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Development Communication & SDGs Overview

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32 views4 pages

Development Communication & SDGs Overview

Uploaded by

Reya Singh
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

DEVELOPMENT COMMUNICATION ASSIGNMENT

What is Development Communication? What role do the Sustainable Development Goals


play in development?

Development Communication:

Development Communication is the use of the various modes of communication to enable and
guide the process of social development. It emerged in the late 1950s as a medium to bring
about rapid development in developing nations after the second world war. Making use of
various methods of communication to bring about societal development and changing
mindsets is development communication. This field of communication is concerned with using
mass media in order to change people’s lives for the better.

Its main goal is changing behaviour, not just spreading awareness and information. Example -
The SITE project undertaken in India (1975) is a popular example of development
communication. In this, developmental shows were broadcasted through satellites to six rural
groups. The aim of this experiment was to improve literacy and spread awareness about family
planning, agriculture and hygiene. The effects of the experiment were studied and it was found
that it actually widened the villagers' knowledge and horizons.

Community Radio is also a great example of development communication. These radio stations
provide localised content that speaks to members of a particular community. Topics and issues
relevant to that community are discussed. Community radio is used to enable community based
initiatives by NGOs and other organisations. It is a great medium to promote local history,
culture and traditions.

Sustainable Development Goals:

The 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) form the basis of the 2030 Sustainable
Development Agenda that was signed in 2015 by UN members. All member nations are
responsible for working towards the completion of these goals and targets by the year 2030.
These goals aim at tackling burning issues like poverty, hunger, inequality, climate change etc.
List of the 17 SDGs -

1. No Poverty 4. Quality Education 7. Affordable, clean energy


2. Zero Hunger 5. Gender Equality 8. Decent Work
3. Good Health & Well Being 6. Clean Water & Sanitation 9. Industry, Innovation, Infra
10. Reduced Inequalities 13. Climate Action 16. Peace, Justice,
11. Sustainable cities & communities 14. Life below water strong institutions
12. Responsible consumption & production 15. Life on land 17. Global Partnership

The goal of SDGs is to completely transform the world and to protect it. Their main principle
is that no one should be left behind. There exist 169 targets under these 17 SGD heads. Each
goal is somehow linked to the others because a change in one aspect will automatically cause
changes in other spheres.

What makes SDGs unique?

- The SDGs are global and universal. They are not restricted to only developing nations (like the
Millennium Goals of 2000).
- They aim at establishing universal health cover.
- They use methods like research and development, sustainable financing etc. to bring about
change.
- They encourage intersectoral cooperation i.e. multiple stakeholders working towards the same
cause.
- There has never been such a high degree of global consensus on issues affecting the world.
- They are highly detailed and elaborate and have 200 indicators that track progress.

Role and Importance of SDGs-

The Sustainable Development Goals are an incredibly important milestone for the world. It
was the first time that so many nations were on the same page about the issues faced by
mankind, and were willing to work together to reduce the adverse effects of these issues. These
goals act as a guide to member countries on what is to be done, in what amount and by when.
The goals are precise and specific, leaving no room for misinterpretation.

Most of the SDGs highlight the solutions to the issues mentioned within their targets. For
instance, if the goal is Quality Education (goal 4), one of its targets is to increase the supply of
teachers by 2030, which is simply a solution to the problem at hand. The SDGs provide the
framework for the developmental process. They also spread awareness about the problems
faced by mankind among the general public. Reliable data and statistics are provided to support
the goals and targets. There even exists an annual SDG report that details what progress has
been made in accomplishing the goals or what setbacks have been faced in fulfilling these
goals.
These SDGs are a guiding light for countries around the world. With carbon emissions still
rising, oceans filling with plastic, millions of people living in poverty and only 6 years to
achieve the goals, the SDGs are more important now than ever before and must be closely
followed.

Development under the SDGs/ Achievements -

- The number of nations that have disaster reduction strategies has increased from 45 (in 2015)
to 118 (in 2021).

- The percentage of children (aged 5 or under) facing stunted growth has reduced from 33% (in
2000) to 22% (in 2020).

- The worldwide rate of suicide has dropped by 36% from the year 2000 to 2020. The
significance of mental health is being more accepted.

- Total climate finance (funding for mitigation of climate change) is now at almost 50 billion
dollars.

- The percentage of children receiving pre-primary education has risen from 65% (in 2010) to
73% (in 2020).

- The number of yearly civilian deaths has dropped by 61% between the years 2015 and 2020.

- The percentage of people that have access to electricity has risen from 87% (in 2015) to 91%
(in 2021).

- As of now, 95% of the world is connected by broadband network.

- The worldwide rate of unemployment has fallen to 5.4% which is lower than the pre-pandemic
level of unemployment.

- The percentage of people globally that can access safe drinking water has risen from 69% (in
2015) to 73% (in 2022).

