Chapter 3.

The Social Factors of Sustainability

3.1. Human rights, poverty, inequality, education and health

(Humanistic, Futuristic and Economic approaches)

3.2. The SDGs social aspects of sustainable development

(SDG 1, SDG 2, SDG 3, SDG 4, SDG 5, SDG 7, SDG 11 )

3.3. Case study

3.4. Actions of individuals, organizations and governments

3.5. Discuss sustainable development issues in Vietnam and around the world
 Chapter 3. The Social Factors of Sustainability

Cotton harvesting Dry and dye the

Spin into a thread to blue
Raw denim fabric thread

Copper wire for zipper

The thread has added
fiber to make it more
durable

Processing finished YKK zipper

Bulk packaging
products
Chapter 3. The Social Factors of Sustainability
 Chapter 3. The Social Factors of Sustainability

3.1. Human rights, poverty, inequality, education and health

What do we realize?
• It’s a fact that none of us can escape the web of global inter-dependence.
• The global economy has bound us all to people who live half a world away.
• Our most straightforward decisions as consumers affect people's living standards in other
countries where the products we use are made.
• We cannot be the ostrich trying to bury our heads in the sand and ignore this network of
causality (cause and effect).
 Chapter 3. The Social Factors of Sustainability

3.1. Human rights, poverty, inequality, education and health

• We live in a world in which people face one another across gulfs of geography, language ,
and nationality. More than at any time in the past, we all depend on people we have never
seen, and they depend on us. The problems we need to solve – economic, environmental,
religious, and political – are global in their scope. They have no hope of being solved unless

Martha people once distance come together and cooperate in ways they have note before.
C. Nussbaum • Think of global warning: decent trade regulations; the protection pf the environment and
animal species; the future of nuclear energy and the dangers of nuclear weapons; the
movement of labor and the establishment of decent labor standards; the protection of
children from trafficking, sexual abuse, and forced labor. All these can only truly be
addressed by multinational discussions. Such a list could be extended almost indefinitely.
(Martha C. Nussbaum, 2010, Not for Profit, p. 79-80)
 Chapter 3. The Social Factors of Sustainability

3.1. Human rights, poverty, inequality, education and health

• Think, for example, of what it takes to understand the origins of the products we use in our
daily lives: our soft drinks, our clothing, our coffee, our food […] We cannot understand where
even a simple soft drinks comes from without thinking about lives in other nations. When we
do so, it makes sense to ask about the working conditions of these people, their education,

Martha their labor relations. And when we ask such questions, we need to think about our
C. Nussbaum responsibilities these people, as agents in the creation of their daily circumstances.
• How has the international network of which we consumers are a crucial part shaped their
labor conditions? What opportunities do they have? Should we agree to be part of the causal
network that produces their situations, or should we demand changes? How might we
promote a decent living standards for those outside our bounders who produce what we need
– just as we usually feel ourselves committed to doing for workers within our borders?
(Martha C. Nussbaum, 2010, Not for Profit, p. 82)
 Chapter 3. The Social Factors of Sustainability

3.1. Human rights, poverty, inequality, education and health

❖ The problem of poverty

• The definition of “Poverty” is the impoverishment of welfare.
• Previous concept: Poverty is material deprivation, low income and consumption levels, typically
poor nutrition and poor living conditions.
• Income poverty is related to human poverty (poor health and low education levels) and to social
poverty (vulnerability to adverse events – illness, economic crisis, natural disasters; no voice in
society; no ability to improve living conditions)
(nguồn: [Link]
[Link]
 Chapter 3. The Social Factors of Sustainability

3.1. Human rights, poverty, inequality, education and health

❖ The problem of poverty

• The definition of “Poverty” is the impoverishment of welfare.
• Previous concept: Poverty is material deprivation, low income and consumption levels, typically
poor nutrition and poor living conditions.
• Income poverty is related to human poverty (poor health and low education levels) and to social
poverty (vulnerability to adverse events – illness, economic crisis, natural disasters; no voice in
society; no ability to improve living conditions)
(nguồn: [Link]
[Link]
 Chapter 3. The Social Factors of Sustainability

