECD for healthcare access and satisfaction of healthcare has been consistently among the highest in the world.

Reducing inequalities is a problem that has not been fully resolved in this world, and the main issues to tackle were: income disparity, access to education, and healthcare. Each of these areas have its own challenges, but specific solutions have been proven effective. For instance, progressive taxation and comprehensive welfare systems can help distribute wealth more equitably. In education, efforts to close gaps related to socioeconomic status, geography, and gender can enable more children to fulfill their dreams. Similarly, improving access to healthcare ensures everyone can receive the medical care they need, leading to better health outcomes and less financial hardship. These solutions highlight the importance of specific policies and interventions in reducing inequalities. Governments, organizations, and communities all play vital roles in making these policies work. By adopting and adapting these approaches, we can make significant progress towards a more equitable world by 2030.

Works Cited

Global Goals. "Goal 10: Reduced Inequalities." Accessed July 20, 2024. https://www.globalgoals.org/goals/10reduced-inequalities/.

United Nations. "Reduce Inequalities." Accessed July 20, 2024. https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/inequality/.

Our World in Data. "SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities." Accessed July 20, 2024. https://ourworldindata.org/sdgs/reduced-inequalities.

World Bank. "SDG Atlas: Reduced Inequalities." Accessed July 20, 2024. https://datatopics.worldbank.org/sdgatlas/archive/2017/SDG-10-reduced-inequalities.html.

World Inequality Lab. World Inequality Report 2022. March 2023. https://wir2022.wid.world/wwwsite/uploads/2023/03/D_FINAL_WIL_RIM_RAPPORT_2303.pdf.

Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). "Income Inequality." Accessed July 20, 2024. https://www.oecd.org/en/data/indicators/income-inequality.html.

Investopedia. "Income Inequality." Last modified October 17, 2022. https://www.investopedia.com/terms/i/income-inequality.asp.

Tax Foundation. "Scandinavian Social Programs & Taxes." July 18, 2023. https://taxfoundation.org/blog/scandinavian-social-programs-taxes-2023/.

World Bank. World Development Report 2018: Learning to Realize Education’s Promise. 2018. https://www.worldbank.org/en/publication/wdr2018.

UNICEF Kenya. "Education." Accessed July 20, 2024. https://www.unicef.org/kenya/education.

Saini, Jayesh. "The Impact of Free Primary Education in Kenya." Medium. March 20, 2022. https://medium.com/@JayeshSaini/the-impact-of-free-primary-education-in-kenya-87072d67ed00.

International Insurance. "Health Systems: South Korea." Accessed July 20, 2024. https://www.internationalinsurance.com/health/systems/south-korea/.

OECD. Health at a Glance 2015. Paris: OECD Publishing, 2015. https://doi.org/10.1787/health_glance-2015en.

World Health Organization. "World Bank and WHO: Half the World Lacks Access to Essential Health Services, 100 Million Still Pushed into Extreme Poverty Because of Health Expenses." Last modified December 13, 2017. https://www.who.int/news/item/13-12-2017-world-bank-and-who-half-the-world-lacks-access-to-essentialhealth-services-100-million-still-pushed-into-extreme-poverty-because-of-health-expenses

Eun Seo Shin, Chung Nam Samsung Academy

Ensuring Clean Water and Sanitation: Problems and Sustainable Solutions

In 2024, Koreans use more than 300 liters of water a day. Koreans use a lot of water, but most countries use about 100 liters of water a day. We use water when we take a shower or wash the dishes. We have abundant clean water, but some countries can’t use water. It is a very essential and basic service in our life. Ensuring clean water and sanitation means that the UN achieves universal and equitable access to safe and low-price drinking water for everyone. Also, water scarcity will be more and more serious because of global warming. El Nino and La Nina in the ocean affect climate change. Due to this, the temperature change of Earth. Also, it can be a reason for floods, droughts, and hurricanes. The stress of water makes people anxious. They should use water for their life, farming, raising livestock, and producing electricity need water. So, if water scarcity doesn’t work out, it will affect the developing economy, increasing the population. I will introduce the seriousness of water scarcity and how to solve this problem.

First, I will introduce the reason why there is water scarcity. The most important reason is climate change. If the Earth gets warm, glaciers will melt. Due to this phenomenon, sea levels will increase, too. The problem is changing ocean current because of it. It means changing the ocean conveyor belt. It is a large-scale ocean circulation in the North Atlantic near Greenland and Iceland. The warm ocean moves north from the equator, and the cold, salty ocean moves to the south. The conveyor belt balances the North and South Atlantic Oceans and stabilizes the climate through this phenomenon. However, glaciers melted, salt decreased, and the flowof the ocean collapsed. If this situation continues, sea levels will increase, and it confuse the ocean system. It is deadly to climate change. According to the IPCC, limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees compared to 2 degrees would approximately halve the proportion of the world population expected to suffer water scarcity. Urbanization affected water scarcity. The population increased due to urbanization, and they need more water naturally. However, there are so many developing countries, and they are short of water. Also, industrial development generates a lot of wastewater and increases water mixed with chemicals. However, they have the human right to use clean water.

Second, I will mention the water-related hazards. About 2 billion people worldwide don’t have access to safe drinking watertoday. United Nations disclosed climate change has made extreme weather events such as floods and droughts more likely and more severe. Rising global temperatures increase the water the atmosphere can hold, resulting in more storms and heavy rains, but also more intense dry

spells as more water evaporates from the land and global weather patterns change. Water-related disasters have dominated the list of disasters over the past 50 years and account for 70% of all deaths related to natural disasters. The World Bank says the 21st century will be the era of water disputes. WMO revealed that flood-related disasters and droughts increased, and most drought-related deaths occurred in Africa. Flood-related disasters have risen by 134% compared with the two previous decades since 2000. I realized that many organizations trying to solve water scarcity. Also, most people know that water scarcity is the most serious in Africa. Many children in Africa are dead of disease through the dirty water. At least 1,000 people live on only one pump. Africans say people excrete in plastic bowls and throw it out on the street in slums. It is also the reason for the dirty water. The water-related problem is directly connected to their survival for them. More and more countries will be a pain of water scarcity. Because of its increasing population, the water is not evenly distributed. Therefore, People in dry areas move to get some water for about 5 hours a day. Some people die while they get water.

Then, we have to know the effort to make for water scarcity. In Korea, there is a ‘Smart Water Grid’ using Information and communication technology. It is a system that manages water resources efficiently by monitoring water production and consumption. It uses big data by collecting climate data, AI identifies the region where people need water and supplies. It is the system that manages water resources that are lost by climate change This technology is gradually expanding in Korea, and is also used in abroad industry. If it is commercialized, it will affect to solve water scarcity. Also, UNEP and WMO try to reduce water-related problems. They said Water lands such as mangroves, seagrasses, and swamps are highly effective carbon sinks that absorb and store CO2, helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. As we know, trying to watch our single-use plastic intake, and try a Zero-Waste Lifestyle can help society. Most problems are caused by plastic. The government regulates the use of plastic. All behaviors for global warming can be an act for water pollution. We should reduce using chemical detergent or shampoo. Because water is often reused, we need to use clean.

Consequently, water pollution is one of the most important environmental problems. Water pollution is fatal, and it needs our effort. People may think this problem is not serious yet, but other countries are in pain because of water scarcity, and sooner or later we will face this problem, too. The most important reason is climate change. Due to this, floods and drought happened in Africa, and the poor suffer from disease and poverty. Our behavior for climate change can help other SDGs. So, I am looking forward to taking action for the environment. The effort we make seems trivial, but we can save the Earth quickly than we thought. Leonardo da Vinci said ‘Water is the driving force of all nature’. We can’t live without water. If it doesn’t resolve, we can’t ensure our sustainable future. We need to remember the quote ‘We never know the value of water till the well is dry’ from Thomas Fuller. For our health and future generations, now it’s time to act.

Reducing Inequalities: Analyzing Economic, Social and Educational Dimensions

Why do people think that the amount of effort and the outcome are different? Some people begin to work at 4a.m. butthey can’t getmoremoney thanentrepreneurs.I chose thisSDG from thisquestion. SDGs 10, reducing inequalities means alleviating inequalities between countries, or people. They include age, gender, race, religion, and economics, so they would like to achieve a goal in all of them. Nowadays, people consider the importance of inequality. I studied it in class, and there are so many types of inequalities. I think inequality is similar to discrimination. We can usually think economics or education difference about inequality, but beyond this, I thought racism and discrimination between disabled and non-disabled people could be a kind of inequality. So, I want to talk about the problem of inequalities, and how to solve it.

First, I will state a variety of inequalities. Inequalities can exist in economics and education. The rich make more money, but the poor don’t escape poverty. Poor are hard to get job, because of their academic ability. According to the World Inequality Report 2022, the poorest half of the global population barely owns any wealth at all, possessing just 2% of the total. Especially, economic inequalities represent seriously. It means the gap between the rich and poor is huge, and it would be hard to narrow. If this problem continues, it will be a serious problem for people and the nation. Youth can think they never change their income level, and they will be frustrated in their ability. The inheritance of wealth is a serious problem. Most people inherit similar levels of economic status from their parents. We can say it is the Silver Spoon Effect. They can spend their childhood in a rich environment.Koreansexperiencedthe1997AsiaFinancialCrisisandCOVID-19.Thesearethereasons why we have serious inequalities. Also, I think this inequality leads to all of the other inequalities. I think the educational inequality is related to economic inequality. BecauseMost students in Koreastudy at private academies. They spend a lot of money there, so if someone is in a low-income group, they are hard to get an education. They need money when they go to high school and university. There is supporting industry for them, but it is not enough to take all kinds of education. Healthcare takes a lot of money, too. Every time people get a serious disease, they need a lot of money on a regular basis. Some people give up the treatment because of their income. However, in the case of medical use, people with many diseases use it more, so as a result, people with low economic status show higher utilization rates. So, I think most inequalities come from economic inequality, and we try to solve it. Also, I think sexism and racism are also the cause of inequalities. It isn’t related to economic inequalities, but it is a matter of a long history. Gender inequalities remain considerable at the global level, and progress within countries is too slow. I think the reason people are racist is that there are political and religious differences as well as race. Most racists don’t accept differences between them, and they think they are superior to others. This inequality can trigger social anxiety and rising crimerates. Sexism exists similar reason with racism, and it is fixed as SDG 5. We can see the problem of inequality around us. The idea that someone is superior remains in our society, and there are those who support it. All of us know it is serious problem, but no one try to solve this problem. Most people think only avoidance is the answer of reducing inequalities. However, there are more and more exchanges between countries, and it provides an opportunity for the country to grow. Each countries provide a chance to develop, so we can’t avoid it. We should accept differences and work to address inequality.

Then, what can we do to reduce inequality? I will suggest some ways to change our society by reducing inequalities. I think we need the effort of the government to alleviate economic inequality. They can use tax for low-income people. It is a fact that the government can’t distribute as same income to all people. They can make apartments for people with 3D printing. People can buy the hose at a low cost. With AI, government can solve most of the problems. I would like to propose ‘personalized medicine’. It can provide the right treatment for people. This is a developing industry, but it is not familiar to us. However, if this technology is introduced, people will not have to waste time and money in the future. After people identify the disease with this technology, they can use the most effective medicine. In this situation, I want to bring in new technology ‘bio production’. It means that the company makes cheap and effective drugs and vaccines using microorganisms. It can be used cheaper than regular medicine. Because they can multiply quickly, mass production is possible and can be easily produced without going through a complex chemical synthesis process. The most representative example is insulin. Scientists have developed a technique for inserting genes that produce insulin into microorganisms such as E. coli, which is available to people at an affordable price. The gene that produces insulin is inserted into the plasmid of E. coli, and the E. coli is grown in large quantities to produce insulin. It’s just insulin for now, but more vaccines will solve the health inequality problem of low-income people. For healthcare, the poor need food that is low-cost and nutritious. I think we can solve it with GMO foods. This is a food made by combining useful genes with other genes. Its safety issues are being addressed, and it is attracting attention as food for the future. So, with this food, lowincome people can buy nutritious food, and they don’t need to waste their money on healthcare. Also, racism is one of the most serious problems of inequality. I think racism needs people’s efforts. Strengthening education programs on racism and conducting media campaigns can go a long way. The governmentcanstrengthenpunishmentforracismandencouragemulticulturalemploymentinbusiness. But here, care must be taken to avoid reverse discrimination. People should always be aware that we are all equal, and differences such as race or religion are not justified on grounds of discrimination. I think it is related to human rights. So, we can know that this problem is related to other SDGs, and everything needs our effort.

I think inequality is a problem that should be eliminated in our society. I introduced some kinds of inequalities such as income disparity, access to education, healthcare, and racism. I suggested a solution to this problem. There is bio production and GMO food. Also, I thought all of the government, companies, and people tried to alleviate this problem. Through these solutions, I am sure to make a better society. In modern society, people are always busy and prefer to be alone. However, I love the past when people were poor, but there was a sharing and loving mindset between people. I realized there are so many inequalities in the world through the World Inequality Report, and it was a chance to perceive the importance of inequalities. ‘When given a choice between being right or kind, choose kind’. It is the phrase in the movie ‘Wonder’. I think kindness can reduce inequalities. Consequently, for inequalities, we need a caring mindset. Sometimes we may think kindness gave us loss. However, I can assure kindness can make a peaceful and beautiful society. A society where everyone is considerate of each other, how cool is this!

Eunjin Lee, Shanghai Korean School

Reducing Inequalities: Examining Policies and Their Impact for SDG 10

Have you ever felt that you are being treated unequally compared to others? If so, what do you think is aninequality in life? While we areliving a life,we counter alot ofdisparities. These inequalities usually are determined by several factors such as gender, age, origin, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, and religion. And these are more common issues in South Africa and Namibia. Therefore, in this paper, I will explain the problem focusing on education and healthcare inequality worldwide, and the policies that have been the solutions for these problems.

Before explaining problems focusing on education, I plan to generally explain the overview of the current state of inequalities globally and the exact meaning of SDGs 10. The world exhibits staggering disparities, ranging from extreme affluence to extreme destitution. Only 8% of total income is shared by the bottom 50% of the global population. Simultaneously, over half of the total income is received by the top 10% wealthiest individuals in the world. There is a significant disparity in income levels among countries, but the difference could be getting smaller. These problems lead people to consider sustainable development goals. Which is SDGs. The objective of Sustainable Development Goal 10 is to decrease inequality both within and among nations. This goal aims to decrease income disparity across various factors such as age, gender, disability, race, ethnicity, location, religion, and socioeconomic status.

One of the most common factors of inequalities in life is education. As students grow up through school, the educational gap evolves. The inequalities in educational achievement begin in infancy and continue throughout a person's life. Before starting school, the difference in children's cognitive and social-emotional abilities is already noticeable. And this kind of inequality stands out in several countries. For example, Pakistan takes the first place in the most education inequality. Pakistan is the fifth largest country in population, and it has also the highest number of out-of-school children. This is because in Pakistan, numerous children-especially girls- were being prohibited from attending school. In addition,

Another common factor in inequalities is healthcare. Health inequalities are not consistent with social justice values because they are preventable. They do not occur arbitrarily or accidentally. Their situations are largely determined by social factors that are out of the individual's control. These situations put people at a disadvantage and limit their chances of living longer and healthier lives. And

what are some inequalities in healthcare? It includes low life expectancy, high rates of mental illness, and difficulties in health care. Compared to education inequalities, the US showed noticeable variations in health across different regions in 5 out of 10 indicators, the highest among all countries. Switzerland had 4 indicators, while the UK and Australia followed. In the U.S., there large differences in access to healthcare between whites, and members of most other ethnic and ethnic groups are evident across states.

There arealso consequences of inequality. Ina market-based economy, certain levels of inequality are expected due to differences in technology, effort, and luck, but too much inequality can harm social integration and encourage political division, eventually hindering economic development. In detail, those who lack financial leeway live in areas with limited access to fresh food, and as a result, spending increases. The poor have a greater financial burden on healthcare, a reduced ability to work, and spend more time getting food.

However, do the inequalities only have negative effects? The answer to this is no. Inequalities allow us to create incentives, reward hard work, and trickle down the effect. To be more specific, by inequalities, a student from different walks of life can share their own opinions, which brings them to revolutionary and creative ideas. And this gives opportunities to students who are experiencing educational inequalities to be able to contribute greatly to society. Also, inequalities in healthcare can promote research for the causes and consequences of inequalities, contributing to the development of innovative solutions tailored to the specific healthcare needs of marginalized populations. Furthermore, several educational inequalities can make minority students receive better educational resources. Therefore, they can gain the upper hand in the competition. In detail, high-end educational facilities in certain areas may be better than others.

Since it has a variety of problems, there must be corresponding solutions. Educational inequalities are developed during the school years. There are several ways to solve these problems. Education inequality can be resolved by adopting fiscal and social policies that promote equality. For example, the UK has begun to include the trilateral system, inclusivism, neoclassicism, educational reform laws, and policies regarding gender and ethnic differences. Second, governments should adopt fiscal and social policies that promote equality. More specifically, governments should gradually achieve greater equality by adopting policies, especially fiscal, wage, and social protection policies.

However, among these, South Africa has the most extreme inequality measured by the Gini coefficient. Then Namibia, which is a neighbor to South Africa follows to the second place. According to the International Monetary Fund, the main cause of inequality in South Africa is high unemployment. Enhanced cooperation will help protect the environment and promote sustainable development through resource mobilization, knowledge sharing, eco-friendly technology advancement, and capacity building. Besides South Africa, Denmark is considered one of the lowest inequality countries. According to the 2016 OECD data, Denmark achieved a Gini coefficient of 0.249, which is lower than the OECD average of 0.315.

In conclusion, inequality is a huge problem in every world. Inequalities usually are determined by several factors. This includes age, gender, country, and even religion. Because people are getting less income than what they have worked for, they made SDGs. Which aims to transform our world. Education and healthcare are also some of the problems that people are facing. As students grow up, they counter different inequities and the first inequalities students meet are at school which is frequently about education. And Pakistan is an example of it. Healthcare is also one of the most important factors

in inequalities. This is considered as social inequality, thus it is not preventable. However, there are corresponding solutions like governmental policies. In addition, there are consequences too. It can harm social integration and encourage political division. Lastly, South Africa has the highest inequality percentage, and Denmark has the lowest. There will be more policies that the government will accept, and the consequences will decrease.

Works Cited

Christensen, Zach, and Hayley Lelourec. “Inequality: Global Trends.” Development Initiatives, 2 May 2023, devinit.org/resources/inequality-global-trends/. Accessed 20 July 2024.

Garcia, Emma, and Elaine Weiss. “Education Inequalities at the School Starting Gate: Gaps, Trends, and Strategies to Address Them.” Economic Policy Institute, 27 Sept. 2017, www.epi.org/publication/educationinequalities-at-the-school-starting-gate/. Accessed 20 July 2024.

“Government Education Policies: List & Examples | StudySmarter.” StudySmarter UK, www.studysmarter.co.uk/explanations/social-studies/education-with-methods-in-context/government-educationpolicies/. Accessed 21 July 2024.

“Infographic: The World’s Most Unequal Countries.” Statista Infographics, www.statista.com/chart/6908/theworlds-most-unequal-countries/. Accessed 20 July 2024.

NHS England. “What Are Healthcare Inequalities?” NHS England, NHS England, 2022, www.england.nhs.uk/about/equality/equality-hub/national-healthcare-inequalities-improvementprogramme/what-are-healthcare-inequalities/. Accessed 20 July 2024.

Public Health Scotland. “What Are Health Inequalities?” Public Health Scotland, 24 Dec. 2021,

www.healthscotland.scot/health-inequalities/what-are-health-inequalities. Accessed 20 July 2024.

Schmelkes, Sylvia. “Recognizing and Overcoming Inequity in Education.” United Nations, United Nations, 22 Jan. 2020, www.un.org/en/un-chronicle/recognizing-and-overcoming-inequity-education. Accessed 20 July 2024.

“SDG 10 - Reduced Inequalities.” Ec.europa.eu, ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statisticsexplained/index.php?title=SDG_10_-_Reduced_inequalities. Accessed 13 July 2024.

“Section 2: Arguments for and against Income Inequality | Inflate Your Mind.” Inflate Your Mind, inflateyourmind.com/microeconomics/unit-9-microeconomics/section-2-arguments-for-and-against-incomeinequality/. Accessed 13 July 2024.

Statista. “Gini Index - Inequality of Income Distribution - Country Ranking 2017.” Statista, 2022, www.statista.com/statistics/264627/ranking-of-the-20-countries-with-the-biggest-inequality-in-incomedistribution/. Accessed 21 July 2024.

“Top Countries on Economic Equality.” Www.activesustainability.com, www.activesustainability.com/sustainable-development/top-countries-economic-equality/. Accessed 20 July 2024.

University of St. Augustine for Health Sciences. “Healthcare Policy: What Is It and Why Is It Important?”

Partnerships for the Goals: How Youth Can Foster Global Partnerships

for SDG 17

Have you ever heard of global partnerships? In the short term, global partnerships are fund managers prioritizing influence focused on increasing opportunities for the poor. For these goals, teenager's help is indispensable for many reasons. It is believed by lotsof people that youth involvement is more effective and sustainable when addressing regional and global issues, and this is one essential example of why teenagers are important in SDGs 17 and global partnerships. In this piece of paper, I am going to explain the ways how teens can foster and strengthen partnerships to achieve the SDGs.

The concept of global cooperation for progress is consistent with the concept of complex interconnectionsadoptedbytheUN,whichmeansthattheactionsofanysubjectwithintheinternational system have mutual influences. In other words, an individual's actions may influence someone else in another part of the world. It also impacts on many things. Such as technology, policy, and development. For policy, global partnerships often work together to influence policies. They speak their voice out loud for agreements that support their shared goals.

What is SDG 17? The SDGs are global demands for efforts to eliminate poverty, preserve the environment, and guarantee peace and prosperity for all people. To be more specific, it focuses on rejuvenating the international collaboration for sustainable growth. The 2030 Agenda is inclusive and requires participation from all nations - both advanced and emerging - to guarantee no one is excluded. It is important because goal 17 is one of the main tools for promoting children's rights and welfare worldwide.

These days, global partnership is regarded as one of the most important factors in a country. This is considered crucial for many reasons. International collaborations are crucial for long-term progress by linking individuals across the globe. Furthermore, international collaborations enable the sharing of information, technology, and resources among all parties involved. This enables the establishment of crucial connections between knowledge and ideas. Also, it is important in SDG. Enhanced cooperation will help protect the environment and promote sustainable development through resource mobilization, knowledge exchange, development of eco-friendly technologies, and capacity building. If this is not fully developed, then it might cause a huge problem. To give an example, often, political parties in the same country show more trust in foreign parties than in each other. No country can be free from the unrest in its surrounding areas. When conflict affects neighboring countries, it hinders personal and collective economic development. In this case, Korea is the perfect example of a global partnership. When Japan colonized Korea, Korean people cooperated when they had differences in social status at that time to become independent from them.

Global partnerships can be built by a lot of programs as well. It can developed by many different countries, civic groups, and even companies. For short terms, The Global Partnership Program is a strategic initiative for institutions and agencies seeking to work with NAFSA's broad member communities at annual and regional meetings. In business, a global partnership is called a different name which is a global business partnership. Acting as an MBA team, it is dedicated to helping its chosen customers grow their business through strategic global partnerships. For example, in international business partnerships, there are Coca-Cola McDonald’s, and Ben & Jerry’s. Ben and

Jerry's is renowned for its ice cream brand. These two people made this company a partnership based on a mutual love for ice cream. These examples are the companies that gained benefits from business partnerships.

Teenagers, students, kids, and college students, take an important role in global partnerships as well. They are essential because some of the problems only teenagers can solve by them, not any other adults. To provide two specific examples, education systems worldwide are facing a crisis. A report by UNESCO says that 750 million adults cannot worldwide read and write. In addition, there are countless children without an education, and even more who are not acquiring the necessary skills for success in life. Students can contribute to raising awareness of this problem and developing educational solutions, including digital ones. Next, in the past few years, worldwide individuals have shown a growing interest in human rights. According to the Haarlem University of Applied Sciences, the treatment of refugees and the #MeToo movement have triggered a growing trend of raising voices against rights violations. Sadly, there are many cases where people or groups cannot independently defend their rights because of oppression or the weight of the situation. This is where students can contribute by helping these people and groups share their stories and expand the spread of their messages.

Not only teenagers are essential because they have roles that cannot be replaced, but they can also foster and strengthen partnerships to achieve the SDGs. For example, spreading awareness through social media. Teens can use their voices to raise awareness about SDG through social media. Their voice can make others inspired by SDGS, and bring more volunteers. Also, youth are sometimes in the middle of technological and social innovation. They use their imagination to make revolutionary tools, apps, and systems that can be used to address SDG challenges.

In conclusion, a global partnership is an organization working together in different parts of the world. It is important nowadays because it connects people from a variety of countries. Global Partnerships can also develop between countries, companies, and civic groups. And this leads SDGs to emerge. SDGS 17 aims for the partnership for sustainable development. In SDGs and global partnerships, the student's role is essential as well. Some of the problems and challenges are only teens can solve. Not only has this, SDGs also needed teen’s help. Teenagers use social media to promote SDGs and affect many other people. Thus, they use their creative thinking to see the challenges from different perspectives. Therefore they can find ideal solutions. Overall, the importance of youth will keep on increasing while the importance of SDG 17 also expands.

Works Cited

Corissajoy. “Global Partnerships and Development.” Beyond Intractability, 6 July 2016, www.beyondintractability.org/essay/partnership-and-conflict. Accessed 12 July 2024.

“Global Partnerships | Sustainable Development Goals - Resource Centre.” Sdgresources.relx.com, sdgresources.relx.com/global-partnerships. Accessed 20 July 2024.

“Home | Global Partnerships.” Global Partnerships, 2017, globalpartnerships.org/. Accessed 12 July 2024.

“How Collaboration Changed the World: 5 Famous Partnerships.” Post-It® , MMM-ext, 2022, www.postit.com/3M/en_US/post-it/ideas/articles/how-collaboration-changed-the-world-5-famous-partnerships/. Accessed 20 July 2024.

Insights, GGI. “Partnerships for the Goals: Why Alliances Matter for Sustainability.” Www.graygroupintl.com, www.graygroupintl.com/blog/partnerships-for-the-goals. Accessed 23 July 2024.

“International Partnership: Going Global: International Business Partnerships Demystified.” FasterCapital, fastercapital.com/content/International-Partnership Going-Global International-Business-PartnershipsDemystified.html. Accessed 20 July 2024.

levina. “5 Importance and Benefits of International Research Collaboration.” Universitas Multimedia Nusantara, 4 Mar. 2024, www.umn.ac.id/en/5-importance-and-benefits-of-international-researchcollaboration/. Accessed 20 July 2024.

“SDG 17 - Partnerships for the Goals.” Ec.europa.eu, ec.europa.eu/eurostat/statisticsexplained/index.php?title=SDG_17_-_Partnerships_for_the_goals. Accessed 13 July 2024.

“The Power of Partnering with Youth to Transform Education | Blog | Global Partnership for Education.” Www.globalpartnership.org, www.globalpartnership.org/blog/power-partnering-youth-transform-education. Accessed 20 July 2024.

Harang Kim, Branksome Hall Asia

Ensuring Clean Water and Sanitation: Challenges and Solutions (SDG 6)

Access to clean water and sanitation is a basic human right. However, billions of people lack these essential services. The United Nations reports that 2.2 billion people do not have safely managed drinking water services, and 4.2 billion lack safely managed sanitation services. Achieving Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6) by 2030 is crucial for health, dignity, and economic productivity. This essay explores the main challenges in ensuring clean water and sanitation, and analyzes the effectiveness and sustainability of various solutions.

Many countries face significant environmental challenges that impact their access to clean water. For example, Qatar, a desert nation without a single river, is the most water-stressed country globally. Itsrapidlygrowingpopulationfurthertaxesalreadyscarcewaterresources.Ethiopia,withitspopulation of 120 million, experiences variability in rainfall patterns and distribution. Extreme climate events, such as droughts and floods, are becoming more frequent and intense due to climate change, which degrades water quality and destroys supply systems. During dry seasons, water sources run out, forcing people to rely on unsafe water from ponds and rivers. Similarly, in regions like California, recurrent droughts and over-extraction of groundwater have led to significant water scarcity, affecting both urban and agricultural water supplies. In South Asia, the Himalayas' glacial melt due to global warming has negatively impacted long-term water availability for millions.

Sanitation infrastructure in many regions is not sufficient, or does not exist, particularly in rural and low-income urban areas, leading to serious health risks. For instance, in many parts of Sub-Saharan Africa, polluted water remains prevalent due to the lack of access to toilets, which contaminates water sources and spreads diseases like cholera. In India, despite the improvements made through the Swachh Bharat Mission, millions of people still lack access to proper sanitation facilities, such as toilets and showers, resulting in widespread groundwater contamination. Urban slums often face overcrowding, due to the insufficient proper sewage systems. These toilets often overflow, leading to the mixing of human waste with drinking water sources. Furthermore, the absence of wastewater treatment facilities in many developing countries means that uncontrolled sewage is often discarded directly into rivers and oceans, contaminating the water sources and affecting both human health and marine ecosystems.

Furthermore, ineffective government policies and lack of political will are major problems to ensure clean water and sanitation. In many countries, corruption and resource mismanagement lead to poor implementation of projects. For example, in Brazil, despite significant investments, inefficiencies and corruption have slowed progress, leaving millionswithout reliable access to clean water. In Nigeria, inconsistent policies and lack of funding have set back efforts, particularly in rural areas. In India, programs like the Swachh Bharat Mission focus more on constructing facilities rather than ensuring their sustained use and maintenance. Additionally, inparts of SouthAsiaand Africa, water management policies often fail to prioritize equitable access, leaving marginalized communities without essential

services. Political instability in countries like Yemen and Syria has decimated water infrastructure, exacerbating humanitarian crises. Effective government policies are crucial for equitable distribution of resources and fosteringinternational cooperation toaddresstransboundary watermanagement issues.

Various solutions have been implemented to address these challenges. The implemented solutions show varying degrees of effectiveness and sustainability. Hydrological monitoring systems in India have proven effective in providing data for better water management and drought mitigation. However, the scalability of such systems to other countries with different geographical and climatic conditions needs careful consideration. These systems facilitate better water resource management, helping to predict and observe the impacts of droughts and floods. By covering major rivers like the Indus and Ganga, they ensure comprehensive monitoring, which aids in making informed decisions regarding water distribution and usage. However, it requires continuous funding, maintenance, and technological upgrades. While initial implementation can be costly, the long-term benefits of preventing water related problems and enhancing resources will be a viable investment.

Purification technologies, such as separation membranes, are highly effective in providing safe drinking water.Thekey totheirsustainability liesinensuring thatallcomponentscanbelocally sourced and maintained. This approach reduces dependency on external aid and builds local capacity for managing water resources. The technologies vary in pore size, allowing for different applications: some membranes have pores large enough to let viruses pass, while others are small enough to remove salts. Additionally, the shape of the membranes can vary, with some designed in a “straw shape” for personal use in a bucket, making them adaptable for various situations and needs. This is sufficient immediate access to safe drinking water, especially in areas with limited infrastructure. Their ability to remove a wide range of contaminants ensures that the water is safe for consumption.

Education and awareness campaigns have been successful in highlighting the importance of clean water and sanitation, but their impact depends on continuous efforts and funding. Global events like World Water Day and World Toilet Day play a crucial role in keeping the issues public. World Water day, held since March 22 1993, celebrates water and raises awareness of the 2.2 billion people living without access to safe water. World Toilet Day is celebrated on November 19 annually to highlight the importance of sanitation in public health, the environment, and human dignity. It aims to address the sanitation challenges that many people around the world face, including the lack of access to toilets, which can lead to serious health problems.

In conclusion, environmental issues, inadequate infrastructure, and ineffective policies are major obstacles in achieving SDG 6. However, solutions such as hydrological monitoring systems, purification technologies, and education campaigns are on the rise, and though varying in effectiveness and sustainability, offer valuable strategies for overcoming these barriers. Continued investment, international cooperation, and community involvement are essential to ensure access to clean water and sanitation for all.

Reducing inequalities: Examining policies and their impacts (SDG

10)

Today, the majority of the world’s population lives in developed countries. However, extreme wealth also coexists with extreme poverty, and it can be said that the world is vastly unequal. In fact, most people think that they are living in a developed country because their quality of life has improved so much compared to the past. According to the World Inequality Database, the average national wealth (income) per adult is $525,984 in the USA. However, in developing countries like South Africa, the average income per adult is $105,031. These statistics emphasize the reality of inequality among countries, and how urgent the situation is. Since this gap is widening, this problem affects human rights and justice by limiting opportunities of access to basic services such as healthcare, education, and selfsanitation. If inequality continues at this rate, it will not only affect individuals, but countries as a whole will suffer. To address this problem wisely, it is crucial to take a look at the current situation and examine the policies that have been implemented to solve this problem.

The World Inequality Report 2022 highlights that the richest 1% of the global population owns more than 50% of the world's wealth. This statistic clearly underscores the growing income disparity worldwide. While some countries have experienced significant economic growth, the benefits of this growth have not been evenly distributed. In many cases, the wealthiest individuals and corporations have received the majority of the rewards, leaving the poorer class struggling to make ends meet. To solve these issues, many policies and solutions are being tested. One of the most successful policies that has been implemented focuses on taxation. Most countries the way of tax relief, where sometimes poor people are from paying taxes because taxes are paid depending on the amount of the income people receive. This policy is common world wide, and can be one of the successful ways to solve income inequalities.

Another problem that is caused by the inequalities in the world can be about education inequalities. This issue becomes a crucial topic, since the quality of education has become more polarized than ever before. Asian countries are great examples for this. Compared to other European and American countries, the graduation rate of Asian students is about 92.6 percent, whereas according to the California School Boards Association (CSBA), the average rate for the US is 49 percent. It is not common and culturally mandatory for American and European students to go to the university. On the other hand, Asian countries such as China, Japan, and Korea, have a culture and belief that students have to go to the university to live a wealthy life. This culture-like culture also results in emphasizing the income disparity since university expenses are considerably high. Students seek help outside of school as private tutoring and academies have become common nowadays. This almost destroys convictions related to income and education equality.

Even in a country that values education so highly, there has to be an income gap in every single country. As already mentioned, this income gap between families in Asian countries results in an educational gap, since private education for each student requires a large amount of money for each child. In Korea, there are statistics that have proven that parental education gaps are passed on to their children. The lower the parents' education level, the lower the household income and the less money they can spend on their children's education, leading to an educational gap. According to the recent Korean news, counselor Kim, says "We need to break the vicious cycle in which the education gap

between parents and children leads to income disparities, and income disparities lead to disparities in private education expenses for children,". He also added that the French prioritized education policy should be followed and introduced in Korea, which is a system that prioritizes the expansion of the oneclassroom, two-teacher system, class size reduction, preschool enrollment support, and teacher salary expansion in schools in areas with severe educational disparities. through personal care, with no academies outside of school, home educational costs can be reduced and solved. As this policy has just started in Korea, many people are excited with a good impact to come.

The last major global inequality can be observed in the area of healthcare. It is essential for every single human being to have the right to social services and a high standard of living. However, since medical services and even the prices of water are rising, some people do not even have the access to medical services even when they are in urgent medical situations. It is often considered that sanitation is essential to eradicate fatal bacterias that may make a person ill. Thus the governments often make public showers and saunas open even in a pandemic situation. For example, in South Korea during COVID-19, almost every restaurant and shops had to close to avoid more spread of the disease, however, public showers or facilities to maintain public sanitation were mandated to stay open, since there were people who did not have access to these facilities, because of their poor profit of money.

In conclusion, the current situation globally is becoming larger and the gap between income, enducational, and medical services is expanding. Like mentioned earlier, these irony situations will close this gap around the world if these effective remedies apply well where they are needed.

Kang, Yongin Seongseo Middle School

Breaking the Cycle: Effective Solutions for Eradicating

Poverty remains the most pressing challenge of our time. According to the United Nations, over 700 million people still suffer from poverty. Here are some effective solutions that can significantly contribute to its eradication: improving healthcare accessibility, expanding educational opportunities, and providing food and water.

First, improving healthcare for everyone is important, especially for people who have little money. Many people in poor communities get sick from diseases that could be prevented if they had better access to doctors and medicine. Since COVID-19 started, things have gotten worse because many people lost their jobs and businesses. This made more people poor and unable to afford healthcare. One way to help is to give free checkups to people in poor areas. These regular checkups can find problems early before they get worse and cost a lot to treat. It's even more important for kids and teens because they're growing, and health problems can affect them a lot. By giving them checkups and treating any issues early, we can help them stay healthy and strong. Making healthcare more available would also lowerthecostofmedicalcareforpoorfamilies.It'snotjustaboutgettingmedicalhelp;it'saboutmaking sure everyone has the right to be healthy, no matter how much money they have. When healthcare is easier to get, it makes our whole community healthier and lets everyone have a better life.

When healthcare is easier to get, it helps everyone in the community. Healthy people can work better and take care of their families. They don't have to worry as much about getting sick or not being able to afford medicine. This means they can focus more on their jobs and make their lives better. Also, when kids and teens get regular checkups and stay healthy, they can do better in school. They can learn more and have a better chance at a goodfuture. Healthy kids can play and grow without health problems holding them back. Giving free checkups to people in poor areas is a good start, but we also need to make sure there are enough doctors and medicine for everyone who needs it. Governments and charities can work together to build more clinics and hospitals in these areas. They can also help train more doctors and nurses so that there are enough healthcare providers to take care of everyone.

Second, giving more chances for education is a strong way to fight poverty and help communities grow in the long run. Education is really important because it helps people break out of poverty and have better lives. When there are more chances for education, it means more people can learn the skills and knowledge they need to get good jobs and build successful careers. Things like scholarships for students from poor families, free or cheap job training, and online classes are all important ways to make education available to everyone, no matter how much money they have. Scholarships help pay for college for students who couldn't afford it otherwise. Job training gives practical skills that can help

Heerim

people get jobs in different careers. Online classes are good because they let people learn from anywhere, even if they live far from schools. When more people can get an education, they can have better jobs and make more money. This helps make communities stronger and more equal. Also, people who get an education are more likely to want to learn more, which helps future generations too. So, giving more chances for education isn't just about helping right away. It's about making communities better and giving everyone a chance to have a good life.

Third, making sure people have enough food and clean water is really important for fighting poverty and helping poor people live better lives. Hunger and not having enough to eat are big problems for poor people, but we can help by giving them food through programs like food banks and community meals. These programs give regular, healthy meals to people who need them. We can also help poor neighborhoods grow their food through community gardens and farms in cities. This makes sure they have food that's good for them and helps them feel more in control of their lives. Having clean water is also really important for staying healthy. Many poor areas don't have safe drinking water, which makes people sick with diseases spread through water. We can fix this by building things like wells and water purifiers and making sure bathrooms are clean. This helps keep people healthy and gives them what they need for their daily lives. Groups like Water.org and other international organizations work on these problems to help poor people get the things they need to live better lives. By giving food and water, we help right away and make sure poor communities can get stronger in the future. These things are really important for making sure everyone has what they need to live a good life and fight against poverty.

In conclusion, tackling poverty requires a comprehensive approach that includes better healthcare, education, and access to food and clean water. Improving healthcare helps people stay healthy and reduceshowmuchmoneytheyspendonmedicalcare,sotheycancontributemoretotheircommunities. Giving moreopportunities for education helps people learn skills for better jobs and makes the economy stronger, which reduces how much money people have to live on. Making sure everyone has good food and clean water helps with hunger and sickness, so people can be healthier and feel better. These plans don't just help right away. They also help communities grow and get stronger in the future. By giving free checkups, scholarships, job training, and fixing water systems, we make places where people can do well. It's really important that everyone, no matter how much money they have, can get what they need. These plans help stop poverty from keeping people down. They help people be healthier and do better in their lives. When we do all these things together, we make our society fairer and help everyone have a good life.

Ensuring Clean Water and Sanitation for Every Community

Getting clean water and sanitation is essential to every single people around the world. When I lived in India, I had a chance to look around an area where water was not readily available during my school’s social study class. I got to know how serious the situation was. I interviewed those people who couldn’t receive enough of the clean water. They said that they receive 2 liters of water a week from the water trunk and those waters are not even clean. Some people had diseases and many of them died from unsanitary water. From this, I strongly think that ensuring clean water and sanitation is what we need to support them. It is necessary to solve the problem quickly because receiving clean and managed waterissomethingthathumansneedessentially. Herearesomeofthestrategies thatcanfix anddevelop these problems.

First, all of us need to receive clean water. However, the UN reports that inadequate water, sanitation, and hygiene (Wash) services result in an estimated 432, diarrheal deaths annually. Perhaps these problems are caused by unsanitary and mismanaged water. Water touches our bodies indirectly, so we have to take care of hygiene thoroughly. When drinking unsanitary water, hygiene is always the most important because it negatively affects our body from various diseases such as vomiting, diarrhea, and enteritis. Later on, as these bad diseases spread, the situation is likely to get worse than before. Therefore It would be helpful if water filtration systems were set in places in areas with such problems. The water filtration system can help to remove contaminants and ensure water quality. In addition, These plants have special filters and chemicals that remove harmful things from the water, like germs and chemicals. This makes sure that when water goes back into nature, it's safe for animals and people to use. Without sewage treatment plants, dirty water could spread diseases and harm the environment. It is also important for young children to have well-managed clean water, so the more thorough the system will be the more likely it to be. If these systems are widely implemented around the world, we could see a gradual decrease in the number of people suffering from the water. People can find it easier to get clean water. Overall, waterfiltration systems are critical in ensuring safe, clean, and reliable water access, contributing to public health, environmental sustainability, and economic efficiency.