- The rate of primary school completion increased between 2015 and 2021.
- HIV treatment has reduced deaths caused by AIDS by 52% since 2010.

The COVID 19 pandemic has reversed a lot of the progress that was made towards achieving
the SDGs. Health goals have become tougher to meet, usage of fossil fuels increased, the
number of people living in poverty has increased. It has become even more essential now to
unite with one another and work towards achieving the sustainable development goals. If not, it
may be too late to save the earth and ourselves.

Common questions

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Since the implementation of the SDGs, significant progress has been noted in several areas. For instance, the percentage of children under five facing stunted growth has reduced from 33% in 2000 to 22% in 2020 . The access to electricity improved from 87% in 2015 to 91% in 2021 . Moreover, the percentage of people with access to safe drinking water increased from 69% in 2015 to 73% in 2022 . These achievements highlight the positive impact of targeted goals on enhancing global development metrics.

Sustainable financing is fundamental to achieving the SDGs, providing necessary resources for implementing the ambitious targets. It involves mobilizing large-scale investments towards sustainable projects and ensuring that economic growth aligns with environmental goals. For instance, investments in clean energy and sustainable industries directly contribute to achieving multiple SDG targets related to energy, climate, and economic growth . Despite being an essential enabler, challenges such as inadequate funding, economic disparities among nations, and insufficient private sector engagement remain significant hurdles, requiring continuous innovation and cooperation in financing strategies.

Sustainable Development Goal 4 focuses on quality education by implementing specific targets, such as increasing the supply of qualified teachers by 2030. This goal highlights solution-oriented strategies by addressing both accessibility and quality issues within education systems . By setting explicit targets and strategies, such as improving teacher training and ensuring equitable education for all, SDG 4 exemplifies a problem-solving approach that goes beyond diagnosis to encompass actionable solutions, aligning resources and policies towards practical educational advancements.

Community radio plays a crucial role in development communication by providing tailored content that resonates with local communities, which facilitates social change. It acts as a vehicle for NGOs and organizations to implement community-based initiatives successfully. By broadcasting topics relevant to local culture, history, and issues, community radio strengthens community ties and encourages participation in developmental programs, which can lead to improved social outcomes . This localized approach ensures that communication is effective and relatable, enhancing the impact of development strategies.

The COVID-19 pandemic severely impacted the progress of the SDGs by reversing key advancements. It increased poverty levels, hindered health goal achievements, and saw a resurgence in fossil fuel usage. The pandemic also imposed challenges on educational and health systems, retracting progress in these core areas necessary for sustainable development . The widespread global disruptions stress the need for re-engaged efforts towards these goals, emphasizing global resilience and cooperation against setbacks.

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) differ from the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in their universality and complexity. Unlike the MDGs, the SDGs are applicable to all countries, not just developing ones, thereby encompassing a global and universal approach . They also entail 169 detailed targets under 17 overarching goals compared to the simpler structure of the MDGs. The SDGs encompass broader issues, including climate action and sustainable consumption, and they foster intersectoral cooperation, implying coordinated efforts across various sectors to achieve the targets .

Data and statistical analysis are crucial in tracking and evaluating SDG progress as they provide a factual basis for assessing advancements and identifying setbacks. With 200 indicators, the SDGs rely on robust data to monitor changes, guide policy adjustments, and ensure accountability . Prompt and reliable data collection allows for the effectiveness of initiatives to be measured, showing areas of success and those needing improvement. This continuous feedback loop is integral to evolving strategies to achieve these global goals efficiently.

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) integrate interconnectedness by structuring around 17 goals that inherently relate to each other, with changes to one goal impacting others. For instance, improving health and well-being (Goal 3) can advance poverty reduction (Goal 1) and enhance quality education (Goal 4). This reflects a systemic approach where addressing poverty can lead to better educational outcomes and health. Such interlinked objectives underline that sustainable development involves multidimensional strategies rather than isolated actions. This interconnectedness ensures comprehensive solutions to global challenges .

Development communication facilitates social change by using various modes of communication to educate and influence communities. It goes beyond merely spreading awareness to actively seek changes in behavior. For example, the SITE project in India used satellite broadcasts to educate rural populations on literacy, family planning, agriculture, and hygiene, leading to improved knowledge and societal development . This indicates that development communication strategically employs media to align educational content with community needs, fostering societal improvement.

Intersectoral cooperation has been pivotal in progressing towards the SDGs by facilitating harmonized efforts from multiple stakeholders, including governments, private sectors, and NGOs. This collaboration maximizes resources and expertise, producing synergistic effects in tackling complex issues like poverty, health, and climate change that single sectors alone cannot resolve . For instance, diverse partnerships have led to improved education access and health outcomes, showcasing how such cooperation accelerates sustainable development effectively.

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