3.1. Human rights, poverty, inequality, education and health

❖ The problem of poverty
• Absolute poverty: Income/consumption below acceptable threshold. Fixed level of income or
consumption based on essential material needs*.
• Relative poverty, on the other hand, is a measure of how far one’s income or consumption level
is from the average (mean, median). It’s important to note that these levels may not ensure a
standard of living considered sufficient for families or individuals to fully participate in community
life, highlighting the real-life implications of this type of poverty.
(Source: [Link]
(*Essential material needs: Minimum nutrition [WB]; Minimum calories to maintain health with basket = essential foods +
“non-foods” such as housing, water, sanitation, and other basic needs [National and local poverty threshold])
 Chapter 3. The Social Factors of Sustainability

3.1. Human rights, poverty, inequality, education and health

Measuring absolute poverty

(Poverty headcount index)

𝒒
𝑯= Poverty rate
𝑵

In which:
❑ q is the number of people below the poverty threshold (international/national/local)
❑ N is the total national/local population
(Source: Lybbert, 2020, p.76)
([Link]
 Chapter 3. The Social Factors of Sustainability

3.1. Human rights, poverty, inequality, education and health

Measuring absolute poverty
(Poverty gap)
𝒒
𝟏 𝒛 − 𝒀𝐢
𝑷𝑮 = ෍ Poverty gap
𝒒 𝒛
𝒊=𝟏
In which:
❑ q is the number of people below the poverty threshold (international/national/local)
❑ z is the national/local poverty threshold
❑ Yi is the income of person i
(Source: Lybbert, 2020, p.76)
([Link]
 Chapter 3. The Social Factors of Sustainability

3.1. Human rights, poverty, inequality, education and health

Measuring absolute poverty
(The severity of poverty – FGT index)
𝒒 𝜶
𝟏 𝒛 − 𝒀𝒊
𝑭𝑮𝑻 = ෍ The severity of poverty
𝑵 𝒛
𝒊=𝟏

In which:
❑ q is the number of people below the poverty threshold (international/national/local)
❑ z is the national/local poverty threshold
❑ Yi is the income of person i
❑  is the weight with values ​0, 1, and 2
 Chapter 3. The Social Factors of Sustainability

3.1. Human rights, poverty, inequality, education and health

Determine the poverty threshold

Minimum nutritional level

Lybbert (2020, p.78)

International poverty threshold over time (in
PPP): (1) 1985 = $1/day; (2) 1993 = $1.08/day;
(3) 2005 = $1.25/day; (4) 2011 = $1.9/day; (5)
2017 = $2.15/day z Y
 Chapter 3. The Social Factors of Sustainability
(Multidimensional poverty – MPI index)
Measuring absolute poverty

𝑴𝑷𝑰 = 𝑯. 𝑨
𝐪 σ𝐪𝐢 𝐬𝐢
𝐇= 𝐀=
𝐧 𝐪
Si is calculated based on the MDGs with three dimensions: Health, Education,
In which: and Living Standards. Health includes two indicators. Education includes two
indicators. Living standards are six indicators. Each dimension has a weight of
❑ q is the number of multidimensional poor people 1/3, so each Health and Education indicator has a weight of 1/6, and each
❑ n is the total number of people in the sample Standard of Living indicator has a weight of 1/18. If a household (or individual)
is deficient in any indicator, it is assigned a value of 1. Otherwise, it is assigned
❑ si is the deprivation point experienced by the i a value of [Link] aspects and indicators may vary depending on the
multidimensional poor person research purpose, which may be based on the sustainable livelihoods
framework or the SDGs.
Multidimensional poverty index
(Example)
Global hunger index (GHI)
Global hunger index (GHI)

CW CM
. 100 . 100
30 35

𝐔 𝐂𝐒
. 𝟏𝟎𝟎 . 𝟏𝟎𝟎
𝟖𝟎 𝟕𝟎

Malnutrition: the proportion of Stunting children: the Underweight children: the Child mortality: the proportion of
the population with inadequate proportion of children under five proportion of children under five children who die before their fifth /100
calorie intake years old who are low in height years old with low weight birthday, reflecting in part a fatal mix
for their age, reflecting chronic relative to their height, reflecting of inadequate nutrition and scores
malnutrition acute malnutrition unhealthy environments
Relationship between HDI and GNP/person
 MMR PR
Maternal mortality rate Proportion of
parliamentary seats
held by each gender
SE
ABR
GII =
Percentage of
Adolescent birth rate
population with
secondary education