Second, it will be helpful to set up the sewage treatment plant. Unsanitary environments and water however come from unclean environments. This pollutes the water that comes to us and gives such a situation as people dying from diseases by unsanitary water. This situation happens annually and one of the strategies that can figure out these kinds of situations is to set up a sewage treatment plant. When people throw out garbage such as polluted things anywhere, it will of course affect the water. The sewage treatment plant will help to build and maintain efficient sewage treatment facilities to process waste and prevent pollution. It will lessen the pollution of the water. To know more about sewage treatment plants, it is also known as wastewater treatment plants. They are facilities and are normally designed to clean and treat wastewater from households, industries, and businesses before releasing it back into the environment. The primary goal of these plants is to remove contaminants, preserve the natural water bodies, and protect public health. Without sewage treatment plants, dirty water could spread diseases and harm the environment. So, setting up sewage treatment plants is not just about cleaning water. It's about protecting our environment, keeping us healthy, and making sure we have safe water to use every day.

Third, building charities that can support people who suffer from water can be the way to ensure clean water and sanitation. Some companies and charities support water for such people. Water.org is one of them.We can donate waterby paying money from the water.org website. Theseare simply called clean water donation charities. Water donation charities play an important role in trying to solve water

access problems around the world. These organizations provide moisture to beneficiaries in the community and globally in various forms and have several advantages. It plays a life-saving role in communities and develops countries suffering from water shortages. They contribute to disease prevention and health promotion by providing safe and clean water. In addition, they promote sustainable water resource management and protection. Clean and safe water supply can have a positive impact on agricultural productivity improvement, living environment improvement, and ecosystem protection. It also contributes to promoting cooperation and solidarity in the international community. Through global networks, we can share knowledge and experience in solving water problems, and contribute to finding collaborative and sustainable solutions. Water donation charities play an important role. It will surely help to ensure clean water and sanitation from these charities. By supporting water charities, we're not just helping people get clean water. We're also working together with others around the world to solve water problems for good. It's about caring for each other and making sure everyone has what they need to live a good life.

Tosumup,Ensuringcleanwaterandsanitationisreallyimportantbecauseit’ssomethingeveryone should have. I saw how not having clean water affected people's lives when I was in India. It made me realize we urgently need solutions to help these communities.

Using water filters is crucial. They clean the water by removing bad stuff, which keeps us healthy and protects our environment. Building sewage treatment plants is also important. They clean up dirty water before it goes back into nature, which helps keep everyone safe and healthy. Charities that give clean water are a big help too. Organizations like Water.org do amazing work to give people clean water. They save lives, make living conditions better, and teach us how to take care of water for the future. By supporting these ideas and organizations, we can make sure everyone has clean water. It's not just about staying healthy; it's about making our communities stronger and our planet healthier.

Analyzing Effective Strategies for SDG 1: No Poverty

The first Sustainable Development Goal No Poverty aims to exterminate poverty in all its forms and dimensions, for it being the greatest global challenge and an indispensable requirement. Poverty eradication remains one of the greatest challenges facing humanity, despite notable progress in recent years. Poverty is a condition where individuals or groups face significant limitations in accessing basic needs such as health, education, and essential services like nutrition and sanitation ("Ending Poverty"). In 2023, nearly 700 million people approximately 9% of the global population were subsisting on less than $2.15 a day ("Global poverty"). To combat this pervasive issue, the United Nations and many other major international organizations have implemented various socio-economic strategies aimed at poverty reduction. This essay will explore and analyze some of the most effective strategies designed to address the extreme challenges of poverty and its significance in resolving SDG 1.

Initially, many countries have created a policy called ‘Conditional Cash Transfer Program (CCTs),’ which aims to reduce poverty by making welfare programs conditional upon the receivers' actions. The CCT showed immediate results by showing reduction in poverty from different countries (Fiszbein et al.). For example, Bolsa Famila is a model created under CCT, which provides financial assistance to low-income Brazilian families, making sure that their children receive regular education and get vaccinated regularly. This program was supported by both the World Bank and the Brazilian government allowing rapid reduction of poverty in Brazil, showing results up to 16% of Brazil’s extreme poverty ("Bolsa Família"). The promising result demonstrates the potential to break the cycle of poverty by addressing immediate financial needs while promoting long-term benefits in health and education. Another example is the Prospera, which is also a CCT model that significantly helped reduce poverty and improve health and education outcomes for Mexican low-income families. The main goal of the Prospera was to give out money to low-income families to send their children to school, promoting beneficiaries’ access to higher education and increasing employment in the future. It also facilitated access to financial services, thereby ensuring increased social inclusion of the country’s poorest citizens. Studies revealed how the Prospera demonstrated a positive impact on school enrolment rates and education levels, significant improvements in nutritional status, and better health prevention, hence becoming the key aspect in reducing poverty in rural areas ("A Model"). This result underscores the effectiveness of CCT in general in creating long-term positive outcomes by addressing both the immediate financial needs and the foundational determinants of poverty, such as education and health. Also illustrating how the CCT has an extremely targeted goal and how conditional support can foster sustainable development and contribute to achieving SDG 1.

Another significant strategy that showed effective results in reducing poverty was the aid received from diverse international aid programs. One of the largest sources of assistance for low-income countries is the International Development Association (IDA) created by the World Bank. The IDA provides low-interest loans and grants to the world's poorest countries for projects and programs that aids economic growth, reduce inequalities, and improve living conditions. For example, IDA's support

for Ethiopia’s ‘Productive Safety Net Program’ has helped millions of Ethiopians with food security and income support. From the IDA’s help, thirty six countries have graduated from their help and transitioned as IDA donors, including China, Chile, India, South Korea, and Turkey ("What is IDA?"). This suggests that international aid, when effectively utilized, not only addresses immediate needs but also fosters long-term development, contributing to the reduction of poverty. Likewise, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is another international program that aids exterminating poverty.ThemaingoalofUNDPistoprovidetheknowledgeandtoolspeopleneedtocreatesustainable livelihoods ("About us"). For example, the National Area-Based Development Programme (NABDP) in Afghanistan has been essential in improving rural infrastructure and vocational purposes. The construction of roads, bridges, irrigation systems, and schools, which are necessary for developing areas, have been implemented. In addition, the program has carried out a number of initiatives aimed at vocational opportunities, such as training programs in agriculture, carpentry, and other vocational skills (Timory). In addition to providing people with employment, these programs have given them the skills they need to build long-term careers, illustrating how foreign assistance can result in long-term economic expansion and the decrease of poverty. Correspondingly, another effective program that significantly reduced poverty is the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC). The MCC is a corporation that provides time-limited grants promoting economic growth, reducing poverty, and strengthening institutions. They provide large-scale donations to countries that meet a certain criteria for support in governance and economic freedom ("About MCC"). For example, the compact with Ghana focused on transformative investments in agriculture and infrastructure, significantly boosting productivity and reducing poverty. It allowed Ghana to develop its agriculture by training farmers and providing materials, and improving its infrastructure by enhancing connectivity between rural areas and urban markets and expanding the power supply infrastructure to ensure reliable electricity access, showcasing how targeted investments can drive sustainable development and alleviate poverty ("Closed Compact"). The integration of these international aid programs suggests that an approach to aid can lead to substantial reductions in poverty and promote sustainable economic growth.

Followingthis,through thehelp ofsocialenterprises,countriesallovertheworldareabletoreduce their poverty rate. For example, one of the largest NGOs, the Bangladesh Rural Advancement Committee (BRAC), utilizes a social enterprise model to create programs that provide education, healthcare, and economic opportunities to millions in Bangladesh, hence helping to eradicate poverty ("Who We Are"). They operate many programs related to education, healthcare, microfinance, agriculture, and social development. They provide small loans to the poor, particularly women, which enables them to start or expand small businesses, fostering economic independence and growth. They also operate thousands of schools, delivering quality education to children in remote areas, thereby enhancing their future prospects. Additionally, BRAC's healthcare programs offer essential services, including maternal care and tuberculosis treatment, significantly improving health outcomes in poor communities ("Ultra-Poor Graduation") ("Integrated Development"). These combined efforts contribute to changing millions of lives by helping them out of poverty and promoting sustainable development. Studies have shown that 95% of people that received help from the BRAC graduated out of extreme poverty, showing effective results ("Ultra-Poor Graduation"). Similarly, the Grameen Bank, another social enterprise, provides microloans to poor individuals in rural areas in Bangladesh without requiring collateral. They offer small loans, helping individuals to start businesses, hence allowing them to increase their income and break out of poverty. Their help lead to significant empowerment, improvement in living standards, and gain independence in finance ("About Grameen"). These social enterprises and many other social enterprises help alleviate poverty and empower the marginalized poor all over the world as well as illustrating how targeted interventions and innovative financial models can effectively reduce poverty and promote sustainable development.

Lastly, the Public Works Programmes, a subset of social protection programmes, aims to decrease unemployment and stimulate the economy to pull the country out of the Great Depression ("Public Works"). They provide income transfers to the poor through employment and are often designed to smooth income particularly during tough periods of the year and they often build infrastructure, such as rural roads, irrigation, water harvest facilities, tree plantation, school and health clinic facilities. These programmes have enhanced the incomes of participants, while maintaining, improving or creating valuable infrastructure. For instance, a study of the most famous scheme, the Maharashtra Employment Guarantee Scheme in India, found that participants earned four times their forgone income. However, few of the programmes provide sustainable employment opportunities. They often treat unemployment as a transient problem and are merely effective for the short term, following an emergency or an economic shock, but rarely stimulate job creation in the private sector or offer longterm solutions to unemployment or underemployment ("Chapter VIII").

In conclusion, the effectiveness of the strategies analyzed lies in their ability to address both immediate needs and long-term development goals. The strategies, such as social enterprises, economic models,andinternationalaidprograms,havebeenpivotalinimprovinghealth,education,andeconomic outcomes, thereby allowing individuals to break the cycle of poverty. Social enterprises have successfully empowered marginalized communities by providing essential services and fostering economic independence, particularly for women. International aid programs have shown that strategic investments in infrastructure, education, and job creation can lead to sustainable development and selfsufficiency. The substantial funding and comprehensive support mechanisms underpinning these strategies have been crucial in making significant progress toward eradicating poverty. Collectively, these efforts illustrate the importance of a multifaceted and well-funded approach in achieving Sustainable Development Goal 1, No Poverty.

Works Cited

"About Grameen Bank." Grameen Bank, grameenbank.org.bd/about/introduction. Accessed 14 July 2024. "About MCC." Millennium Challenge Corporation, www.mcc.gov/about/. Accessed 14 July 2024.

"About us." United Nations Development Programme, www.undp.org/about-us. Accessed 14 July 2024. "Bolsa Família in Brazil." Centre for Public Impact, 2 Sept. 2019, www.centreforpublicimpact.org/casestudy/bolsa-familia-in-brazil. Accessed 14 July 2024.

"Chapter VIII - Poverty Reduction Programmes." United Nations, www.un.org/esa/socdev/rwss/docs/2010/chapter8.pdf. Accessed 14 July 2024.

"Closed Compact Report: Ghana Compact." Millennium Challenge Corporation, 16 Feb. 2012, assets.mcc.gov/content/uploads/report-ghana-closed-compact.pdf. Accessed 14 July 2024.

"Ending Poverty." United Nations, www.un.org/en/global-issues/ending-poverty. Accessed 13 July 2024.

"End poverty in all its forms everywhere." United Nations, sdgs.un.org/goals/goal1. Accessed 13 July 2024.

Fiszbein, Ariel, et al. "Conditional cash transfers : reducing present and future poverty." World Bank, 9 Feb. 2009, documents.worldbank.org/en/publication/documents-

reports/documentdetail/914561468314712643/conditional-cash-transfers-reducing-present-and-future-poverty. Accessed 14 July 2024.

"Global poverty: Facts, FAQs, and how to help." World Vision, www.worldvision.org/sponsorship-newsstories/global-povertyfacts#:~:text=The%20World%20Bank%20reports%20that,%2C%20reaching%2040%25%20in%202022. Accessed 14 July 2024.

"Integrated Development." Bangladesh Rural Advancement Committee, www.brac.net/program/integrateddevelopment/. Accessed 14 July 2024.

"A Model from Mexico for the World." World Bank, 19 Nov. 2014, www.worldbank.org/en/news/feature/2014/11/19/un-modelo-de-mexico-para-el-mundo. Accessed 14 July 2024. "Poverty Eradication." United Nations, sdgs.un.org/topics/poverty-eradication. Accessed 13 July 2024.

"Public Works Programmes." Social Protection, socialprotection.org/learn/glossary/public-works-programmes. Accessed 14 July 2024.

Timory, Shoaib. "National Area-Based Development Programme." United Nations Development Programme, www.undp.org/sites/g/files/zskgke326/files/migration/af/NABDP-1QPR-2015.pdf. Accessed 14 July 2024.

"Ultra-Poor Graduation." Bangladesh Rural Advancement Committee, www.brac.net/program/ultra-poorgraduation/. Accessed 14 July 2024.

"What is IDA?" World Bank, ida.worldbank.org/en/about. Accessed 14 July 2024.

"Who We Are." Bangladesh Rural Advancement Committee, www.brac.net/who-we-are. Accessed 14 July 2024.

Ensuring Clean Water and Sanitation: Challenges and Solutions for

SDG 6

Access to clean water and sanitation is universally acknowledged as essential for the health and prosperity of people and the planet. Despite this, approximately 2.2 billion people worldwide lack access to safely managed drinking water services, and 4.2 billion do not have adequate sanitation facilities ("Ensure availability"). The absence of these basic services not only compromises health and dignity but also restricts economic opportunities for millions. As highlighted by the United Nations' 6th Sustainable Development Goal Clean Water and Sanitation there is a compelling mandate to provide both universal access to these resources and ensure the sustainability and quality for survival. This goal emphasizes the critical need to protect and restore vital water resources, which is indispensable for maintaining water purity and meeting quality standards ("GOAL 6: Clean"). This essay will examine the various challenges faced in accessing clean water and sanitation globally, and the strategies implemented to overcome the challenges.

As the global population grows, water resources have been a finite resource in growing demand. Arid regions with high population densities and inadequate infrastructure, such as those in the Middle East and North Africa, face physical shortage of water, a relative concept referred to as water scarcity (Kuzma et al.). In countries like Iraq, the lack of well-developed water monitoring systems prevents integrated water resource management, which is crucial for balancing the needs of communities and the wider economy ("Inadequate and inequitable"). This scarcity also disproportionately affects poor and marginalized communities, especially affecting women and girls who are tasked with water collection. This laborious task heightens the incidence of waterborne diseases, thereby exacerbating health vulnerabilities, particularly in maternal health, and increasing the risk of infections during childbirth ("Water Scarcity"). Furthermore, the effects of climate change are leading to less predictable water availability. The diminishing levels of terrestrial water storage water held in soil, snow, and ice exacerbate this unpredictability, leading to further reductions in water resources and escalating water scarcity. ("Water Scarcity"). Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) is a strategy designed to address water scarcity by coordinating the management of available water resources. Indeed, IWRM incorporates all stakeholders in decision-making to ensure the equal distribution of water resources. As a result, it combines land use and water management, and uses adaptive management to handle environmental unpredictability and uncertainties related to climate change. IWRM also relies on strong legal and institutional frameworks to enforce water laws, implement conservation technologies,and fundinfrastructure, thereby playing acrucialroleinensuring sustainable water use for future generations ("Integrated water"). Additionally, technological innovations have also been employed to overcome water scarcity. One of the most used methods for obtaining fresh water is desalination, which involves using reverse osmosis to convert saltwater into drinking water. It purifies seawater for it to be safe for use in agriculture and human consumption by removing salt and other impurities. Moreover, desalination provides an adequate replacement that is unaffected by droughts or seasonal variations, which helps stabilize water supplies in areas that rely on climate-sensitive water sources. Despite its higher energy requirements and environmental considerations like brine disposal, desalination remains a crucial strategy for regions facing severe water deficits, enabling economic growth, supporting sustainable agriculture, and improving living standards by ensuring a reliable water supply ("Desalination").

Subsequently, inadequate infrastructure due to economic constraints significantly impacts lack of clean water and sanitation, particularly in developing regions such as Sub-Saharan Africa, Middle East, and South Asia. These areas often suffer from outdated or nonexistent water and sanitation systems, leading to frequent breakdowns, water contamination, and inefficient water. For instance, in rural India, many communities rely on aging infrastructure that cannot support the growing population, resulting in frequent water shortages and health hazards from untreated wastewater. Another example is Somalia, where only 52% of the Somalian population have access to basic water supply, indicating how insufficient regulation of private water suppliers leads to expensive costs, making families collect water from distant and unsanitary wells ("Water, sanitation"). Moreover, economic limitations exacerbate this issue by restricting necessary investments in upgrading infrastructure, hence affecting adoption of modern technologies and systems capable of meeting increasing water demands and health standards. This causes severe public health risks, as inadequate sanitation facilities lead to the contamination of watersupplies.Theeconomicproductivityoftheseregionsisalsoaffected.Forexample,insub-Saharan African communities, inadequate water supply limits agricultural and industrial activities, while the burden of water collection often falls on women and children, reducing their opportunities for education and economic participation. Many regions that suffer from inadequate infrastructure are economically disadvantaged, struggling to fund necessary infrastructure without external aid. Due to this, acquiring economic help internationally or from institutions are the key strategies to develop the infrastructure. For instance, Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) are agreements between the public and private sectors, aiming to provide services that the public sector is required to do. PPPs provide funding for the development, construction, and management of infrastructure related to clean water and sanitation. A key model is the Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT). BOT attracts private financing with risk mitigation tools, focusing on new builds, thus avoiding challenges with existing public workforces, which is common in desalination and wastewater treatment, especially in emerging markets like the Middle East, China, Mexico, and Brazil (Delmon). Another key model is the Performance-Based Contracts (PBC). PBC are effective for managing non-revenue water, leakage, and connectivity improvements. Payments are tied to achieving specific outputs, as evidenced by significant success in places like Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. These contracts often involve knowledge transfer and capacity building, enabling public utilities to benefit from private sector expertise without ceding control of daily management (Delmon). Furthermore, governments frequently receive economic support from development agencies, international organizations, and foreign governments. For instance, the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank often provide grants and low-interest loans to countries for water and sanitation projects ("World Bank"). Organizations like USAID and UNICEF also offer technical assistance and funding to improve water infrastructure. This aid is crucial for countries like Ethiopia, which has benefited from international support to expand its watersupply and sanitation services, and India, where large-scale water projects have been funded by both the government and international partners to improve access in rural and urban areas ("For every").

Another key challenge people face is the lack of access to sanitation facilities. Particularly found in developing countries and rural areas, lack of proper sanitation significantly affects health and the environment (Hammer). For instance, in West and Central Africa, open defecation is still being used due to the limited number of toilets and showering facilities. This contaminates water sources and the environment, spreading diseases, which are major causes of illness and death in the area ("Ending Open"). In addition, the slum areas located in Brazil lack proper sewage systems, leading to the discharge of waste into nearby rivers and streams. This affects the communal bathing areas which are often poorly maintained, which tend to increase contamination in the area (Hosek).. To address these challenges, providing financial aid to governments for creating and maintaining sanitation facilities in underdeveloped areas is crucial. Nevertheless, implementing comprehensive strategies tailored to that

specific region are essential for overcoming sanitation issues in rural and slum areas. For example, rainwater harvesting systems is a strategy implemented in India, specifically Rajasthan. By collecting and storing water, it is filtered to be used for domestic purposes including showering, cooking, and cleaning. This system is driven both by government policies and the local community, to address water scarcity and reduce dependence on groundwater ("'Khadin' system"). Another strategy employed in the composting toilets. Composting toilets have been adopted in several rural communities in South Africa, which are facing severe water scarcity. By decomposing human waste without the need for water flushing, these toilets significantly reduce water usage a critical advantage in drought-prone areas. Furthermore, the resultant compost is often used to enhance soil fertility, benefiting agricultural practices and reducing the need for chemical fertilizers. These strategies don't effectively solve problems related with sewage systems, but they help mitigate water scarcity and support hygiene by storing water for domestic uses, enhancing public health and environmental sustainability in areas lacking traditional infrastructure ("Water Efficiency").

In conclusion, the array of strategies implemented to provide clean water and sanitation globally hasprovencriticalinadvancingglobalaccesstocleanwaterandsanitation,reflectingaprofoundimpact on sustainable development. The integrated approaches from the help of NGOs and foreign countries to the adoption of technologies such as desalination and rainwater harvesting have demonstrated their essential roles in providing solutions suited to the specific challenges of different regions. Moreover, the strategies have made significant progress towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goal 6 Clean Water and Sanitation. These efforts are essential in improving public health and environmental conditions, and in laying the groundwork for enduring economic stability and quality of life improvements across the globe.

Works Cited

Delmon, Victoria Rigby. "5 Trends in Public-Private Partnerships in Water Supply and Sanitation." World Bank, ppp.worldbank.org/public-private-partnership/5-trends-public-private-partnerships-water-supply-andsanitation. Accessed 17 July 2024.

"Desalination." Iberdrola, www.iberdrola.com/innovation/desalination#:~:text=Desalination%20is%20the%20process%20by,human%20 consumption%20or%20agricultural%20purposes. Accessed 17 July 2024.

"Ending Open Defecation." Unicef, www.unicef.org/wca/ending-open-defecation. Accessed 17 July 2024.

"Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all." United Nations, sdgs.un.org/goals/goal6#:~:text=None%20of%20the%20SDG%206,access%20to%20safely%20managed%20s anitation. Accessed 17 July 2024.

"For every child, clean water!" Unicef, www.unicef.org/ethiopia/every-child-clean-water. Accessed 17 July 2024.

"GOAL 6: Clean water and sanitation." UN Environment Programme, www.unep.org/exploretopics/sustainable-development-goals/why-do-sustainable-development-goals-matter/goal6#:~:text=Sustainable%20Development%20Goal%206%20goes,of%20people%20and%20the%20planet. Accessed 17 July 2024.

Hammer, Becky. "For Clean Water, We Need to Invest in Infrastructure." NRDC, www.nrdc.org/bio/beckyhammer/clean-water-we-need-investinfrastructure#:~:text=Water%20infrastructure%20directly%20affects%20our,that%20can%20make%20peopl e%20sick. Accessed 17 July 2024.

Hosek, Emily. "The Troubling State of Sanitation in Rio." Rio On Watch, rioonwatch.org/?p=10892. Accessed 17 July 2024.

"Inadequate and inequitable: water scarcity and displacement in Iraq." Norwegian Refugee Council, 26 Nov. 2023, www.nrc.no/resources/reports/inadequate-and-inequitable-water-scarcity-and-displacement-in-iraq/. Accessed 17 July 2024.

"Integrated water resources management." UN Environment Programme, www.unep.org/topics/freshwater/water-resources-management/integrated-water-resources-management. Accessed 17 July 2024.

"Khadin system of rainwater harvesting practised in Rajasthan." BYJU's, byjus.com/question-answer/describebriefly-the-khadin-system-of-rainwater-harvesting-practised-in-rajasthan/. Accessed 17 July 2024.

Kuzma, Samantha, et al. "25 Countries, Housing One-quarter of the Population, Face Extremely High Water Stress." World Resources Institute, 16 Aug. 2023, www.wri.org/insights/highest-water-stressed-countries. Accessed 17 July 2024.

"Water Efficiency Technology Fact Sheet Composting Toilets." U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, www3.epa.gov/npdes/pubs/comp.pdf. Accessed 17 July 2024.

"Water, sanitation and hygiene." Unicef, www.unicef.org/somalia/water-sanitation-andhygiene#:~:text=Only%2052%20percent%20of%20the,and%20from%20unsafe%20open%20wells. Accessed 17 July 2024.

"Water Scarcity." UN Water, www.unwater.org/water-facts/water-scarcity. Accessed 17 July 2024.

"World Bank to Provide US$250 Million for Water and Sanitation Services Modernization Program in the Dominican Republic." World Bank, www.worldbank.org/en/news/press-release/2023/03/24/banco-mundialaportara-250-millones-dolares-programa-modernizacion-servicios-de-agua-saneamiento-republicadominicana. Accessed 17 July 2024.

Hyesoo Yoo, Branksome Hall Asia

Three Ways to Eradicate Global Poverty

Poverty hasbeenaproblem thathumans wereunabletosolvefordecades.Eventhough technology and other features have developed in current society, there are still 712 million people who live on less than 2.15 dollars a day. According to the World Bank this is the rate of having 1 in 11 people globally suffering from poverty. This high rate of poverty is making people live in pain, not being able to afford proper food for a day. There are several ways to eradicate this poverty problem which are providing social protection programs, having higher employment and economic growth rates, and giving more education and health care.

Comprehensive socialsafety nets,including cashtransfers,food aidand healthcaresubsidies, have proven effective in reducing poverty rates, with official statistics highlighting their success. their merit. For example, Brazil's Bolsa Família program, a conditional cash transfer initiative launched in 2003, targets low-income families and provides financial support conditional on schooling and medical examination. health. According to the World Bank, Bolsa Família reached about 13.8 million families in 2020, representing about 20% of Brazil's population, and contributed significantly to reducing the poverty rate from 22% in 2003 to about 8% in 2019. The program's focus on education and health delivers long-term benefits, with government data showing school attendance rates among beneficiary children exceeding 95% and vaccination rates significantly high. These improvements are critical to breaking the cycle of intergenerational poverty, equipping children with the skills and opportunities they need for future economic participation and social mobility. Similarly, Mexico's Prospera program (formerly Oportunidades) provided conditional cash transfers to more than 6 million families in 2017, improving health and education outcomes, while significantly reducing extreme poverty, as evidenced by reduced child labor and increased school enrollment. Globally, social protection programs have a significant impact on reducing poverty and inequality. The International Labor Organization (ILO) reports that cash transfers alone leave 36% of the world's population in extreme poverty. These findings highlight the important role of comprehensive social safety nets in fostering economic resilience and promoting inclusive development by addressing immediate needs and investing in capital. people, thereby paving the way for sustainable poverty reduction.

Sustained economicgrowthremainskey to poverty reduction, withpoliciespromoting job creation in sectors with high inclusive growth potential significantly uplifting marginalized communities. Investment in infrastructure, agriculture and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) is especially effective, creating job opportunities and improving productivity to help people escape poverty. According to the International Labor Organization (ILO), global unemployment stood at 188 million in 2019, highlighting the need for employment-focused growth strategies. For example, investing in infrastructure not only creates immediate jobs in the construction sector but also boosts long-term economic activity by improving transport and connectivity. In agriculture, initiatives to increase productivity and market access can directly benefit rural people, who make up a significant proportion of the world's poor. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) reports that agricultural development is two to four times more effective in raising the incomes of the poorest than other sectors.

Small and medium-sized enterprises, often considered the backbone of the economy, are essential for job creation and innovation. The World Bank emphasizes that SMEs represent about 90% of businesses andmorethan50%ofemploymentworldwide.TargetedsupportforSMEs,especiallyintermsofaccess to finance, technology and markets, can significantly enhance their ability to create jobs and contribute to economic growth there. For example, in India, government programs such as Make in India and Startup India have fostered an environment conducive to the growth of small and medium enterprises, leading to increased employment and diversification of the economy. economy. In addition, employment policies that focus on skills development and vocational training are essential. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) emphasizes that equipping the workforce with the right skills will ensure that economic growth is inclusive and broad-based. Overall, sustainable economic growth through strategic investment and supportive policies can effectively reduce poverty by creating jobs and fostering an environment in which disadvantaged communities can thrive.

Investing in human capital through accessible education and health services is essential as this equips individuals with the skills needed to gain sustainable employment and ensure that they remain effective contributors to society. Education provides the foundation for personal and professional development, helping individuals escape the cycle of poverty. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) highlights that each additional year of schooling can increase a person's income by up to 10%, demonstrating the significant economic benefits of education. Universal health care is equally important because it ensures people can maintain their health and productivity without the burden of increasingly debilitating medical costs. Countries like Finland and Sweden, which prioritize universal education and healthcare, have lower poverty rates and higher social mobility. According to the World Bank, the poverty rate in Finland is among the lowest in the world, at only 6.8% in 2019, especially thanks to comprehensive social protection policies. In Sweden, the combination of free education and healthcare has led to high levels of social mobility. The World Economic Forum ranked the country among the top countries for social mobility in 2020. These countries illustrate how investing in human capital can further advance social mobility. fair and prosperous. Accessible education and health care not only improve individual outcomes but also have broader economic implications. The World Health Organization (WHO) said universal health insurance could help 100 million people escape poverty each year due to medical costs. Additionally, the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) points out that education is a powerful tool for reducing inequality, with an estimated 420 million people lifted out of poverty if all adults completed secondary education. Overall, prioritizing education and health care is essential for sustainable development and poverty reduction, as these investments help build a healthier, more educated and capable population. better economic recovery.

These three ways, providing social protection programs, having higher employment and economic growth rates, and giving more education and health care, can help in eradicating poverty or at least decrease the number of people who suffer from poverty. Although it is a difficult task to get rid of poverty fully, if people keep on trying by providing these opportunities, we will be able to make the poverty rate at the lowest point.

Ensuring Safe Drinking Water and Sanitation for All

As we all know, humans are about 70% water and access to clean water is essential for survival. However, there are many countries that cannot meet this basic need. In these areas, people do not have access to drinking water for a variety of reasons, including limited infrastructure and financial constraints that prevent the construction of necessary facilities. Addressing these important issues requires a multifaceted approach, and a number of solutions have been implemented to alleviate the challenges associated with water scarcity and inadequate sanitation. One of the main solutions involves the development and modernization of water and sanitation infrastructure. Another solution involving aid or international partnerships could help.

Ensuring safe drinking water and sanitation for all poses significant challenges, especially in areas most affected by water scarcity and inadequate sanitation. Many developing regions, such as subSaharan Africa and South Asia, lack the infrastructure to provide clean water and sanitation. This includes inadequate water supply systems, poor drainage networks and inadequate treatment facilities. As a result, millions of people in these areas rely on unsafe water sources and do not have access to adequate sanitation facilities. These areas face significant obstacles in building and maintaining water and sanitation infrastructure due to financial constraints and higher costs in rural and remote areas. However, significant progress has been achieved through infrastructure development efforts. International organizations and governments have actively invested in building and improving water and sanitation systems to address these shortcomings. Projects like the World Bank's Water and Sanitation Program have helped millions of people access improved services. This program focuses on building and renovating infrastructure and improving water supply and sanitation systems, leading to significant improvements in public health and quality of life. For example, the World Bank reports that its interventions have given more than 30 million people improved water and 17 million people better sanitation worldwide. In India, the Swachh Bharat (Clean India) mission has been particularly successful. Launched in 2014, this national campaign aims to eliminate open defecation and improve solid wastemanagement. Bybuildingmillionsoftoiletsacrossthecountry,themission hasdramatically reduced the incidence of open defecation and promoted better hygiene practices. According to the Indian government, more than 110 million toilets have been built, benefiting more than 600 million peopleand contributing tosignificant improvements inhealth and theenvironment. Theseinfrastructure development efforts are complemented by technological innovations, community-led initiatives, and effective governance. Various technologies, such as solar-powered water filtration systems and lowcost water filtration devices, provide clean drinking water to remote areas. Organizations like Water.org leverage microfinance to help communities build water and sanitation facilities at the household level. Empowering communities to manage water resources has proven to be effective, with community-led total sanitation (CLTS) programs encouraging communities to take responsibility for their sanitation practices. them, leading to more sustainable and culturally appropriate solutions. In Bangladesh, CLTS has been successful in reducing the incidence of open defecation. Overall, although limited infrastructure poses a major challenge, the development and modernization of water supply and sanitation systems has had a significant impact. With continued effort and investment, it is possible to overcome barriers and ensure that everyone has access to these basic services.

Building and maintaining water and sanitation infrastructure is expensive, and many low-income countrieshavedifficultyallocatingenoughcapitalfortheseprojects. Financialconstraintsareespecially acute in rural or remote areas, where the cost of providing water services is often higher. This situation

complicates efforts to ensure universal access to drinking water and sanitation. However, international aid and partnerships play an important role in addressing these challenges. By partnering with global initiatives and forming strategic alliances, financially strapped countries can mobilize the resources and expertise needed to improve water infrastructure. and your hygiene. Initiatives such as the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6) aim to ensure the availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all by 2030. This encourages collaboration between governments, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and the private sector to pool resources and share knowledge. For example, the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) is instrumental in supporting water and sanitation projects in schools, improving the overall health and learning environment of students. Similarly, the World Bank's Water Supply and Sanitation Program has facilitated international cooperation, providing financial and technical assistance to countries in need. In many cases, international aid plays an important role in bridging the financing gap for water and sanitation projects. For example, in Ethiopia, the One WASH National Program (OWNP) is a multidonor initiative that has significantly improved access to clean water and sanitation across the country. This program, supported by the World Bank, UNICEF and other international partners, has helped millions of Ethiopians access improved water and sanitation facilities. Additionally, public-private partnerships have proven effective in addressing water and sanitation challenges. In countries like Kenya and Tanzania, collaboration between local governments and private companies has led to the development of sustainable water systems and advanced sanitation solutions. These partnerships leverage the strengths of both sectors: the technical expertise and efficiency of private companies and the regulatory support and outreach of public institutions. Overall, although financial constraints pose significant challenges to improving water and sanitation infrastructure, international support and strategic partnerships offer viable solutions. By working together, countries can overcome financial barriers and ensure that everyone has access to these essential services. Continued efforts and investments through such collaboration are critical to achieving the global goal of clean water and sanitation for all by 2030.

These problems which are having limited infrastructure and financial constraints can be solved by developing infrastructures and getting international partnerships or aids. These solutions will help countries that are currently having issues with getting access to clean water. However, there are a lot of challenges to implement these solutions and there are many other causes for clean water scarcity. But if we keep on trying and find solutions that can help, people all around the world will be able to drink clean water as they should.

Jahyun Koo, BC Collegiate

Breaking the Cycle of Poverty: Variation of Conditional Cash Transfers

Poverty remains one of the most intricate global issues, affecting countless individuals who lack access to basic human needs such as adequate healthcare services, quality education, and decent living standards. Recognizing the global nature of this issue, the United Nations (UN) has prioritized the eradication of poverty in all its forms through Sustainable Development Goal 1 (SDG 1), setting a worldwide target to end extreme poverty by 2030.

The book Betting on Famine: Why the World Still Goes Hungry written by Jean Ziegler - the United Nations Human Rights Commissions’s special investigator on food - explores the stark reality of hunger and the deep-rooted causes of poverty. Ziegler notes the primary cause of poverty as the staggering inequality where a mere 1% of the world’s population controls 99% of its wealth, leaving the remaining 99% in a relentless loop of hopelessness and suffering; Then, with a one-dimensional point of view, what if we redistribute the excess wealth of the affluent few to the impoverished many? This academic essay deeply delves into the principles behind the vicious cycle of poverty and explains why uprooting poverty is far more complex than it appears. It also offers a fresh perspective on eradicating poverty, proposing a possible answer to the question above.

I. Unconditional Cash Transfers: Bridging the Poverty Gap?

To address the question outlined previously, it is indeed possible for the rich to share some of their wealth with the poor. This strategy, known as UCT (Unconditional Cash Transfer), has been implemented by multiple governments, where financial welfare is provided without any conditions upon the recipients' actions. The feasibility of this approach is supported by the concept of ‘poverty gap’, which estimates the amount of money required to bring everyone above the international poverty line. This involves identifying each person in extreme poverty and calculating the amount needed to lift them just above the poverty line.

As defined by the World Bank in 2022, the international poverty line is $2.15 per day. With a value of $2.15 per day, the Brookings Institution estimates the global poverty gap at $100 billion per year. Considering the scale of the problem, this amount is manageable; according to the OECD, governments worldwide gave over $201 billion in official development assistance in 2022. Given these figures, one

might wonder why poverty still persists globally if it can be resolved simply by giving money to the poor.

II. The Welfare Trap: Dependency and Limits of Unconditional Cash Transfers

When it comes to the government providing welfare or unconditional financial incentives, the majority of the poor tend to become overly reliant on this support. Although governmental aid presents an opportunity to secure a decent job, few workplaces offer high enough wages to individuals lacking qualifications, normally resulting in earnings that fall short of the government-provided incentives. To add on, even if payments are sufficient, government support encompasses collective benefits, including education and healthcare services, which are more advantageous to his or her family as a whole. Consequently, many individuals fall into the welfare trap, becoming dependent on government assistance and stabilizing in poverty where such support is readily available. Take the story of a single woman in Pennsylvania as reported by International Liberty. Her total value of lost benefits and increased taxes is greater than the additional income earned from working more hours or getting a higher-paying job, the net financial gain is minimal or even negative. In this specific case, it was found that a single mother earning $57,000 could end up with less disposable income than if she were earning less and receiving full welfare benefits. Likewise, unconditional cash transfer can only be a short-term management of putting out an urgent fire for the desperate, and it cannot be a permanent measure of eliminating global poverty.

III. Variation of Conditional Cash Transfer & Education: A Possible Solution to Global Poverty

Yet, when conditions are added to cash transfers, the approach to alleviating poverty transforms significantly. A promising solution involves Conditional Cash Transfer (CCT) combined with education. The World Bank defines conditional cash transfers as programs that transfer cash, generally topoorhouseholds,ontheconditionthatthosehouseholdsmakepre-specifiedinvestmentsinthehuman capital of their children.

This academic essay proposes a variation of the conventional CCT model as a possible resolution for eradicating global poverty. It entails a slight twist on the original CCT model: It involves the government negotiating with impoverished individuals, and offering financial support with the stipulation that it must be repaid within a particular time period. Also, adding on to the financial loan, it would be ideal for the government to provide free education classes. The proposed solution can have a powerful effect owing to the empowerment of individuals by providing immediate financial relief while also ensuring long-term benefits through education, helping to break the cycle of poverty. The limited amount of time and money for the poor to escape from poverty and gain decent employment will prevent any issues correlated with overreliance; free education will plant a growing mindset in the poor and the poor will gain the ability to produce money themselves in the long-term.

Education has been often referred to as the great equalizer: It is able to open the door to jobs, resources, and skills that give a person a hand to not only survive but thrive. The World Bank reports that each additional year of schooling raises an individual's earnings by about 10%, a significant boost for those in poverty. Vocational training and skill development programs tailored to local job markets can be equally important. For instance, the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET)

programs in various countries have successfully equipped millions with practical skills. In Germany, the dual system of vocational education and training has been instrumental in maintaining low youth unemployment rates. Adult education, including literacy and numeracy programs, can be another effective strategy. The UNESCO Global Education Monitoring Report highlights that adult literacy programs in countries like Nepal and Uganda have significantly improved the economic opportunities for participants. By freely providing such educational opportunities, we should be able to allow the poor to grasp hope and prevent them from being confined in a filter bubble of firmly believing that the government will provide the needs required.

IV. Conclusion

In conclusion, Sustainable Development Goal 1 of eradicating poverty is a challenging target to achieve in the future; however, it doesn’t mean that it is unattainable. The United Nations set a similar goal of halving poverty between 1990 and 2015, which sounded unattainable at the time, yet succeeded in achieving it. However, reaching such success is not an easy process and it is time for new methods to be introduced. There is an old saying “Give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish, and you feed him for a lifetime”. In the end, temporarily eluding from the harsh reality leaves nothing behind but more pain and suffering. The answer to breaking the vicious cycle of poverty completely lies in each individual’s capability to nurture themselves.

Work Cited

“A Picture of How Redistribution Programs Trap the Less Fortunate in Lives of Dependency.” International Liberty, 13 July 2012, danieljmitchell.wordpress.com/2012/07/13/a-picture-of-how-redistribution-programstrap-the-less-fortunate-in-lives-of-dependency/.

Baird, Sarah, et al. “Relative Effectiveness of Conditional and Unconditional Cash Transfers for Schooling Outcomes in Developing Countries: A Systematic Review.” Campbell Systematic Reviews, vol. 9, no. 1, Jan. 2013, pp. 1–124, onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.4073/csr.2013.8, https://doi.org/10.4073/csr.2013.8.

Fran, Fiszbein, Ariel; Schady, Norbert; Ferreira. “Conditional Cash Transfers : Reducing Present and Future Poverty.” World Bank, 2009, documents.worldbank.org/en/publication/documentsreports/documentdetail/914561468314712643/conditional-cash-transfers-reducing-present-and-future-poverty.

“Global Policy of Eradicating Poverty. The Aspect of Education.” Journal of Modern Science, vol. 35, no. 4, 2017, pp. 283–300, www.ceeol.com/search/article-detail?id=606053. Accessed 20 July 2024.

Habitat for humanity of Broward. “10 Benefits Showing Why Education Is Important to Our Society | Habitat for Humanity.” Habitat for Humanity of Broward, 20 Jan. 2020, habitatbroward.org/blog/benefits-ofeducation/.

“How to Eradicate Global Extreme Poverty.” Www.youtube.com, www.youtube.com/watch?v=2DUlYQTrsOs.

TED-Ed. “Why Is It so Hard to Escape Poverty? - Ann-Helén Bay.” YouTube, 11 Jan. 2022, www.youtube.com/watch?v=D9N7QaIOkG8.

Tilak, Jandhyala B. G. “Education and Poverty.” Journal of Human Development, vol. 3, no. 2, July 2002, pp. 191–207, https://doi.org/10.1080/14649880220147301.

