“Solving Problems Together”

(Word Count: 2021)

Introduction

As we grow more and more as a society and develop ourselves to reach new heights,
we forget about everything that surrounds us. From the highest point in the sky to the
lowest depths of the sea, mankind has always exploited and misused our environment.
Even now in recent years, there are already several crises that heavily affect the world
negatively. Some of the world’s current problems of course include the COVID-19
Pandemic and the increase in conflicts between countries (The United Nations, 2022).
Some continue to persist to this day such as the destruction of nature and biodiversity,
food and water shortages, and of course climate change (Devos, 2022). The continuous
misuse and abuse of businesses, corporations, and governments have not only left the
people to suffer but also for the world to suffer and crumble along with it. In about
improving our world the quote “There must be a better way to make the things we want,
a way that doesn’t spoil the sky, or the rain or the land”. This is a quote by famous
singer and songwriter Paul McCartney from The Beatles which highlights, at the very
least, our ability to create ways that can help us to lessen the destruction of the earth
while still being able to provide for ourselves. This quote also now serves as a heads-up
for what we want to reach, by being less destructive and being able to develop
continuous growth and more stable development. That is why the biggest global
organization the UN has appointed, as of 2015, 17 different Sustainable Development
Goals or SDGs as to what we want to achieve if we want to become a more livable
planet. These 17 goals not only work in bettering our ecology and ecosystem but also
heavily focus on solving problems such as world hunger and poverty as well as
strengthening bonds between countries and promoting human equality and individuality.
These goals expand ideas that give way to how we solve our problems, may it be as an
individual or as a collective group. This gives not only those in position power but also

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makes us aware of the power that we hold which is necessary for shaping the future. As
a Filipino and a member of a Filipino community, given time, I believe that not only is
this very achievable but will greatly help us as a country.

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To learn a bit more about SDGs, these used to be known as the Millenium
Development Goals (MDG) whose main objective was very focused on eradicating
poverty everywhere in the world. It only had 8 goals as opposed to SDGs 17. MDGs
have woken up the world in making it a better place, especially in proving themselves
effective in doing their task, and even though not all goals have been realized it has
already helped us and the world take a step towards a brighter future (UNDP, 2016).
This now leads us to modern times and the current transition to SDGs. SDGs are now
actually handled by both the United Nations and The World Bank which has planned to
continue where MDGs left off. Not only are its concerns broader than MDGs themselves
but they focus on all aspects not just the economic side of it. Additionally, since the
overall and combined goals of SDGs are broader, each country now has a chance to
focus on its own bigger problems compared to other countries. For example, the
Philippines have started to take action in completing the SDGs by the year 2030,
especially those about higher quality education and the improvement of the country's
economy in several factors and aspects. This does not mean though that countries that
do hold power are not responsible and have no reason for partaking and helping in
these goals. We now collectively hold every country responsible, rich, or poor, for their
actions and what steps they take in making the world a better place. This helps us unite
as one singular nation fixated on helping not only ourselves but also each other.
Everyone's voice can and will be heard as we move forward. Because of these SDGs,
there are also smaller international corporations that have helped or want to help in
fulfilling these SDGs. There are several hurdles of course that block our way into doing
these and achieving these as already evident by the numerous global crises already
affecting us. There are also smaller inside factors such as governments and businesses
that are found in each country since not all countries may be willing to extend their hand

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to others. Knowing these thoughts can help us take individual steps in progressing and
slowly achieving our goal and doing what is necessary to keep us on the right track.