Nature’s Blueprints: Harnessing Biomimicry to Mitigate Water Scarcity

I. Introduction

Every resource or raw material worldwide inevitably encounters the issue of scarcity. This stems from the boundless human desire for possession, exceeding the finite availability of resources. Such an imbalance between our wants and resources necessitates critical decision-making, a dilemma of how to allocate and utilize a fixed amount of resources in an optimally efficient way. When the delicate balancing act fails, the repercussions can be out of control. This is the rudimentary reason behind countries and regions across the globe experiencing disparities in terms of development. This academic essay places emphasis particularly on the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6), aiming to ensure the availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all by 2030. It involves a case study of Morocco - a country located in North Africa struggling with water scarcitywith respect to the solutions that have been implemented to address such challenges. Lastly, it proposes a potential strategy for relieving water stress - biomimicry.

II. Case Study

Morocco, a Less Economically Developed Country (LEDC) located in Northern Africa, continues to grapple with severe water scarcity. According to the World Resources Institute (WRI), Morocco is ranked 22nd among countries “at-risk” of water shortages, with water availability per capita plummeting from 2,560 cubic meters in the 1960s to a mere 606 cubic meters in 2024. Projections indicate that this figure is expected to further drop to approximately 500 cubic meters per person by 2030 if current trends do not ameliorate (Taheripour Farzad, 2020).

The intensifying water crisis in Morocco has wrought significant challenges such as drought, desertification, agricultural decline, infrastructure strain, and increased vulnerability to water-borne

diseases. The United Nations reports that Morocco has experienced drought, on average, every three years over the past three decades. This vicious cycle contributed to a decrease in cultivable agricultural landand,withclosereferencetothetruththatagricultureaccountsforapproximately15%ofMorocco’s GDP and 40% of all employment, Morocco has experienced a significant cumulative economic loss. In stark contrast to the annually exacerbating consequential damages, Morocco dedicates 85% of the country’s water resources to crop irrigation, and this creates another problem as only 12% and 3% of water resources are allocated to public water supply and industry, respectively. Farmers are facing threats against maintaining livelihoods due to diminishing crop yields and simultaneously are citizens suffering from both inadequate water supply and food insecurity (UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs).

Morocco’s issue of water scarcity is caused by rapid population growth and urbanization, leading to an increase in water demand. Additionally, inefficient agricultural practices, which consume a significantportionofthewater,contributetotheproblem.Over-extractionofgroundwaterandpollution from industrial and agricultural runoff further deplete and degrade the quality of water sources. These factors collectively pose significant challenges to water availability and sustainability in Morocco.

Nevertheless, Morocco is a country that puts great effort into managing drought and water scarcity. According to the UN, Morocco takes action in every water supply side management measure including new storage facilities, use of marginal resources (groundwater), aquifer recharge, improved efficiency of water distribution networks, relaxing environmental constraints, water transfers, desalination, wastewater reuse, and others.

Similarly, it also fulfilled all the demand-side management measures. Conflicting to the immense efforts of Morocco, it is difficult to overcome the problem of water scarcity, and it can be analyzed that these results are somehow natural looking back at the reasons for Morocco’s water scarcity outlined previously. This dire situation underscores the urgent need for ‘new’ water management solutions to safeguard Morocco's future.

III. Cloud Fishers

Cloud fishers are an innovative device installed in regions where fog abounds, enabling the harvesting of clean water in an ecologically friendly way. Fog forms when atmospheric air near the ground cools to its dew point, causing water vapor to condense into tiny water droplets suspended in the air. It captures such water droplets suspended in fog using fine mesh nets made of polypropylenea durable material possessing hydrophobic properties. It allows water droplets to adhere to the fibers; coalesce into larger drops; and fall into collection troughs by the force of both gravity and surface tension. Networks of pipes connect from the collection trough to nearby target areas or reservoirs, allowing water to be supplied and safely preserved. It is a simple yet efficacious way of generating clean water in water-scarce regions, in light of only a single prerequisite of frequent fog to be met.

Although Morocco is under extreme water scarcity, abundant fog covers the southwestern part notably for more than 6 months per year. For instance, in a system implemented in Mount Boutmezguida - a mountain located on the edge of the Sahara in Southern Morocco and 3 kilometers away from the Atlantic coast - there is only an average precipitation of five inches of rain a year and still experiences abundant fog for about half a year. The Moroccan non-profit Dar Si Hmad from the

German Water Foundation set up the largest fog collection project in the world between 2011 and 2014, implementing a total of 19,000 square feet of cloud fisher nets. A network of pipes supplies safe water to around 1,000 people in the village below the mountain every day, so much elevating their quality of life. Jamila Bargach, the Executive Director of Dar Si Hmad, claims that the introduction of cloud fishers remarkably transformed the life of the village women, who walked miles on a regular basis to get water. In spite of their arduous efforts, the village women couldn’t discard their concern of having not enough water when arriving at their destination. However, it seems that the wide implementation of cloud fishers has so far alleviated the major concern of water shortage. In fact, an average of 22 liters per square meter is collected on a fog day, with one fog collector corresponding to a water volume of 528 liters. To add on, cloud fishers are also efficacious in collecting rain owing to wind-blown rain alwaysfalling atanangle onthenets,providing enough watertosupport thevillagesnearby (Aqualonis, 2024). Then, where do all of these ideas come from in the first place?

IV. Innovation

Nature bloomed on Earth and settled millions of years before humans, adapting to survive in the drastically changing conditions of the planet itself. Each species developed self-mechanisms which allow them for productive efficiency and maximized chance of survival. In a way, nature is the living ancestor of humans, and there is definitely something to be learned from them. The innovation of cloud fishers actually has to do a lot with biomimicry. It refers to the design and production of materials, structures, and systems that are modeled on the basis of biological entities and processes.

Surprisingly, the idea of cloud fishers comes from the Stenocara Gracilipes, a beetle found in the Namib Desert. It has adapted to arid conditions by collecting water from fog using its specially adapted elytra (wing covers) and rolling it down its back. The surface of its elytra is covered with hydrophilic bumps surrounded by hydrophobic valleys. As fog condenses on the hydrophilic bumps, water droplets form and grow, eventually rolling off the bumps and down the hydrophobic valleys towards the beetle's mouthparts. This beetle's unique adaptation inspired the use of polypropylene in woven meshes, a material chosen for its low surface tension, making the mesh hydrophobic. As fog passes through the net, droplets roll off the repellent surface into a collection container. Researchers at MIT have created a fog-harvesting mesh inspired by such beetle's back, combining hydrophilic and hydrophobic regions

to catch and direct water for collection. The innovation lies in using a permeable mesh instead of a solid surface, avoiding wind currents that could blow fog droplets away.

Additionally, Brook Kennedy of Virginia Tech extended this concept by developing the fog harp, which uses tightly placed vertical wires instead of a crisscrossed mesh, preventing water droplets from getting trapped. Inspired by California redwoods, which draw water from fog accumulating on their needles, the fog harp is three times more effective than traditional nets. Brook Kennedy speaks in an interview with PBS NewsHour “The solution isn’t embedded with circuits and other high-tech accouterments. It’s a fairly simple solution, but by just tweaking the design meaningfully, the results are rather dramatic”. As can be seen, the powers of biomimicry can be massive and the success in addressing the challenge of water scarcity lies in nature.

V. Future Directions

Found in South Africa, the Cotula Fallax plant species has garnered attention for its remarkable fog-harvesting abilities. The leaves of this plant attract and trap water vapor, visibly forming water droplets over time. The plant then utilizes the trapped water. Researchers have studied the Cotula Fallax to understand and to further replicate its three-dimensional water capture mechanism.

When examining the basic structure of a Cotula Fallax leaf under a scanning electron microscope, we can observe that each leaf is covered in numerous small hairs. These hairs trap tiny water droplets by wrapping around them, forming a three-dimensional mechanism. This advanced system allows the plant to trap and retain water from all directions, unlike a two-dimensional mesh. Replicating this mechanism could significantly advance fog harvesting technology by providing greater control over collected water and preventing water loss from wind or other weather conditions. Moreover, this mechanism would enhance efficiency as water could be collected from all directions.

In Cambridge, Massachusetts, MIT scientists are pushing the boundaries of fog collection by incorporating technology. They discovered that zapping fog-rich air with a beam of electrically charged particles draws the droplets toward a mesh, significantly boosting its water collection capacity. The fog and watercan pass through the mesh unaffected, but when the electric field is activated, the fog instantly vanishes, and water begins to accumulate on the mesh.

VI. Conclusion

Nature’s ingenuity offers profound solutions to human challenges, exemplified by the application and future directions which biomimicry offers. By understanding and replicating nature’s survival mechanisms, we can overcome the global challenge of scarcity. Harnessing these natural blueprints is a promising strategy to mitigate water scarcity, contributing to sustainable development goals and ensuring water availability for regions like Morocco facing severe water stress. The solution is not far away but rather near us.

Works Cited

Clus, Owen, et al. “Dew, Fog and Rain Water Collectors in a Village of S-Morocco (Idouasskssou).” Desalination and Water Treatment, vol. 51, no. 19-21, May 2013, pp. 4235–4238, https://doi.org/10.1080/19443994.2013.768323. Accessed 19 May 2020.

Dodson, Leslie L., and Jamila Bargach. “Harvesting Fresh Water from Fog in Rural Morocco: Research and Impact Dar Si Hmad’s Fogwater Project in Aït Baamrane.” Procedia Engineering, vol. 107, 2015, pp. 186–193, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.proeng.2015.06.073

E.,Haqiqi,Iman,Sajedinia,Ehsanreza, Taheripour,Farzad,Tyner,Wallace. “Water Scarcity in Morocco : Analysis of Key Water Challenges.” World Bank, documents.worldbank.org/en/publication/documentsreports/documentdetail/642681580455542456/water-scarcity-in-morocco-analysis-of-key-water-challenges.

Fernandez Toledano, J. C., et al. “Optimizing Fog Harvesting by Biomimicry.” Physical Review Fluids, vol. 7, no. 3, 25 Mar. 2022, https://doi.org/10.1103/physrevfluids.7.033604.

FOG – Foundation Dar Si Hmad. darsihmad.org/fog/. “Fog Harvesting | Aqualonis | München.” Aqualonis, www.aqualonis.com/. “Fog-Harvesting Is Helping Save Villages in Morocco from the Effects of Drought | the Weather ChannelArticles from the Weather Channel | Weather.com.” The Weather Channel, weather.com/forecastchange/news/2019-05-15-fog-harvesting-morocco.

Functionalsurfaces. “Functional Surfaces A4 - Fog Harvesting (Advanced).” YouTube, 22 Aug. 2013, www.youtube.com/watch?v=21H-GOG9zlk. Accessed 20 July 2024.

“How Scientists Are Harvesting Fog to Secure the World’s Water Supply.” PBS NewsHour, 31 July 2019, www.pbs.org/newshour/show/how-scientists-are-harvesting-fog-to-secure-the-worlds-water-supply.

“How Scientists Are Harvesting Fog to Secure the World’s Water Supply.” Www.youtube.com, www.youtube.com/watch?v=NBhFxXT9mUQ.

Kennedy, Emily, et al. “Biomimicry: A Path to Sustainable Innovation.” Design Issues, vol. 31, no. 3, July 2015, pp. 66–73, https://doi.org/10.1162/desi_a_00339

Lurie-Luke, Elena. “Product and Technology Innovation: What Can Biomimicry Inspire?” Biotechnology Advances, vol. 32, no. 8, Dec. 2014, pp. 1494–1505, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biotechadv.2014.10.002.

Shahrokhian, A., et al. “Surface Morphology Enhances Deposition Efficiency in Biomimetic, Wind-Driven Fog Collection.” Journal of the Royal Society Interface, vol. 17, no. 166, May 2020, p. 20200038, https://doi.org/10.1098/rsif.2020.0038. Accessed 19 May 2020.

Supporting Morocco’s Water Scarcity and Drought Management and Mitigation Plan. Taheripour, Farzad, et al.

“Water Stress by Country 2022.” Worldpopulationreview.com, worldpopulationreview.com/countryrankings/water-stress-by-country.

Jeeyul

Jung, Seoul Global High School

SDG 10: the Current State Worldwide and International Efforts

The 10th Sustainable Development Goal adopted by all United Nations Member States in 2015 is to reduce inequalities within and among countries. As 9 years have passed, the world should take a close look at the current state and situations. This essay is aimed to provide a worldwide overview of SDG 10 and address the policies and interventions that have successfully contributed to its progress.

The gap between nations and their people mostly occurs in income, access to education, and healthcare. According to the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs(UNDEC), the COVID-19 pandemic has triggered the greatest increase in between-country inequality in threedecades. The change of between-country inequality soared from -0.8% in 2019 to 4.4% in the following year. However, The income differences between countries decreased by 37% between 1990 and 2019. Still, disparities based on complex issues including racism and sexism remain, which can also lead to the gap in access to education. According to the UN, 258 million, which is 27% of the world’s children, adolescents and youth, lack access to school. This figure gets bigger within Less Economically Developed Countries(LEDCs): 31% in sub-Saharan Africa and 21% in Central Asia, while it’s only 3% in Europe and North America. According to UNDEC, low-income countries face a nearly 100 billion dollars annual financial gap to reach their education targets. As the lack of education leads to the loss of chances to get hired, solving this disparity is a crucial, long-term work. Lastly, there being inequalities in healthcare is the problem to be solved most immediately as it is directly related to levels of people’s living. Health disparities are caused not only by the lack of medical facilities but also by non-medical factors, which are called Social Determinants of Health Equity(SDHE). SDHE includes educational inequalities, poverty, environmental threats, inadequate access to health care, and individual and behavioral factors. Addressing these causes can be the most effective way to eradicate disparities in healthcare.

There have been international efforts to reduce inequalities adopting SDG 10 worldwide. To illustrate, the European Union(EU) has suggested three components to lower inequality: provision of public goods, gender-focused policies, and income redistribution. It also suggested addressing inequality through development cooperation. Its strategy included the practical steps of developing a better understanding of the overall situation of inequality in the partner country and examining potential ways to cut down disparities in the country. Adding on, in 2021, the Seventy-fourth World Health Assembly adopted resolution WHA74.16 on addressing SDHE. This led to the World Health

Organization(WHO)’s announcement of new guidance on monitoring the SDHE in February 2024, a universal menu of indicators for monitoring SDHE adaptable to different settings. The guidance consisted of two components: a. Menu of indicators for monitoring SDHE and b. Areas and actions for implementation.

Despite the suggested examples of efforts to accomplish SDG 10, the world wouldn’t be able to make progress without setting practical solutions and carrying them out more actively. SDG 10 can be turned into reality when the world and each individual acknowledge the seriousness of inequalities around the world and the importance of each SDG. We all are encouraged to have responsibility as members of the international society.

Youth Participation: the Key Factor of SDG 17

The last Sustainable Development Goal adopted by all United Nations Member States in 2015 is to revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development. As adopting SDGs and applying them to national policies are required to both More Economically Developed Countries(MEDCs) and Less Economically Developed Countries(LEDCs), partnerships between nations are necessary to connect governments, the private sector, and civil society. However, a number of LEDCs currently face challenges due to a debt crisis. According to the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs(UNDEC), 37 out of 69 of the world’s poorest countries were in debt distress or were highly vulnerable at it as of November 2022. After the COVID-19 pandemic, their external debt soared due to inflation, escalating interest rates, competing priorities, and the lack of fiscal capacity. The implementation of SDG 17 has been requiring more efforts due to not only these challenges but also increasing trade tensions and low amount of crucial data.

In this context, one way to strengthen the effectiveness and impact of development progress is to encourage youth participation in global partnerships, the UN suggests. According to the European Union(EU), there are over 1.8 billion young people today, with 90% of them being in developing countries. As they are the ones who are supposed to compose and lead the future generation, their cooperation to the international society and its goals is crucial. Acknowledging this, the EU delegations worldwide have established national youth advisory structures adapted to the context of each nation. To activate more youth participation in addressing SDG 17, political efforts to set a stable structure of facilitated participation should be done. The young will be able to utilize these institutional systems and start from actively creating groups within their communities that seek for the implementation of SDG 17.

Ji Hyo Kim, Seoul Foreign School

Eradicating Poverty: Analyzing Effective Strategies for SDG 1

Global access to clean water and sanitation - the principal objective of Sustainable Development Goal 6- is contingent on the interdependence of the natural environment and man-made infrastructure (UNEP). Thus, a tangential byproduct of endeavors towards SDG 6 beyond physical rewards of drinking water, hygiene, and sanitation, are the sustainability of waterand other natural resources (Ibid). It is thus integral to address the issue of clean water and hygiene scarcity considering both the local and global ramifications of a lack thereof. For instance, water shortages can undercut food security and the income of rural farmers whose livelihoods depend on functioning irrigation systems. Conversely, a lack of sustainable clean water-related ecosystems has repercussions on biodiversity and can erode existing habitats which are governed by bodies of water. Thus, the United Nations 2030 Agenda recognizes the potency of water resources to sustainable development and the vital role such sources and sanitation have in progressing other realms, such as but not limited to health, education, and poverty reduction. It is important to address this SDG as the appropriate management and governance of water resources and sanitation systems are essential to enhancing economic growth and will induce significant strides and investments in health and education.

Broadly, scientific literature stratifies the problem of lacking water and sanitation systems into 5 reasons: contamination of water in distribution systems, growing water scarcity and the underutilized possibility for water reuse and conservation, the existence and fruition of innovative low-cost sanitation systems, the provision of sustainable water supplies, and the pressure to reduce global and regional disparities in access to water and sanitation. Historically, infrastructure which pipes water directly into domestic households has been associated with improved hygiene and reduced risk for disease (Moe and Rheingans). However, in tandem with rising standards of living and aging water infrastructure, scientists have recognized the vulnerability of water distribution systems to contamination, which may catalyze the epidemic of waterborne diseases. A 2001 study in the United States examining reports of waterborne diseases between 1971 and 1988 discovered that 30% of 295 outbreaks of waterborne diseases were associated with deficiencies in waterborne systems(Moe and Rheingans). The contamination of distribution systems was one of the most important causes of the outbreaks in community water systems over this time period. However, these issues are difficult to mitigate globally because of the difficulty in tracking cross-contaminated areas and in assessing the magnitude of negative pervasiveness in mobile bodies such as water. Another significant challenge to sanitation is the emergence of megacities, commonly denoted as cities with over 10 million people who are active residents(Moe and Rheingans). According to the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs, there are 20 megacities worldwide. However, projections suggest that for the next two decades, 25% of the population will be concentrated in these cities. Although urbanization proffers opportunities for growth, much of recent growth has resulted in slum and squatter settlements, posing negative consequences for sanitation systems(Moe and Rheingans). High populations of people living in large urban areas are left vulnerable, especially due to the uncertainty in being able to secure the technology to counter the ramifications of unrestrained urbanization.

Depending on the county and the socioeconomic context surrounding the nation, strategies targeting the improvement of clean water and sanitation can vary extremely. For instance in Bolivia, a Latin American nation with one of the lowest sanitation coverage, legislators have proposed the development of low-cost sanitation models (Moe). This technology includes ecological toilets, which represent an innovative milestone in characterizing the evolving technology for sanitation. Ecological toilets are toilets that do not necessitate water to function, contain human excretion to prevent contamination and disease transmission, and recycle nutrients from human excreta for agriculture to promote crop production, creating an effective cycle for many communities. Most of these ecological toilets store the excreta in a two-chamber system and separate the urine from the feces, allowing fecal waste to decompose into biosolids which can be used for other purposes. For nations without sufficient resources to support investments in both sanitation systems and agriculture, eco-toilets represent a solution that can target both deficiencies (Moe). In addition, many nations also target sustainable water solutions by utilizing chemical techniques to grapple against the main challenges to global clean water access: contamination. In the USA, upgrading or renovating water distribution systems to prevent contamination is not a cost-effective solution. However, assuming dormancy can lead to pathogen exposure and increased risk of contamination in distribution systems. This is a significant global problem, as researchers also found that 30% of homes in Uzbekistan experience regular contamination as a result of antiquated infrastructure (Moe). By adding agents such as chlorine however, nations have experienced cleaner water and sanitation systems. Recent studies suggest that the addition of chlorination technology led to a subsequent 62% reduction in diarrheal disease in the USA, highlighting the importance of integrating science and cost-effective models (Moe). This model proves that improved water success can be attained through rigorous examination and experimentation.

In conclusion, a comprehensive evaluation of the challenges associated with implementing and attaining clean water and sanitation systems, as well as innovative technologies characterized by their novelty, reveal that Sustainable Development Goal 16 is a complex issue which goes beyond the physical issue of quantity but has implications for sustainable development in other areas. While associatedliteraturecontinuestogrow,itisespeciallyimportanttoaddressunderlyingissuesasopposed to implementing the newer, costly alternatives to existing technology. The opportunity cost of experimentation can be fatal for countries which do not have sufficient resources to support the maintenance of current systems, suggesting the need for sensitive evaluation into countries which are capableofundertaking orexperimenting with newermodels.Cleanwaterand the existenceofsanitation systems are interdependent with each other, and only by considering the optimization of both will it be possible to guarantee a future where this SDG is protected. By examining the main challenges and solutions which are still being developed, humanity can oversee the fulfillment of this SDG.

Reducing Inequalities: Examining Policies and Their Impact for SDG 10

Globalinequalities,whichencompassstratifiedcategoriesofincome,sex,age,accesstoeducation, and healthcare infrastructure and services, harms other Sustainable Development Goals such as poverty reduction and destroys people’s sense of self worth and satisfaction (United Nations). With the indelible repercussions of the pandemic, the extent of these inequalities has been exacerbated, causing the largest rise in between-country inequality in three decades (United Nations). In order to fulfill the United Nations objective of reducing both within and between-country inequality, it is necessary to distribute resources in an equitable manner, invest in education and skill development trainee programs, implement social protection measures, and support marginalized groups. It is especially important to prioritize the erosion of systems which promote inequality, because of the modern world’s interconnected design. Problems and challenges catalyzed by global inequalities, such as poverty, climate change, migration, or socioeconomic crisis, pervade across borders of countries and regions (United Nations). Thus, global inequalities affect the whole globe, regardless of formal territorial demarcations. Reducing inequality which is derived deeply in social systems requires transformative and willing change. Particularly, concentrated efforts are needed to eradicate poverty and hunger, as well as invest in the education necessary to combat pre-existing discrepancies between youth. Governments and stakeholders can both play an important role in overturning these systems which perpetuate inequality.

One major type of inequality plaguing the globe is income and wealth inequality. Over the recent decades, such discrepancies have inspired social discontent and have incentivized political polarization and radicalization (Qureshi). An increasingly unequal society can breed distrust in public institutions, highlightingtheneedtorectifyandmitigatetherepercussionsofincomediscrepancy.Incomeinequality has risen most starkly in advanced economies, which account for two-third of the world’s population and 85% of the world’s GDP (Qureshi). This increase is largely attributed to the rapid growth of countries such as the United States of America, China, India, and Russia. Such internal inequality is marked at the top end of the income distribution, with the top 1 percent of wage earners in countries earning more, while the bottom 50% are left at a stalemate. Internal inequality has eroded people’s distrust in their own national governments (Garcia). Rising inequalities also manifest dramatically in the field of education. It is increasingly evident that performance gaps, induced by disparities in level of education in children, fail to narrow in the years that follow the crucial earlier stages of learning. A study led by the Economics Policy Institute in the United States of America discovered that children in the lowest and highest socioeconomic groups in 2010 evinced augmented economic inequalities following early education (Weiss). These findings are significant as they emphasize the severity of unmet educational needs in children. A failure to develop strong cognitive and noncognitive skills through early education can lead to lower economic prospects later in life, catalyzing a lack of social mobility across generations. This dangerous cycle exists both within and in-between countries, accounting for the large income disparities both within nations and in between nations. The irrefutable relationship between education and future success symbolizes the potency of education in promoting global interconnectedness and interdependence.

A vast majority of research regarding education and income disparities highlights the strong relationship between the two variables which is characterized by interdependence. Attenuated income inequality results in more children becoming educated, promoting social mobility and prospects for economic improvement later in life. One policy which has been successful in reducing inequalities in education includes inclusive legislation to encompass the most marginalized of children (Ayankojo). As inequalities in education emerge before primary schooling, these policies, instituted in China and Afghanistan, try to reduce inequalities in children at the age of 4 or 5 when children acquire the capacity to communicate (Ayankojo). This stratagem exclusively aimed at reducing the barriers of education ensures that children’s learning experiences are not negatively impacted so as to foster negative connections with the environment and their own creativity. As part of these policies, countries have identified properfunding fromtheirassetsand appointed officialstooverseecomplexmatterstoprevent the hindrance of children’s academic, graduation, and economic success. Alternatively, another stratagem adopted by nations includes the funding of schools from the United Nations General Assembly (Ayankojo). The General Assembly would establish minimum funding goals for countries to finance national education of primary and secondary schools. More funding will be diverted towards employing teachers, investing in training programs, and paying them more so that they do not leave to more profitable vocations (Ayankojo). Such goals determined by the United Nations General Assembly may constitute a percentage of every country’s total wealth or Gross National Product, incentivizing nations to prioritize schooling. For countries without sufficient resources to support such programs, donor countries may support such targets (Ayankojo). The United States, for instance, has invested consistently on foreign assistance of education. As demonstrated, these education budgets can be formed from external help if needed, and the United Nations can also mandate countries to preserve a budget concentrated on education.

In closing, inequalities in income, healthcare, and education are integral to achieving global interconnectedness. While such disparities are often seen as country-specific problems that must be overcome by countries individually, global access to such basic infrastructure is a problem that can be addressed across all borders. An examination of the structural challenges and potential solutions to addressing these inequalities suggest that there is no concrete solution that must be employed to overcome these challenges. Like the other United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, inequalities constitute a pervasive problem due to the permanence of its repercussions. Breeding cycles of social immobility can lead to decreased economic productivity, stunted interconnectedness, and the inequitable distribution of resources. Trends towards preserving the integrity of engagement with educational resources, leading to lessened income disparities suggests the globe’s move towards a more sustainable system where everyone plays a crucial role in sustaining the global economy. Rather than focusing on short-term profits, nations should focus on broader ideals of greater toil but also of greater reward, in conjunction with the overarching goal of the Sustainable Development Goals to promote equity, sustainability, and growth in a secure manner.

Works Cited

Bartram, Jamie, et al. "Global Challenges in Water, Sanitation, and Health." ResearchGate, 2005, https://www.researchgate.net/publication/7283174_Global_Challenges_in_Water_Sanitation_and_Health. Accessed 20 July 2024.

"Educational Inequality." Old Dominion University Model United Nations Society, 2023, https://ww1.odu.edu/content/dam/odu/offices/mun/2023/2nd-educational-inequality.pdf. Accessed 20 July 2024.

Garcia, Emma, and Elaine Weiss. "Education Inequalities at the School Starting Gate: Gaps, Trends, and Strategies to Address Them." Economic Policy Institute, 17 Sept. 2017, https://www.epi.org/publication/education-inequalities-at-the-school-starting-gate/. Accessed 20 July 2024.

"Goal 10: Reduce Inequality Within and Among Countries." United Nations, https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/inequality/. Accessed 20 July 2024.

Institute of Medicine (US) Roundtable on Environmental Health Sciences, Research, and Medicine. Global Environmental Health: Research Gaps and Barriers for Providing Sustainable Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene Services: Workshop Summary. National Academies Press (US), 2009,

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK50770/. Accessed 20 July 2024.

Qureshi, Zia. "Rising Inequality: A Major Issue of Our Time." Brookings, 16 May 2023, https://www.brookings.edu/articles/rising-inequality-a-major-issue-of-our-time/. Accessed 20 July 2024.

Jiwoo Seo, Chung Nam Samsung Academy

Ensuring Clean Water and Sanitation: Challenges and Solutions for SDG 6

SDG 6 is ‘Clean Water and Sanitation’. Living in the country with sanitary conditions, we are easily oblivious of the rights of clean water and sanitation. We didn’t think about how many people are suffering from lack of clean water and an unsanitary environment. To talk about the numerical value and status to talk about how serious the problem is. Research of SSN (Korean National Council on Social Welfare) and Social Contribution Center, the ratio of medical facilities that don’t have enough water supply is 25%. The amount of children that die in a day due to diarrhoeal illness related to water and sanitation which is possible to prevent are 1000. And approximately 24 million people are not capable of using the fundamental sanitary services such as toilets. Ratio of waste - water that emitted to people without removing pollution is 80%. By these data, we can know that the pollution of water is a really critical thing and lots of people are not assured about the sanitation. For example, UNICEF announced that the water for living in Nigeria is approximately 70% polluted. To talk about the result of this enormous amount of polluted water, every year, 117000 people die due to the illness related to water. The government of Nigeria is trying to improve the accessibility of edible water for people, but experts are talking about how the sanitation of edible water must come together. And also in the Africa region, 86% of the entire natural disaster is related to the drought. So the famine damage was most critical due to the drought. Africa is suffering from a serious water problem. And we can talk about this water problem which is on the opposite side of earth and is related to our all behaviors. I want to talk about ‘fast fashion.’ The analyst in the WWI (Water Witness International) announced that fast fashion brandsaremaking thejob and revenueofAfricacontinent butitisalready influencing naturalresources. The main factories of Asia fast fashion companies are moving to the African continent due to trade agreement, cheap personal expenses. According to WWI’s research, the more high street and fast fashion companies move producing factories to Africa, the more pollution is generated due to the untreated water discharge to rivers. They say we have to get appropriate behaviors to make the fashion industry have an impartial water footprint in Africa. While some people are destroying the water in Africa, someone is trying to solve the various problems in Africa.

For example, the LifeStraw is the portable water purifier. It is for the people who have to eat polluted water. The LifeStraw has a long and rounded shape. The price of this straw is two dollars. NGO (non - government organization) is supplying this for free to people who live in poor regions. The weakness of this straw is that it is hard for children to use this straw, and not on sale in poor regions. But we can say that this is valuable because the design of life straw is the people who are isolated from

scientific technology. Another example of the good - appropriate technology for the water problem in Africa, we can talk about the ‘Warka water’. It was designed by Arturo Vittori. He made these facilities to make people available to use the clean water. It can be made by plants and use the dew which mist in the net. It will be unnecessary for a child to walk a long way to get edible water and can get clean, unsanitary water. The Warka water makes water in a week without a special machine. It can be installed by the material which can be found or get easily nearby. And also make no environmental pollution due to the eco - friendly materials. It is really worth it to make people get edible clean water without pollution. But there are also failed technologies that tried to help the shortage of water in Africa. For instance, ‘Play pump’ can be a typical model of it. It is the facility that pumps up the underground water when children play the ‘Merry - go - round’ which is the playground equipment. But in Africa, women have difficulties in driving and people are busy making ends meet. And it also demands big technical skills. This was an example of failure, which is almost a disaster because it uses tens of millions of dollars. This is because people just think it will be successful without talking to the natives.

Theappropriatetechnologyisthegoodtechnologywhichhelpsmakeagoodenvironmentonearth. This technology considers the sustainability of the earth. It can be effectible when it matches the regions’ traditional, convention, economics, and environment. In this view, the ‘Play pump’ is not an appropriate technology because it doesn’t consider all the things in certain regions. But I think it was a worthy challenge of our human history. The intention was good because we try to make a better world and live for people we don't even know and use a lot of money to supply it to achieve these kindful goals. And we also learned about how important it is to consider the situation of the regions such as traditional, convention, economics, environment, life styles etc. And the technologies I mentioned first and second, are suitable for the region’s tradition, convention, economics, and environment. So it is the realappropriatetechnologywhich helpsourearthand people’slives.Wemusthavetocareabout people suffering eveniftheyarelivingontheoppositesideoftheearth.As Imentioned,ourbehaviorismaking their lives harder and we have a responsibility to take care of them. Government should support the firm which makes the appropriate technology and encourage all the companies to reduce the pollution by the support fund. And the people who make the new technology must think about whether this is suitable to the regions that they are planning to supply. I wish the world will be happy for everyone that they can use enough clean water.

Reducing Inequalities: Examining Policies and Their Impact for SDG 10

There are various kinds of inequalities in the world. The inequalities occurred for lots of reasons such as education, the distribution of wealth, gender, disability, and religion etc. And people are being discriminated against. The most crucial problem of inequalities is education. Because education is the double-sided thing that is caused by all the inequalities mentioned above, but also that generates all the inequalities. According to UNESCO’s research there are approximately 200 million children who are not educated due to lots of inequalities. This is related to SDGs4 ‘Quality Education’. Lots of children are giving up their dreams because of the dark reality of their lives. 10 countries in ASEAN, 3.7million elementary school students and 4.1million middle school students are not going to school. Especially, we have to focus on the fact that they left the school due to the fiscal crisis and were expelled to early marriage or forced labor. Goodneighbors is now making the online education contents to make them able to apply the education wherever they are, and supporting them to persist it. This system affords them both things after they complete it, a chance to enter upper schools or public education and can choose to be educated in vocational training for living. Goodneigbors announced that they will keep expanding the support to make them have the right of education against government policies or institutional protection that are isolating them. The point of this project is that they are not just expanding the facilities, they focused on the stories and the reason they couldn’t get education. They sustain the detailed support to keep them available to educate and be a real help for them. And also design the life after education which will be a real help to reducing inequalities. The reason that I emphasized the fact of ‘why’ they are isolated to education is because these imply that we can not solve this education problem which causes the inequalities without resolving all the inequalities children are currently faced with. It might be a little bit of a different field of problem, professor Michael Sandel mentioned about ‘going to college’ is not the key to the solution of inequality in society. He said it has to be a certain measure of equality of social and economic, then they could compete to go to university. The same fact between the two of them is that just simply expanding the opportunities can not solve the inequalities. In short, expanding the opportunities in education is a brilliant idea but could never solve the inequalities. So, when we talk about ‘solving inequalities’ we must not think out of the essential point. To reduce the inequalities we have to think about how we can make more people educated which matches, can be a real help to their situation. To be more specific, the girl who got in early marriage couldn't apply to school effectively compared to normal students and in Africa, the early marriage of girls is really a serious problem, that 16% got married before 15 years old and 45% before 18 years old. For example, Mariam in the article of Plan international, she got married early without her intention. She must help her parents-in-law to work on the farm. Early marriages are the product of the awareness of certain regions such as ‘wife is husband’s possession.’. But it causes many problems for girls like pregnancy or making them drop out of school. The lack of education due to the traditional custom such as early marriage can not be solved by simply giving financial support or making more school. Because it is a convention in their countries and they have iron awareness. So to solve problems like this, we have to make more specific policies and projects so that we can make a real environment which allows education. Plan International is doing the ‘Break-Free Project’ which helps girls to choose their future by intensifying the rights of procreation and health. They do several campaigns and lead the recognition improvement through the government and helping girls who quit the school to come back to school. The girl Mariam mentioned above is also receiving this project’s help. Her father-in-law doesn’t like

females to be educated, but the local member of parliament help parents-in-law to allow her to come back to school. Also the principal called her husband and asked to be excused. I think the reason that Mariam can go back to school is because of this detailed support which perfectly matches the real problem of this situation, ‘cognition’. They focus on ‘why’ she is not able to go to school and help her to get permission from theirproblem. About this, Ithink thegovernment's policies arereally insufficient and know that it is difficult to solve it personally like Mariam's story and the team of Plan International. But should look up these solutions and make more efficient new policies.

In the case of Korea, the argument of founding a school for disabled students never stopped. This is due to the clash between parents who decrease house prices. In this situation, disabled people are suffering from inequalities in education only due to their ‘disability’. But there is something we have to think about which I talked about continuously above. Does the expansion in opportunities of education really solve all the inequalities we faced? We can answer “No”. Obviously, the enlargement of education will influence good ways to improve their lives. This is the truth that no one can doubt about. But it could never solve the substantial problem. Also in this situation, first we have to improve the recognition of certain people to solve the essential problem of inequalities, too. It makes them able to spread their wings after they are educated. The substantial problem we have to solve for their lives is the bad recognition of people and lack of facilities for the handicapped. I think Korea has a very bad recognition of the disabled. People don’t think they are the same as us, they just think they are poor or disgusting creatures. We can easily find this recognition in the online comments. When disabled people demonstrated their rights in the subway, people were mad at them because they obstructed their way. I think this shows the 2 problems of Korean society which I talked about as ‘substantial problems’. If people have the right recognition they will hear about the hardship of disabled people and why they demonstrated. If there are appropriate installations which help the movement of disabled, this demonstration would never have bordered people’s way. The government has to build more facilities for handicapped. And should teach the perception of disabled to improve it. The point is not just showing the boring videos, make students participate and sympathize with such as lectures by disabled, holding disabled sports games, making a competition etc. To put it shortly, I want to say that equality comes from fair education and the solution to it is solving the real problem that they face, not just applying unsubstantial policies. This is all about the essay of reducing inequalities and the policies.

Jiyeon Yang, Sophia University

Eradicating Poverty: Analyzing Effective Strategies for SDG 1

I. Introduction

As members of society living in relative abundance, it is easy to forget the fact that those who live in impoverished areas are not able to enjoy the same luxuries and in most cases, even basic human privileges as we do. Poverty has haunted humanity for all of history, giving birth to conflict, strife, disease,famine, andhardship whichcreateaviciouscircleofmisery;ithaslatcheditselfontothehuman condition since the genesis of civilization and still, to this day, plagues millions around the globe. Although poverty has decreased in developed countries since the Industrial Revolution, it is estimated that more than 40% of the world’s population lives in poverty.

In order to pursue poverty eradication, the concept of the challenge itself must first be understood. People and communities under poor financial conditions struggle to acquire necessities such as food, shelter, clothing, and medicine. It is also crucial to note that poverty is not only an individual concern but also an extensive societal dilemma. To quote Lasse Krantz on TheSustainable Livelihood Approach to Poverty Reduction, “poverty as conceived by the poor themselves is not just a question of low income, but also includes other dimensions such as bad health, illiteracy, lack of social services, etc., as well as a state of vulnerability and feelings of powerlessness in general.” As mentioned above, areas most affected by poverty have a high chance of being hit by impaired economic growth, high crime and unemployment rates, poor education, and much more.

The United Nations has strived to reduce poverty rates through its agencies and initiatives since its foundation. In particular, the United Nations is continuing its efforts in association with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 1: No Poverty. One of the United Nations’ prime objectives the promotion of the well-being of the peoples of the world directly refers to building the foundation to eradicating poverty.

II. Policies and Programs

i. Universal Social Protection Floors (SPFs)

Universal Social Protection Floors (SPFs) work towards social protection and achieving SDG 1.3. SPFs are basic sets of social security guarantees aimed at ensuring that all individuals have access to essential health care and basic income security, promoted by the International Labor Organization (ILO). ILO has social protection and the right to social security as core components. Globally, social

protection is prioritized by many international organizations, illustrated by initiatives like the Social Protection Inter-agency Cooperation Board (SPIAC-B) launched in 2012, the UN Inter-Agency Task Force on Financing for Development established in 2015, and the Global Partnership for Universal Social Protection to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (USP2030) launched in 2016. These initiatives, involving the UN, World Bank, IMF, and bilateral partners, aim to build sustainable social protection systems.

The adoption of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development by all UN Member States reinforces this commitment, particularly through SDG 1.3, which urges countries to establish appropriate social protection systems to reduce and prevent poverty. Since 2009, the UN has also supported this goal through "One UN", helping to design and implement these systems.

According to the ILO, universal social protection significantly contributes to the reduction of poverty and inequality, citing the case of El Salvador as an example. Recently, El Salvador has made significant progress in establishing a universal social protection system due to the government's strong political commitment. The Universal Social Protection System (SPSU), introduced in 2009, aims to provide universal protection inhealth,food,income security, and vocational training. In2014,Congress passed the Development and Social Protection Act (LDPS) to institutionalize and enhance the SPSU. These efforts are transforming El Salvador's social protection structure, resulting in a notable socioeconomic impact, with poverty rates decreasing from 39.9% to 34.5% between 2008 and 2012.

ii. Global Partnership for Education (GPE)

As education is essential to poverty eradication for several reasons equipping individuals with the skills and knowledge necessary to access better job opportunities and higher incomes, driving economic growth from an educated workplace, having individuals make informed health decisions, and providing the means for social mobility , it can be said that Global Partnership for Education (GPE) is another compelling strategy to combat poverty. GPE is a multi-stakeholder partnership aimed at strengthening education systems in developing countries to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education. The partnership has played a significant role in reducing poverty rates by focusing on and improving education systems in developing countries.

GPE has helped to expand access to education for millions of children by funding school construction, teacher training, and learning materials, particularly in conflict-affected areas. From 2002 to 2018, GPE helped increase the number of children enrolled in school by 77 million in GPE partner countries.

GPE prioritizes equity by supporting the education of girls, children with disabilities, and other vulnerable minorities. Educating these groups who are oftentimes at the most disadvantage has a profound impact in breaking the cycle of poverty. Compared to having 42% as many girls as boys completing primary school in 2002, the statistics has increased to 67% of GPE partner countries.

GPE has also funded developing countries a considerable amount, having allocated over $7.4 billion to education in developing countries since its inception.

GPE’seffortsareclearlyimpactingpovertyinapositivelight.AccordingtoWorldBankEducation Data, each additional year of schooling raises an individual's earnings by about 10% on average, with even higher returns for women. Additionally, GPE partner countries that improved education quality and access saw a decrease in poverty rates due to better job opportunities and economic growth.

iii. World Food Programme (WFP) Initiatives

World Food Programme (WFP) provides food assistance in emergencies and works with communities to improve nutrition and enhance resilience. WFP can directly contribute to poverty reduction as its key interventions are aimed at addressing hunger.

WFP implements food assistance such as emergency relief providing food during crises such as conflicts, natural disasters, and pandemics and school feeding programs ensuring that children receive at least one meal a day; this program improves school attendance and performance, leading to better education and ultimately, as mentioned in the second program, reduced poverty rates. In 2019, WFP provided school meals to 17.3 million children in 59 countries, improving education outcomes and future economic prospects.

WFP also enforces nutrition programs such as supplementary feeding, ensuring that vulnerable groups children, pregnant women, etc. receive enough food to prevent malnutrition. WFP's nutrition interventions reached 17.3 million children and 7.5 million pregnant and lactating women in 2020. As malnutrition is a major blockade to economic productivity, with the supplementary feeding program’s help, economic growth can be expected.

As for building resilience, WFP engages communities in building infrastructure, which enhances food security, creates jobs, and increases agricultural productivity. WFP supported over 7.6 million people in building assets to improve food security and resilience in 2020.

In summary, WFP not only addresses immediate hunger needs but also contributes to sustainable long-term development in developing countries around the world.

iv. United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)

There are several comprehensive strategies that address the fundamental causes of poverty in which the United Nations Development Programme uses to help eradicate poverty. The following are some of its key interventions:

UNDP, most noticeably, alleviates poverty issues through economic empowerment such as creating employment opportunities by entrepreneurship support and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) promotion. For example, in 2020, UNDP's livelihood programs helped create or improve jobs for over 2.6 million people.

UNDP also ensures social protection, implementing social safety nets and universal basic services for instance, UNDP supports the development and implementation of cash transfers, health insurance, and pensions so that the safety nets can protect the vulnerable from economic depressions.

UNDP promotes environmental sustainability that balances economic growth with environmental protection, making use of renewable energy and conservation. The development programme further assists communities adapting to climate change, whose effect threatens poverty-stricken people’s livelihoods the most.

III. Economic Models and Approaches

i. Sustainable Livelihoods Approach (SLA)

Sustainable Livelihoods Approach (SLA), focusing on improving the assets required for a flourishing life, is often used in rural development programs to enhance resilience and reduce vulnerability to poverty. The approach recognizes the fact that poverty stems from both economic and environmental deprivation, also addressing social and political factors. As SLA enhances human and social capital, individuals and communities can take control of their development and improve their living conditions. SLA also promotes a multitude of livelihood strategies, thus reducing people’s vulnerability to economic shocks; this leads to long-term economic stability. Most importantly, SLA ensures that natural capital is consumed in a sustainable manner so that environmental resources are available for future generations, which is crucial for persisting poverty reduction.

For example, SLA has been used in agricultural development projects to promote sustainable farming practices and increase income for rural farmers; SLA has also been implemented for microfinance initiatives, providing financial services to encourage poor households to invest in small businesses and improve their income. The following are statistics that illustrate SLA’s impact on poverty reduction:

According to the World Bank, in India, a study on SLA-based watershed management projects reported a 30-50% increase in household incomes due to improved agricultural productivity and water availability.

UNDP cites that in Kenya, community-based natural resource management projects under SLA created approximately 5,000 new jobs in ecotourism and sustainable forestry between 2010 and 2015.

In Tanzania, SLA initiatives that integrated social protection and agricultural support improved food security for 70% of participating households and reduced malnutrition rates among children by 20% (FAO).

In short, the concept of Sustainable Livelihood is to gain a comprehensive understanding of the causes of poverty, paying attention to various factors such as vulnerability and social exclusion. By focusing on building a diverse set of assets, reducing vulnerabilities, and promoting sustainable practices, SLA helps individuals and communities achieve long-term and resilient pathways out of poverty.

ii. Microfinance and Microcredit

Initiatives led by the UN Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) provide financial services to lowincome individuals and small enterprises to promote entrepreneurship and economic self-sufficiency. UNCDF has played a significant role in alleviating poverty through financial inclusion and local development finance.

Additionally, UNCDF has launched investment platforms such as BuildFund and CleanStart, in which BuildFund supports SMEs in developing countries by providing funds for expansion and CleanStart supports financing clean energy solutions for the impoverished and micro-entrepreneurs. Through BuildFund, UNCDF has facilitated over $25 million in investments, helping SMEs scale up operations, create jobs, and enhance local economic development; on the other hand, CleanStart has enabled over 500,000 people to access clean energy solutions, reducing energy costs.

A. Conditional Cash Transfers (CCTs) and Universal Basic Income (UBI)

Conditional Cash Transfers (CCTs) are social assistance programs in which low-income households receive cash payments under specific conditions conditions that typically require beneficiaries to aim toward improving their long-term well-being, such as ensuring that children attend school and receive vaccinations. CCTs not only provide direct financial relief but also improve human capital; educated individuals are more likely to make informed decisions and find adequate employment. One prime example of CCTs is Brazil’s Bolsa Familia, which has led to improved school attendance, reduced child labor, and lowered poverty overall.

Universal Basic Income (UBI) is another potential tool to reduce poverty and provide financial security explored by the UN. However, the cost of providing a regular income to all citizens is a compelling challenge. Some proposals suggest funding UBI through taxation particularly on higher incomes, corporations, and carbon emissions. The risk of inflation due to injecting a large amount of money into the economy also remains threatening. Although UBI is not widely implemented for these reasons, successful application can significantly relieve poverty rates.

IV. Key Initiatives and Funds

UNICEF’s Social Protection Programs: Programs such as cash transfer, child grants, CCTs, and emergency social protection implemented by UNICEF aim to reduce poverty and protect vulnerable populations.

The World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF): Although The World Bank and IMF are not part of the UN, they work with UN agencies on poverty reduction strategies. Programs such as the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) Initiative and Poverty Reduction Strategy Papers (PRSPs) focus on debt relief and financial assistance.

V. Conclusion

Poverty still remains a prominent issue among modern society. According to World Poverty Statistics, in 2024, around 9.2% of the world, or around 700 million people, live in extreme poverty. Poverty elimination is not only a moral necessity but also a tool for ensuring global stability. Aside from the moral obligation to help those in need, alleviating poverty can diminish crime rates and instability, promote social inclusion, foster economic growth, and halt unsustainable exploitation of natural resources.

Governments and organizations must address the root causes of poverty, such as lack of education, inadequate healthcare, and economic inequality. Though eradicating poverty completely in all its forms is a complex challenge that may require serious dedication and time, with UN’s specific SDG 1 plans and its partnering organizations’ help, completely abolishing poverty may not be an impossible dream.

Works Cited

Chen, James. “What Is Poverty? Meaning, Causes, and How to Measure.” Edited by Thomas J Catalano, Investopedia, Investopedia, 19 Apr. 2024, www.investopedia.com/terms/p/poverty.asp#toc-how-to-reducepoverty.

“Statistics on Social Protection.” ILOSTAT, 3 Apr. 2020, ilostat.ilo.org/topics/social-protection/.

Fabio Durán-Valverde, Fabio, and José Francisco OrtizVindas. “Reducing Inequality Through Universal Social Protection - El Salvador.” Edited by Helmut Schwarzer, Social-Protection.Org, International Labour Office , Aug. 2015, www.social-protection.org/gimi/Media.action?id=15106.

“School Enrollment, Primary (% Gross).” World Bank Open Data, 24 Apr. 2024, data.worldbank.org/indicator/SE.PRM.ENRR.

“Results Report 2019.” Global Partnership for Education, 10 Dec. 2019, www.globalpartnership.org/content/results-report-2019.

“Education at a Glance 2019.” OECD iLibrary, 2019, www.oecd-ilibrary.org/education/education-at-a-glance2019_f8d7880d-en.

Abdulla, A. “World Food Programme Annual Performance Report for 2020.” Wfp.Org, 25 June 2021, www.wfp.org/publications/annual-performance-report-2020.

Lartey, Anna, and Pietro Gennari. “Food and Nutrition in Numbers 2024.” Openknowledge.Fao.Org, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, openknowledge.fao.org/server/api/core/bitstreams/c654c74abbcb-42d8-bf62-108248c8165b/content.

Krantz, Lasse. “The Sustainable Livelihood Approach to Poverty Reduction.” Commdev.Org, SWEDISH INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT COOPERATION AGENCY, Feb. 2001, commdev.org/wpcontent/uploads/pdf/publications/The-Sustainable-Livelihood-Approach-to-Poverty-Reduction-SIDA.pdf.

“Bamboo Capital Partners Launch Build Fund to Support and Empower Smes in Zimbabwe.” Bamboo Capital Partners Launch BUILD Fund to Support and Empower SMEs in Zimbabwe - UN Capital Development Fund (UNCDF), 13 Dec. 2023, www.uncdf.org/article/8582/buildfundzimbabwe.

Wierda, Vincent. “CleanStart.” CleanStart - UN Capital Development Fund (UNCDF), 2024, www.uncdf.org/cleanstart.

“Bolsa Família: Changing the Lives of Millions.” World Bank, World Bank Group, 5 July 2012, www.worldbank.org/en/news/feature/2010/05/27/br-bolsa-familia.

Reducing Inequalities: Examining Policies and Their Impact for SDG 10

I. Introduction

Though it is common knowledge nowadays that all humans are born “equal”, ironically, inequality continues to remain a prominent issue; in particular, income disparity and access to education and healthcare stand out as the most noticeable and primary inequality concern. First, as for income inequality, disparities are evident both within and between countries. Some of its key aspects are wealth concentration, regional disparities, and income gaps. Second, educational inequality is an important factor contributing to social and economic inequalities. Third, inequality in healthcare access significantly affects global inequality and global health negatively. Several factors contribute to global inequalities, such as economic policies favoring the rich, political instability, and inadequate investment in education and healthcare. This essay will focus on the overview of income disparity and how governments and organizations have addressed this issue.

II. Income Disparity

Income disparity refers to the uneven distribution of income across various groups of society. The following are some examples and aspects of income disparity:

i. Developed vs. Developing Countries

The extensive difference underscores the income disparity between developed and developing nations. For example, The per capita income in the United States is significantly higher than in India. According to the World Bank, the GDP per capita in the U.S. was approximately $65,000 in 2021, whereas in India, it was around $2000.

ii. Richest and Poorest Countries

Disparities illustrate the extreme income inequality at a global level. For instance, Qatar, one of the richest countries globally, has a GDP per capita of over $60,000; in contrast, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, one of the poorest, has a GDP per capita of less than $500.

iii. Within-Country Income Disparity

Income distribution and regional disparities can be analyzed in theUnited States’ case. The income gap between the richest and the poorest has been widening in 2019, the top 1% of U.S. earners have captured about 20% of the total national income.

In South Africa, income inequality is heavily influenced by racial disparities originating from apartheid history. The white minority generally earns significantly more than the black majority.

In order to address income disparities, policy interventions implemented by the government have been launched to create a more equitable distribution of income. The following are some strategies:

iv. Progressive Taxation

Progressive Taxation involves higher tax rates for people with higher incomes, which helps redistribute wealth from the rich to the poor.

The U.S. federal income tax system is progressive, with tax rates increasing with income. Recent discussions include increasing taxes on the wealthiest individuals and corporations to fund social programs.

Countries such as Sweden and Denmark have highly progressive tax systems. These systems help fund extensive welfare programs and public services, which contribute to lower income inequality.

v. Minimum Wage Laws

Establishing a legal minimum wage can reduce poverty and income inequality by ensuring that all workers earn a baseline income.

Australia’s policy helps reduce income disparity and secures a reasonable standard of living for low-income workers.

Germany has implemented a national minimum wage in 2015. This implementation has contributed to reducing the wage gap between low-income workers and high-income workers.

vi. Social Safety Nets

Some examples of social safety nets are: welfare programs, social security, and unemployment benefits that provide financial support to those in need.

Canada offers comprehensive social safety nets such as child benefits and old-age security, which help alleviate income inequality.

Brazil’s Bolsa Familia program provides financial aid to low-income families after ensuring that their children attend school and receive vaccinations.

vii. Universal Basic Income (UBI)

UBI involves regular, unconditional payments to all citizens, aimed at ensuring a basic standard of living and reducing income disparity.

From 2017 to 2018, Finland has conducted a UBI pilot program, which provided a monthly payment to 2,000 unemployed individuals. This program showed positive effects on well-being and employment.

The NGO GiveDirectly has been running a long-term UBI trial, providing regular payments to villagers in Kenya. GiveDirectly aims to assess the impact on poverty and inequality.

viii. Education and Training Programs

Investing in providing quality education and training for job search can help improve skills and employability, leading to higher incomes and reduced disparity.

Germany’s dual education system combines apprenticeships with vocational education, which ensures a skilled workforce and reduces income inequality.

South Korea invests heavily in education, leading to high literacy rates and skilled labor. This not only reduces income disparity but also supports economic growth.

ix. Healthcare Access

Ensuring universal healthcare access improves the overall well-being of the poor, which indirectly reduces income inequality.

In the United Kingdom, The National Health Service (NHS) provides free healthcare, funded by taxation, ensuring equal access for all citizens.

In Thailand, The Universal Coverage Scheme (UCS) provides healthcare access to most citizens, thus reducing healthcare-related financial burdens on low-income families.

x. Affordable Housing

Policies to increase the supply of affordable housing and provide housing subsidies can reduce the cost of living for low-income households.

The Housing Development Board (HDB) in Singapore provides affordable public housing, with more than 80% of residents living in HDB apartments, contributing to lower income inequality.

In the Netherlands, extensive social housing programs ensure affordable housing options for low and middle-income households, which reduces economic disparities.

xi. Labor Market Policies

Bolstering labor rights and supporting collective bargaining can lead to fairer wages and better working conditions.

In France, strong labor unions and collective bargaining agreements ensure fair wages and benefits for workers.

Recent policies in South Africa focus on improving labor standards and supporting union activities to protect workers’ rights and reduce income disparities.

III. Conclusion

Effective policy interventions to address income inequality require a multifaceted approach, combining progressive taxation, fair wages, social safety nets, and investments in education and healthcare. Countries that have successfully implemented these policies, such as Germany and Singapore, demonstrate that it is possible to create a more equitable society with reduced income inequality. By adopting these strategies, other nations can work towards a future in which economic opportunities are accessible to everyone, fostering inclusive growth. The goal of reducing income disparity to almost none is complex, but with sustained effort, meaningful progress is achievable.

Jiyun Baek, Chung Nam Samsung Academy

Reducing Inequalities : Examining Policies and Their Impact for SDG 10

As discussed in the article outlining the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), it specifies efforts to ensure that all children in developing countries achieve primary education by 2015. In 2015, theworldmustachievethisgoal,but57millionchildrenaroundtheworldarestilloutofprimaryschool. Although statistically the number of out-of-school students hasdeclined significantly since2005, global primary enrollment rates remain at 87 to 89 percent. In particular, despite the evaluation that considerable efforts had been made, it was found that large disparities occurred depending on socioeconomic characteristics and regional disparities. In South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa, elementary school enrollment rates are still relatively low compared to other regions. The reason for the low elementary school enrollment rate in this region is that a significant number of children drop out of elementary school due to reasons such as family circumstances, war, child labor, and natural disasters.

There are many reasons why children in poor countries do not go to school. Looking at it from the supply and demand side of education, there are many cases in rural areas where there are no schools, and it is difficult for students to go to school due to poor road conditions and roads. Additionally, there is a high possibility that the quality of education will not be high due to the lack of trained teachers and the large number of students in the classes. Also, the biggest limitation in sending children to school is the need for children's labor due to a lack of economic resources at home. Or, for cultural reasons, girls in particular may be expected to marry at a young age. Economically, the more educated children are, the more likely they are to find better jobs or earn higher wages. This is also the main logic explaining how human resource development is closely related to poverty eradication in developing countries. Educating children, especially girls, has the most important impact on alleviating poverty. In particular, it is said that studying an additional year of middle school education for girls each year increases future wages by approximately 8-10%. I think that if developing countries reduce the cost for their people to go to school or provide greater rewards for going to school, they can increase school enrollment rates and create social impact.

I believe that the critical difference between rich and poor countries is their institutions. Zambia has never fought a war with its neighbors and is rich in resources such as oil and natural gas. However, Zambia is a very poor country. The Netherlands, on the other hand, is the richest country in the world, despite its small size, low sea level, and constant war with its immediate neighbor Germany. For exact comparison, the rich country of Norway is 400 times richer than the world's poorest countries: Niger, Burundi and the Republic of Malawi. Zambia is a poor country despite having the potential to become arichcountry,andNorwaybecamearichcountrydespitemanyhardshipsandunfavorablegeographical location. I think this is a difference in system. I believe that institutions have a huge impact on national wealth. In fact, countries with honest governments and good institutions that enforce promises and laws tend to be wealthier than countries with corrupt governments that ignore contracts and laws. I believe that poor countries will be able to grow if they find loopholes and contradictions in the system and prevent government corruption. I believe that if rich countries also use that method, they will be able to more effectively plan and execute foreign aid for poor countries.

Ithink thereason poorcountriesarestillpoor isthetyranny ofdeveloped countries.Thisisbecause developed countries have forgotten how they grew as developing countries and are only concerned about their own interests now that they have become developed countries. Most countries now commonly referred to as rich countries became rich by protecting and fostering the manufacturing industry. In 1485, Henry VII actively protected England's manufacturing industry and led to the first industrial revolution. Additionally, Germany and the United States also protected their manufacturing sectors for 150 years. If we were to look at an example of a country that did not protect the manufacturing industry, we could look at Spain. Spain protected agricultural production, not manufacturing, from foreign competition. In the end, Spain was seriously deindustrialized toward the end of the 16th century and remained one of the poorest countries in Europe until the early 20th century. I believe that protecting domestic industry and allowing free trade for a period of time would help the economy grow. However, developed countries began to impose on poor countries a theory that they had never followed and would never follow. This is because institutions such as the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund implement policies that impose ‘conditional provisions’ to prevent third world countries from establishing institutions to protect their own industries. The tyranny of developed countries ultimately prevents poor countries from growing, and this situation continues for decades, with rich countries taking up all lucrative jobs, i.e. high-skill jobs, and low-skill jobs being distributed to poor countries. throw it away Developed countries blame this tyranny on poor countries, saying they lack innovation.

There are many policies that poor countries implement to promote growth. First, development policy is a policy established by developing countries for their own development. Examples of these development policies include national development plans, fiscal and economic policies, and Poverty Reduction Strategy Papers. Development policies are being established at the international level, such as the Paris Declaration on Aid Effectiveness. In Korea, various efforts are being made to eradicate poverty in developing countries. First, International Development Cooperation is a broad cooperation of the international community to realize development, encompassing all activities in the public and private sectors that support poverty eradication and economic and social development in developing countries, and most developed countries. This is a concept commonly used by donor countries. Second, Official Development Assistance (ODA) is a part of international development cooperation activities, which is provided by public institutions, including central and local governments, or their executive agencies to developing countries and international organizations to promote economic development and welfare in developing countries. It refers to the flow of funds provided in a concessional manner. Lastly, the Development Assistance Committee (DAC) of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) uses the term “assistance” instead of “aid” to indicate that development assistance is not a unilateral act but rather a partnership between aid donor countries and aid recipient countries. It is emphasized that it is a mutual action based on partnership.

There are three main reasons why international development cooperation is necessary. First, by supporting the economic development of developing countries, we can contribute to solving global poverty problems. Second, it can be of great help in improving the relationship between aid-receiving partner countries and aid-giving countries. Lastly, the economic development of developing countries through international development cooperation brings peace and stability to the international community.

Partnerships for the Goals : How Youth Can Foster Global

Partnerships for SDG 17

SDG 17 is important to global society Global partnerships can ultimately be called a key element that leads to the realization of all SDGs. Global partnership can make the responsibility of trust and commitment between stakeholders. Trust and commitment are very important elements in international relations, corporate relationships, and society. The egotism of countries that only focus on their own interests can be prevented to some extent through global partnerships, or treaties.

Through global partnerships between countries, they can help poor countries grow and lead normal lives Theycan alsoformpartnershipsthattakethe environment into consideration. Togive anexample, The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), adopted at the United Nations Conference on Environment & Development (UNCED) held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in June 1992, is a 'joint agreement' between developed and developing countries. In accordance with 'Common but Differentiated Responsibilities', they promised to reduce greenhouse gases according to each individual's capabilities. This agreement is an agreement that takes into consideration developing countries that need development more than developed countries. However, rather than making exceptions for developing countries, this agreement is intended to fulfill environmental responsibilities in each country’s position

Global partnerships between companies can revitalize the development of sustainable products or services In particular, companies can take an oath for sustainable development goals, such as the SDGs declaration. Technology development for the sustainable development goals also takes a lot of time, which may ultimately lead to longer international losses. So, by forming this partnership, we can have a great influence on each other's technology development and grow each other's companies.

What I want to point out is the role of young people in the international community. I believe that young people are essential people in the international community. Young people think and come up with new ideas that adults cannot. Young people's passion and ambition to take onchallenges ultimately presents accurate and appropriate solutions to the problems facing the international community. Also, I thinkthereasonwhyyoungpeopleareimportantistheirflexiblethinking.Theirflexiblethinkingallows them to peacefully embrace issues which are controversial in the international community, such as race, inequality reduction, and the environment. Young people are the people who will lead our society in the future. Young people will become CEOs and entrepreneurs of important companies in the world, leaders who create innovative changes in this international community, and leaders who play important roles in their countries. Because they are people who will ultimately play an important role in the international community, UN-related education and networks among young people will be very important.

There are many ways in which young people can achieve the SDG 17, but what is ultimately important is the desire to achieve the SDGs and the network of people who have that mindset. Young people must be objectively and clearly aware of what impact the field they want to pursue has on the international community and what the problems are. Also, they must know how solving the problem will affect the SDGs. In addition, they must recognize that efforts to achieve the SDGs are much more effectivewhen theyworktogetherratherthanindividually, and theymustmakeeffortstoformnetworks

with people who have similar thoughts as us and solve problems. There is endless potential for young people to promote and strengthen global partnerships. The strength of young people is their ability to motivate people around them.

They have the ability to use internet media such as SNS usefully and actively, and can spread various messages to many people through these media. These days, many protests and issues are spread not through newspapers and word of mouth like in the past, but through social media or internet communities. Social media provides a single context in which everyone can participate in the entire process from acquiring information, sharing awareness, and taking action. Because of this, social media hasaninherent resistancethatmakesall original nationalinstitutionssuchasthe media,state, and police subject to review and verification. For example, there is the ‘White Paper Protest’ in China that took place around 2023. At a time when the blockade in accordance with China's strict policy had been in effect for about three years, many Chinese people were angry at this policy. Word of holding a candlelightvigilemergedonsocialmediainChina,andthisplanspreadamongthepeople.Manypeople took to the streets holding blank sheets of paper with nothing written on them and held large-scale protests, shouting slogans criticizing the leadership. In this way, SNS has made it easier for people to find connections between people and to mobilize people. If you use social media that is familiar to young people, you can work together with many people to achieve the goals you want, and together with these people, you can change society into a better world.

There are also problems with this SNS. The ending of the ‘blank paper protest’, which I mentioned earlier, was not very good. People who participated in the protest said they had been contacted by fake SNSaccountsimpersonatingreportersandwereafraidthattheirpersonalinformationcouldbecollected by the government. Also, in July 2024, President Macron pointed to social media as the background to the riots at the Elysee Palace, and said that if protests get out of control, social media may have to be regulated or blocked. Social media doesn't just have a positive impact. Therefore, young people must be aware of the impact social media has on society and be aware of it.

Assuming that young people use SNS correctly and are aware of the influence of SNS, SNS is a very good medium that can promote partnerships. This can result in gathering like-minded people and working together to achieve that goal. Additionally, when young people learn about the importance of UN-related education and global partnerships, a more peaceful and just global society will be created. By holding important positions in a company and a country, working in solidarity with each other, developing innovative technologies, and helping each other, we can achieve results that enable people in the global society to live stable lives.

Joon Ho Kim, Seoul International School

Eradicating Poverty: Analyzing Effective Strategies for SDG1

Poverty is a pressing problem faced by countries worldwide. More than 575 million people worldwide face extreme poverty. However, only one-third of countries worldwide have halved their poverty levels. Although poverty is an important issue for countries to tackle, it is a tough nut to crack. To make progress against such poverty in the future, it is necessary to inquire upon it, and their causes.

Classical economists have pinpointed the core issue of poverty to the very fabric of capitalism: lack of capital accumulation, the state’s distribution of wealth and consumption, and population. However, economists such as Adam smith, David Ricardo, or Thomas Malthus have provided solutions only applicable to their time period. To modernize solutions against poverty, we need to look at it from a different perspective. According to Smithian capitalism, when business owners pursue their own interests, they expand their company and create more jobs, which leads to economic fluctuation. This competition to fill these jobs eventually improve the working conditions of workers. However with the rise of the service economy, it is no longer nessacary for companies to create more jobs. This leads to the exploitation of workers: workers produce more value than is reflected in their wages, creating a surplus that capitalists, those owning the means of production, accumulate. This vividly highlights the notion that capital has only one living instinct: to hoard as much surplus labor as possible.

Capitalists, driven by an insatiable hunger for profit, employ various tactics to extract this surplus. They extend working hours, intensify workloads, and replace skilled workers with cheaper labor. This relentless squeezing weakens workers and reduces their bargaining power, leading them to become a state of absolute poverty, where basic needs become a distant dream. The real wage reduction throws the proletariat to a viscious cycle of absolute poverty.

Capitalist production, not only condemning the working class to unending poverty, also engenders a polarized society. Capitalists accumulate wealth on the one end, whereas poverty and social ills fester the working class on the other. This stark contrast is captured by the line, "Accumulation of wealth at one pole is, therefore, at the same time accumulation of misery, agony of toil slavery, ignorance, brutality, mental degradation, at the opposite pole" This disparity is masked by the veil of a seemingly fair wage system, in which workers receive a portion of the value they create.

The endless pursuit of surplus value further exacerbates this polarization. This dynamic is metaphorically described with the phrase, "the more sucking labor, its life is more vigorous," reflecting how capitalists constantly seek to extract more value. This widening gap between rich and poor not only creates an unjust society, but also leads to social disintegration and instability.

There were many previous attempts to solve the problem of poverty through competition: lowering prices; competition between businesses requiring the enhancement of products and services, as well as the reduction of prices for consumers; and job creation, as businesses compete within the market, they would most likely employ more workers as they grow to expand and enhance production. However, all

these attempts failed to tackle the more fundamental system of capitalism, and thus, poverty alleviation is a problem that remains for us to solve. One apparent solution to this unsolved issue would be to tear down the foundation of the current world: capitalism. This would mean abolishing private ownership of the means of production, and shifting to a system in which ownership is collective.

For example, China has experienced great success in alleviating poverty throughout the last halfcentury. Just 40 years ago, China's poverty rate was 97%. However this rate has been significantly reduced to 15.3%. The quote from Manuela V. Ferro, the World Bank Vice President for East Asia and Pacific “China’s poverty reduction story is a story of persistent growth through economic transformation,” emphasizes this feat. China's success is characterized by two main aspects: urbanization and industrialization. Through the urbanization of rural areas, new industries were introduced to the people of those regions. This allowed for people to acquire new jobs and thereby improve the flow of capital in that area. With this new source of income resolving more dire problems, these regions were able to improve their infrastructure, education, and much more. This naturally led to the next aspect: industrialization. The newly urbanized regions created grounds for the flower of industry to bloom. Factories, steel mills, shipyards all require urban infrastructure to be built and maintained. Together, these two aspects led to the more rapid production of better quality goods, as well as millions of more jobs for the people. This master stroke was only achievable due to the Communist system of China. Capitalism naturally induces competition as it is embedded in its roots. When those with capital look out only for their own interests, it will be virtually impossible to improve the infrastructure and the conditions of the community in a large scale. Throughout the last three decades, within a capitalist system, the vast majority of the people, in most if not all cases, become relegated to working-class status. It would not be a demanding task to anticipate the rise of inequality, and especially taking into account the poor economic statuses of the chinese populus and the lack of any formidable industry, endless competition allowing no buisness to able to reach a significant status compared with those of other nations.

However there is a critical disadvantage inherent to a communist system. In a Communist state, one singular entity, the party, is given the task to make the economic descisions, such as taxes, productions, expenditures and budget, that best reflect the will and interests of the people. It is proven by history that the party fails, or outright rejects, to reflect the will and interests of its people in most cases. It is simply infeasible for a handful of men of the politburo to represent the diverse interest of society, and make the right decision for them at every given opportunity.

Recent expansions in economic theories have created a new form of capitalism: regulated capitalism. In pure capitalism, the means of production are soley owned and operated privately by individuals or corporations. Nonethelss, in regulated capitalism, the government plays an active role in regulating and overseeing economic activities in order to ensure fair competition, protect consumers, and promote social welfare. The most cutting edge research by economicsts suggests this method as the cure to poverty. The research puts forward the argument that regulatory measures, contrary to what was beleived, creates efficient and innovative buisnesses, increases job opportunities with a larger margin of incentives for the people. This does not mean that regulated capitalism is without its faults. Regulated capitalism needs the government to collect the income of the people in the form of taxation. Mordern taxation policies are designed to collect money from the higher echealons of society, and redistribute it to the lower ones. It is needless to say that such a system would deincentivize innovation. Who would want to conduct paradigm-shifting scientific research, create new medicines, and make the next iphone if half their assets are taxed by the government? Although this paper is far from a thorough account of human struggle against poverty, at the end of the day, the fight against poverty is a story of resillience,

that proves the might of the human will. Nevertheless, its solutions still require a paradigm shift on a global scale. Cold ideas of economic development and class are not sufficient. The one who eventually made the traveler's cloth come off was the sun. We must emphasize the human element in our fight against poverty. We must constantly remind ourselves of the people living around the world, and the amount of suffering we would get rid of through more fair trading practicies, and empowered communities. Poverty by no means is an insurmountable hurdle. We have but a step to take in order to conclude this long battle against the epidemic that haunted human societies around the world for thousands of years. History calls us to deal this final blow against poverty.

Reducing Inequalities: Examining Policies and Their Impact for SDG 10

We live in a world where it is easier to imagine the end of the world than the end of capitalism. After the fall of the Soviet Union, the dream of the working man's paradise has been shattered, and it seemed as if Capitalism has come out victorius from the battle of ideologies. The notion that this is the end for humanity, that we have seen everything through became wide spread. This is most notably summed up by the book "The End of History and the Last Man", written by the Political-Philosopher Francis Fukuyama, arguing that democracy and capitalism is the end of history, thtat there is no more development or significant shift of ideologies awaiting us . However, as much as Hegel was wrong to have beleieved that the end of history had been reached, it would be utterly wrong for us to believe that the end of history has come. The world enterred this millenium with a promise. A promise of continued prosperity and stability. That the world is going to be a better place by the day, by the year, by the decade. However, this promise, at least within the minds of the people, seems completely shattered. Americans realized that not all people are content with their idea of democracy in 2001. Only seven years later, they realized that the system that they believed to have worked for their benefit did not actually work for them. As the illusion of liberal democracy and capitalism's victory continued, wealth inequalityskyrocketedthroughouttheyears. Theportionofassetsownedbythetop10%ofhouseholds in the US contineud to increase from 1989, taking steep increases at times of crises. The top 400 wealthiest people of the US own more money than the bottom half of Americans combined. Even if we expand the scope and look at the world, millionaires that make up 1% of the world population control 46% of all wealth. It is clear that inequality is a problem, and a systematic one. If not it would be impossible that this much wealth is accumulated around this small of a number of people, and it cannot be continuing to increase at this rate. There is something inherently wrong with the way in which money flows in this world. The capitalist world had an unprecedented level of prosperity after World War 2 until the 1970s. This was all possible due to money flowing across all levels of society. Low interest rates, high productivity among workers, necessity of massive infrastructure projects to rebuild what was destroyed and enhance upon, as well as the novel idea of international cooperation, all worked together to create dynamic economies that benefitted all parties. However, with the collapse of Bretton Woods, the Oil Shock, and recessions, this period of prposperity also ended. However this period of prosperity and positive outlooks on the future ended in the 1980s, and the west gave birth to Neo-Liberalism. With a strong emphasis on reducing taxes, loosening regulations, and supporting corporations, neo-liberal policies intended to revitalize the economies that were severely damaged in the 1970s. However, neoliberal policies functioned in a way that the working class was marginalized within the economic picture. Already big corporations, with less taxes to pay and less regulations to keep in mind, expanded their buisnesses, with their workers not in their minds. The governments too, under the name of revitalizing the economy, cut welfare programs that were a vital tool for the working class to enhance their living conditions and possibly climb up the social ladder. These kinds of policies were accepted throughout the political spectrum. Tony Blair argued for New-Labour, and accepted many of the Conservative's Neo-Liberal policies. Even Nelson Mandela, a former fighter and bold revolutionary, took neo-liberal policies after becoming South Africa's first black president. Neo-Liberal policies were the norm of the period, and its status as "default" was only reinforced by the fall of communism. However,(2007 financial crash) With the development of the internet, these big corporations also became capable of something more than simply expanding their wealth. They could

make their absurdly large assets, and the damage they cause on people and the planet a part of day to daylife.Theproductionofcomputers,phonesarerarelyassociatedwiththeimageofcongolesechildren dying inside of mines. When we order a coffee from starbucks, we barely wonder how much money the ethiopian child would have recieved for working 16 hours a day picking and drying coffee fruits. Although advertisements existed long before the internet or neo-liberalism, the ability to reach millions if not billions of people within seconds had never existed. There are still journalists like Sinclair that get themselves in the thick of it, who reveal the injustices and inequalities of the world. However, it is far from likely that a reportage on the working conditions of children in the congo would get the same number of likes as the newly released special edition starbucks mugs.

Junghoo Park, Korean Minjok Leadership Academy

Solutions and suggestions to achieve SDG1: No Poverty

I. Introduction

Extreme poverty, defined as surviving on less than $2.15 per person per day at 2017 purchasing power parity, has witnessed remarkable declines over recent decades. However, we are still not on track to meet the SDG 1. However, we built the systems that created poverty, which means we can also take them down.

This essay will focus on analyzing effective strategies for SDG 1: No Poverty. This will be achieved by first, defining the multidimensional causes of poverty; second, investigating current policies; third, developing effective solutions based on the data.

II. Causes of poverty: the vicious cycle

Poverty is not just about low income. There are many causes to poverty; they include unemployment, social exclusion, high vulnerability to disasters and disease, social inequality. In simple terms, poverty is both a cause and a product of human rights violations.

The UN often refers to poverty as a ‘vicious cycle,’ made up of a wide range of factors, which are interlinked and hard to overcome. Lack of resources, capability and opportunities makes it almost impossible for everyone to satisfy the most basic human needs for the human rights.

In addition, strong social protection systems are essential for diminishing the effects and preventing many people from falling into poverty. Social protection includes income support, human capital development, resilience to disasters etc. By providing timely support during crises, social protection helps people recover more quickly and prevents them from falling into long-term poverty.

The World Conference against Racism in Durban emphasized that poverty, underdevelopment, marginalization, social exclusion and economic disparities are closely associated with racism and contribute to the persistence of racist attitudes and practices, which in turn, generate more poverty. When people are excluded from enjoying the basic human rights only because of who they are, it leads to marginalization, which stops them from accessing the essential services.

Despite the importance of social protection, according to The Sustainable Development Goals Report 2024, in 2023, only 28.2percent of children aged 0 to 15 globally received child cash benefits, up from 22.1 percent in 2015. This left 1.4 billion children without social protection coverage. (Figure 1)

Furthermore, the COVID 19 pandemic had both immediate and long-term economic consequences for people across the globe and despite the expansion of social protection during the COVID 19 crisis, 55percent of the world’s population – about 4 billion people – are entirely unprotected.

III. Current law standards and suggestions

The following are examples of related human rights law and standards to eradicate extreme poverty, reduce poverty and ensure equal rights to economic resources (SDG targets 1.1, 1.2 and 1.4).

First, International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR), art. 11.1: The State Parties to the present Covenant recognize the right of everyone to an adequate standard of living for himself and his family. Including adequate food, clothing, and to the continuous improvement of living conditions.

Second, Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), art. 13: States Parties shall take all appropriate measures to eliminate discrimination against women in other areas of economic and social life in order to ensure, on a basis of equality of men and women, the same rights, in particular (13.a) The right to family benefits; (13.b) The right to bank loans, mortgages and other forms of financial credit.

Third, International Labor Organization (ILO) C122 Employment Policy Convention: This ILO governance Convention aims at stimulating economic growth and development, raise levels of living, meet manpower requirements and overcome unemployment and underemployment.

Fourth, International Labor Organization (ILO) C131 Minimum Wage fixing Convention: This ILO Convention requires ratifying states to stablish a minimum wage fixing machinery capable of determining and periodically reviewing and adjusting minimum wage rates having the forces of law.

Although these policies exist for reducing poverty and inequality, it is estimated that 590 million people, or 6.9 percent of the world’s population will still live in extreme poverty by 2030.

The biggest problem in these examples above is that there is no specific standard or number that people can refer to. It only has a very general concept and vague expressions, such as raise levels of living, adequate amount and overcome. The standard of the appropriate level, the criteria for ‘adequate’ and the definition of adequate etc. is not indicated in the text itself. If there are no specific directions on these details, the goals and purposes of the policy become unrealistic and meaningless, leading to a stagnation on following the track of achieving the goal.

Furthermore, the organizations working on the SDGs must be more open to public. The information we can get through the United Nations official website (Department of Economic and Social Affairs), the World Bank official website, and Report of the progress towards the sustainable development goals are only about the current conditions and what efforts we ‘should’ make to achieve the goals by 2030; however, it doesn’t provide sufficient information about what measures the United States has taken that has resulted the status quo. This way, the public cannot analyze nor comment on the progress we are making, which in turn, makes it even more difficult to take required actions.

IV. Solutions

As mentioned above, poverty is not only about money and employment. There are many areas we should cover to eradicate poverty.

There are mainly five aspects to consider: 1. Ensuring that essential services are available (health, education, shelter etc.); 2. Providing and protecting jobs; 4. Promoting social cohesion and investing in community-led resilience and response systems; 5. Reducing social inequality (gender inequality, marginalization, resource inequality).

In addition, policies must put a greater focus on women and children. Global poverty rates are 0.5 percent points higher for women than for men. Access to family planning, adolescent health, maternity benefits and care can have multiplier affects for households’ wellbeing and build higher produce capacity. Investing in the care economy presents an opportunity to create jobs, while addressing pressing presents an opportunity to create jobs, while addressing pressing social needs, especially since children comprise more than half of those living in extreme poverty, and short-term deprivations in nutrition, health or education can lead to long-term deficits.

However, despite the necessity of thesethings, there is one significant factor that limits the actions: financing. Financial constraints and debt servicing limit many countries’ fiscal space and ability to invest in areas that are essential for sustained poverty reduction. Delivering on existing commitments of 0.7 percent of donors’ gross national income for ODA would help provide a much-needed boost to poverty eradication.

V. Conclusion

It is extremely challenging to eradicate poverty all over the world, as there already is a disparity in the economic level between countries. Data from approximately 100 countries show that the gap of

proportion of total government spending on essential services (education health and social protection remains stable at approximately 20 percent points.

However, it is never too late to move a step forward. It is now time we should work together as an international citizen to provide essential service for everyone in the society, eradicate social inequality etc.

The Importance of International Partnerships and Education in Achieving SDG 17

I. Introduction

We are one. We must achieve the 17 Sustainable Development Goals together as one. Although there are 193 individual countries linked to this promise, we have united to reach the same goals. As we are getting closer to 2030, the importance of partnership for the goals is being highlighted more than ever after the pandemic.

However, according to the report on Progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals, the number of countries that actively promote outward foreign direct investment to developing countries, including least developed countries remains limited. In 2023, at least 50 countries, including 19 emerging or developing economies, had at least one type of investment promotion mechanism for outward foreign direct investment in place. However, out of those, only 23 countries have adopted and outward foreign direct investment promotion scheme specifically targeting developing countries, including least developed countries.

This essay suggests the importance of partnerships and different approaches to expanding global partnerships.

II. Importance of partnerships

Just as there is a disparity between income groups within a country, the starting line for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) varies significantly between countries. Developing countries, especially the least developed ones, are often not in a position to prioritize issues such as education and inequality. This is a stark reality, as the populations in these countries grapple with severe daily survival challenges. The hard truth is that this situation perpetuates a vicious cycle of poverty.

Poverty is amultifaceted issue that extends beyond merely having alow income.Numerous factors contribute to poverty, including inadequate housing, insufficient disaster response mechanisms, lack of essential education, and pervasive social inequality. The United Nations (UN) describes poverty as a 'vicious cycle' comprised of interlinked and entrenched factors that are incredibly difficult to break. This cycle involves a lack of resources, capabilities, and opportunities, making it nearly impossible for people to meet their most basic human needs and exercise their rights.

The vicious cycle of poverty in developing countries means that these nations often lack the resources to invest in initiatives aimed at achieving the SDGs. This situation is particularly dire in least developed countries, where the struggle for survival overshadows efforts to address longer-term goals such as quality education, reduced inequalities, and sustainable development.

In this context, it becomes evident that external support is crucial. International aid and collaboration are essential in helping these countries break free from the cycle of poverty. Assistance can come in various forms, such as financial aid, technological support, capacity building, and policy

guidance. Such support can help bolster infrastructure, improve access to education and healthcare, and foster economic opportunities.

Providing aid to developing countries is not just a matter of charity; it is an investment in global stability and prosperity. By helping these nations build the capacity to achieve the SDGs, we contribute to creating a more equitable and sustainable world. For instance, improving education and healthcare in developing countries can lead to a more skilled and healthier workforce, which in turn can drive economic growth and reduce poverty. Similarly, addressing social inequalities can foster more inclusive societies, reducing the risk of conflict and fostering social cohesion.