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The main purpose of these SDGs is, of course, extremely focused on more
developing countries as they are the ones who require help the most as said in the first.
Having already poor economies and can hardly need a hand reached out, developing
countries have seen the worst of what effects an unsustainable world feels like. SDGs
are also a way for countries to correct and align themselves with these goals if not
already. This is where I want to talk about some of the goals, especially those most
related to the Philippines’ problems. A paper by Divina Roldan suggests that the country
is already on the right track to being achieved by the time 2030, the target end goal of
the practice. With the help of the government and private/NGO sectors, we might be
able to achieve this goal. She also includes how the previous Duterte Administration
has been able to keep track of 6 of these goals, namely SDG 5 to SDG 10. There is
also systems track progress such as one in India called the “SDG India Index” which
“intends to provide a holistic view on the social, economic and environmental status of
the country” and that “it is an aggregate measure that can be used by everyone—
policymakers, businesses, civil society, and the general public (NITI AYOG, n.d.). As we
track that progress, we already see a meaningful change in countries that are the target
for the SDGs. In a TEDTalk by Micheal Green, we see the positive change that SDGs
have and what we could up in. While most of these are positive though, in the same
TEDTalk we also see that there are SDGs that we are currently lacking. A big example
of this is a paper by Moyer and Heddens where-in they study as to if we are on the right
track to achieving these SDGs. Sadly, they end their study with the results showing that
if we continue how we develop our countries like this, the rates of poverty and hunger
will only get worse. It does not mean though that we cannot change this, in the same
article mentioned earlier they acknowledge the positives brought by following the goals
but by looking at the problems being faced by these countries from a different angle can
we find alternative solutions in our path. Going back once again to Micheal Green’s

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TEDTalk there are progress and regression on each of the goals, but we must not forget
that it is a whole “package” and that we need to not only focus on a singular or small set
of SDGs but all of them as a whole if we ever want to solve the problems in the first
place.

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How do we solve these problems? How can we achieve these goals? As a
person who is only a member of the general public, there is already much that we can
do that can help us strive for these changes. We already regard ourselves as global
citizens even if we recognize it or not and so it makes it our responsibility as citizens to
help. While this seems like a very daunting task, a TEDTalk by Linda Midgley makes
this easier than we realize. There are 3 steps in achieving SDGs that is to “Listen, Act
and Listen Again”. She poses that if we first listen to the problems around us that we
may learn what burdens other people. Next is that we should act, take action on what
we have learned from others and do what is best in our way. Lastly, is that we should
listen again to the reactions of others and understand if the weight of our actions has
created a change no matter how big or small it may be. Listening again will also help
improve upon the mistakes and shortcomings. Doing it all alone though is not enough
because simply relying on individuals to solve the problem is not an efficient way of
helping. It is also the responsibility of our Government and Local Government
Organizations to provide a way to continue the progression of the SDGs. Some of the
plans made by the government that have already helped the Philippines are, firstly
those that concern the economy. An example of it is how Labor Market Policies have
been improved over the years, banning illegal contracting and subcontracting programs
that help the young and poor to be able to acquire jobs, and even improving maternity,
minimum wages, and special benefits a worker can have. There are also of course
some things that we still lack and can be improved upon. Stricter use of laws not only
for the economy but also for the ecological aspect such as the Renewable Energy Act of
2008 and the Climate Change Act of 2009 (Algo, 2020). Applying laws and policies for
the long term not just in the span of five to ten years. With the higher forms of

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Government, Businesses and Organizations should also focus on helping on LGOs
inside of the country improving each part of the country all at the same time. To ensure
that we can transform and achieve our goals we should be able to walk with others and
leave no one behind.

Conclusion
SDGs have shown their potential to be able to help us as a country and as a
world. Those 17 goals are not the actual solution but only a blueprint or a compass that
will help guide us. It is not only tied down to developing countries but also those who are
already well developed to help those who are more in need. With the help of not only
the UN but also different other International Government Organizations backing them
up. In the process, each country must all equally be able to progress at the same time
until we reach the year 2030. Focusing on different aspects of each country not only on
an economical level but also in other aspects such as peace, ecology, biological and
social levels. While not yet finished we have already seen the positives that following
these guidelines at the very least has brought to each country. We are still far from
completing it though because as we naturally progress there are some aspects of each
country, including the Philippines, regress on. That only gives us a bigger reason to
strive for change and create a more positive outcome in our country. It gives us a
reason to act and take the next step forward in improving our own lives. These 17
Sustainable Development Goals give evidence that we can create change in ourselves
and our environment. Governments, Businesses, Organizations, and Individuals all
have the same and equal opportunity to change the world. The creation of better
policies and laws to help the public and for the general public to then create their way of
change and promote these things knowingly or even unknowingly. As we near the set
year-end of these SDGs, even with the challenges of global crises such as the COVID-
19 pandemic we still do continue to grow even if it is slower than it once was. That is
only due to our ability to stand together and unite. The Filipino community has already
gained a considerable number of boons because of these Sustainable Development
Goals, and it is only a matter of time before we give back.

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