Moreover, in an interconnected world, the challenges faced by one region can have far-reaching impacts. Issues such as climate change, pandemics, and economic instability do not respect national borders. By supporting the development and resilience of poorer nations, we enhance global capacity to address these transnational challenges

III. Building Capacity for Effective Partnerships

One of the core aspects of SDG 17 is the formation of effective, inclusive, and sustainable partnerships across various sectors and regions. Education equips individuals with the knowledge and skills necessary to build and maintain such partnerships.

a. Enhancing Technical and Managerial Skills: Education, particularly higher education and specialized training, develops a cadre of professionals proficient in technical and managerial skills. These skills are essential for designing, implementing, and managing international projects and partnerships. For instance, training in project management, international relations, and finance can help individuals navigate the complexities of international collaborations, ensuring that projects are effectively planned and executed.

b. Promoting Understanding and Cooperation: Education fosters a deep understanding of global issues, cultures, and systems, promoting empathy and cooperation among different nations and cultures. Educational programs that focus on global citizenship, international law, and cultural studies can prepare individuals to work effectively in diverse teams and settings, bridging gaps and overcoming cultural and ideological differences. This understanding is vital for creating and sustaining partnerships that are respectful, inclusive, and effective.

c. Strengthening Institutional Capacity: Institutions of higher learning and research play a pivotal role in capacity building. Universities and research centers can become hubs of innovation and knowledge exchange, offering training and resources to governments, NGOs, and private sector partners. This strengthens institutional capacity across regions, particularly in developing countries, enabling them to participate more effectively in global partnerships.

IV. Facilitating Knowledge and Technology Transfer

Another critical aspect of SDG 17 is the transfer of knowledge and technology to support sustainable development. Education acts as a conduit for this transfer by creating a knowledgeable workforce capable of innovating and adapting technologies for local contexts.

a. Creating a Skilled Workforce: Education systems that emphasize science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) produce a workforce capable of understanding, developing, and implementing new technologies. This is particularly important for developing countries, where a lack of technical expertise can hinder the adoption of sustainable practices and technologies. For example, training in renewable energy technologies can help countries transition to cleaner energy sources, reducing their environmental impact and promoting sustainability.

b. Encouraging Research and Development (R&D): Higher education institutions and research organizations play a key role in driving innovation through R&D. By fostering a research culture and providing resources for scientific inquiry, education systems can contribute to the development of new technologies and solutions that address global challenges. Moreover, international collaborations in research can lead to the sharing of cutting-edge knowledge and technologies, benefiting all partners involved.

c. Facilitating Information Exchange: Education promotes the dissemination of information and best practices. Educational platforms, conferences, and academic publications provide forums for the exchangeofideasandknowledge,helpingtospreadinnovativesolutionsandsuccessfulpracticesacross borders. This exchange is vital for scaling up successful initiatives and ensuring that all countries, especially those with limited resources, have access to the latest advancements in sustainable development.

V. Conclusion

In conclusion, international partnerships and education are crucial for achieving SDG 17. Effective collaborations provide essential support to developing countries, helping them break the cycle of poverty and build sustainable futures. Education enhances technical skills, promotes understanding, and strengthens institutional capacities, while facilitating knowledge and technology transfer. By fostering global cooperation and innovation, we can create a more equitable and sustainable world, addressing transnational challenges and ensuring progress towards all Sustainable Development Goals.

Junwon Son, The Taft School

Ensuring Clean Water and Sanitation: Challenges and Solutions for SDG 6

Consuming water is considerably the most essential factor that contributes to humans’ physiological well-being. However, water scarcity and sanitation of waterhas been a controversial issue facedamongdifferentnations.Whilenumerouscountrieshaveadaptedvarioussolutionstotheseissues, boundary still exists on the aspects of its capability and credibility. According to the United Nations, around 700 million people among 43 countries are suffering and distressed from this extreme issue. It is crucial to develop a sustainable solution that allows a particular community to abscond from this issue.

Contamination of water in distribution systems and implementing low-cost sanitation systems are the main challenges in ensuring clean water and sanitation for all. These phenomena consistently occurred in Africa-among nations which mostly are underdeveloped. Like this, there are numerous interconnections between water sanitation and other factors. To resolve this matter, we must not overlook the intersection point with the other effects.

For instance, Democratic Republic of Congo has been published to be the country with the most unclean water - with a 54%rate- According to Unicef,despite Congo being the most water-rich African nation, only 52% of the population has access to an improved water source and 29% has improved sanitation facilities. To address water sanitation and improve on water quality, Congo’s government has suggested numerous solutions.

The Congolese government declared policies and strategies regarding sanitation of water such as the new Water Code. Enacted in 2015. Water code aimed at improving the management and regulation of water resources. Specifically, according to ESAWAS, the code law includes: Ensuring compliance by water supply service providers; monitoring the adherence to standards and norms by WSS service providers; establishing specifications for awarding concessions and any normative document within the public water supply services framework; aiding dispute resolution between operators and between consumers and public water supply service providers; determining the rules and procedures for fixing the elements of the tariff structure; and ensuring that rates and tariffs do not exceed the permitted maximums.

Another solution proposed by the Congolese government regarded establishment of regulatory bodies such as the National Water and Sanitation Corporation (REGIDESO) and the National Rural

Water Service (SNHR). National Water and Sanitation Corporation is responsible for producing and distributing clean waters throughout the nation's territory. On the other hand, the National Rural Water Service plays a role in construction of drinking water structures and training the population in maintenance. However, despite these efforts, Congo still remains to fail from reaching the nation's objective.

In comparison, there are few nations that have succeeded in overcoming the contamination of water. A great example of this is Singapore, a country known for its hygienic nature. Singapore has implemented a diversified water supply strategy known as the “Four National Taps”. According to National Library Bound, “Four National Taps” refer to the four sources that Singapore relies on for its water supply, which includes: water from local catchment, imported water, high-grade reclaimed water known as NEWater, and desalinated water. All of these were highly important for Singapore which they focused on and became a factor that contributed to the revival of Singapore's water supply.

A crucial component that aided Singapore to supply its increasing demand for water was the “reusage” of water. According to the National Library Bound, three strategies used were: collect every drop of water; reuse water endlessly; and desalinate more seawater. While the re-usage of water might be seen as ineffective due to its small impact, the accumulation of these small impacts led to countries' well-being.

Technological advancement gave numerous nations freedom from water scarcity. However, this goal is challenging for underdeveloped countries such as Niger and Congo to achieve due to the lack of financial resources. However, nations like Netherland, Israel and Australia benefited from the technological advancements regarding the water problems. With low-lying geography resulting in the harshest management of water, the Netherlands have implemented flood control systems, water management practices, and infrastructure that supplied water. Israel used drip irrigation methods and developed extensive desalination and wastewater treatment facilities.

Main differences shown in the two contrasting cases are whether the country is available and capable of an excessive amount of financial support that goes into the process of sanitation, and the contribution from the citizens itself. Both of these two countries’ governments proposed exemplary implementations; however, the differences depended on the practicality. This is approved by the fact that Democratic Republic of Congo contains the most water sources in the whole Africa continent. As the governments become more aware of the situation, they will implement advanced infrastructure to supply clean waters to the citizens.

Comparing the solutions of an underdeveloped country and a country that has overcome the issue, I believe the most important thing is financial resources. Without this support, it is nearly impossible for countries to develop and manage the facilities and lacks technological advancement. Rather than directly approaching this problem, it is more acceptable to fund or loan the countries with excessive amounts of finances that would be used in different aspects of water sanitation technology.

The UN reports that inadequate water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services result in an estimated 432,000diarrhealdeathsannually. Dirtywatercould leadtonumerous healthissuesand cause diseases among communities. However, According to the World Health Organization, every $1 invested in water and sanitation provides a return of $4.3 in the form of reduced health care costs and increased productivity. By investing in water sanitation, the nation could reduce the cost of healthcare and ensure citizens' health.

By implementing other countries’ technology and strategies such as Singapore, the nations that are currently suffering from water contamination would be able to overcome the challenges. The support from outside sources could considerably contribute to one nation’s well being. This is crucial for human society to improve together and it is also a way to reduce the gap between low income countries and high income countries. Overall, healthcare inequalities and economic disparity could be addressed by solving these small problems occurring in poor conditioned nations.

Reducing Inequalities: Examining Policies and Their Impact for SDG 10

Inequality among humans has been continuous from thousands of years ago to modern days in different forms -physical strength, race, economic background, and culture are all a common ground of inequality-. People have been discriminated against due to their backgrounds, leading to a detrimental effect in our community. Income disparity, access to education, and healthcare are the leading effects of an unfair society.

Income disparity refers to a state on how incomes are unevenly distributed throughout a population. According to the World Inequality Report 2022, the richest 1% of the global population owns more than 50% of the world’s wealth. Currently, income disparity is on its increasing trend, indicating a larger gap between poor and riches. Given these statistics, researchers premeditated that with the increasing income disparity, there will be challenges for workers and employers, in terms of opportunities. In observing this occurrence on a smaller scale, in the United States of America, average wages for those in the top 1 percent were 785,000 dollars. On the other hand, average income for the U.S is 67,000 per year, nearly differing more than 10 times. This phenomenon ranges worldwide, occurring from the world’s richest country to the poorest country.

To resolve this problem, numerous countries’ governments are focusing on tax relief and income support and transfer. Tax relief refers to a reduction in the amount of tax that an individual and company has to pay. This solution is controversial; According to researcher Richard Cloutier, opposer of tax relief states that it only benefits the rich to get more wealthier and reduce the government services on which the lower incomes rely on. This is not completely true. Tax curtailment, while preserving the differing percentages of taxes based on income, could benefit lower incomes to retain a larger portion of their earnings, which heightened the standard quality of life. Also, it lowers the cost of essential goods and services, allowing lower incomes to rely on it. However, even though the purpose of tax relief is to support the lower incomes, certain tax relief provisions may disproportionately benefit the wealthiest. So, to maximize the effectiveness and impact, there should be restrictions that control the income disparity.

Another inequality we observe in our society is individuals’ access to education. Education is undoubtedly a crucial factor that enhances the society and aids youths to develop in a proper way. Childrens that are uneducated are more likely to face boundaries to employment in their future life. According to the UN, 258 million, or 17 percent of the world's children, adolescents and youth, are experiencing education inequality. Additionally, the World Bank states “The out of school problem is particularly large in low-income countries, Francophone countries and fragile or conflict-affected countries.”-31 percent in sub-Saharan Africa and 21 percent in Central Asia compared to 3 percent in Europe and North America - This statistics indicates that the underlying cause of educational access is poverty and social class. Poverty limits the academic resources that a student could receive while lowering the quality of teachers too.

According to the UN, numerous African countries such as Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi and Mozambique focused on improving schooling. One of the strategies that the government implemented was abolishing school fees, making schooling accessible to all children. The result was remarkable. For

instance, in Kenya, as the government abolished school fees, Kenya was able to quickly get 2 million more students into the education field. Another strategy is building schools in rural areas where it is accessible for students who had to walk miles to get to school. According to Village by Village, rural area education institutions are more likely to reduce dropout rates, improve on gender equality, and quality teachers. According to Brookings, African governments currently spend 5% of their GDP on education which is second highest of any region. However, the efficiency of government education spending on primary and secondary education in Africa was recorded the lowest among other regions such as European Union, Asia, and Latin America. This indicates that there is a need for African countries to maximize their efficiency of spending by such well distributing the fundings.

Lastly, healthcare inequality is also a huge problem in our current society. Healthcare inequalities involve differences in life expectancy, availability of local service and quality of care. The Public Health have chosen income and wealth, power, and prestige as the three fundamental causes of health inequalities. Life expectancy is usually higher in the higher income countries than the lower income countries. For instance, Sub Saharan Africa consists of the lowest life expectancies due to features like infectious diseases, poor healthcare quality, and lack of healthcare institutions. Lack of preventive medications, leads to a higher rate of diseases such as tuberculosis, HIV, and AIDS.

Toprevent thistypeofissue,mostcountries’ governments focusoncitizens'health and well-being. Universal Health Coverage refers to ensuring all people get the quality healthcare without any financial hardships. For instance, according to the Philippine Institute for Development Studies, the government already enacted Universal Health Coverage stating that all Filipinos get the healthcare they need, when they need it, without getting impoverished. Philippines life expectancy has been on an increasing trend, well representing the positive effects of Universal Health Coverage. Another solution is developing infrastructures regarding healthcare in rural areas. Urban areas, where most hospitals and healthcare services are served, are more likely to receive better healthcare than those who subsist in the rural area. This causes the people to overlook the rural area which causes healthcare inequality.

There are numerous inequalities that are happening alongside our community. It is important tobeawareoftheinequalitiesandprovideaiduntiltheworldbecomesmoreequal.Likethis,developing countries have experienced severe challenges in terms of healthcare inequality, education inequality, and financial inequality. By implementing other successful countries’ strategies, it would be possible to overcome this challenge. Overall, there is need for this world to regulate the gap between low income countries and high income countries in order to flourish in the future.

Matthew Dongwhi Kim, International School of Beijing

Ensuring Clean Water and Sanitation

The global water shortage and the subsequent concerns for sanitation and health have always been one of the most pressing challenges. Despite covering over 70% of the Earth’s surface, consumable water has an ironically low availability of less than 1%. In the 21st century, newly emerging factors such as population growth, industrialization, and climate change are further curtailing this amount. Sanitary considerations would be nonsensical for people in regions where even drinking water is not readily available. The UN announced in 2022 that 2.2 billion people lacked safe drinking water, with 703 million without basic water service and 3.5 billion without sanitation facilities. As water and sanitation are some of the most crucial factors of human survival, it is of utmost importance to understand the main factors of water insecurity and explore ways to resolve them.

I. Water stress

Water stress occurs when the demand for water exceeds the available amount during a certain period; in other words, it is a physical shortage of freshwater. This is one of the most significant challenges for achieving clean water and sanitation because people prioritize drinking over all other activities during water stress. For many LEDCs whose economic activities revolve around agriculture, the next priority after drinking is watering plants. As a result, water would be limited for basic hygiene activities like using toilets and handwashing.

Worse, this small amount of water may not even be adequate for drinking, as many LEDCs lack the resources to build and maintain adequate water treatment plants. This leaves people vulnerable to waterborne diseases such as cholera, diarrhea, typhoid, amebiasis, etc. However, there is often no alternative, as water is a necessity of such scarcity.

Manysolutionshavebeentriedouttosolvewaterstress.First,therearevariousmethodsdeveloped to enhance the irrigation efficiency. For example, farmers have transitioned from gravity irrigation to pressurized irrigation systems as less water is lost to evaporation, deep percolation, or field runoff. In tandem with this, they have also implemented precision irrigation systems, which utilize sensors and weather forecasts to apply water where needed. However, agriculture still requires a lot of water, and modern irrigation methods may be too expensive for small-scale farmers in less developed countries.

Furthermore, many countries are investing in desalinating seawater, an artificial process of removing salt to create freshwater. This technology is currently receiving global attention: the Gulf

region already has 400 desalination facilities, and they areemerging in African countries, too. However, private sector capacity and technological expertise for this technology are very limited in many underdeveloped regions,signifying the technology’slimitation insolvingwaterstress. As such methods are successful once implemented, global attention and investment are crucial to distribute them worldwide.

II. Human water contamination

Freshwater is often contaminated by sewage, industrial waste, or farm runoff. The most conspicuous examples can be seen in the countries in sub-Saharan Africa. More specifically, South Africa is suffering from residues from coal plants, which primarily use water for coal processing. This water, contaminated with coal particles and other toxic residues, often ends up in waterways without proper purification, seriously contaminating the water.

This problem is also found in India, which is now facing the worst water crisis in history. This is because of India’s poor sewage system, which allows domestic, agricultural, and corporate waste to be discharged into nearby lakes and rivers.

Despite having adequate water, many countries suffer from water scarcity due to pollution. In fact, according to a study conducted by Maru Wang et al., 984 sub-basins of rivers were water scarce due to quantity, while 1,533 additional sub-basins were water scarce due to pollution. However, this is inconspicuous compared to water stress and lacks global attention.

One of the most cost-efficient and sustainable ways to tackle this problem is the distribution of portable water filters. These can be valuable assets in areas with limited access to clean water sources. Similarly, technologies like SODIS (Solar disinfection), which utilizes UV light to kill harmful microbes, are helping households obtain clean water supply worldwide. In the long term, however, such solutions are ineffective because they don’t directly address the root cause of water scarcity – pollution itself. Filters and solar disinfection containers are merely stopgap measures for individual use. Also, their frequent need for maintenance and high dependence on donations bog down the prolonged and widespread application of this solution.

Of course, national-scale projects that involve law enforcement and infrastructure construction would be the most beneficial to address this problem. However, countries suffering from water crisis are often economically less developed, and lack of funding impedes proper care for this issue. Hence, assistance from international organizations such as UN Water or Water.org is vital.

III. Climate change

Climate change has become a significant factor that threatens people’s access to water worldwide. Climate change, droughts, and floods are now extremely unpredictable, and areas in which water supply depends highly on precipitation levels are undergoing a water crisis.

The increased severity of drought and flood is particularly troubling, as it may cause deforestation and exacerbate the sanitation of underground water. According to Greenpeace, the strong roots of forest trees act as a filter of sorts, absorbing sediments and nutrients. Deforestation then allows sediments to flow and clog into waterways, resulting in water pollution. Similarly, floods would sweep over harmful

contaminants like pathogens and pesticides and carry them to nearby water sources, exacerbating pollution.

In the long term, climate change can be even more devastating. Snowpack and mountain glaciers have long been stable sources of freshwater, but global warming accelerates the thawing process, threatening water sustainability for future generations. In order to resolve water shortage and sanitation problems, climate change is a crucial problem to be addressed.

Various efforts have been put into combating climate change. Education to raise awareness about this issue is one crucial solution. According to BBC, for example, The Nature Conservancy is assisting the Dominican Republic escape from its worst drought ever. They are lecturing local farmers about how to plant trees, compensating those who put it into practice, which will increase transpiration and induce local rainfall. Subsequently, the project has trained 370 Dominicans in water conservation practices and restored 8,000 acres of water-producing ecosystems.

On the other hand, there have also been some attempts to adapt to fluctuating precipitation. In Pakistan and India, for example, urban rainwater systems were installed in 2010 to store large bodies of water instead of relying on cisterns installed in individual houses. Also, Pakistani villages have dug holes to save water and houses from flooding.

In conclusion, the global water shortage demands urgent and sustained attention from all sectors of society. As demonstrated in many instances, many innovative solutions have proved promising in addressing this issue. It is imperative that governments, NGOs, and individuals alike prioritize water conservation and equitable distribution.

Works Cited

https://www.ers.usda.gov/data-products/chart-gallery/gallery/chart-detail/?chartId=102086

https://climate-adapt.eea.europa.eu/en/metadata/adaptation-options/improvement-of-irrigation-efficiency

https://www.greenpeace.org/africa/en/blog/55086/water-woes-13-undeniable-facts-about-africas-waterscarcity/#:~:text=As%20a%20result%2C%20more%20than,Africa%20is%20largely%20climate%2Dinduced

https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/water-and-sanitation/

https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20240131-how-planting-trees-is-bringing-clean-water-to-a-tropical-nation

https://african.business/2024/02/resources/can-desalination-rescue-africa-from-water-stress

https://www.netafim.com/en/precision-Irrigation/

https://www.ers.usda.gov/data-products/chart-gallery/gallery/chart-detail/?chartId=102086

Reducing Inequalities

Despite significant advancements over the past few decades, inequality is still concerning across the globe, with wealth concentrated in the hands of a few. Many still suffer from extreme poverty and educational inequalities, leaving countless individuals unskilled and limiting upward mobility. The level of wealth also determines the quality of healthcare, often stripping the poor population of basic human rights to maintain a healthy life. Reducing these inequalities, therefore, is not only essential for sustainable development but also a moral imperative.

I. Income Disparity

Income disparity is the difference in how income is distributed among the population. During the COVID-19 pandemic, inequality has been exacerbated due to job losses and business closures in many countries. We can objectively measure inequality with the Gini coefficient, an economic indicator that measures the degree of income inequality in a country: 0 means perfect equality, and 1 means perfect inequality.

South Africa has the worst income inequality in the world, with the Gini coefficient of 0.67, because of the long legacy of the Apartheid. Even though segregation has ended, inequality based on raceisstillaproblem.ManyBlackSouthAfricanscannotgetjobs–theunemploymentratewasasoaring 32.6% in 2023, in fact–because they lack education, land ownership, and government support, especially during the pandemic.

Another country that suffers from income inequality is Ecuador, with a Gini coefficient of 45.5. Here, the trade industry plays a significant role in widening the income gap. According to MIT News, firms employ well-educated individuals because they help firms import manufactured goods at a cheaper price, maximizing their revenue. Thus, low-skilled workers are shunned and cannot generate any income.

Many countriesare workingtoalleviatethis issueoroffsetthelegacy ofthepandemic,exemplified by many nations reforming their tax systems. For example, Thailand and China recently introduced inheritance taxes to reap more money from wealthier populations and distribute it among lower socioeconomic positions. Governments have also increased the minimum wage to offset the pandemic’s impact. According to the ILO, during 2020–22, Australia, China, Germany, and South Africa increased theirrealminimumwagetoensurethebasiclivingstandardsoflow-skilledworkers.Additionally, some countries enforce certain employment policies to promote equity: Oxfam has reported that Austria had topped the employment rate by policies such as ensuring at least 4% of the employees are disabled for firms with more than 25 staff.

II. Access to education

Conflict is a main factor that limits children’s access to education in many countries, as many schools have been demolished by violence or closed due to financial difficulties. For example, Somalia has a literacy rate of 41% because of the ongoing civil war–the absence of a unique Somalian education system and immense numbers of displaced population has perpetuated poor education. In fact, according to UNICEF, the country has over three million children out of school. Worse, an additional

2.6 million people are displaced from their homes, and a report published by the UNHCR Refugee Agency in 2022 showed that only two-thirds of displaced children of primary school age could attend school.

Similarly, Chad has the world’s lowest literacy rate of 27%. Although Chad does not have any major armed conflicts, it is highly affected by warfare in peripheral countries: all six of Chad’s neighbors, Nigeria, Niger, Cameroon, the Central African Republic, Libya, and Sudan, have experienced a refugee crisis or conflict. This, along with extreme poverty, makes it extremely hard for any institution to provide quality education to children. According to UNESCO, about 17 million new teachers will be needed in African countries to maintain quality education, but the numbers are far smaller. Cultural barriers also hinder the proper implementation of quality education systems. In many African countries, traditional gender roles keep parents from enrolling girls in school because they have to help with domestic chores. Early marriage or insufficient sanitary facilities may also affect this.

General policies that have proved successful in other countries involve targeted investments in early childhood education, smaller class sizes, and bonuses for teachers in hard-to-staff schools and subjects. The success of these policies, although quite vague, provides governments with a guideline for investment in fields of education.

Online education is a promising solution to educational inequity. Khan Academy, for example, is a nonprofit organization that provides free online educational resources and personalized learning dashboards for students worldwide. In tandem with initiatives like OLPC (One Laptop per Child), such organizations would make high-quality education readily available for anyone with an internet connection, providing opportunities even for low-income populations.

III. Healthcare

The majority of the world also has limited access to healthcare. According to WHO, among the poorest 5th percent of households in low-middle income countries, only 17% had access to basic maternal and child health interventions.

Limited healthcare is a pressing challenge even in more developed regions like Eastern Asia, Latin America, and Europe. WHO states that people in these regions also spend at least 10 percent of their household budgets on out-of-pocket health expenses.

Surprisingly, this is also a prevalent issue in the US. According to health.gov,10% of the US population does not have health insurance, and the extremely high healthcare costs make them shrink from going to hospitals. Racism and microaggression may also come into play: they threaten the sense of security and care of patients, decreasing their willingness to look for specialized support. Moreover, there is a lack of physicians, nurses, and medical technologies, especially in rural areas, limiting access to professional medical care for the marginalized population. Although the US has invested in improving technology, such as installing EMRS in 84% of hospitals, this problem remains unresolved.

As demonstrated, healthcare issues are more prevalent and severe than one may assume. While inequality in such developed countries remains an enduring challenge, governments’ and institutions’ efforts toward solving the health crisis have been prominent in African regions. For example, the Comoros government, with the help of the WHO, has implemented the Prevention of Mother to Child

Transmissions (PMTCT) program, which provides antenatal services and psychological support to help mothers bearing HIV prevent transmission of the virus to the baby.

Meanwhile, Nigeria’s National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) is striving to reduce poliovirus transmission to children through vaccines. This has proven successful, with 2.5 million children being vaccinated and a 70% reduction in patients in 2023 compared to the previous year. In such poorly developed regions, such simple healthcare practices funded by international organizations can bring about significant improvements.

Inconclusion,inequalitiesinincome,education,andhealthcarearestillrampant,forcingnumerous households into distress. These sectors are deeply interconnected, and disparities in one area often aggravate others, creating a vicious cycle that hinders the overall development of a nation. Through collaborative action, those in the developed sectors of society must tackle this issue to build a more equitable and humanitarian world.

Work Cited

https://theconversation.com/south-africa-cant-crack-the-inequality-curse-why-and-what-can-be-done-213132

https://news.mit.edu/2022/international-trade-income-inequality-0607

https://www.humanrightscareers.com/issues/income-inequality-causes-factsexamples/#:~:text=Income%20inequality%20is%20a%20global%20issue%20with%20several%20causes%2C %20including,tax%20reforms%2C%20and%20higher%20wages

https://www.bmz.de/en/issues/education-a-human-right/education-in-developing-countries-197598

https://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/issues/issues33/

https://www.unicef.org/somalia/education

https://www.unicef.org/somalia/child-protection

https://www.afro.who.int/about-us/making-africa-healthier

https://health.gov/healthypeople/objectives-and-data/browse-objectives/health-care-access-and-quality

https://www.who.int/news/item/13-12-2017-world-bank-and-who-half-the-world-lacks-access-to-essentialhealth-services-100-million-still-pushed-into-extreme-poverty-because-of-health-expenses

Ryan Choi, Northfield Mount Hermon School

The Importance of Clean Water and Sanitation for Sustainable Development

The availability of water and sanitation is essential for human beings, as well as health and economic frames for any given country. While improvements have been made in some areas of necessities’ accessibility, millions of people never reach these essentials worldwide. This paper aims to reveal the significance of the dire consequences of a lack of water and sanitation services and focuses on why this problem should be solved in the context of sustainable development.

The absence or limited access to clean water and sanitation services has specific social impacts with regard to the lives of people in the third-world countries as well as other socially deprived states. It is true that waterborne diseases like cholera, dysentery, and typhoid fever prevail much more in areas that lack adequately purified water and necessary sanitation facilities. These diseases are as lethal and may be avoided through the installation of better water provision systems. Water-borne diseases claim more children compared to any other age bracket. Diarrhoeal diseases, which could be attributed to contaminated water supply and sanitation, rank second to malaria as the leading killer of children below the age of five years, statistics from WHO show. However, recurrent infections expose the child to chronic malnutrition and other infections, which account for stunted growth of the child and hence affect cognitive development as well as education standards. This leads to the formation of the vicious cycle of poverty and ill health; children with poor health become school dropouts, which results in the cycle of poverty. Not only do they end up using their time, which could be better spent on education or seeking income, but they also place themselves in positions of vulnerability where they are at increased risk of experiencing violent or harassing behaviors. It involves social aspects with impacts not only on the health and education sectors. Lack of clean water and inadequate sanitation hampers the lifestyle, hence deteriorating the quality of life. Since the population of these regions rarely has access to clean water for personal use, ensuring hygiene and basic sanitation is a daily struggle, which contributes to the spreading of other communicable diseases like COVID-19. Lack of supply of clean water and the failure to practice stringent hygiene measures like washing hands increases the transmission of germs, explaining the relationship between water supply and health.

There are tremendous economic implications to poor provision of water and sanitation services, as this paper has clarified. Inadequate water resources generalize economic processes, raise the level of medical needs, and negatively transform the perspective of further effective development. It becomes crucial to address these challenges if the economy has to grow and poverty is reduced. One of the major social losses arising from economic view is fungibility, which is the decay in productivity as a result of diseases. Waterborne diseases alone cause massive increases in morbidity and mortality, missed days at work, and, therefore, reduced productivity. This aspect is seismic for agriculturally inclined societies because farmers use their sexual organs to fertilize fields and correspondingly nourish animals. Whenever there is contamination in water sources, this not only has a direct impact on the health status of the farmers but also compromises the quality of the agricultural produce, resulting in a loss of

productivity. Besides, the time taken to source water is a major economic opportunity cost. In most of the developing countries, people, particularly women and young girls, are seen spending several hours in fetching water. This time could be much better utilized in education, vocational training, or other income-generating activities. These communities could be very much better if they had access to clean water sources as this would boost the economic productivity of these communities and their well-being. In terms of the impact of waterborne diseases on families and healthcare systems, the costs incurred are very high. Curing diseases like cholera and dysentery entails the use of medical facilities that would have otherwise been used to attend to other health maladies. In most developing countries, for instance, the level of health care is usually low, which puts a lot of pressure on the available resources. These diseases result in high medical costs, which force families to dip deeper into their pockets and, hence, become impoverished. Moreover, severe waterborne diseases that are acquired over time will cause people’s health to deteriorate, which in turn negatively impacts the economy by forcing people to depend on social assistance. The poor level of sanitation also has economic consequences for the development of tourism and foreign investment. Communities without proper sanitation facilities are less appealing to tourists and investors due to the health hazards and inadequate living standards that the latter may encounter. This can stunt the economic growth of areas that could otherwise gain from tourism income. Enhancing water and sanitation is, therefore, not a question of health alone but also a healthy investment in the economy.

Combating the crisis of water and sanitation shortage can only be solved by the cooperation of governments, NGOs, and the private sector. The funding of water systems is important in the provision of water and sewage through water treatment plants, pipelines, and other sanitation facilities. Also, new technologies like rainwater harvesting, desalination, and water recycling can become the sources of clean water in water-scarce areas. Other preventive measures or solutions include education and community involvement. Educating people about the need to observe certain personal and food hygiene practices may go a long way in minimizing the occurrences of water-borne diseases. In this view, the locals’ participation in planning, implementing, and managing water and sanitation projects leads to sustainable and effective outcomes. International collaboration and financing are crucial to such endeavors. The international community, in the form of developed countries and international organizations, can offer money, skills, and assistance in the form of capacity for building programs in developing countries. The SDGs are the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, which include Goal 6, which is to clean water and sanitation for people.

The absence of clean water and sanitation has become one of the most urgent problems as it significantly affects the society and economy. Solving this problem is crucial for the development of public health, the quality of life, and sustainable economic growth. With regards to water, people can be provided with these few basic needs by investing in water infrastructure, increasing awareness and promoting international cooperation. Realizing the goal of SDG 6 is not only a matter of justice but also the key to the construction of a better future.

The United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 8

The United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 8 (UN SDG 8) focuses on economic development and employment for everyone. However, there are still major issues in the world's economic development, including poverty, job insecurity, and other forms of labor abuse. This paper aims to discuss the social and economic effects of these problems and stresses the need to solve them in order to produce development.

Inequality and insecurity have devastating social implications in today’s economy, and their impacts are clearly seen in the lives of people all over the globe. In many rapidly developing economies, capital owners and highly skilled personnel benefit from income distribution, which improves income disparity levels. This disparity erodes society’s cohesiveness and increases social tension because the groups that occupy the lower rung of society cannot reap the fruits of economic growth. Another major concern is job insecurity, especially in the growing areas of informal and precarious work. The workers in the sectors of the informal economy are not protected by the law, do not have job security, and can get no social benefits, which leads to the fact that they work in the conditions of their vulnerability and are easily exploitable. This is common in developing countries, where informal employment is known to be a large source of employment. The absence of job security and the provision of social safety nets is a cause for the poor health of workers and continuous poverty circles, respectively. The high level of youth unemployment is a big issue as young people have considerably more unemployment than the adults. This doesnot only affect their short-term economic prospects but also has implications for career development in future and long term financial stability. Prolonged joblessness can cause demoralization and marginalization, heightening the chance of disorderly behavior and crime. It is hence essential that youth unemployment is tackled to ensure social cohesion and an enriched tomorrow.

The consequences of inequality and exploitative labor practices are profound for the economy, which hampers sustainable development as well as economic growth. For instance, income inequality can stifle the process of development by limiting access to education, health care among other essential services for marginalized populations. This in turn leads to reduced overall productivity and potential. Exploitative labor practices such as child labor, forced labor and unsafe working conditions do not only violate human rights but also damage economic efficiency. Such individuals tend to be less productive, unhealthy and often experience work-related injuries or illnesses. Due to this healthcare costs rise while totaleconomyshrinks. Additionally suchexploitativehabitsruin country’simagemaking itunattractive for foreign investments or trade partnerships. The informal economy poses challenges to economic development despite providing livelihoods for many. Informal workers rarely pay taxes or contribute towards social security systems thus reducing government revenue and constraining its ability to invest in public infrastructure, education and health care among others. Formalizing the informal economy is important in order to create a more stable and inclusive economic environment. The combination of globalization and technological progress has changed the nature of labour markets, bringing with it new possibilities and challenges. The growth in technology can increase productivity and give rise to new employment opportunities but at the same time can be a cause of job losses as well as inequality if workers fail to adapt due to lack of skills required. Automation and digitization may additionally escalate employment insecurity and create disparities between highly skilled personnel vis-à-vis less skilled members of staff. Ensuring access to education and training is critical in dealing with these transformations so that they promote sustainable economic development.

It basically requires a comprehensive and multifaceted approach to deal with the challenges of SDG 8. Governments, businesses and civil society need to work together in order to develop policies as well as initiatives that enhance the promotion of decent work and economic growth. Investing in education and vocational training is necessary for equipping workers with skills required by changing labor market at an alarming rate. Workers can use lifelong learning programs and reskilling initiatives, which assists them to get familiarized with technological advancements as well as upholding their employability. Importantly, promoting fair labour practices and strengthening labour rights areessential in achieving decent work for all. Governments should therefore implement labour laws that protect the rights of workers such as fair wages, safe working conditions and social protection. Further, companies should adopt responsible labor practices by ensuring their supply chains are free from exploitation or abuse. International Organizations in this case; trade unions also contribute immensely towards advocating for labor rights while encouraging ethical conduct among business entities.

Achieving sustainable development and raising standards of living requires fostering decent work and economic expansion. Governments, corporations, and civil society organizations must work together to address the issues of economic inequality, employment instability, and exploitative labor practices. We can build a fairer and more prosperous economy by supporting gender equality, encouraging entrepreneurship, investing in education, and advocating fair labor standards. In order to create a more just and sustainable world, achieving SDG 8 is both strategically and morally required.

Analyzing ODA: an Effective Strategy for Reducing Poverty

Many around the world are currently suffering from poverty. According to the United Nations, in 2023, almost 700 million individuals globally live on under ＄2.15 per day, facing the harsh reality of extreme poverty. Also, as the United Nations states, in 2021, 53 percent of the world’s population – 4.1 billion people – didn’t benefit from any form of social protection. Under this circumstance, the United Nations set out the goal – the eradication of poverty in all forms and dimensions – the first of 17 sustainable development goals. For details, to deal with the goal, the United Nations implemented the Second United Nations Decade for the Eradication of Poverty (2008-2017). According to the Second United Nations Decade for the Eradication of Poverty, all of the countries endeavored to stress and increase their ODA and to help the ODA targets at their best. Official Development Assistance is a government aid that promotes and specifically targets the economic development and welfare of developing countries, as OECD suggests. The document mentioned it reports both the effectiveness of the enforcement of ODA and some points overlooked that need further consideration. As framed, the strategy to eradicate poverty in all forms and dimensions generated by the UN – hardening the effectiveness of ODA in terms of scale and quality – could be analyzed either positively or negatively.

BeforegettingintothepositiveimpactofimprovementinthescaleandqualityofODA,itisneeded to point out that the world poverty rate has decreased substantially and constantly from recorded 1820 to 2024. Based on the fact that it is statistically true that ODA has donated a lot of spending and expenditures on the endorsement towards the least developed countries, it is not difficult to conclude that the substantial support from ODA came with positive impacts on society globally. To justify the effectiveness of ODA, however, it needs further research to examine whether the correlation between ODA that was established in 1969 and the decreased rate of poverty is proportionally valid. In other words, it is necessary to consider the effects of ODA on the overall development and welfare of the world that have been collected by the United Nations. Assessing Foreign Aid’s Long-Run Contribution to Growth and Development by Channing Arndt et al. regards that economic growth and poverty reduction are strongly correlated. Hinge on it, the study shows that the aid inflow from, such as ODA, is expected to increase the average annual rate of economic growth by around 1.5 percentage points and reduce poverty by around 15 percentage points. Additionally, the table that presents the estimated impact on various long-run economic and social outcomes from receiving sustained aid inflows in the paper shows that in the sector of Poverty Headcount at $1.25 a Day, the point estimate is -15.52, with a range from -30.70 to -0.35, suggesting a significant poverty reduction. The researchers, comprehensively, conclude their research with the interpretation that on average and over the long run, foreign aid reduces poverty. Foreign Aid and Poverty Reduction: A Review of International Literature

Sabin Kim, Seoul Global High School

done by Edmore Mahembe shows similar results to the research paper above. It proceeds with a survey and analysis of the empirical literature, which refers to the studies and research that are previously established or answered by other investigators. It also indicates that the productiveness of ODA can depend on how the ‘poverty’ is measured. The main finding from the survey of the literature is that the majority of the studies examined found possible evidence of the effectiveness of foreign aid on poverty reduction. The survey includes thestudies that have been conducted respectively by Mosley et al.; Alvi and Senbeta; and so on. Consequently, the analysis alludes to that, in general, foreign aid, such as ODA, reduces poverty, regardless of the type of poverty measures used. Moreover, the latest surveys conclude that foreign aid has had a positive impact on poverty reduction as well. In short, much research indicates and supports that improvement in both the scale and quality of ODA helps poverty alleviation further stretch out and ultimately reduces poverty internationally.

Still, some experts and researchers show concerns of overall improvement of ODA. Since it is difficult to measure poverty reduction in all forms that are entangled with many considerable fields and determine or unify one methodology that is effective and proper enough to cover all forms of poverty and its impact, the results vary among researchers. Dambisa Moyo and William Easterly are the best examples to show how the claims vary. They all question the effectiveness of foreign aid and maintain their negative views on foreign aid with the following evidence. According to Can Foreign Aid Buy Growth? by William Easterly, the governments of developing countries, where international aid is channeled, frequently have little motivation to enhance the productive potential of the poor and reduce the poverty rate. This is likely to happen more when the directed aid could lead to increased political activism among the public, which might pose a threat to the political elite that currently holds power. Consequently, these governments don't feel any necessity to encourage the improvement of the poor if it hurts their political stability and control. Accordingly, a table in the paper shows surprising results that even though the size of aid to a country has increased, the growth of the country has oppositely decreased. Also, it concerns that the governments of developed countries, which provide the aid, often have objectives rather than simply reducing the poverty in developing countries.Theseobjectives might include “rewarding allies, promoting donor country exports, or fighting drug trafficking.” However, when multiple objectives are pursued simultaneously, they can conflict with one another, blurring the initial objective – poverty reduction. In this way, “the aid may end up serving none of its multiple goals especially well.” Moreover, Dead Aid, written by Dambisa Moyo, suggests that the poverty levels continue to rise, whilst economic growth rates have consistently declined, which is the exact opposite view against the pro-ODA researchers. The author draws a contrast between African countries that have rejected the reliance on foreign aid and others that have become heavily dependent on aid. He finds out, from the contrast, how excessive dependence on aid has trapped developing nations in a vicious circle of aid dependency, corruption, market distortion, and extending poverty. This trap keeps them stuck in a situation where they always need more aid. In short, many resources propose that foreign aid is more ineffective than its reputation across the global society to resolve the challenges that multifaceted poverty has.

In conclusion, foreign aid, largely related to ODA, has two opposite sides; ODA reduces poverty, while it perpetuates the cycle of poverty.But one is very clear to say: ODA is helpful at least in reducing poverty, but needs room for improvement; and yet, millions continue to suffer from poverty. With the support and attention of the UN, the states, and the individuals, I strongly believe that the global society will end poverty sooner.

Global Partnerships: How Youth Can Foster Global

Partnerships

Global partnerships are the states’ first and most important goal in terms of global society. The collaborations between different countries have enhanced both national and global security, established rules for global trade, advanced scientific discoveries across various fields, provided humanitarian aid, and built deeper understanding between different cultures. As globalization has accelerated, especially through trade,global supply chains, digitalization, and transportation at an extended level, many nations have found that their interests and potential risks stretch far beyond their borders. The more complex the challenges the world faces, the greater the need for global partnerships and collaboration across sectorsand disciplines.And forhandlingglobalpartnershipswell,theyouthistheworld'smostvaluable asset in achieving sustainable development goals. Therefore, youth must be placed at the center of global affairs. With over 1.8 billion young people in the world today, nearly every policy decision has an impact on youth. Moreover, they represent the only next generation, as they are the ones at most who will lead and shape future societies. It is therefore fundamental to ensure that young people’s perspectives and insights are taken into account when decisions are made. Young people are not only key drivers of positive change but also essential partners in promoting sustainable and inclusive development. Then, how can youth foster global partnerships?

Before getting into the content, the target of global partnerships should be considered. Based on the UN-provided resources, they include implementing all development assistance commitments; knowledge sharing, and cooperation for access to science, technology, and innovation; and enhancing SDG capacity in developing countries; and so forth. All told cooperation for a better world will be the target of global partnerships, including youth partnerships on a global scale. Returning to the main point, to properly engage young people in building these partnerships, the world must involve them in the design of public policies and global agreements that address international affairs, especially the SDGs, as recommended by the Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) of the UN. In this way, more young people can be given some responsibility as ones who will lead the world one day, and be alarmed that global partnerships and international politics, such as sustainable development goals, are not solely the league for the older generations, but the young generations. Other than this, allowing the youth to be engaged in the implementation of policies can foster global partnerships. SDGs are the main concerns of the UN and other global governance units and should be handled by global partnerships since it is too large to be taken by a state. The creation of policies and global agreements is the very first step of all to keep sustainable development goals in line. This, fundamentally, makes it beneficial for youth to be engaged, because if they have good results from cooperation in this first step, they may have every intention of doing the next steps together again, based on the great experience with other youths. This positive cycle can lead the states to be closer to the world, even more, so when these youths are in the leading position in the future. Moreover, if the youth joins in making policies and agreements, this first step would be better off and get off on the right foot. This is because, according to Youth in Politics and the Benefits posted on Linkedin, youths can be a creative force, a dynamic source of innovations, and haveundoubtedly, throughout history, participated, contributed, and even catalyzedimportant changesinpoliticalsystems,power-sharing dynamics, and economicopportunities. Therefore, the participation of youth in the design of policies and agreements is needed when it comes to fostering global partnerships.

Next is that youth can foster global partnerships by building networks. The United Nations Development Programme suggests that young people still bear a serious range of challenges, and their needs and aspirations are usually neglected. They are often victims of multiple forms of discrimination and face significant barriers to full participation in public life. The most determinant for better future development is, however, dependent on how much young people are supported and engaged. This importance of the youth is also shown in the 2030 Agenda, the international community’s response to today’s most pressing global development challenges, “The future of humanity and our planet lies in our hands. It lies also in the hands of today's younger generation who will pass the torch to future generations.” This is why the United Nations Development Programme started the project: the Youth Global Programme for Sustainable Development and Peace, also known as Youth-GPS in 2016. This was the first program that the UNDP launched. According to UNDP, it is a five-year global programmatic offer on youth empowerment (2016-2020), designed to sharpen the organization’s response to the challenges young people face worldwide. This program aims to support youth as active agents of change in the 2030 Agenda at all levels. It therefore allows collaborations beyond the borders and helps create networks and alliances that promote shared goals and collective action on global challenges. It also offers the latest research and tools, pilots, and scales-up initiatives, and fosters global partnerships. In this way, many youths around the world can be supported by not only global organizations but also other youths who are connected to them globally. As seen, building networks among youth all over the world will help to foster global partnerships. As future leaders of the world, by consistently collaborating and establishing connections between them from a young age, they will develop much stronger partnerships after being a major part of the world.

In conclusion, the global partnership can be strengthened by youth participation, especially by engaging young people in the design of policies that will help them to raise a sense of responsibility as the next leaders and build networks between youths that will last. Youth may only be 20% of the population today but are 100% of the future. The world and the older generation of today should count this deeply and give them more opportunities to work for the world from now on.

Strategies for Global Poverty Eradication

For sustainable development, one of the first goals of the United Nation is focusing on reducing the rate of poverty worldwide. This goal focuses on the causes of poverty and seeks effective ways to address them so that we can reduce poverty globally. This essay will provide main strategies for poverty eradication, including policy, economic models, and international aid programs that have shown meaningful outcomes. It will draw on factual data from UN agencies and other credible sources to highlight the global scale and distribution of poverty.

Effective policies are essential to eradicating poverty,and some have proven particularly impactful for poverty eradication. Two of the main successful Conditional Cash Transfer Programs (CCTP) are Brazil’s Bolsa Familia program and Mexico's Prospera. These programs provide cash to low-income families to support their children's education in school, vaccinations, and other needs to prevent the cycle of poverty from repeating itself. For decades, Brazil severely struggled with poverty. In the 1990s, Brazil was the second most unequal country in terms of income. On average, they lived on less than $1.90 a day. To solve this problem, in 2003 President Lula de Silva created a government program called the Programa Bolsa Família (PBF) which can be significantly helpful for low income communities. In the late 1990s and early 2000s, PBF provided it to reduce hunger, poverty, and unequal cities in Brazil. According to the PBF, low-income families had to be assured by the condition that instead of receiving cash to live, they should send their children to school to get a proper education and get the right vaccine to prevent illness. Thanks to these conditions, the program successfully reduced the level of inequality and hunger, greatly reduced those living below poverty, and bridged the gap between rural and urban areas to become equal. Mexico has implemented a similar program to Brazil's to reduce poverty. The program, which began in Mexico in the 1990s, has spread to become a national program, reaching a quarter of the country, or 5.8 million households. According to the World Bank group, the program has also played a significant role in reducing poverty; it has increased school enrollment among low-income people and provided them with better nutrition and better health prevention. It has also reduced the incidence of anemia among children under the age of two in Mexico by 11.8 percentage points. The program has not only provided them with health and education, but has also positively impacted their lives and improved their quality of life. Additionally, policies promoting universal health coverage (UHC) have shown significant results in reducing poverty-related health crises. Countries like Thailand and Rwanda have successfully implemented UHC policies, ensuring all individuals have access to essential health services without suffering financial hardship, thus preventing illness-related economic downturns that can push families into poverty.

Economic models that prioritize inclusive and sustainable growth are vital in addressing poverty. One of the most famous organizations is the Bangladesh Rural Advancement Committee founded (BRAC) by Sir Fazle Hasan Abed. BRAC has grown from a small organization into a global one in sustainable development. This organization is a social enterprise which provides a wide range of services such as education, health problems, agriculture, economic opportunity, and other things to the poverty in Bangladesh so that they can live. These things reduce the rate of school dropout among students, especially among girls. They also supply medical support, which improves health outcomes

such as reduced death rate of children and improved maternal health. Not only providing these services, but also supplying money to poor entrepreneurs who lack access to traditional banking services, enabling them to start and expand small businesses. This approach not only solves poverty, but also promotes long-term economic growth and sustainability for their economy, as the people who receive money from BRAC begin to earn money and they are able to live independently without further assistance. Secondly, Grameen Bank is similar to BRAC. This organization is a pioneering microfinance organization in which, especially for women, has transformed the lives of millions of poor people to live a better life by lending money and providing financial services for the low income people. Grameen Bank builds a strong relationship between the community and builds trust by using a group lending system in which small groups of borrowers support each other and contract each other's loans. Besides loans, this organism offers how the bank system works like savings accounts, insurance, and education programs to help people manage their money better and learn business skills. They also provide basic knowledge about business to help children get an education and break the cycle of poverty. Grameen Bank was successfully achieved so this model has been copied in many other countries and earned them the Nobel Peace Prize in 2006, showing how effective they are in reducing poverty and promoting financial inclusion.

Global collaboration and international aid initiatives are also essential in the fight against poverty. The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) provides a thorough framework for international efforts to end poverty. In this worldwide endeavor, institutions such as the World Bank and the United Nations are essential. They offer countries attempting to combat poverty financial help, technical aid, and policy recommendations. Several programs are carried out by the UN through its many organizations for improving living conditions in regions that are underdeveloped. As an example, countries and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) work together to create policies that promote growth that is equitable and the reduction of poverty. In the same way, the World Bank provides grant and lowinterest loans to poor countries in order to support attempts to promote medical care, infrastructure, and education. In low-income nations, programs such as the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria significantly enhance both educational and health outcomes. Theseprograms improve earnings, work prospects, and general health, which supports economic stability. To clear up, international assistance initiatives and international collaboration are essential to eradicating poverty.

In conclusion, to reduce poverty, focusing on effective policy implementation, economic models, and robust international collaboration. Programs like Brazil’s Bolsa Familia and Mexico's Prospera explained the cash payments to low-income families to support their children's schooling, vaccinations, and other needs, preventing them from repeating the cycle of poverty. Providing economic support to thepoorandessentialservicestounderservedareascreatedbyBRACandGrameenBankinBangladesh is also a great boost to economic development. Moreover, international organizations should allow the government to take the lead to help them and give money to the poor through direct intervention. I believe it's not just these organizations, we should also be listening and paying attention about what we can do to help.

Works Cited

Centre for Public Impact. “Bolsa Família in Brazil.” Centre for Public Impact (CPI), 2 Sept. 2019, www.centreforpublicimpact.org/case-study/bolsa-familia-in-brazil.

World Bank Group. “A Model from Mexico for the World.” World Bank, World Bank Group, 30 Aug. 2016, www.worldbank.org/en/news/feature/2014/11/19/un-modelo-de-mexico-para-el-mundo. Accessed 20 July 2024.

Shuvra. “BRAC: Creating Opportunities for People to Realise Potential.” Brac.net, 2024, www.brac.net/. Accessed 20 July 2024.

“Water Scarcity.” Unicef.org, 2020, www.unicef.org/wash/water-scarcity. Accessed 20 July 2024. Water Contamination and Diseases . 2024, www.cdc.gov/healthywater/drinking/contamination.html. Accessed 20 July 2024.

Yetman, Daniel. “What Causes Diarrhea Immediately after Drinking Water?” Healthline, Healthline Media, 15 Nov. 2023, www.healthline.com/health/diarrhea/instant-diarrhea-after-drinking-water. Accessed 20 July 2024.

Challenges and Solutions for Global Water and Sanitation

Access

Water is an indispensable element for human survival, comprising approximately 70% of the human body. SDG 6 aims is that everyone has access to clean water and sanitation. These days, 2.2 billion people worldwide do not have access to clean water, and 4.2 billion people live without adequate sanitation which leads to illness. This problem is especially drastic in areas where water and sanitation are lacking. In this essay, I will discuss the major challenges we face in securing water and sanitation, and discuss what kind of solution can solve these problems.

First of all, One of the most significant global challenges is the issue of water scarcity. People around the world are using so much water that there is not much water left for people to use. However, especially in dry countries or semi-arid regions, you can see that these countries have more serious water problems than other regions. Due to global warming, the precipitation pattern is changing due to climate change, and the demand for water is increasing due to population growth and industrial activities. Also, more of these vicious circles can be found in low-income countries. Water scarcity does not improve over time, but it is getting worse, and we can see that these phenomena pollute the water and sanitation facilities we drink more. In order to solve these phenomena, there are measures such as the development of rainwater collection systems and water recycling facilities. In fact, Japanese farmers are said to be using rain collectors. Japan, which has experienced various damages as well as water pollution caused by atomic bombs, has proposed a solution to this problem. In Japan, water is highly polluted with chemical substances and other pollutants which means that they don't have enough clean water to drink. Shortage of clean water sources have a bad effect on the Japanese people leading to diseases and later death. So Japanese farmers use cleaner water and less contaminated water by using rain collectors. Rain collectors are used to collect rainwater without just running it down when it rains. Therefore, by using the collected rainwater, the Japanese people no longer have to use contaminated water or drink it, and they can live with clean water. The rain collector method is effective, but I think it is also important for us to have a habit of saving water in our daily lives, just in case we cannot install it.

Second, in our lives, we encounter a number of problems with dirty and contaminated water. This phenomenon is especially true in many underdeveloped countries, not in developed countries. The underdeveloped country is adversely affecting many people due to its poor water supply and hygiene. Contaminated water causes water pollution and makes it easier for people to be exposed to diseases. With bad luck, people who get sick often die. In Africa, one of the leading low-income countries, dirty and polluted water kills about 842,000 people every year. Most people drink contaminated water, and this is a tragic situation where they can become sick or die if the disease worsens. Water shortages are causing many diseases in Africa. Drinking contaminated water can lead to waterborne diseases such as cholera, dysentery, and typhoid, which causes numerous deaths every year. The lack of adequate sanitation and clean water supplies is making the situation worse. Before this situation gets worse, we need to find solutions. First, we need to help low-income people through government or international cooperation. The underdeveloped country does not have enough money, so it does not have the money and a good system to clean up contaminated water. The government or international cooperation should provide a new water supply system and a hygienic environment that can supply clean water to these

less sanitary areas so that local people are no longer exposed to contaminated water. In addition, I think we need to educate local people so that these systems can be maintained for a long time so that they can manage these systems well on their own. I don't think that with this system in place, local people will be able to drink contaminated water and even get sick anymore.

Thirdly, low-income countries often lack the economic capacity to invest in the infrastructure they need. Low-income countries have difficulty improving and expanding clean water and sanitation and securing the necessary funds because the amount of money they can use is limited. Also, there are political and administrative problems that make effective clean water management and policy implementation difficult. These policies are the main causes of adverse effects on the effectiveness of water and sanitation projects. In order to solve these problems, we must first improve our policies. For example, I think we need to adjust the price of water at a reasonable price and create new policies on water use. Also, international support is very important. The national or world bank should provide the necessary funds to low-income countries and keep making sure that they are being used for effective purposes. These organizations should also provide programs for technology transfer and improvement of management capabilities to low-income countries to actively help them manage and maintain water and sanitation projects on their own without anyone's help. This international cooperation is one of the strong ways to lead sustainable development in the water and sanitation sectors. This approach can play an important role in promoting economic and social development in communities through the improvement of water and sanitation facilities. Cooperation with international organizations goes beyond just financial support to provide policy advice and strategic guidance, and helps low-income countries achieve independent development.

Achieving SDG 6's goals requires cooperation from the international community and a sustainable approach. The dissemination of clean water and adequate sanitation improves everyone's health and quality of life, and promotes economic and social development in a broader sense. Through sustainable water management, infrastructure development, and policy improvement, we need to make basic water and sanitation services accessible to all humans. This will enable us to move towards truly sustainable development.

Works Cited

Nations, United. “World Water Day Reminds Us of the Value of a Precious Resource | United Nations.” United Nations, United Nations, 2024, www.un.org/en/academic-impact/world-water-day-reminds-us-value-preciousresource#:~:text=Approximately%203.5%20million%20people%20die,water%20for%20all%20by%202030. Accessed 20 July 2024.

“Greenpeace Africa.” Greenpeace Africa, 2024, www.greenpeace.org/africa/en/blog/55086/water-woes-13undeniable-facts-about-africas-waterscarcity/#:~:text=Patients%20and%20staff%20in%20healthcare,caused%20by%20contaminated%20drinking %20water. Accessed 20 July 2024.

“Rainwater Harvesting around the World - Japan.” Rainwater Harvesting around the World - Japan, 2023, www.orionproducts.com.au/news/rainwater-harvesting-around-the-worldjapan#:~:text=One%20of%20the%20most%20innovative,irrigation%20and%20other%20water%20sources. Accessed 20 July 2024.

“Mission | WHOlives.” Wholives.org, 2024, wholives.org/ourmission/mission/?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwwO20BhCJARIsAAnTIVTiJHmocKY7XLM2Fe9c80KkLUfF PI6bUghsMUzPnOS7E3TkIwmP2ecaAkvZEALw_wcB. Accessed 20 July 2024.

“Uganda.” Water for People, 3 Oct. 2023, www.waterforpeople.org/uganda/?ea_tracking_id=googlegrant&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwwO20BhCJ ARIsAAnTIVR5hKzPfDRAGl25blEZVJWCIb7rQUQ101we-hI8vPEzaBZUgWLQTg0aAnZ2EALw_wcB. Accessed 20 July 2024.

Seoyeon Kim, Shanghai Korean School

Towards Equity and Prosperity: Holistic Strategies for Global Poverty Eradication

In today's interconnected world, eradicating poverty remains one of the most pressing global challenges. Despite advancements in technology and economic growth in many regions, according to the World Bank, an estimated 734 million people still live in extreme poverty and endure the harsh realities of deprivation and inequality. (World Bank, 2024). Addressing these complex issues requires a multifaceted approach, encompassing effective policies, sustainable economic models, and robust international aid programs. By examining successful strategies that have yielded tangible results, backed by empirical data from sources such as UN agencies, we can gain valuable insights into effectively combatting poverty in all its forms, ensuring a more equitable and prosperous future for all individuals and communities worldwide.

A critical strategy in the ongoing global effort to combat poverty lies in effectively implementing social protection programs. These comprehensive initiatives encompass a spectrum of interventions, from direct cash transfers to targeted food assistance programs, all designed to alleviate the immediate suffering and deprivation faced by vulnerable populations. For example, Brazil's renowned Bolsa Família and Mexico's successful Oportunidades programs stand as prime illustrations of this approach. These initiatives have provided crucial financial support to low-income families and yielded measurable reductions in poverty rates, as highlighted by recent data from the OECD (OECD, 2023). Such programs address immediate needs and lay a foundation for sustainable development by empowering individuals and families to break the cycle of poverty and achieve long-term economic stability.

Access to education stands as a pivotal factor in the multifaceted endeavor to reduce poverty worldwide, too. Education serves as a pathway to acquiring essential skills for economic participation and a powerful tool for breaking the intergenerational cycle of poverty. Nations that have made substantial investments in education, such as South Korea and Finland, offer compelling examples of how prioritizing education can lead to significant improvements in living standards and a marked reduction in poverty rates over time (UNESCO, 2023). By ensuring widespread access to quality education, societies can foster greater social mobility and empower individuals to contribute meaningfully to their economies, thereby fostering a more inclusive and sustainable development trajectory for generations to come.

Furthermore, it should be noted that promoting decent work and fostering economic growth are also fundamental pillars in the global effort to alleviate poverty. At the heart of this endeavor lies the imperative to create meaningful employment opportunities, especially for historically marginalized groups such as women and youth. By expanding access to job markets and enhancing skills development initiatives, societies can empower individuals to break free from the cycle of poverty. This approach includes robust support for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which serve as

engines of economic growth and vital sources of employment in many regions. Moreover, ensuring fair wages and dignified working conditions not only enhances productivity but also contributes significantly to sustainable livelihoods and inclusive economic development (ILO, 2023). By prioritizing these principles, policymakers can catalyze positive change, driving forward equitable prosperity and reducing disparities across global communities.

Another thing that often gets ignored is gender equality. Gender equality and the empowerment of women represent pivotal elements in the comprehensive strategy to alleviate poverty globally. Tackling entrenched gender disparities across various domains, including education, employment, and access to resources, not only advances principles of social justice but also catalyzes enhancing overall economic productivity and well-being within households and communities alike. Research consistently underscores that empowering women economically yields a significant multiplier effect in fighting against poverty. When women are afforded equal opportunities to participate in economic activities, they can contribute more effectively to household incomes and community development (UN Women, 2023). Moreover, addressing gender inequities fosters a more inclusive and resilient societal framework, where the talents and potentials of all individuals can be fully realized, thereby paving the way for sustainable and equitable prosperity on a global scale.

Alongside this, sustainable development and effective environmental protection have emerged as indispensable elements of comprehensive strategies aimed at poverty reduction worldwide. By integrating sustainable practices into developmental frameworks, societies can mitigate the adverse effects of environmental degradation, which disproportionately impact vulnerable populations, particularly in the face of escalating climate change and frequent natural disasters (UNEP, 2023). Embracing sustainable development not only safeguards natural resources for future generations but also enhances resilience against environmental shocks, thereby bolstering the livelihoods of those most susceptible to adverse ecological conditions. Moreover, sustainable practices foster economic diversification and innovation, opening avenues for green technologies and renewable energy solutions that promote long-term sustainability while concurrently addressing socio-economic inequalities. By prioritizing the intersection of environmental stewardship and poverty alleviation, policymakers can forge a path toward inclusive and sustainable development that ensures the well-being and prosperity of present and future generations alike.

Another key point is healthcare access stands as a pivotal determinant in the complex web of factors that perpetuate or alleviate poverty. Ensuring universal access to comprehensive healthcare services, encompassing essential provisions such as maternal and child health services, not only enhances the overall well-being of populations but also empowers individuals to engage more fully in economic pursuits, unencumbered by the debilitating effects of illness (WHO, 2023). Accessible healthcare is not merely a matter of addressing immediate medical needs; it represents a cornerstone for fostering long-term socio-economic development. By promoting preventive care, early intervention, and equitable access to essential treatments, societies can effectively reduce healthcare disparities and mitigate the financial burdens imposed by untreated illnesses. Moreover, investing in robust healthcare systems enhances community resilience, particularly in vulnerable populations, by bolstering disease prevention efforts and reducing the incidence of debilitating health crises. Ultimately, prioritizing universal healthcare access underscores a commitment to human dignity and social justice, laying a foundational pathway towards sustainable development and poverty eradication on a global scale.

By prioritizing these interconnected strategies, policymakers can foster inclusive growth and sustainable development, ensuring that no one is left behind in the pursuit of a more just and prosperous

global community. Through collective action and commitment, we can achieve lasting solutions to poverty, empowering individuals and societies to thrive in a world where opportunity and dignity are accessible to all.

Works Cited

International Labour Organization (ILO). (2023). Retrieved from https://www.ilo.org/ Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). (2023). Retrieved from https://www.oecd.org/

United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). (2023). Retrieved from https://www.undp.org/

United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). (2023). Retrieved from https://en.unesco.org/

United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). (2023). Retrieved from https://www.unep.org/

United Nations Women (UN Women). (2023). Retrieved from https://www.unwomen.org/

World Bank. (2024). Retrieved from https://www.worldbank.org/

World Health Organization (WHO). (2023). Retrieved from https://www.who.int/

Improving Access to Water and Sanitation

Access to clean water and sanitation is a fundamental human right and a building block of public health. Yet, ensuring that every individual has reliable access to these essential services remains a formidable challenge. Despite significant progress in recent decades, millions around the world still suffer from inadequate water supply and sanitation facilities. This issue is compounded by a range of factors including water scarcity, aging infrastructure, contamination, climate change, and socioeconomic disparities. Addressing these challenges requires a comprehensive approach that encompasses technological innovation, effective policy-making, community involvement, and international cooperation.

To begin with, water scarcity is a pressing challenge, particularly in arid and semi-arid regions. Factors contributing to water scarcity include geographical conditions and population growth. For example, sub-Saharan Africa faces significant water stress due to its predominantly dry climate and rapid population growth, exacerbating competition for limited water resources (UN Water, 2022). In many areas, more than natural water sources is needed to meet the needs of expanding populations, leading to over-extraction and depletion of available resources.

Furthermore, plays a critical role in delivering clean water and sanitation services. Unfortunately, many regions, especially in developing countries, suffer from outdated or poorly maintained infrastructure. Aging water supply systems are prone to frequent breakdowns, leading to interruptions in service and inefficiencies (World Bank, 2021). Moreover, a lack of financial investment in infrastructure development and maintenance further exacerbates these issues. In many developing regions, the financial resources required to build or upgrade water and sanitation infrastructure are insufficient (WHO, 2023).

Likewise, water contamination poses a severe risk to public health. Contaminants can originate from varioussources, including industrial discharges, agricultural runoff, and inadequate waste disposal systems. In South Asia, for instance, high levels of arsenic and other pollutants in drinking water have been linked to serious health issues (UNICEF, 2022). Additionally, inadequate sanitation facilities contribute to the spread of waterborne diseases. Many rural areas lack proper sanitation facilities, which results in the contamination of water sources and the spread of diseases (WHO/UNICEF, 2023).

Not only that, climate change exacerbates existing water and sanitation challenges through increased frequency and severity of extreme weather events, such as floods and droughts, too. These eventscandisruptwatersupplies,damageinfrastructure,andleadtocontamination.Forinstance,floods can overwhelm sewage systems, causing the spread of pathogens and pollutants (IPCC, 2021). Rising temperatures also affect water quality and exacerbate water scarcity by increasing evaporation rates and altering precipitation patterns (World Health Organization, 2022).

Another key point is, social and economic factors significantly impact access to clean water and sanitation. Inequality often results in marginalized communities needing more access to these essential services. Gender disparities also play a critical role, as women and girls are disproportionately affected by inadequate sanitation facilities. They often bear the burden of collecting water and may face health risks and social stigma due to a lack of access to safe and private sanitation (UN Women, 2022).

Political instability and conflict further exacerbate these issues by destroying infrastructure and disrupting services (International Committee of the Red Cross, 2021).

Addressing the complex challenges of ensuring clean water and sanitation for all necessitates a transition from recognizing the obstacles to implementing effective solutions. While the problems of water scarcity, infrastructure deficiencies, contamination, climate change, and social inequities are daunting, they also highlight areas where targeted interventions can make a significant impact. By leveraging innovative technologies, investing in modern infrastructure, and adopting integrated water management practices, stakeholders can begin to address these issues more effectively. Communitybased approaches and international cooperation further amplify these efforts, ensuring that solutions are not only practical but also sustainable and inclusive. This shift from problem identification to actionable solutions marks a critical step in advancing global efforts to provide universal access to clean water and sanitation.

Addressing infrastructure deficiencies is essential for improving water and sanitation services. Investment in modern water systems, including treatment plants and distribution networks, is crucial. Forexample,theAfricanDevelopment Bank hasfundednumerous waterprojectsinsub-SaharanAfrica to improve access to clean water (African Development Bank, 2023). Additionally, innovative technologies, such as solar-powered water pumps and rainwater harvesting systems, are being deployed in areas with limited resources. These technologies offer sustainable solutions for water supply in regions where conventional infrastructure may be impractical (International Water Association, 2022).

Effective governance and policy frameworks are vital for managing water resources and ensuring sanitation services, too Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) approaches consider the entire water cycle and involve multiple stakeholders, promoting more efficient and equitable water management (Global Water Partnership, 2023). Stronger regulatory frameworks and enforcement mechanisms are being developed to prevent pollution and manage water resources more effectively. For example, stricter regulations on industrial discharge and agricultural runoff can help reduce water contamination and protect public health (World Health Organization, 2022).

Moreover,engaging localcommunitiesintheplanningand management ofwater and sanitation projects is crucial for ensuring that solutions are tailored to their needs and are sustainable. Communitybased approaches involve residents in decision-making processes, which helps address specific challenges and promotes ownership of projects (WaterAid, 2023). Educational programs on hygiene andsanitationpracticesalsoplayasignificantroleinimproving communityhealthoutcomes.Byraising awarenessand promotinggoodpractices, theseprogramshelp prevent thespreadofwaterbornediseases and improve overall sanitation (UNICEF, 2022).

Technological innovations also offer promising solutions for improving water and sanitation services. Advances in water purification technologies, such as UV treatment and desalination, are being utilized to provide clean water in challenging conditions (Journal of Water Process Engineering, 2022). Innovations in sanitation, including composting toilets and portable sanitation solutions, are addressing the lack of facilities in underserved areas. These technologies not only improve sanitation but also reduce environmental impact by recycling waste and conserving resources (WHO, 2023).

International cooperation is another representative for addressing global water and sanitation challenges. Initiatives such as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) promote global efforts to ensure universal access to clean water and sanitation by 2030 (United Nations, 2023). Humanitarian aid organizations, such as the Red Cross and Médecins Sans Frontières, provide emergency water and

sanitation support in crises, helping to alleviate immediate needs and restore services in affected areas (International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, 2021).

Ensuring clean water and sanitation for all is a complex challenge that requires a multifaceted approach. Addressing water scarcity, infrastructure deficiencies, contamination, climate change impacts, and social inequalities necessitates coordinated efforts across various sectors. By investing in infrastructure development, implementing effective policies, engaging communities, leveraging technological innovations, and fostering international cooperation, it is possible to make significant progress toward achieving universal access to clean water and sanitation. Continued commitment and collaboration are essential to overcoming these challenges and ensuring that every person has access to the fundamental resources needed for a healthy and dignified life.

Works Cited

African Development Bank. (2023). “Water Supply and Sanitation in Africa.”

Global Water Partnership. (2023). “Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM).”

International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. (2021). “Water and Sanitation.”

International Water Association. (2022). “Innovative Solutions for Water and Sanitation.”

IPCC. (2021). “Climate Change 2021: The Physical Science Basis.”

Journal of Water Process Engineering. (2022). “Advances in Water Purification Technologies.”

UNICEF. (2022). “Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH).”

UN Women. (2022). “Gender Equality and Water Access.”

United Nations. (2023). “Sustainable Development Goals.”

WHO. (2023). “Sanitation and Hygiene.”

WHO/UNICEF. (2023). “Joint Monitoring Programme for Water Supply, Sanitation and Hygiene.” World Bank. (2021). “Water Supply and Sanitation.”

World Health Organization. (2022). “Climate Change and Health.”

Ensuring Clean Water and Sanitation: Challenges and Solutions for SDG 6

Access to safe water, sanitation and hygiene is the most basic human need for health and wellbeing. Billions of people will lack access to basic services in 2030 unless progress quadruples. Demand for water is rising due to rapid population growth, urbanization and increasing water needs from agriculture, industry, and energy sectors. Despite the growing needs towards water, 2.2 billion people still lacked safely managed drinking water, including 703 million without a basic water service in 2022. 3.5 billion people lacked safely managed sanitation, and 2 billion people lacked a basic hand washing facility. In short, one in three people live without sanitation. This is causing unnecessary disease and death. In response, SDG 6 aims to ensure clean water and sanitation to people around the world. It targets 8 specific goals in detail. Target 6.1 is safe and affordable drinking water. It aims to achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all. Second target is to end open defecation and provide access to sanitation and hygiene. It aims to achieve access to adequate and equitable sanitation and hygiene to the needs of women, girls and those in vulnerable situations. Third target is improving water quality, wastewater treatment and safe reuse. This aims to improve water quality by reducing pollution, eliminating dumping and minimizing release of hazardous chemicals and materials, halving the proportion of untreated wastewater and substantially increasing recycling and safe reuse globally. Fourth target is to increase water-use efficiency and ensure freshwater supplies. It aims to substantially increase water-use efficiency across all sectors and ensure sustainable withdrawals and supply of freshwater to address water scarcity and substantially reduce the number of people suffering from water scarcity. Fifth target is to implement integrated water resources management. It aims to implement integrated water resources management at all levels, including through transboundary cooperation as appropriate. Sixth target is to protect and restore water-related ecosystems. It aims to protect and restore water related ecosystems, including mountains, forests, wetlands, rivers, aquifers and lakes. Seventh target is to expand water and sanitation support to developing countries. It aims to expand international cooperation and capacity-building support to developing countries in water-and-sanitation-related activities and programmes, including water harvesting, desalination, water efficiency, wastewater treatment, recycling and reuse technologies. The last target is to support local engagement in water and sanitation management. It aims to support and strengthen the participation of local communities in improving water and sanitation management. Despite all the efforts to achieve the goals, some factors including climate change and institutional failures contributed to the challenges in ensuring clean water and sanitation for all.

Sia Yun, Chung Nam Samsung Academy

Achieving Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6), which aims to ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all, faces several significant challenges. Effective water governance requires cohesive collaboration among governments, private entities, and NGOs despite their differing interests and responsibilities. Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) is crucial for addressing climate change, urbanization, and population shifts, yet its implementation is hindered by varied and complex challenges across different regions. For instance, in countries like India and Mexico, water utility leaders often have short tenures (about 18 months) and lack technical expertise, leading to instability and ineffective management. Corruption and a lack of transparency further exacerbate these issues by deterring investments and misallocating resources. Country-specific governance models also present unique problems. Chile’s market-driven approach lacks effective regulation andsocialparticipation, whileMexico and Brazil,although betteratcommunity engagement, struggle with financing and inclusivity. Urban areas, especially in Africa, Asia, and Latin America, face severe deficits in water and sanitation governance, struggling to provide basic services and adapt to climate change.

To address these challenges, several solutions have been implemented with varying degrees of success. Extending the tenures of water utility executives to six years with specific performance indicators is one such solution. In São Paulo, Brazil, where the public sector owns the majority of utility shares but the private sector appoints the CEO, longer tenures and competent leadership have led to improved water delivery and commercial financing. This approach provides stability and allows leaders to implement and follow through on long-term strategies, addressing about 60% of management issues even without increasing current funding levels. Similarly, in Dhaka, Bangladesh, making the utilities more autonomous and hiring headhunted executives have significantly improved performance, showcasing the benefits of skilled and stable leadership.

Strong public-private partnerships are another crucial solution, as evidenced by successful collaborations in various regions. Leveraging private sector investments and improving governance can enhance efficiency and service delivery. However, ensuring transparency is essential to prevent corruption, which can deter investments and hinder progress. For example, in São Paulo, the partnership between public ownership and private sector management has resulted in better water services and financial stability, demonstrating the potential of such collaborations when transparency and accountability are prioritized.

Effective governance models that promote state regulation and active community involvement are also necessary. In Mexico and Brazil, efforts to engage communities in water management have shown positive results, though challenges in financing and inclusivity remain. Addressing these issues requires comprehensive approaches that incorporate the perspectives and needs of all stakeholders, particularly marginalized groups such as women and indigenous populations. Implementing participatory mechanisms and ensuring inclusivity can lead to more equitable and sustainable water governance.

Additionally, focusing on managing water demand through cost-effective strategies is essential for adapting to climate challenges. In Australia, strategies that emphasize demand management over simply increasing supply have proven effective. For example, Melbourne’s water management plan includes measures such as water-efficient appliances, public awareness campaigns, and incentives for reduced consumption. These initiatives have helped reduce water use and ensure sustainable management, illustrating the importance of demand-side solutions in urban water governance.

By examining these solutions and their outcomes, it becomes clear that addressing the challenges to achieving SDG 6 requires a multifaceted approach. Stable and skilled leadership, strong publicprivate partnerships, effective governance, community involvement, and demand management strategies are all critical components. Implementing these solutions in a transparent and inclusive manner can significantly advance progress towards ensuring sustainable water and sanitation for all.

Reducing Inequalities: Examining Policies and their Impact for SDG 10

SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities aims to reduce inequality within and among the countries. As too much of the world’s wealth is held by a very small group of people, financial and social discrimination often happens. In order for nations to flourish, equality and prosperity must be available to everyone, regardless of gender, race, religious beliefs, or economic status. In other words, the entire world prospers when every individual is self-sufficient. To check how much the world is dealing with equalities, it is important to understand the current state of inequalities globally, in terms of income disparity, access to education, and healthcare.

Income inequality is severe both within and among countries. The richest 1% of the world population owns more than half of the world’s wealth, according to the World Inequality Report 2022. Income disparity is the difference in how income is distributed among the population. A Gini coefficient, which is based on the comparison of cumulative portions of the population against cumulative portions of income they receive, can be one of the indicators of income disparity of each country. Mexico’s gini coefficient was 46% in 2018, 44.6% in 2020, and 43.5% in 2022, according to the World Bank Group. Through this change of Gini index, we could find that Mexico's income inequality is being reduced. According to data from the National Survey of Household Income and Expenditures(ENIGH), over the past 6 years(2018-2024), the upper class went from holding 62% of the country’s income to now holding 58%. Mexico could reduce income inequality throughout this six year period, by several policies and interventions made by president Andrés Manuel López Obrador (20182024).

One of the major policies we have to pay attention to is the labor policy. Due to the increases in the minimum wage, the blistering of unions and the reduction of subcontracting, the labor income of Mexicans increased considerably. 80% of Mexican households saw increases in their labor income over the past six years, well above inflation. Furthermore, the increases were greater for the poorest households. According to the National Survey of Adjusted Household income and Expenses, households with very low socioeconomic level increased their labor income by 19%, while those in the low-income strata increased it by 5%. The increase in minimum wage had a progressive impact, as it is earned by people who come from the lowest socioeconomic strata. Raising the minimum wage ensured that the lowest earners received a higher income, which helped reduce the disparity between the highest and lowest earners.

Another important intervention made by the Mexican government was a change in the business ecosystem. The Mexican government promoted microcredit and financial inclusion programs at this period, which aimed at improving access to credit for small and informal businesses. Microcredit schemes and financial inclusion initiatives helped small business owners invest in and expand their operations. Also, efforts to simplify the regulatory framework and reduce bureaucratic hurdles for small businesses made it easier for them to operate and grow. Unlike in previous six-year administrations, where large companies tended to grow more and have higher returns, this six-year-long period, small companies have had exceptional returns. 90% of households with income from small businesses increased their income since 2018. Similar to labor income we saw previously, the improvements here were much greater for low-income households. Households with a very low socioeconomic level

increased their small business income by 17%, while those with a low socioeconomic level grew it by 15%. On the other hand, the income that the richest households received from their large companies fell. From 2018 to 2022, the reduction was 18%. In 2018, they reported getting an average monthly income of 915,000 pesos($53,500), but they only receive 750,000 pesos($44,000) today. The measures from the Mexican government provided small businesses with the necessary financial resources and regulatory support to thrive, contributing to the increased income for households involved in small business activities. Overall, the change in the business ecosystem contributed to increasing income earned from low income households, while reducing the income earned from the rich households, thus reducing the income disparity in Mexico.

Inequalities also lie in education. Education is a basic human right, and has proven to affect general well-being. The equitable distribution of education allows for the creation of permeable societies and equity. However, 258 million(17%) of the world’s children, adolescents and youth are out of school around the world. The proportion is much larger in developing countries. Within countries, learning results, as measured through standardized tests, are almost always much lower for those living in poverty. InMexico, for example, 80 percent of indigenous children at the end of primary school don’t achieve basic levels in reading and math, scoring far below the average for primary school students.

One of the main causes of the educational inequality is lack of providing applicable education. Most countries are very diverse. When a curriculum is overloaded and is the same for everyone, some students, generally those from rural areas, cultural minorities or living in poverty find little meaning in what is taught. When the language of instruction is different from their native tongue, students learn much less and drop out of school earlier. Ethiopia is also a diverse country with numerous ethnic groups and languages. Historically, the centralized education system did not reflect this diversity. This led to high dropout rates and low educational attainment among students from rural areas, cultural minorities, and impoverished backgrounds. In response, Ethiopia introduced a policy focused on multilingual education and localized curricula, aiming to make education more accessible and relevant to all students.

Since 1994, Ethiopian education has been implemented under the ambitious mother tongue language policy, the goals of which are to improve literacy rates and academic achievement, as well as to enhance appreciation of local languages and cultures. More than 30 languages are being used as languages of instruction or taught as a subject in primary schools. English is taught as a subject from Grade 1 and Amharic is taught as a subject from either Grade 3 or Grade 5, depending on the region. This supportive mother tongue policy is widely considered by multilingual education experts to be the most progressive national policy environment in Africa. The Ethiopian policy of implementing multilingual education is a valuable model for addressing educational inequality. By ensuring that the language of instruction and curriculum content are relevant to students’ backgrounds, the policy has made education more effective for diverse populations. This approach recognizes the importance of cultural and linguistic relevance in education, leading to better engagement and academic success for all students.

Health inequalities are differences in health status or in the distribution of health resources between different population groups, arising from the social conditions. In low- and middle-income countries, more than 930 million people spend at least 10% of their household budget on healthcare. There is also a severe shortage of healthcare workers in many regions. For example, sub-Saharan Africa has about 2.3 health workers per 1,000 people compared to 18.9 per 1,000 in Europe. Health inequities are unfair and could be reduced by the right mix of government policies.

One notable example of a policy that helped reduce healthcare inequality is the implementation of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) in Ghana. This scheme aimed to provide universal health coverage and improve access to healthcare services for all Ghanaians, particularly those from low-income and rural areas. The NHIS was introduced in 2003 to replace the cash-and-carry system, where patients had to pay upfront for healthcare services. By 2018, over 11 million people, approximately 38% of Ghana's population, were enrolled in the NHIS. A study published in the International Journal for Equity in Health found that NHIS members had significantly higher access to healthcareservicescomparedtonon-members.Forexample,insuredwomenweremorelikelytodeliver in a health facility (64%) compared to uninsured women (45%). The NHIS increased access to healthcare because it ensures financial protection. The NHIS significantly reduced out-of-pocket health expenditures for enrolled households. According to a study by the World Bank, out-of-pocket health payments as a share of total health expenditure dropped from 64% in 2004 to 37% in 2010. Therefore, The NHIS has contributed to improved health outcomes, especially among vulnerable populations. A study in the Health Economics Review highlighted that children under five from insured households had a 15% lower likelihood of suffering from acute illnesses compared to those from uninsured households. The NHIS in Ghana is a compelling example of a policy that has effectively reduced healthcare inequality by improving access to healthcare services, providing financial protection, and enhancing health outcomes for marginalized populations. Continued efforts to address the challenges and expand coverage are essential to sustain these gains and further reduce healthcare disparities.

Water for All

Soobin Chun, BC Collegiate

Access to clean water and adequate sanitation is a fundamental human right, essential for health, dignity, and economic productivity. Despite this, billions of people around the world still lack these basic services. According to the United Nations, approximately 2.2 billion individuals do not have safely managed drinking water services, and 4.2 billion lack safely managed sanitation services. The disparity in access to these critical resources not only exacerbates health inequities but also impedes economic development and perpetuates cycles of poverty. Also, water scarcity is a pressing concern exacerbated by climate change and population growth, while pollution from various sources further threatens water quality. Economic barriers often prevent marginalized communities from accessing clean water, while inadequate sanitation infrastructure poses significant health risks. Cultural and social factors also play a role in shaping attitudes towards water and sanitation practices.

One of the most significant challenges in providing clean water and sanitation is geographical and environmental constraints. In many developing regions, especially in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia, water sources are often distant and contaminated. Such as rural areas like Ethiopia, women and children walk several kilometers each day to fetch water from sources that are not only far but also polluted. These long treks consume valuable time and energy, which could otherwise be spent on education oreconomicactivities.Likewise,environmental degradation isafactorthatexacerbateswater scarcity. Deforestation, over-extraction of groundwater, and pollution from industrial activities compromise water quality and availability. Such places like India, the over-extraction of groundwater for agriculture has led to the depletion of aquifers, affecting both rural and urban populations.

Infrastructure is another critical barrier to accessing clean water and sanitation. In many LECDs, the infrastructure necessary for the delivery of safe water and sanitation services is either inadequate or non-existent. Poorly maintained or outdated water supply systems lead to frequent breakdowns and contamination. For example, in rural Bangladesh, many households rely on tube wells for drinking water. However, arsenic contamination in these wells has led to widespread health issues, including cancer and skin lesions, highlighting the need for proper water treatment facilities. Sanitation infrastructure is equally problematic. Many regions lack adequate sewage systems, leading to open defecation and untreated waste being released into the environment. In places like Haiti, where the sanitation infrastructure is minimal, the risk of waterborne diseases such as cholera remains high. The 2010 cholera outbreak in Haiti, which resulted in thousands of deaths, was directly linked to inadequate sanitation and poor access to clean water.

Furthermore, economic factors also play a significant role in access to clean water and sanitation. In many communities, particularly in developing countries, the cost of installing and maintaining water and sanitation infrastructure is prohibitively expensive. Low-income families may prioritize immediate needs such as food and shelter over investments in clean water and sanitation, leading to continued reliance on unsafe water sources and inadequate sanitation facilities. Social factors further complicate the issue. Gender inequality affects access to water and sanitation, as women and girls are often responsible for fetching water and managing household sanitation. This burden has significant implications for their health, education, and economic opportunities. In some cultures, traditional practices and beliefs may also impede the adoption of modern sanitation facilities, such as the use of latrines.

Political instability and poor governance can undermine efforts to improve water and sanitation services.Inconflict-affectedregions, suchaspartsof Syriaand Yemen,ongoingviolencedisrupts water supply systems and sanitation infrastructure, making it challenging to deliver essential services. Corruption and mismanagement of resources further exacerbate these issues, as funds allocated for water and sanitation projects may not reach their intended destinations or be used effectively.

With these low accessibility to clean water, technological innovations are often promising solutions to water and sanitation challenges. Advances in water purification technologies, such as solarpowered water purifiers and low-cost filtration systems, are making it possible to provide safe drinking waterinremoteandunderservedareas.Suchas,theLifeStraw,aportablewaterfilter,allowsindividuals to drink safely from contaminated sources, significantly reducing the risk of waterborne diseases. In sanitation, innovations such as eco-friendly toilets and waste-to-energy systems are addressing the need for sustainable solutions. The use of dry toilets, which do not require water for flushing, is particularly beneficial in areas where water is scarce. Additionally, the development of decentralized waste treatment systems allows communities to manage and process waste locally, reducing the burden on centralized infrastructure.

Moreover, community involvement is also playing a crucial role for the success of water and sanitation projects. Empowering local communities to take ownership of water and sanitation facilities ensures that they are better maintained and utilized. Programs that train community members in the construction and maintenance of wells, latrines, and sanitation facilities have shown positive results. Followed by the actual implication, in Kenya, the Community-Led Total Sanitation (CLTS) approach has been successful in promoting hygiene practices and reducing open defecation by involving communities in the process of sanitation improvement. Furthermore, education and awareness campaigns play a vital role in changing attitudes and behaviors related to water and sanitation. Teaching communities about the importance of handwashing, safe water storage, and proper waste disposal can lead to significant improvements in public health. In India, the Swachh Bharat Mission has made strides in promoting sanitation and hygiene through widespread education and the construction of household toilets.

Furthermore,governmentandinternationalsupportareessentialforscalingupwaterandsanitation efforts.Nationalgovernmentsmustprioritizewaterandsanitationintheirpoliciesandbudgets,ensuring that resources are allocated effectively and equitably. For instance, the government of Rwanda has invested heavily in improving water infrastructure and sanitation facilities, resulting in increased access to clean water and improved public health outcomes. International organizations and partnerships also play a criticalrole in addressing global water and sanitation challenges. The United Nations' Sustainable Development Goal 6 aims to ensure the availability and sustainable management of waterand sanitation

for all by 2030. Efforts by organizations such as UNICEF, the World Health Organization (WHO), and various non-governmental organizations (NGOs) are focused on providing financial support, technical expertise, and advocacy to address water and sanitation issues worldwide.

Access to clean water and sanitation remains one of the most pressing global challenges, with billions of people still lacking these fundamental services. The challenges are multifaceted, including geographical constraints, infrastructure deficiencies, economic and social barriers, and political issues. However, solutions and strategies are being implemented to address these challenges, including technological innovations, community-based approaches, government and international support, and climate adaptation efforts. By focusing on these solutions and working collaboratively at local, national, and global levels, it is possible to make significant progress towards ensuring that every individual has access to clean water and adequate sanitation. The journey towards universal access is long and complex, but with continued dedication and effort, it is achievable. Access to clean water and sanitation is not just a matter of health but of human dignity and economic opportunity, and achieving this goal is essential for building a more equitable and sustainable world.

The AAPI community's fight against pandemic-era hate and discrimination

The COVID-19 pandemic has had far-reaching impacts on societies worldwide, with one particularly troubling consequence being the dramatic rise in hate crimes against Asians and Asian Americans. As fear and uncertainty spread alongside the virus, so too did xenophobic rhetoric and scapegoating, leading to a urge in violent incidents and discrimination. This disturbing trend is not just arecentdevelopmentbutisrootedinalonghistoryofracismandexclusionfacedbyAsiancommunities in the United States. the rise of anti-Asian hate during the Covid pandemic can be attributed to political rhetoric, longstanding racial prejudices, and the pressures of restrictive government policies. Despite the severe challenges and violence faced by the Asian American and Pacific Islander community, this period also witnessed a remarkable surge in solidarity, political activism, and the formation of strong alliances with other racial groups, culminating in significant legislative and social changes aimed at combating hate and promoting inclusivity.

According to a study by the Center for the Study of Hate and Extremism at California State University, San Bernardino, hate crimes against Asians in the US surged by 150 percent in 2020, more than doubling the previous year’s figures. In major cities like Los Angeles and New York City, numerous incidents of violence targeted individuals of Asian descent following the spread of COVID19, which led to government-imposed quarantines, lockdowns, curfews, and mandatory vaccinations. The rise in anti-Asian sentiment during the pandemic can be attributed to political rhetoric, entrenched racism, and the pressures of restrictive government policies. Despite the significant challenges faced by Asian American and Pacific Islander communities, they emerged from this period with increased solidarity, political awareness, and stronger alliances with other racial groups.

Historically, the Asian hate witnessed during the pandemic is an extension of the persistent racism faced by Asians in America. Early Asian immigrants, who arrived in America primarily for economic opportunities, weremet with resentment and suspicion as they sought tobuild theirlives. Whiteworkers harbored resentment towards Chinese laborers working on railroads, leading to racial tensions that became embedded in US political history. the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882, which barred an entire ethnicity from obtaining US citizenship, and the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II, which reinforced harmful stereotypes of Asians as dangerous and untrustworthy, are stark examples of this systemic racism.

These historical prejudices were exacerbated by public discourse during the pandemic. In 2020, President Trump referred to COVID-19 as the “Chinese virus,” and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo often called it the “Wuhan virus.” Also, the White House staffer allegedly used the term “kung flu.” Such racist and xenophobic terminology, emanating from the highest levels of the government, fostered an atmosphere of hostility towards Asians. this rhetoric emboldened individuals to express and act on their racist attitudes more openly, contributing to a spike in anti-Asian violence.

The increase in hate crimes was evident in the numerous reports of anti-Asian incidents following the onset of the pandemic. In the first two months alone, STOP AAPI HATE, an organization established by a coalition of Asian American groups, received nearly 1,500 reports of racism, hate speech, discrimination, and physical attacks against Asians and Asian Americans. While many of these

incidents involved verbal abuse and racist language, they often escalated to physical assaults, some of which were fatal. The 2021 shooting at three spans in Atlanta, which resulted in the deaths of six Asian women, was seen by many as a tragic culmination of the mounting racism in the nation.

Inaddition toverbaland physicalassaults, AAPIindividualsfacedwidespreadsocialostracization. Many Asians reported being shunned in public spaces, receiving hostile stares, and experiencing an increase in discriminatory practices in workplaces and schools. These experiences created a climate of fear and isolation for many in the AAPL community, parents were worried for the safety of their children, and elderly individuals felt particularly vulnerable to attacks. The psychological toll of this constant threat and hostility cannot be understood, as it added a layer of stress and anxiety during an already challenging time.

In response to this surge in racism, the AAPI community mobilized to combat hate and advocate for change. This collective effort yielded significant results. On March 18, 2021, for the first time in over three decades, a congressional hearing on discrimination against Asians was held. Two months later, President Biden signed the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act, recognizing the alarming increase in hate crimes against AAPI individuals. Introduced by US Rep.. Grace Meng and Sen. Mazie Hirono, the legislation aimed to improve grants to state and local governments to implement hate crime-reduction programs.

The legislative successes were driven by the concerted efforts of writers, activists, and community leaders who challenged media representations and stereotypes of AAPI individuals. Negative stereotypes perpetuated by the media contribute to the dehumanization and marginalization of Asian communities. To counteract this, Asian American media organizations, content creators, and activists worked to produce and promote diverse narratives that highlight the richness and complexity of Asian cultures and experiences, They also advocated for greater representation of Asian voices in mainstream media and cultural products.

Additionally, Asian American community organizations pushed for the inclusion of Asian American studies in school curricula and promoted dialogue and collaboration among diverse communities to foster empathy and mutual respect. These initiatives aimed to educatethe public, reduce prejudice, and build alliances with other racial and ethnic groups. For instance, various educational programs were developed to teach students about the contributions and experiences of Asian Americans, thereby fostering a more inclusive and accurate understanding of American history.

The grassroots movements within the AAPI community also played a crucial role in building resilience and solidarity. Local organizations and community groups organized events, workshops, and support networks to address the immediate needs of those affected by hate crimes. They provided mental health resources, legal assistance, and platforms for sharing personal stories and experiences. These efforts helped to empower individuals and build a sense of community and collective strength.

Furthermore, the alliances formed with other racial and ethnic groups were instrumental in advancing the cause. The most famous one, the BLM movement, which had gained significant momentum following the murder of George Floyd, provided a framework and inspiration for AAPI activists. The shared experiences of racism and discrimination fostered a sense of solidarity and mutual support between different communities of color. Joint protests, rallies, and advocacy efforts highlighted the interconnectedness of their struggles and the need for a united front against all forms of racism.

The rise in anti-Asian hate during the pandemic was met with a robust and resilient response from the AAPI community. While the community faced significant adversity, their collective strength, resilience, and proactive measures resulted in meaningful change. The Stope Asian Hate movement, characterized by the efforts of countless individuals, highlights the power of solidarity and collective action in fighting discrimination. This movement not only resonated within America but also inspired a global call to combat racism and promote inclusivity. The efforts to challenge stereotypes, educate the public, and advocate for legislative change have laid the groundwork for a more inclusive and equitable society. The experiences of the AAPI community during the pandemic serve as a reminder of the importance of standing together against late and continuing the fight for justice and equality for all.

Subin Park, St. Paul's School

Eradicating Poverty: The Dual Approach of Education and Human Needs

Though there is no singular answer to the eradication of poverty, the most effective strategies to alleviate this issue include the increase of education and the insurance of basic human needs for all; these two approaches are essential in allowing individuals to break out of a cycle of poverty. Poverty is a complex, multifaceted issue that stems from economic, social, and political factors; currently, over 700 million people are living under the extreme poverty line of $2.15 per day. Education and provision of basic needs can help to address the root causes of poverty, equipping disadvantaged populations with the tools and resources necessary to lift themselves and their communities out of destitution. While poverty may never be fully eradicated, such broad interventions represent the most promising path towards alleviating this global challenge.

Ensuring access to basic health care, nutritional food, and other fundamental human needs is a crucial component of any effective strategy that aims to reduce poverty, especially within the short run. When individuals have access to basic needs such as food, healthcare, clean water, etc. an immense potential for social, economic, and environmental progress is unlocked within marginalised communities. According to a study done on health systems by Professor O’Donnell, ill-health is the primary driver of poverty; in fact, the loss of earnings due to health issues often has a greater impact on poverty than the direct costs of healthcare itself. By providing disadvantaged people and communities with these basic services, individuals are allotted the ability to focus more on long-term goals and economic opportunities rather than day-to-day survival and sustenance. Provision of basic healthcare and the insurance that they have access to food and water creates a foundation for stability and growth. Healthy adult individuals can pursue education and employment opportunities; at the same time, children, through nutrition, can work towards breaking the intergenerational cycle of poverty caused by cognitive and physical developments associated with malnutrition.

At the same time, however, it is also important to recognize that poverty is a complex issue with no one solution that has origins in both national and international domains. The distribution of resources around the world as international aid will not eradicate poverty. As Agenda 21 emphasised, there is no single, uniform solution that can be applied globally. Rather, country-specific programs to address poverty combined with supportive international efforts for example with the collaboration of governments, NGOs, and even the private sector are crucial for creating innovative solutions tailored to the unique differences of each region.

Education is also a necessary component in breaking the intergenerational cycle of poverty. While the provision of basic necessities like food, water, and healthcare are important in ensuring survival, education is what unlocks lasting solutions to poverty. UNESCO reports that if all students in lowincome countries simply reached a basic reading level, an estimated 171 million people could escape extreme poverty. Furthermore, if all adults in these same countries had completed a secondary education, the global poverty rate could be cut by more than half. This is due to a multitude of factors including access to better-paying jobs, opportunity to utilise greater resources, and the development of crucial specialised skills. Just as significant is the fact that education also plays a major role in alleviating the systemic inequalities that perpetuate poverty, reducing barriers tied to physical ability, religion, race, etc. that disproportionately impact marginalised populations. Within the realm of personal healthcare, education also plays a major role: education has been shown to improve health outcomes, lower maternal and infant mortality rates, and even reduce stunting and vulnerability to diseases like HIV and AIDS. In short, investing in education is one of the most effective long-term strategies for lifting individuals and communities out of the grips of poverty.

It is clear that in the long run, education will become a major contributor in the eradication of poverty; however, this may prove difficult to achieve. Take Tanzania as an example: the country’s efforts to leverage education for poverty reduction has faced numerous challenges. Though primary school enrolment has increased by 5.8% between the years 2006 and 2010, the transition rate to secondary school has decreased; post-secondary education becomes even more scarce. This gap has led to many Tanzanians especially between the ages of 17 and 19 years old without further education orvocationaltraining,leadingtotheexacerbationofunemploymentandfurtherpoverty.Thiscasestudy underscores the idea that while progress in education can drive poverty reductions, achieving this can prove difficult, requiring comprehensive strategies and overall economic reforms. Ensuring a welleducated workforce is essential for long-term economic growth and future eradication of poverty, and it becomes clear that education plays a multifaceted role in doing so.

Looking forward, it is also necessary to look at sustainability within poverty as well: sustainable development of poverty eradication ensures that future generations have a means to keep out of poverty as well. For instance, the implementation of sustainable agricultural practices can not only allow for further food security but also reduce the vulnerability of future generations especially within marginalised communities that are disproportionately affected by these changes to climate change and environmental degradation. This allows for agricultural productivity to remain stable promoting both economic growth and long-term stability. Education and vocational training are, again, both key components in ensuring we can create societies that are more resilient.

Ultimately, though, there is no singular solution to the complex challenge of poverty eradication: the most effective strategies make use ofboth increasing access to education and providing basic human needs to all. These interventions provide individuals with the tools and resources necessary to break free from cycles of poverty. Education, especially, plays a large role in addressing systemic issues that can be utilized as a long-term solution. Through collaborative efforts involving national policies, international aid, and even local community engagement sustainable solutions to this issue can arise. Investing in solutions that are sustainable is not just an ethical imperative but rather it is an important strategic approach that will pave the way towards significant reduction, if not the eradication, of poverty.

Achieving Equity: Effective Policies in Reducing Inequality

There are numerous policies and interventions that have been successful in the reduction of inequalities among countries: government transfers, progressive taxation, universal healthcare, and gender equality policies, to name a few. These interventions have allowed for the significant reduction of inequalities around the world and should continue to be utilized. Inequality remains a pervasive challenge in many societies, with disparities in income, access to education, and healthcare access serving as barriers to equitable economic opportunities. However, governments and policymakers have implemented a range of strategies that have demonstrated effectiveness in addressing these inequities. By adopting progressive tax systems, providing universal access to quality healthcare, and promoting gender equality, many countries have made important strides towards creating more inclusive and just societies. As the global community continues to grapple with the complex drivers of inequality, sustaining and building upon these proven policy approaches will be crucial for driving meaningful and lasting change.

As it stands right now, inequality remains a significant problem in our society, manifesting in various ways. One way is income disparity, where the wealthiest individuals and households hold a disproportionately large share of the total income and assets. According to the Congressional Budget Office, income disparity in America is so pronounced that the richest 1 percent of households averaged 104 times as much income as the bottom 20 percent in 2020. This skewed distribution of wealth limits economic mobility and concentrates power and resources among a small segment of the population.

Another facet of inequality is to do with the unequal access to quality education. Certain demographicsfacepersistent barrierstoattaining higherlevelsofeducation, which iscrucialforupward social mobility. Globally, 258 million children accounting for over 17% of adolescent individuals are out of school. That proportion is much greater for developing countries and there is a great gap on the quality of education as well. For instance, it would take a fifteen year old Brazilian student 260 years, at their current rate of improvement, to reach a wealthier countries’ average scores in reading.

Furthermore, healthcare accessibility is another area of concern. Some populations struggle to afford or obtain the medical services they need, leading to substandard or inaccessible healthcare. This has far-reaching consequences, constraining individual well-being and limiting the overall health and productivity of communities. These interconnected disparities in income, education, and healthcare highlight the multifaceted nature of inequality in our society. Addressing this complex challenge will require comprehensive efforts to tackle the structural and systemic barriers that perpetuate these inequities, in order to ensure more equitable opportunities and outcomes for all in the near future.

There are different things that governments and other groups have done to try to lower inequality in society. One such example is with a transfer system where income is distributed from higher income individuals to lower income individuals. Another example is having a tax system where people with higher incomes pay a larger percentage of their money in taxes: this is known as progressive taxation. Both reduce inequality though varying across countries but transfers are much more redistributive than taxes. This is because wealthier countries have larger welfare states and also because governments can better target poorer households.

Another approach is having social welfare programs that provide support and assistance to people who have lower incomes or are in difficult situations. For example, having government housing allows individuals to have a starting point in which they can build stability and security in their lives. Government housing reduces the financial burden of rent costs and allows residents to allocate their limited resourcestoothercriticalneedssuchaseducation, healthcare,and nutrition.Withstablehousing they can also, most importantly, start to consider long term goals rather than worry about the immediate stress of finding a place to live. Universal healthcare, where everyone can get the medical care they need without having to pay a lot of money, is another idea that can help reduce inequality. By ensuring that healthcare services are accessible to all, regardless of income, health outcomes are not only improved but economic disparities are also lessened.

Reforms to the education system, like making sure everyone has access to good schools and can get job training, can also reduce overall inequality. Setting a minimum wage the lowest amount employers can pay workers is a great example of a reformative policy that aims to lift up people with lowerincomes.Afairminimumwageensuresthatworkersreceivea livingwage,which can help reduce poverty and improve the living conditions of a population. In America, an increase to $15 of minimum wage could benefit nearly 40 million workers.

Efforts to achieve gender equality, by giving women the same opportunities as men, can also help address numerous inequalities and problems. Around the world, girls aged 10-14 are twice as likely to spend excessive hours on household chores than boys of the same age. This imbalance not only limits their time for education and personal development but it also contributes to broader systemic inequalities. Promoting gender equality can have significant social and economic benefits; for example, having women who are educated can increase the workforce and contribute to economic growth. Personal health related issues can also be alleviated: educated women are better equipped to make decisions about their health. Though there is work to be done, policies like parental leave and affordable childcare can help both men and women to manage their responsibilities.

Ultimately, inequality remains a persistent and complex challenge in various societies around the world, manifesting across multiple domains including income, education, healthcare access, gender, etc; however through the collaboration and efforts of governments and policymakers, a range of strategic interventions have been implemented. These strategies and approaches have demonstrated the possibility in addressing these inequities: these policy approaches have allowed for significant reductions in inequality and should continue to be expanded upon. As the global community grapples with the established factors of inequality, sustained commitment to these proven strategies will be crucial for driving meaningful and lasting change. Continuing to explore government transfers, progressive taxation, universal healthcare, and gender equality policies, and more will allow for further progress that provides a roadmap for making progress towards a more equitable future.

Sunghyun Bak, Korean Minjok Leadership Academy

Eradicating Poverty: Analyzing Effective Strategies for SDG 1

"Sustainable Development Goals" (SDGs), adopted by all United Nations members in 2015, encompass 17 goals and 169 targets, with the aim of peace and prosperity for people and the planet, nowandintothefuture. The17GoalsincludeNoPoverty,ZeroHunger,CleanWater,GenderEquality, and Climate Action. The first, probably the most important goal of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG 1) is to "end poverty in all its forms everywhere."

Fighting poverty has been a major concern for humanity for a long time. For instance, the MillenniumDevelopment Goal1(MDG1)aimedtoreduceextremepovertyandhunger.MDG1'starget was to reduce by half the proportion of people living on less than $1.25 a day by 2015, compared to 1990 levels. The target was successfully achieved five years ahead of schedule. The United Nations reported that the population living below the absolute poverty line decreased from approximately 1.9 billion in 1990 to 1 billion by 2011, and it was projected that an additional 175 million people would escape poverty by 2015. According to World Bank research data, poverty significantly decreased across the Asia region, including East Asia and the Pacific, from 1990 to 2015, although Sub-Saharan Africa experienced an increase in poverty during the same period.

However, the scale of poverty does not automatically decrease as time goes by. According to the Sustainable Development Goals Report 2024, the global extreme poverty rate increased in 2020 due to the covid-19 pandemic and subsequent shocks from 2020 to 2022. The share of the world’s population living in extreme poverty rose from 8.9% in 2019 to 9.7% in 2020, driven by increases in low- and lower-middle-income countries. Since 2020, recovery has been made, but not evenly with low-income countries lagging behind. As a result, 712 million people (or 9% of the world’s population) lived in extreme poverty in 2022, an increase of 23 million people from 2019. Moreover, one in four people lives on less than $2.15 a day in the 75 most vulnerable countries. This figure is more than eight times higher than the average extreme poverty rate in the rest of the world.

As the income gap widens, poverty is predominantly observed in rural areas. Approximately threequarters of the global poor reside in rural regions, encompassing a significant proportion of women, persons with disabilities, children, and Indigenous people, which underscores the gravity of the issue.

The global working poverty rate reached 6.9 per cent in 2023, but there are wide regional disparities: more than half of workers living in extreme poverty were still in sub-Saharan Africa (145 million) whereas Central and Southern Asia notably reduced working poverty by 6.9 percent between 2015 and 2023. Working poverty disproportionately affects some groups. Globally, young workers are

twice as likely as adults to be in working poverty. Women typically experience higher working poverty rates than men, with the most pronounced gender gap observed in the least developed countries (LDCs).

UN SDG 1 sets the targets we have to achieve. For instance, Target 1.1 is set to eradicate extreme poverty for all people everywhere by 2030, currently measured as people living on less than $1.25 a day. Target 1.2 aims at reducing by half the proportion of all people living in poverty, regardless of age or gender.

In order to achieve these targets, one needs effective strategies. The third-to-fifth targets of SDG 1 suggest specific policies addressing national and global poverty. The three policies build upon the methods employed to alleviate poverty under the previous MDGs, focusing on areas that were inadequately addressed during their implementation.

Implementing and expanding appropriate social protection systems in each country is crucial for addressing poverty. Social protection systems are vital policy tools for essential universal services, including quality basic services, maternal health services, education, and nutrition. However, according to UN reports, 80% of the global population lacks access to comprehensive social protection benefits. Consequently, the third target of SDG 1 does not aim for a one-size-fits-all approach. Instead, it focuses on establishing a minimum threshold for social protection systems tailored to each country. It also aims to expand coverage to specific vulnerable groups, including persons with disabilities, pregnant women, informalworkers,migrants,peoplelivingwithHIV/AIDS,andpopulationsexposedtonaturaldisasters.

Target 1.4 aims to ensure that all men and women, especially those in poverty and vulnerable groups, have equal access to economic resources, essential services, ownership and control over land and other forms of property, inheritance, natural resources, appropriate new technologies, and financial services, including microfinance. According to UN data, more than 10 percent of women globally are trapped in a cycle of extreme poverty, and 342 million women (8 percent) are expected to be living in extreme poverty by 2030. These data underscore the importance of fair economic resource utilization and access to various services both for women and men.

Lastly, target1.5 aimstobuild resilience among thepoor and vulnerable to extremeclimate-related hazards and economic, social, and environmental shocks and disasters. Impoverished rural populations, particularly those who rely on natural resources for their livelihoods, are more exposed to natural disaster risks. Therefore, enhancing resilience is closely intertwined with poverty eradication efforts. Target 1.5 focuses on strengthening disaster resilience across a broad spectrum, including economic, social, and environmental dimensions.

Finally, targets 1.a and 1.b show methods to implement the above-mentioned policies. For instance, target 1.a suggests that significant mobilization of resources be needed from a variety of sources, including through enhanced development cooperation. Mobilized resources would be used as adequate and predictable means for developing countries, in particular, for least developed countries. Resources will be used to implement programmes and policies to end poverty in all its dimensions.

Target 1.b suggest that sound policy frameworks at the national, regional and international levels should be created, based on pro-poor and gender-sensitive development strategies. This will support accelerated investment in poverty eradication actions.

Through the UN's SDG 1, which aims to address poverty, multiple indicators have been set to address poverty, such as mobilizing resources and establishing poverty eradication policy frameworks

at all levels. Additional detailed objectives have also been established. Each goal includes indicators to measure progress through organizations like the UNDP, World Bank and UN-HABITAT.

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has a longstanding track record of spearheading poverty eradication efforts. Through its Human Development Reports, the UNDP monitors poverty levels and assists countries globally in formulating and implementing national strategies aimed at poverty alleviation. In collaboration with the World Bank, the UNDP also prepares Poverty Reduction Strategy Papers (PRSP) to facilitate international debt relief and maximize its benefits.

The UNDP's formula for addressing poverty is clear: it involves fostering sustained and equitable economic growth while implementing strategies that meet the health and educational needs of the poorestindividuals.Basedonthisapproach, theUNDPsupportseffortstomonitorpoverty andestablish standards for poverty alleviation in 60 countries. From Brazil to India, the UNDP has significantly influenced how poverty is perceived and combated.

For instance, in Indonesia, the UNDP collaborates directly with non-governmental organizations (NGOs) through the Community Recovery Programme, a consortium of regional and national entities. The UNDP manages trust funds, raises capital, and supports the program, with over $17 million already allocated to more than 460 grassroots projects across Indonesia. Civil society organizations utilize these funds to provide microloans, broaden economic opportunities, and demonstrate that escaping extreme poverty is an achievable goal.

The World Bank is also a crucial institution in the fight against poverty. Without lending institutions like the World Bank, many of the world's poorest countries would have few avenues to securefundingforvitaldevelopmentprojects.Theseprojectsareessentialforenablingpeopletoreceive education, lead healthy lives, gain employment, and contribute actively as citizens.

Furthermore, the World Bank endeavors to facilitate investments and loans from governments, businesses, and private investors. It lends money to hire industry experts to help countries restructure their economies into more efficient and productive systems.

The support provided by the World Bank extends beyond financial aid. In many cases, developing countries lack adequate expertise in economic policy formulation, which can hinder their ability to effectively address poverty or worsen it. Therefore, the advice, experience, and application of environmental and social standards by World Bank staff in economic projects play a significant role.

Eradicating poverty for all people everywhere by 2030 is an ambitious goal of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Despite all the efforts, it is estimated that 590 million people may still live in extreme poverty by 2030, if current trends persist. Given this situation, more proactive measures are required to address poverty. Despite the higher-level targets set following the success of MDG 1 in 2015, the current policies are apparently insufficient to achieve the ambitious targets. Additionally, the economic development model must shift from an economic-centric development paradigm to an economic model that considers social and environmental aspects inclusively. To this end, the UN must enhance its policies and expand support programs, such as international aid programs, to foster this transformation.

Ensuring Clean Water and Sanitation: Challenges and Solutions for SDG 6

The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), which were implemented from 2000 to 2015, were replaced by the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which stand as the most important global goal for the United Nations and the world community from 2016 to 2030. In addition to addressing global environmental issues like climate change, energy, pollution, water, and biodiversity, these goals also seek to address universal human issues like gender equality, education, health, and refugee relief. They also aim to address social and economic issues such as housing, technology, employment, labor relations, production and consumption, social structure, law, and both national and global economics. The SDGs are made up of 169 specific targets and 17 overarching goals that must be accomplished by 2030.

Among the 17 goals, SDG 6 is to “ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all”. Water scarcity affects about 40% of the world's population, and global warming is predicted to increase this number. Drought-related famine and malnutrition are already plaguing the world's poorest nations; approximately 1.7 billion people live in river basins where water use outpaces replenishment. According to estimates, more than one in four people may regularly experience water shortages by 2050 if current trends continue.

The absence of dependable sanitary infrastructure throughout the world is another factor making water scarcity worse. More than 890 million people live in places where open defecation the practice of leaving human waste outside and over 2 billion people lack access to even the most basic sanitation facilities, such as simple toilets. The fact that 80% of wastewater worldwide is dumped into rivers and oceans without sufficient treatment exacerbates this issue.

Recognizing these challenges, the United Nations established SDG 6 as an effort to ensure adequate hygiene and water services for everyone. SDG 6 aims to achieve "clean water and sanitation for all," with six specific targets including securing water resources, improving hygiene practices, and enhancing hygiene awareness.

One of the most critical uses of water is for domestic consumption and hygiene purposes within households. Hence, the goal of ensuring safe and affordable drinking water for all is articulated as the first target, 6.1. Household water usage constitutes a significant portion of total water consumption, and "safe" drinking water refers to water free from contaminants. Achieving this "safe" state depends directly on the quality of the source water and the treatment processes involved.

On the other hand, target 6.2 aims to ensure adequate and equitable sanitation and hygiene for all. "Adequate" refers to systems that safely manage excreta to avoid human contact and facilitate safe disposal of wastewater, either through safe containment and on-site disposal or through safe transport and treatment/reuse elsewhere. A safely managed hygiene chain is crucial not only for individual and community health but also for environmental protection. For instance, leaking toilets and untreated wastewater can spread diseases, provide breeding grounds for mosquitoes, and potentially contaminate groundwater and surface water sources used for drinking.

In addition, improving water quality is essential for protecting both ecosystem health and human well-being. To achieve this, target 6.3 focus on minimizing and significantly reducing various sources of pollution entering water bodies by reducing or eliminating wastewater (point sources) from households, commercial facilities, and industries, as well as stormwater runoff (non-point sources) from urban and agricultural areas.

Target 6.4 addresses water scarcity issues by aiming to increase water-use efficiency across all sectors of society to ensure sufficient water for people, economies, and the environment. Securing environmentally sustainable water withdrawals in the present era is crucial for maintaining ecosystem health and resilience, always ensuring adequate water for natural processes. Increasing water-use efficiency means producing more output per unit of water input. This includes methods like reducing waterlossesindistributionsystems.Sectorssuchasagriculture,industry,energy,andlocalwatersupply are particularly critical in this process, as they are heavy users of water.

As described above, many diverse sectors depend on water, leading to potential conflicts over water use in areas with limited resources. Fragmented water resource management is typically inadequate for resolving these conflicts and ensuring the sustainable use of resources. In response, Target 6.5 aims to implement Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) at all levels. IWRM promotes the coordinated development and management of water and related land resources to maximize economic and social welfare equitably without compromising the sustainability of vital ecosystems.

Water-related ecosystems provide crucial services to society by enhancing both the quantity and quality of water. They increase water quantity by capturing and storing it and improve water quality by breaking down or absorbing pollutants. Target 6.6 aims to halt the degradation and destruction of these ecosystems and restore those that have already been damaged. This includes not only aquatic ecosystems such as rivers, lakes, and wetlands, but also ecosystems critical for freshwater storage and maintaining high water quality, such as mountains and forests. For example, meltwater from glaciers is a major source of freshwater, and mountains and forests play key roles in storing and supplying this water.

Based on the targets, the UN collaborates with various organizations to manage global water resources through numerous projects. For instance, the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) has established a partnership with DHI, known as the UNEP-DHI Partnership, to achieve the goals of SDG 6.3, which focuses on improving water quality. This partnership conducts projects such as online education and global water quality data collection. Additionally, various UN branches, including CapNet UNDP and UN-Habitat, are actively working towards achieving the goals of SDG 6 across different fields.

There are ongoing efforts to enhance sanitation in developing areas. For example, Oxfam, a wellknown group that fights poverty and unfair trade, visited Bangladesh to evaluate how vulnerable its people are to climate change and then started initiatives to deal with the problems that resulted. Bangladesh frequently experiences significant flood damage because of poor infrastructure and structural issues. For instance, the 2020 floods flooded about 51% of the nation's land, destroying homes, bridges, embankments, and most of the water and sanitary infrastructure. Moreover, women and other vulnerable groups faced severe difficulties due to inadequate shelters that lacked privacy and dignity as well as damaged sanitary facilities. Since the area flooded repeatedly in 2016, 2017, and 2019, there's a good chance that any facilities that were rebuilt would sustain damage once more.

In order to solve these problems, Oxfam carried out in-depth studies on water levels and floodprone locations, and then recommended solutions that were specifically suited for each. They raised the ground level for roads and facilities while repairing the infrastructure. When it came to sanitation, they either put these facilities on higher ground or made sure they were sturdy enough to be quickly reused even after being submerged.

People frequently undervalue the significance of access to clean water and sanitary facilities as technology develops and resource management becomes more effective. On the other hand, access to clean water and maintaining adequate sanitation are necessities for human survival and call for methodical management. Furthermore, we must actively assist those who are unable to maintain these necessities for themselves.

Sungwon Son, Blair Academy

Poverty

Poverty, meaning not having enough money to meet basic needs, carries on to afflict an essential and significant segment of mankind and humanity in various ways and illustrations. According to the United Nations, more than 700 million people have been living in extreme poverty and suffrage, grappling and struggling to access even daily life materials and necessities, including health care, water, sanitation, nutrition, and clothing and shelter. Regarding this unfortunate idea, inrecent years, situations have been exacerbated in this dire situation of the Covid 19 pandemic sweeping the world into a dire situation, impelling and instigating an additional 97 million people into the dilemma in 2021. In the defiance of these challenges and provocations, researching and exploring more effective strategies and tactics, regarding poverty eradication suppression has become vitally important. With this taken into consideration, this essay further rummages into the potentiality and aptitude of youth entrepreneurship and various social undertakings, regarding the dilemma itself, as powerful and strategic tools and characteristics in combating poverty world wide/ globally.

Starting off with effective and sustainable governance and policy substructures, these organizations are fundamental and very critical in tackling poverty in general. Considering this idea, policies and laws that prioritize and organize basic infrastructures, in regards to social protection, healthcare, and access to education and indoctrination, play an eminent role and part in reducing poverty. According to the United Nations, countries with strong and vigorous social safety nets and blueprints, aiming at equitable and inclusive growth, tend to have way lower poverty rates than others. Taking one example, Scandinavian countries, such as Norway, are ranked and placed high in global poverty indices as they have comprehensive welfare systems, which ensure a high standard of income and economic stability for their society and its citizens. This overarching and complete approach not only raises individuals and members out of poverty and penury, but also fosters and promotes senses of security and governance across the country and world as well. Moreover, by the tactic of prioritizing and categorizing social welfare along with investing in the human capitalism, this country has managed to keep balance and arrange its low levels of poverty and successfully achieve and bring about high standards of living, setting a convention for other nations and countries endeavoring to address these socioeconomic inequalities and imbalances effectively.

Along with the significance the government and policies hold into being, economic models promote inclusive and comprehensive growth, ensuring the economic benefits that are distributed equally across societies, reducing imbalance and discrepancy. Not only does it, but it also improves living standards and levels of affluence and living for all segments and pieces of the population in the society and community. For example, something I researched about is how the Chinese economic reforms in the 20th century raised and took off hundreds and millions of people and individuals out of poverty by mainly matching its focus upon industrialization, infrastructure development and advancement, and various developments in rural areas, creating programs and activities under the Household Responsibility system and more organizations like that.

Addressing and specifically inscribing while communicating the youth employment and empowering modern day people, including teenagers in educational programs, such as schools, academies, and even specific programs, to train their skills and abilities regarding entrepreneurship comes to a realization that it is very critical and helpful. Since youth unemployment rates are significantly rising and are disproportionately high compared to the adults and workers, inflaming and aggravating poverty among younger demographics, this method would at least charge the bare minimum of what the community can potentially do within this area of circle of concerns and challenges. By the way prior to illustration, young entrepreneur practices and initiatives were held in countries like Uganda and Rwanda, providing young individuals with various practices such as training, mentorship, financing, later conducting and guiding into the creation of small businesses and workspaces, considering employment opportunities and occasions in communal services and spaces.

Regarding all this information, another business plan is related to the international aids and development carry on from the World Bank, INF, abbreviated of International Monetary Fund, and many more NGO organizations that play a role and system in supporting and underpinning the poverty reduction efforts, especially in low income countries and nations. These specific aid programs that benefit and help out the crisis often focus and center on the infrastructure development and enhancement, education, capabilities of buildings, and more so, the well being of people as well. Taking this into account and consideration, another crucial example played out on the surface is on the Global fund to fight AIDS. To be more specific and given with a perspective of a specific viewpoint and perspective, Malaria has been known to contribute and donate fundamentally and encouragingly towards the intention to help out and improve health outcomes while also reducing poverty in developing countries by providing and supporting through finance roles as for the disease of prevention, treatment, medical aids, and moreover, health care system trainings and strengthenings.

Furthermore, the emphasis on inclusive growth and extension extends beyond the immediate and instant poverty alleviation efforts. Along with that, it also encompasses and unravels the sustainable and green development goals and purposes aimed at the whole society and community while creating opportunities and chances to participate meaningfully and productively in various economic and social practices and activities, benefitting from shared prosperity. Several countries who amalgamate these inclusive policies and standards into their governance and administration frameworks enhances social cohesion among others as well as stimulating economic growth rather by tapping onto the potentiality of deprecated social groups and reducing income disparities.

In conclusion, eliminating, annihilating, and suppressing requires and requisites multifaceted and varioustoolsandapproachesinwhichmergesanduniteseffectivepolicies,economicmodels,initiatives that include the idea of young empowerment initiatives, social protection programs, and whatsoever international aid efforts from all over the different countries and sovereign states. By addressing and analyzing these challenges and potential problems that may arise as well in the future or the past, governments and international organizations have the ability to make substantial progress whilst achieving the Sustainable Development Goal by the end of 2030 at least. Therefore, continued and progressive efforts with commitment may be genuinely beneficial and worthy of helping out others in struggles.

Inequalities

There are various inequalities globally, with a focus on income disparity, access to education, and healthcare. With this in mind, these issues and challenges often come from historical backgrounds that also have to do with gender, race, and ethnicity. Therefore, I will be talking about the similarities and differences white nationalist and right wing populist organizations have in terms of gender and broaden the view into exploring how they affect inequalities listed out on the topic, regarding hierarchy and reflections as well.

White nationalist and right wing populist organizations and movements share various common features and characteristics in relation to the significance of gender in white right politics. Perspectives and its prominence has grown throughout the years as incited by the grudges and injustice over globalization, immigration, and ultimatum regarding one’s identity and nationality. That being said, authoritarian tendencies, ethnonationalism, anti-immigration stances, and nationalism have been initiated from a critical standpoint. As gender also plays an essential and significant role in acclimating ideologies and principles, reflection and reinforcement has been in roleplay within the hierarchies and generative tenets as well.

Starting off with ethnonationalism, both the white nationalist and right wing populist organizations deeply emphasize this feature, as it defines and underscores the concept that “nationality is defined in terms of ethnicity”. To be more specific, the notion further foregrounds and highlights how the nation orsocietyshouldprioritizeandorganizeinterestsandtheprosperityofaspecificracialandethnicgroup, especially referring to the white and Europeans, implicitly promoting dominance among one group over another. That being said, the ideologies that come along with ethnonationalism somehow upholds the gender roles in the stance that women are generally seen as caretakers who hold a responsibility for reproducing and looking after the racial and ethnic community from their heritage. Mentioned in BjorkJames’ “White Sexual Politics”, the view and perspective regarding how women's bodies are critical and requisite for the assurance of the continuity of the cultural beliefs and traditions passing down to future generations of the family/group. While analyzing the readings, Minna Stern’s analysis based upon her studies reflect back to the scheme of how gender converges across with race, divulging how women’s roles are expounded relating to men’s preservation of the dominance he owns up along with his race and perseverance. Accordingly, ethnonationalism and the movements of the white nationalists, particularly the right wing organizations’ intentions, interlace with gender dynamics, mending the practices that underpins the roles, norms, and politics of tradition, patriarchy, and reproduction.

In regards to that, another common and foundational feature shared is anti-immigration stances, in which advocates for the strict immigration policies that rally upon perceived threats. These stances and the chief perspective on how immigrants are depicted as “threats” to various grounds including economic, demographic, and even cultural integrity of the region. “White Sexual Politics” by Bjork James, further accentuates the intersection and relation anti immigration has on gender relationships, illustrating the immigrants metaphorically as agitators and disrupters of the traditions that come with regards to gender dynamics. The preeminence of the word and its meaning of “native” culture has been put into spotlight on the policies of immigration, restraining and limiting the movement in general. Not only that, but these anti immigration rhetoric also sustains the stereotypes about gender norms. For instance, immigrants who are women may rather be depicted as the ‘bearers’ of the cultural practices and values which would create a dynamic destructive upon the family values. Additionally, “Halt and

reverse immigration”. This is a phrase and call that recuperates anti immigration within the American Nazi platform, rooting the perspective and desire to conserve and maintain their consideration of the racial and ethnic purity, as well as dominance over social and political structures. By drafting these details and by taking them into account with the intertwining, various movements deploy the support fragments of the majority who seek problems and challenges regarding these issues.

With the focus on “nation” and the society, nationalism also has become one of the significant roles in mobilizing support and bolster in the movements. When nationalism comes to mind, the nostalgic perspective of history starts invoking the symbols and traditions associated, creating a sense of dominance, pride, and unity among one another. However, nationalist rhetoric often gives validation for men, usually, as protectors of the nation while femininity is more associated with nurturing the heritage and family. These ideologies furthermore underscore and reinforce the practices more based on gender, race, and ethnicity as maintaining cultural purity, but excluding and segregating others viewed as “threatening” or irreconcilable to the nationalist beliefs. Such measures and restrictions prevent growth from rights and family planning services as they go against and unalign with the nationalist goals of population and growth.

Through analyzing white nationalist and right wing population organization and movements, various common features and characteristics align with their strategies and ideas that come along with it. With the three mentioned above as examples, ethnonationalism, anti immigration, and nationalism, all these emphasize the crucial role gender plays in the society and nation as well. The intersectional dimensions of these actions and representation exemplifies how inequality works beyond and above the surfaces of gender and education that were provided at that time.

Overall, these movements all somehow underscore the significance of how important it is to address global inequalities of income, education, and healthcare through the historical backgrounds along with the combination of targeted policies, international communicative systems, and various sustainable strategies and characteristics. With the initiative and the idea of how gender played a role in the society regarding the injustice and unfairness amongst men and women, there are more carried out through the community in today’s world. However, challenges and provocations still remain today, in regards to achieving equity among everyone across the areas of inequality. Moving on and forward in the future, commitment and carried on efforts and perspectives should be essential and critical, ensuring that everyone, disregarding their backgrounds and culture, gender, or any sort of discrimination, should have been granted equal opportunities and developments to thrive and succeed in making the world and society a better place in general.

Taeeun Lee, St. Johnsbury Academy Jeju

Securing Clean Water and Sanitation: Challenges and Solutions for SDG 6

Having clean water and hygiene is the most basic and essential right for all mankind. However, currently 1 out of 3 people, approximately 2.2 billion people, cannot drink safe and clean water (United Nations). According to the World Health Organization(WHO), every two minutes one child dies from viruses caused by dirty water such as diarrheal disease. To save these poor lives, one of the UN's SDG goals, “Ensuring Clean Water and Sanitation,” aims that all people around the world have access to pollutant-free water and sanitation facilities by 2030. Yet, it is a long way to go; much work has not been done yet to achieve this goal. Countries have faced a huge number of difficulties, and been researching and experimenting solutions to address them. This essay will analyze what the past, present, and future problems related to clean water and sanitation are, and how these have been successfully addressed in achieving SDG 6.

Ensuringcleanwater,thegoalofSDG6,facesmanychallenges,especiallyindevelopingcountries like India. While significant progress has been made on water and sanitation globally, India still struggles to provide sanitation and clean water. In India, the infant mortality rate increases at the same time as parents' health, sanitation education, and access to hygiene and medical services decrease. However, the main cause of drinking contaminated water is open defecation. According to a joint study by WHO and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), 900 million people around the world still defecate in the open, and India accounts for 40% of them. The high rate of open defecation in India is due to their age-old teachings which the perception that having a toilet inside the house is unsanitary, and the idea that dirty excrement should be disposed of away from the house. However, according to UNICEF, due to this custom, an average of 65,000 tons of human waste is discharged into the open air in India every day, and 188,000 Indian children under the age of 5 die every year from chronic diarrhea. Diarrhea can occur at any time due to viruses, parasites, or spoiled food. When people defecate in the open space, the viruses flow into the river without being properly processed, so people ingest viruses by drinking unfiltered water. This situation is even more pronounced in rural areas, where government power is less accessible and problems are exacerbated by a lack of resources.

To address India's clean water and sanitation issues, various solutions have been proposed and used and are seeing significant success. One of the main plans is to reduce open defecation by a government-led campaign to involve the marriage of men and women with a defecation facility in 2005. The slogan of this campaign was “No Toilet and No Bride” which was recorded with young women's voices and this sentence was broadcast in Haryana. As a result, the proportion of households with toilets in Haryana became noticeably higher than in other states.

This type of campaign is an effective campaign in India, using the Indian culture of marriage and the sense of obligation to start a family. The effect may be minimal in developed countries, but it will be effective in countries like Africa where marriage is important and there are no toilets. Additionally,

Swachh Bharat implemented by the Indian government as a Abhiyan's goal in 2014 was to build millions of toilets in rural and urban areas, and WaterAid and UNICEF would install water purification systems and rehabilitate existing water sources.

It is also said that India's sacred river, the Ganges River, has been polluted for a long time. More than 50% of pilgrims who regularly wash in the Ganges River suffer from skin diseases and gastrointestinal disorders. Household waste, industrial waste, and even human corpses are all being discharged into the Ganges River, polluting it. Despite the government's efforts which approved 254 Ganges River purification projects and invested 15.7 billion, it has been deemed still unfit for drinking. Due to the pollution of the Ganges River, which is responsible for the lives of Indian people, India's challenges in solving SDG 6 have increased.

Hence, solving the pollution problem of the Ganges River was actually the first priority in India, so the Indian government approved about 254 projects to improve the water quality. For instance, from 2015 to 2021, 815 new sewage treatment plants (STPs) were built, and its impact on nature. These projects were successful because the government led them responsibly and strongly. Furthermore, although no one in India mentioned rainwater collection 10 years ago, all water used in households is now provided by rain. As the awareness of providing water arose and awareness of how to manage it, the effectiveness of rainwater collection was demonstrated by the reservoirs at the temple which since Indian residents only used water from the Ganges River and did not know the importance of rainwater, so there was no water that could be used in daily life; their reservoirs is now almost half full. It is said that these solutions are steadily contributing to achieving SDG6 in India.

Many countries are also struggling with the issue of sanitation, another goal of SDG 6. Among those countries, Africa is a representative country; their major problem is the lack of hygiene education. Lack of sanitation education is especially evident among young children, who are vulnerable to poor health due to the poor dirty environment. Most diseases that cause death in young children exposed to poor environments, such as diarrhea, pneumonia, and malaria, can be prevented by steady hand washing. One bar of soap reduces a child's risk of contracting a disease, and the rate of children dying from diarrhea each year has decreased by more than 60%.

However, unfortunately, according to UNICEF, young African children do not recognize the importance of hand washing. 115 people die every hour in Africa because of sanitation problems but most of the children don’t know what is the reason for the disease and why they need to use soap.

Tosolvethesesanitationchallengesandhygieneeducationproblems,manycreativesolutionshave been used and are being implemented. Among the many solutions, “Hope Soap,” a hand-washing campaign that was also an award-winning product at the Cannes Lions, was started by a South African non-profit organization called “Safety Lab & Blikkiesdorp 4 Hope.” “Hope Soap” is a campaign aimed at getting children who still lack awareness of hygiene to voluntarily wash their hands. “Hope Soap” is not a regular soap, but a soap made by putting small toys that children like into the soap. Young children wash their hands more often with that soap to get the toys inside it. Although the soap did not contain any warnings about the importance of hygiene, the number of infections in South Africa's slums has now decreased by 70% because children become aware of the importance of hygiene through washing their hands with soap, and this is no different from naturally receiving hygiene education. Similarly, Clean the World, a hotel soap recycler, collects almost new soap from hotel guests and recycles it into new soap, working with partners such as UNICEF and donating soap to places around the world that

mostly need it. The organization has distributed 5 million products of this solution and has had a significant impact globally.

In conclusion, solving the SDG6 goal of clean water and sanitation is a common global challenge that requires great effort and innovative solutions. Many countries, including India and South Africa, have faced various challenges due to open defecation and lack of sanitation education, and still many countrieshavebeenstruggling with thosechallenges. However,significant progresshasnowbeenmade through many solutions such as campaigns led by governments and NGOs like public advertisements. Many other campaigns are in practice, showcasing innovative solutions to reuse and donate hotel soap to improve public health. However, continuous support and global interest are essential to overcome the remaining challenges and achieve the UN's goal of SDG 6 by 2030.

Works Cited

The Associated Press. “1 in 4 People in the World Do Not Have Access to Clean Drinking Water, the U.N. Says.” NPR, 22 Mar. 2023, www.npr.org/2023/03/22/1165248040/1-in-4-people-in-world-lack-clean-drinkingwater-u-n-says#:~:text=conference%20on%20water%20in%20over

Paul, Delia. “The Water and Sanitation Challenge.” International Institute for Sustainable Development, 22 Mar. 2022, www.iisd.org/articles/deep-dive/water-and-sanitation-challenge

United Nations. “Goal 6: Clean Water and Sanitation.” The Global Goals, 2022, www.globalgoals.org/goals/6clean-water-and-sanitation/.

“Clean the World & Children International: Putting Soap into Hands That Need It | Child Sponsorship in Africa, India, South America, & USA.” Children International, www.children.org/learn-more/global-partnerslist/clean-the-world.

“The Surprising Afterlife of Used Hotel Soap.” Thehustle.co, thehustle.co/the-surprising-afterlife-of-used-hotelsoap.

김서영.“WHO“세계22억명깨끗한식수공급못받아.””연합뉴스, 연합뉴스,18June2019, www.yna.co.kr/view/AKR20190618114000009.Accessed20July2024.

““독립보다화장실이더중요하다”간디가말한이유는.”한겨레 , 13 May 2018, www.hani.co.kr/arti/society/society_general/844344.html. Accessed 20 July 2024.

“[비건뉴스]“심각한해양폐기물”세계에서가장오염된강은?”Www.vegannews.co.kr, 26 Jan. 2023, www.vegannews.co.kr/mobile/article.html?no=14424#:~:text=%EC%9D%B8%EB%8F%84%EC%9D%98%20 %EA%B0%A0%EC%A7%80%EC%8A%A4%20%EA%B0%95%EC%9D%80. Accessed 20 July 2024.

“AD784: Water and Sanitation Still Major Challenges in Africa, Especially for Rural and Poor Citizens.” Www.afrobarometer.org, www.afrobarometer.org/publication/ad784-water-and-sanitation-still-majorchallenges-in-africa-especially-for-rural-and-poor-citizens/.

UNICEF. “Sanitation and Hygiene.” Www.unicef.org, www.unicef.org/esa/sanitation-and-hygiene.

“Closing the Access Gap for Water and Sanitation in Eastern and Southern Africa: Raising the Ambition.” World Bank Blogs, blogs.worldbank.org/en/water/closing-access-gap-water-and-sanitation-eastern-andsouthern-africa-raising-ambition.

“Progress on Sanitation and Hygiene in Africa 2000-2022 | JMP.” Washdata.org, washdata.org/reports/jmp2023-progress-sanitation-and-hygiene-africa.

Challenges and Policies for Narrowing Inequality Gap

Despite rapid economic growth in the world, different types of inequality still remain a major obstacle from developing a better society: wealth, education and healthcare. Underprivileged groups receive less income and education in the unequal environment and conditions, and live with limited access to medical care as those in the middle class or upper.

Some people say that inequality is an urgent problem that hinders social progress. They assert that in the modern world, some inequality is inevitable due to differences in luck and talent which are uncontrollable, but too much inequality can lead to political polarization and reduce economic growth. In order tonarrow inequality-related differences between groups, itis essential to understand thecurrent situation of inequality and examine successful policies executed in other countries to handle this issue. Therefore, this essay will compare different unfair realities that nations face and analyze the solutions that have been so that those can be implemented flexibly around the world, achieving the target of SDG 10.

Incomegap is themaincauseofallinequality which occursduetodifferencesintheincomeearned by individuals. However, this is determined not only by the income each individual earns while doing different jobs, but also by each person's abilities, assets they have, the environment they live in, and the wealth they inherit from their family. For this reason, if the gap widens beyond a certain level, it will have a significant impact on society. In particular, if the proportion of low-income people continues to increase, as in Korea, a sense of discomfort among people is created; this is a shortcut to social instability. Income inequality in Korea becomes more severe because of Korea's free economic activity. While the income of the rich is increasing rapidly around the world including Korea, the income of lowincome people in Korea is not increasing, and the gap between the two groups is widening. In addition, as a result of a survey of 2,000 Korean citizens on their opinion of an unequal society, about 89.5% of the people answered that the income gap in Korea is huge, but some people opposed it, saying that workers appear to deny the legitimacy of the social hierarchy. These conflicting opinions are also one of the reasons why the income gap has not yet narrowed.

Moreover, this serious income gap can lead to a gap ineducation. Therelationship between income gap and education gap creates a serious vicious cycle. This has already been statistically proven. According to the results of the Korea National Statistical Office, 70.5% of parents with an elementary school education are in the bottom 40% of income earners, and 79.6% of parents with a 4-year college degree or higher are in the top 40% of income. Additionally, more than 70% of students entering Seoul NationalUniversity,themostprestigiousuniversityinKorea,belongtothetop20%incomeclass,while only 5% came from the bottom 20% income class. These results confirm that there are differences in income and private education expenses for children depending on the parents' educational and financial background. The educational gap of the parents' generation creates an income gap, and this income gap results in the children's educational gap. To reduce this gap, policy intervention from the government is needed and a solution must be provided.

Korea has implemented various policies to resolve an income gap. As a solution to the income gap, labor market problems such as narrowing the gap between regular workers, non-regular workers, large corporations, and small and medium-sized enterprises are being reduced by providing quality jobs; it is said that the income gap fell by 12.7% after this policy was introduced. Also, as the employment rate

of the elderly increased, the gap in income narrowed. According to the International Labour Organization (ILOSTAT)'s survey in 2021, the economic activity participation rate of seniors aged 65 or older in Korea is 36.8% which is a higher percentage than developed countries such as Japan's 25.5% and the United States' 19%. At the same time, women's economic participation rate is noticeably increasing, narrowing the income gap. When the employment rate rises, more people earn money, increasing the total earnings of low-income people.

Furthermore, Korea applied compulsory secondary education to resolve educational inequality and is still working on it due to its successful results. The compulsory secondary education policy, which began in 1985, ensures that all students are provided with equal educational opportunities regardless of parents’ earning. Children over the age of 6 must receive all compulsory education. If they do not comply with this education policy, they will be subject to a fine of up to 1 million won. In addition, schools in the most underprivileged areas are designated every year and a huge amount of resources are invested, subsidizing 200 million won as financial support. As a result, the college entrance rate increased by 44.3% from 36.4% in 1985 to 80.7% in 2023.

Medical inequality shows stark differences from country to country. While some countries provide essential health screenings and effective medical services, others lack access to medical care. These representative countries are Northern Europe and Africa respectively. Northern Europe is known as a country with a well-equipped medical system. Northern Europe ensures that all citizens, regardless of which economic group they belong to, can receive individually necessary medical services and health check-ups. On the other hand, African people are in dire need of medical support compared to other countries. Problems due to lack of medical personnel and essential medicines are fatal. The fact that everyonereliesononly15specialistsoutofapopulation of6millionshowsanunstablemedical system. Forthelackofpreventivetreatmentandregularhealth check-ups,easilytreatable diseasesbecomemore serious and the mortality rate rises. According to Médecins Sans Frontières, an international humanitarian medical organization, the pediatric mortality rate in the Central African Republic is a truly serious level of 73%. 60% of deaths occur at home and 13% die while being transported to the hospital. Thus, solutions are needed to address the starkly different medical inequalities between Northern Europe and Africa.

A successful example of tackling medical-care differences is the free medical care system that is steadily being carried through in Africa. In 2017, the World Health Organization (WHO) vaccinated 116 million African children to prevent malaria with a free local medical insurance system being implemented for young children in Africa, and efforts are being made to ensure that even depleted areas can receive the essential medical care. As a consequence, the rate of malaria was 56% in the first year of vaccination, and decreased to 36% in the fourth year. Another effective method is conducting sponsorship campaigns such as Good Neighbors, which is one of Non-Governmental Organizations(NGOs) sothatpeoplearoundtheworldareawareofpeopleinneedofmedicaltreatments and can help those suffering from diseases because of the limited health system. Donations are also used to carry out professional health care projects in areas lacking health and hygiene facilities, and prevent preventable diseases with vaccination or medication. In addition, the National Health Insurance System (NHIS) implemented in Korea requires all Korean citizens to join, and provides medical services at low cost, preventing diseases by mandating regular health checkups. This allows both the rich and poor to take advantage of the medical system.

Inconclusion,inequalityiscurrentlythreateningthesocialstabilityoftheworld.Incomeinequality leads to huge gaps in education, creating a vicious circle today. Moreover, the gap between countries

with well-equipped medical systems and countries without them is continuously expanding. This is the reason why reducing these inequalities, which is a goal of SDG10, is the most important mission to make society more stable and requires vast effort and ingenious solutions. To deal with these problems, many successful solutions are currently underway, including mandatory education in Korea, free medical services in Africa, and donation campaigns of NGOs. It will be effective to apply similar strategies to nations suffering from inequalities as references; more diverse solutions are introduced, more significant progress will be made in reducing inequality.

Works Cited

“[UN-SDGs설명]목표10.불평등완화 - 국가내/국가간불평등을완화한다.”임팩트라이브러리 , 9 July 2020, impactlibrary.net/entry/UN-SDGs-goal-10.

“갈수록커지는부의불평등...G20“슈퍼리치전세계부14%차지...부유세부과해야.””서울신문 , 26 June 2024, www.seoul.co.kr/news/international/2024/06/26/20240626500217. Accessed 20 July 2024.

Soken-Huberty, Emmaline. “Income Inequality 101: Causes, Facts, Examples, Ways to Take Action.” Human Rights Careers, 24 Feb. 2023, www.humanrightscareers.com/issues/income-inequality-causes-facts-examples/. 정의정책연구소.“#8.‘교육불평등’의시대,‘정의로운미래교육’의대안.”정의정책연구소 , www.justice-platform.org/home/post_view.php?kd=rs&nd=261&nc=9. Accessed 20 July 2024.

“Income Inequality in South Korea, 1933-2022.” WID - World Inequality Database, wid.world/newsarticle/income-inequality-in-south-korea-1933-2022/.

“Income Inequality in S. Korea Is Widening at Second-Fastest Rate in OECD.” English.hani.co.kr, english.hani.co.kr/arti/english_edition/e_national/1087257.html.

Powell, John. “Six Policies to Reduce Economic Inequality | Othering & Belonging Institute.” Berkeley.edu, 10 Sept. 2014, belonging.berkeley.edu/six-policies-reduce-economic-inequality.

Viroj Tangcharoensathien, et al. “Global Health Inequities: More Challenges, Some Solutions.” Bulletin of the World Health Organization, vol. 102, no. 02, 1 Feb. 2024, pp. 86–86A, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10835631/, https://doi.org/10.2471/blt.24.291326.

Donaldson, Caylee. “6 Ways to Reduce Health Inequalities through Patient Engagement.” Blog.hettshow.co.uk, blog.hettshow.co.uk/ways-to-reduce-health-inequalities-through-patient-engagement.

John. “Education Inequality in Korea Is a Problem That Needs to Be Solved.” Seoulz, 20 Mar. 2022, www.seoulz.com/education-inequality-in-korea-is-a-problem-that-needs-to-be-solved/. “Inequality in Korean Education.” Koreatimes, 13 Apr. 2011, www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/nation/2024/07/113_85160.html. Accessed 20 July 2024.

Yeheon Jeong, Carmel Catholic High School

Turning the Tide: Tackling Poverty with Education, Health, and Economic Opportunities

Poverty is often defined in absolute terms of low income – less than US$2 a day (WHO). Poverty is a serious issue that threatens over a couple million people all over the world. By the United Nations more than 700 million people live with poverty which means they serve less than $1.90 a day. 700 million people means 11.2% of people are suffering poverty. Furthermore, as Covid-19 makes the global economy worse, the poverty rate in the world has increased. In fact, the World Bank said that the extreme poverty rate increased in 2021, and it’s the first time that extreme poverty rate increased since 1998 (BBC). Poverty is an issue which we need to solve, because poverty can lead to many diseases, and we can raise people’s overall quality of living on the planet. Now, Poverty eradication is a serious issue and remains an important challenge for Sustainable Development Goal 1. It is necessary toanalyzevariouseffectivestrategiestoachievethis.Sointhisessay,Iwilldiscusshowwecanimprove this issue and why.

Supporting people by supplementing the income of a person who has a small income can be a good option. For instance, France has a French Social Welfare Benefit (RSA) which is an organization to solve poverty in France giving 565 euros per month to people who have low income, and also support them to return to work, and over 1.95 million households are receiving support by RSA (Cour des comptes, Organisation internationale du Travail). Likewise, Brazil also has “Bolsa Familia” which receive cash assistance in exchange for sending them to school and receiving regular health checkups (Women Deliver). Like them, giving money is one of the options that can help people who suffer from poverty. In this solution, they can reduce hunger, and also they can go back to work. It improves their qualityoflifesuchasfood, housingandhealthcare.Also,itreducesfinancialstressandinsecuritywhich can lead to better mental and physical health. Also, another effective strategy is education.

The other effective way to reduce poverty is to improve access to education. Education is a great strategy to solve fundamental poverty. Because children who attend school acquire high levels of knowledge and skills. After that, they can use these skills to earn higher income and live a successful life. Furthermore, It provides people with many benefits needed for better job opportunities. South Korea is a good example for reducing poverty by education. After the Japanese colonial period, South Korea was one of the poorest countries in the world, but after the government's investment in education, they made amazing progress such as a low unemployment rate of 3.7%, less than 1% illiteracy rate from

77.8%, and 10th place in world economy (Abuasi). Therefore, investing in education is also one of the effective strategies by enabling people to get job opportunities.

Furthermore, improving health and hygiene is also a good strategy to tackle poverty. People in povertyareoftenexposedtoseverehygieneconditionsanddisease.Therefore,itisnecessarytoincrease access to clean water and sanitation. For example, in many parts of Africa, there is still a lack of safe drinking water and basic sanitation, so many people are suffering from the disease. The international community is making various efforts to address these problems, and as a result, considerable improvements are being made in some regions. These points are also linked to SDG 6 principles.Another important strategy is to create economic opportunities. In order to do this, it is necessary to encourage young people's employment and start-ups through small-scale loans and startup support programs. The Grameen Bank in Bangladesh is providing small loans to the poor to help them start a business or get a job. These programs provide opportunities for the poor to become economically independent, and also contribute to the revitalization of local economies. (Grameen Bank). In addition, Muhammad Yunus, the founder of the bank, was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2006. (Nobel Prize). It is also a good way to reduce poverty by providing economic opportunities like this.

International cooperation also plays an important role in addressing poverty. Countries around the world are working together to address poverty, and international organizations and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) are helping the poor through a variety of support programmes. For example, the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) are providing financial and technical support to developing countries to help them develop their economies and reduce poverty. Such international cooperation plays an important role in tackling poverty.

In conclusion, eradicating poverty requires a multifaceted approach that includes supplementing incomes, improving education, strengthening health and sanitation, creating economic opportunities, and fostering international cooperation. Programs such as France's RSA and Brazil's Bolsa Familia demonstrate the immediate benefits of financial support, while Korea's investment in education highlights the long-term impact of empowering individuals with knowledge and skills. Access to clean water and sanitation is critical to maintaining good health, and initiatives like the Grameen Bank in Bangladesh demonstrate how economic opportunities can foster self-reliance and local economic growth. International organizations, including the World Bank and the IMF, play an important role in supportingtheseefforts,emphasizingthataglobal,collaborativeeffortisessentialtoeffectivelyaddress and ultimately eradicate poverty.

Works Cited

"Poverty." UN Global Compact,https://unglobalcompact.org/what-is-gc/ourwork/social/poverty#:~:text=More%20tha n%20700%20million%20people,of%20conflicts%20and%20climate%20change. Accessed 19 July 2024.

"Poverty." World Health Organization, https://www.afro.who.int/health-topics/poverty. Accessed 19 July 2024.

"World Bank Poverty Report." BBC, https://www.bbc.com/news/business-54448589. Accessed 19 July 2024.

"RSA Summary." Cour des comptes, https://www.ccomptes.fr/sites/default/files/2022-03/20220113-summary-Active-solida rity-income.pdf. Accessed 19 July 2024.

"GESS Media." International Labour Organization, https://www.social-protection.org/gimi/gess/Media.action;jsessionid=7efARel239Trjh 8WV09GyI5tSVEcDig4p4eAfuE-lM65wtCvp0IZ!-1635723311?id=1945. Accessed 19 July 2024.

"Case Study on Brazil's Bolsa Familia." Women Deliver, https://womendeliver.org/case-study-brazils-bolsa-familia/#:~:text=Through%20Brazi l's%20Bolsa%20Familia%20program,them%20to%20regular%20health%20checks. Accessed 19 July 2024.

"How Does Education Affect Poverty?" Concern USA, https://concernusa.org/news/how-does-education-affect-poverty/#:~:text=Children%2 0who%20attend%20school%20also,ways%20that%20education%20affects%20pover ty. Accessed 19 July 2024.

"Education in South Korea." Borgen Project, https://borgenproject.org/education-in-south-korea/. Accessed 19 July 2024. Grameen Bank. https://grameenbank.org.bd. Accessed 19 July 2024.

"Muhammad Yunus Facts." Nobel Prize, https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/peace/2006/yunus/facts/. Accessed 19 July 2024.

Water for All: Innovations and Challenges in Sanitation Services

Access to clean drinking water and sanitation is essential for health and survival. Despite global efforts, many people lack access to clean drinking water and sanitation services that are essential for basic human needs and health. SDG 6 is part of the sustainable development agenda that aims to ensure universal access to safe drinking water and sanitation by 2030.

There are many reasons why people benefit from clean water and sanitation. First, population growth and urbanization after the industrial revolution, especially in developing countries, have led to urbanization withoutimprovementsinwatersupplyand sanitation.No"Holy Angel"touchesunplanned territory. Second, climate change will exacerbate this problem by affecting quality and sustainability. With climate change, drought and temperature exacerbating water scarcity and pollution, drought is "hindering universal access to safe drinking water." Environmental degradation, such as deforestation, affects water quality and exacerbates the problem. Lack of infrastructure and solutions is a barrier to access to safe drinking water and sanitation services. Water and sanitation scarcity plague communities in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. Economic challenges exacerbate this problem, as the construction and maintenance of water and sanitation facilities is costly. Many low-income countries struggle to allocate sufficient resources to meet this demand, resulting in unequal incomes and institutions.

Investments in water and sanitation are needed to improve access to basic services. Governments and international organizations are working to improve and improve water quality, water treatment, and sanitation. Initiatives such as dam construction and water and sanitation improvements have significantly improved water and sanitation. Innovative technologies such as wastewater and drinking water supply promise to solve this problem.Community participation in the design and implementation of water and sanitation services is essential to meet local needs and access opportunities. Community participation helped create a sense of ownership and responsibility to care for the property and made it comfortable for the angels. Activities that educate about health issues and promote community participation in decision-making include safe and sustainable water and sanitation services. Good laws and regulations play a role in water use, waste management, water quality and sanitation.

Through collaboration and funding, water and sanitation problems can be solved. Organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF provide technical and financial assistance to developing countries and support efforts to improve access to water and sanitation. Our global efforts combine our resources and expertise to develop effective solutions that apply international best practices.

Itsproducts advancewaterpurification and environmentalissues.Innovationssuchassolarpumps, smart appliances and filtration systems have improved and improved water efficiency in urban and rural areas. Research and development is important to find viable and scalable solutions that meet the needs of different regions.

Ensuring universal access to water and sanitation is a complex and multifaceted challenge that requires the participation and cooperation of all stakeholders. Closing the development gap, managing

climate risks, addressing socio-economic challenges and increasing community participation are essential steps towards achieving Sustainable Development Goal 6.

While much has been done to address these issues, much remains to be done. Governments, civil society, individuals and communities must work together to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 6. Developing sustainable solutions that benefit future generations requires collaboration and commitment of resources.Everyone has drinking water at home, so safety is paramount. By sharing resources, supporting communities and ensuring equitable access to care, we can make significant progress in eliminating inequities in these services. With continuous efforts and efforts, clean water and sanitation will soon be available to all citizens.

This will help us understand the economic impact of lack of access to waterand sanitation services. The deterioration of water supply and sanitation conditions affects population health and economic activities. Waterborne diseases such as cholera, dysentery and typhoid can be deadly, especially for children under 5 years of age. Not only is it harmful, it’s racist. Combating these diseases through improved water and sanitation can provide significant economic benefits and better health.

Poor hygiene can also lead to poor nutrition because poor water quality affects the absorption of nutrients. This is particularly harmful for children, where food insecurity stunts physical and cognitive development, affecting educational and economic development. Furthermore, the time women and children spend searching for water often leads to less time for education and economic activity, leading to a vicious circle of poverty.

From an environmental perspective, inadequate sanitation can contaminate water sources, affecting communities and wildlife. Polluted water pollutes marine ecosystems and reduces drinking water for people, agriculture and industry. Therefore, the conservation of natural resources is important not only for human welfare, but also for maintaining the balance of the ecosystem.

To address these challenges, integrated water management (IWRM) is an important strategy. IWRM promotes the improvement and conservation of water, soil and natural resources without harming biodiversity, thereby improving economic and social well-being.This approach encourages the involvement of all stakeholders in water management decisions, including governments, communities, the private sector and civil society groups.

Educational materials are also important to promote water conservation and sanitation. Early childhood education services and school programs teach children the importance of handwashing, drinking clean and hygienic drinking water, and help them develop healthy lifestyle habits. Educating women and involving them in stewardship can have long-lasting effects, as women often play a key role in household water decisions.

Furthermore, closing the financial gap is key to achieving SDG 6. New funding mechanisms such as public-private partnerships, microfinance and creative finance can bring in the needed finance. By usingfeesandtaxesthatincentivizewaterconservationandpollutioncontrol,thegovernmentcancreate new investments in water and sanitation.

In summary, ensuring universal access to safe drinking water and safe sanitation is essential for global health and development. Although significant progress has been made, further efforts are needed to overcome the many challenges that remain. By investing, investing in new technologies, encouraging citizen participation and strengthening partnerships, we are making progress towards achieving SDG6.

The benefits of these efforts will expand to include economic growth, the environment and ultimately public health. helping to create a more just and prosperous world for all.

Works Cited

"Climate Change and Water Scarcity." United Nations Development Programme, 2023, www.undp.org/content/undp/en/home/librarypage/environment-energy/climate_chang e/climate-change-andwater-scarcity.html.

"Global Water Crisis: Why Clean Water is Still Out of Reach." World Health Organization, 2023, www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/drinking-water.

"Investing in Water and Sanitation: The Benefits of Innovative Technologies." UNICEF, 2024, www.unicef.org/wash/innovations.

"Sanitation and Health: Challenges and Solutions." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2024, www.cdc.gov/safewater/sanitation.html.

"Sustainable Development Goal 6: Clean Water and Sanitation." United Nations, 2024, www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/water-and-sanitation/.

"Understanding the Economic Impact of Water and Sanitation Access." World Bank, 2023, www.worldbank.org/en/topic/watersanitation.

"Water Quality and Environmental Impact: Innovations and Challenges." Environmental Protection Agency, 2024, www.epa.gov/water-quality-standards

Yewon Chung, Shanghai Korean School

Water Sanitation: A way to save everyone in the planet

Water covers about 71% of the Earth's surface, yet less than 1% of it is clean and safe for human use. In a world where clean drinking water is a precious commodity, only a small fraction of the global population enjoys reliable access to it. Contaminated water, laced with harmful chemicals, poses lifethreatening risks when consumed. Thus, ensuring water sanitation is not just an environmental concern but a vital necessity for human survival. Despite this pressing need, numerous countries grapple with severe water hygiene issues, highlighting a critical and urgent challenge for global health and development.

Imagine yourself having a blocked toilet for 1 week. How would you feel? It would stink horribly and make you feel awful for that whole week. But that is the horrific real-life experience happening in some parts of the world. According to an IISD article, “This is the reality for 673 million people in the world today about twice the population of the United States who don’t have a toilet in their homes. Moreover, 698 million school-age children do not have basic sanitation services at school, and more than half the world’s population 4.3 billion use sanitation services that release untreated human waste into the environment, contaminating water sources.” This fact clearly explains how a majority of people in developing countries are experiencing a similar experience, like the assumption we made previously. Also, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), “Over 1.5 billion people still do not have basic sanitation services, such as private toilets or latrines.” No wonder people from least developed countries (LDCs) are dying from an insufficient amount of water.

Why do LDCs have all kinds of sanitation problems while developed countries do not? This is due to several reasons, including lack of infrastructure, cultural practices, behavior, water scarcity, poor waste disposal, urbanization, and slums. Compared to developed countries, developing countries often have communities lacking toilets, sewage systems, and waste management facilities. This deficiency can further lead to contamination of water sources. Additionally, there are cultural influences that affect sanitation behaviors. For example, women or children might face challenges due to a lack of privacy or safety concerns and can become embarrassed by using communal toilets. Improper waste disposal can also further contaminate the soil, making it hard for people to farm. Rapid urbanization can lead to the development of slums, which can result in inadequate sanitary systems.

The stench from water is not the biggest problem from a lack of sanitation. The real conflict is related to how fatal the contaminated water is for humankind. It is no wonder how poor sanitation is linked to transmission of diarrheal diseases such as Cholera, typhoid, intestinal worm infections and polio. Furthermore, About 700 children under five years of age die from diarrheal diseases every day.

According to WHO, “The Wash-related burden of disease estimates that 1.4 million people die each year as a result of inadequate drinking water, sanitation, and hygiene.” Diarrhea is a major killer but also preventable. This means by improving sanitation and hygiene, it is possible to save more than hundreds of children in one year. Improving sanitation in less developed countries has many benefits. These include reducing the spread of bacteria that cause suffering for millions, decreasing the severity and impact of malnutrition, and promoting safety for social minority groups, including women and children. By restoring clean water to these countries, people can attain nutrients and use renewable energy from the source. This can also encourage the development of a country. But how can we solve this problem without going to remote areas and fixing things by hand-made tools?

First of all, it is important to change individual’s thoughts and mindsets about the importance of clean water. The whole world is trying hard to eliminate this defecation by 2030, and the UN is continuing to seek solutions for it. Areas with low income and those with informal settlements present a growing challenge because, as WHO mentioned, “Sewerage is precarious or non-existent, space for toilets is at a premium, poorly designed and managed pits and septic tanks contaminate open drains and groundwater, and services for faecal sludge removal are unavailable or unaffordable.” In 2019, the UN announced a program named the SDG 6 Global Acceleration Framework. SDG 6 aims to ensure safe drinking water and sanitation for all. SDG 6 targets focus on women and children, ensuring their adequate access to sanitation and hygiene with attention. This program includes monitoring freshwater and providing access to fresh mineral water and wastewater treatment. In 2020, UNICEF and WHO also launched the State of the World’s Sanitation report, laying out the scale of the challenges related to health impacts, progress, policy, and sanitation coverage. Also, experts are inventing purification tools by using natural sources. SODIS, which stands for Solar water disinfection is a water treatment method using UV-A radiation to improve the quality of water drinking. This inactivates pathogens, which causes diarrhea. SODIS works by filling contaminated water into transparent plastic bottles and exposing to the full sunlight for 6 hours. SODIS can contribute to improve the precarious situation of people dying from drinking polluted liquid. These kinds of technology is often called as “Appropriate Technology”. Appropriate technology is defined as the object, process, ideas that enhances human fulfillment by using the local and natural resources with long term sustainable availability. AT has to meet the needs of the majority of a community, and should be controllable, operable, and maintainable to individuals.

Inconclusion,ensuring effectivewatersanitation practicesis crucialforsafeguarding publichealth and promoting sustainable development globally. By addressing contamination risks, implementing robust purification methods, and fostering community awareness, we can mitigate waterborne diseases, enhance environmental quality, and secure equitable access to safe drinking water for all. Emphasizing collaborative efforts among governments and communities is imperative to achieve lasting improvements in water sanitation infrastructure and practices worldwide. By prioritizing these initiatives, we pave the way for a healthier, more resilient future where clean water remains a fundamental human right.

Utopia for Minority Groups

The Earth is the home for all living beings, much like a canvas where various shapes are drawn together. However, the colors and sizes of these shapes are not the same, similar to how the different races on Earth live distinct lives. Many people experience issues of inequality in various ways, and the United Nations has been striving to find solutions to these problems.

The period when the problem of inequality intensified the most was during a country's rapid development, particularly during industrialization. For instance, in South Korea, social polarization deepened after the 1997 IMF crisis. Although social polarization had been progressing since the early 1990s, this crisis triggered the issue of inequality. In other developed countries, polarization is known to have intensified the most since the 1980s. The United States, among developed countries, has the highest income inequality and relative poverty rate. This country also has a very high wage gap based oneducationlevels.Additionally,SouthKorea,thesecond-fastestcountryintermsofincomeinequality in the OECD, experienced spatial polarization in residential areas centered around high-income districts like Gangnam-gu, Seocho-gu, and Songpa-gu after the IMF crisis. Thus, many advanced capitalist countries are known to have significant issues with social polarization.

The problemof inequalitycan also appear in education. The differencein education levelsbetween developing and developed countries is becoming more pronounced. Not only is the university enrollment rate different, but the breadth of education provided by schools can also vary. Even the quality of tools for education in developing countries is inevitably lower compared to developed countries. According to the research of group including UNICEF, The world Bank, UNESCO, FCDO, USAID, and BILL&Merlinda Gates, 70% of children around 10 year-old from all over the world have lowrateofliteracy.Furthermore,thisissueofeducationalinequalitycanstarklymanifestwithinasingle country. In the novel "The Prince and the Pauper," the prince and the pauper look the same on the outside but live vastly different lives depending on the environment they were born into, with one living in a luxurious palace and the other as a homeless person. Ultimately, educational opportunities are differently provided based on one's birth environment, with a significant factor being the parents' socioeconomic status. A child born into a well-off family might enter better private schools and academies thanks to their parents' influence, receiving elite education and perhaps even benefiting from bribery to secure good grades. This child, having received good educational opportunities, goes on to enter prestigious universities and later inherits a good job at a large corporation or their parents' company, continuing the cycle of wealth. On the contrary, a child from a disadvantaged background couldn't afford private education from an early age. Even if they only manage to receive a high school education due to financial difficulties, finding a job becomes challenging. This child, in turn, may also give birth to children who cannot escape the cycle of poverty. Like a Möbius strip, inequality seems to be an endlessly repeating situation.

Another issue of inequality is in the field of healthcare. Healthcare should be a basic human right equitably provided to all individuals, but inequality persists within global healthcare systems. This disparity often stems from the unequal distribution of resources. Wealthy individuals have easy access to high-quality healthcare services, while low-income groups may struggle to afford even basic medical care. Consequently, vulnerable populations may not receive timely and appropriate medical services, leading to extreme outcomes such as premature death. Furthermore, racial and ethnic minorities, who are increasingly marginalized, often face discrimination within healthcare systems and receive lower

quality treatment compared to white individuals. This results in widespread health disparities among different races and ethnicities, causing significant harm to individual patients. Additionally, people living in rural or underserved areas may face difficulties accessing healthcare due to limited medical facilities in their regions. In essence, healthcare inequality can arise from a multitude of factors, including race, ethnicity, income, location, gender, sexual orientation, disability, and age, making it a significant and multifaceted problem.

What efforts are needed to resolve these issues of inequality? Every problem has its causes and solutions, and efforts are being made to find ways to address inequality as well. Various countries have employed different methods to tackle this issue, focusing on income disparity, education, and healthcare. Let’s discuss the solutions in these three areas. First, to address income disparity, policies aimed at managing the polarization trends of OECD member countries have been implemented. These policies primarily focus on addressing the polarization itself by enhancing retraining programs for unskilled workers and intensifying support for impoverished communities. Additionally, they have strengthened public education to promote social mobility. South Korea has also made significant efforts to address income disparity, with a notable policy being the "National Basic Livelihood Security System" implemented in 2000. This system was introduced in response to the surge in the impoverished population due to the IMF financial crisis and aims to guarantee the basic livelihood of citizens facing financial difficulties. However, many low-income individuals still fall through the cracks, receiving no social security benefits, so continuous efforts and attention are required. Next, let's discuss solutions to educational inequality. Currently, governments need to adopt an educational system with a rapid framework, which includes the following guidelines: R - Reach every child and keep them in school, ensuring that all children can attend school; A - Assess learning levels regularly, evaluating learning stages periodically. The other letters emphasize supplementary education, foundational education, and promoting psychological health and happiness. Implementing such an educational system can help many children and teenagers lead a brighter future. Lastly, addressing healthcare inequality is crucial. A recent solution proposed by many experts involves providing remote healthcare services utilizing artificial intelligence. This approach ensures that marginalized citizens can easily access medical services online, regardless of their location. With the significant advancements in science and technology, particularly in biotechnology, efforts must be made to save even the most vulnerable populations. By implementing these measures, we can work towards reducing inequalities in income, education, and healthcare, fostering a more equitable society for all.

The world is still changing swiftly, stimulating different kinds of inequalities all over the countries. Our job is to reduce these problems, making this place with no separation, just because their life backgrounds are different. There is one quote, “Utopias of equality are biologically doomed, and the best that the amiable philosopher can hope for is an approximate equality of legal justice and educational opportunity.” Earth has to reach for the greatest goal of being Utopia, a world without injustice and inequality.

ⓒ HOPE TO THE FUTURE ASSOCIATION 2024. All Rights Reserved.

All photographs and textual content, including essays, featured in this report are theproperty of Hope to the Future Association, unless specified otherwise. Certain images and statistical data incorporated within student essays are credited to their respective sources, as noted within the document. While some materials may lack explicit references, their use is intended solely for educational and informational purposes. Unauthorized reproduction, distribution, or commercial exploitation of any content from this report without express permission from Hope to the Future Association is strictly prohibited.

Publish Date August 23, 2024

Publisher Hope to the Future Association

Address 4F., Dana Bldg., Bongeunsa-ro 176, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea, 06125

Phone +82-2-6952-1616

Fax +82-2-538-5928

Email www.hopetofuture.org