LFPR: Labor force participation rate

 Vietnam Vietnam
24.75% 38.05%

2000 2021

Percentage of population living in urban

areas Vietnam

57.33%

2050
Percentage of cities with a population of over 1 million people, 2021

Vietnam
18.38%
Percentage of urban population living in slums, 2020

Vietnam
5.77%
Relationship between urban population and GDP/person (2016)
The proportion of the population is extremely poor, income standard is $2.15/day (2000)

Vietnam
29.94%
(2002)
The proportion of the population is extremely poor, income standard is $2.15/day (2015)

Vietnam
1.26%
(2016)
 Vietnam
6.7%

Percentage of population below the national poverty line (2020)

Chapter 3. The Social Factors of Sustainability
 Vietnam
1.92%

Unemployment rate (2022)

 Chapter 3. The Social Factors of Sustainability

3.2. The SDGs social aspects of sustainable development

Biosphere Society Economy

 Chapter 3. The Social Factors of Sustainability

3.2. The SDGs social aspects of sustainable development

• Target 1.1: Eradicate extreme poverty
• Target 1.2: Reduce poverty by at least 50%
• Target 1.3: Implement nationally appropriate social protection systems
• Target 1.4: Equal rights to ownership, basic services, technology, and economic
resources
• Target 1.5: Build resilience to environmental, economic, and social disasters
• Target 1.a: Mobilization of resources to end poverty
"End poverty in all its • Target 1.b: Establishment of poverty eradication policy frameworks at all levels
forms everywhere“
([Link]
7 targets; 13 indicators
 Chapter 3. The Social Factors of Sustainability

3.2. The SDGs social aspects of sustainable development

• Target 2.1: Universal access to safe and nutritious food
• Target 2.2: End all forms of malnutrition
• Target 2.3: Double the productivity and incomes of small-scale food producers
• Target 2.4: Sustainable food production and resilient agricultural practices
• Target 2.5: Maintain the genetic diversity in food production
• Target 2.a: Invest in rural infrastructure, agricultural research, technology and
gene banks
“End hunger, achieve food • Target 2.b.: Prevent agricultural trade restrictions, market distortions and export
security and improved
nutrition, and promote
subsidies
sustainable agriculture” • Target 2.c. Ensure stable food commodity markets and timely access to
8 targets; 14 indicators information
([Link]
 Chapter 3. The Social Factors of Sustainability

3.2. The SDGs social aspects of sustainable development

• Target 3.1: Reduce maternal mortality
• Target 3.2: End all preventable deaths under five years of age
• Target 3.3: Fight communicable diseases
• Target 3.4: Reduce mortality from non-communicable diseases and promote mental health
• Target 3.5: Prevent and treat substance abuse
• Target 3.6: Reduce road injuries and deaths
• Target 3.7: Universal access to sexual and reproductive care, family planning and education
• Target 3.8: Achieve universal health coverage
• Target 3.9: Reduce illnesses and deaths from hazardous chemicals and pollution

“Ensure healthy lives and • Target 3.a: Implement the WHO framework convention on tobacco control
promote well-being for all • Target 3.b: Support research, development and universal access to affordable vaccines and medicines
at all ages” • Target 3.c: Increase health financing and support health workforce in developing countries
• Target 3.d: Improve early warning systems for global health risks
13 targets; 28 indicators
([Link]
 Chapter 3. The Social Factors of Sustainability

3.2. The SDGs social aspects of sustainable development

• Target 4.1: Free primary and secondary education
• Target 4.2: Equal access to quality pre-primary education
• Target 4.3: Equal access to affordable technical, vocational, and higher education
• Target 4.4: Increase the number of people with relevant skills for financial success
• Target 4.5: Eliminate all discrimination in education
• Target 4.6: Universal literacy and numeracy
• Target 4.7: Education for sustainable development and global citizenship
• Target 4.a: Build and upgrade inclusive and safe schools
“Ensure inclusive and • Target 4.b: Expand higher education scholarships for developing countries
equitable quality education
• Target 4.c: Increase the supply of qualified teachers in developing countries
and promote lifelong
learning opportunities for ([Link]
all”

10 targets; 12 indicators
 Chapter 3. The Social Factors of Sustainability

3.2. The SDGs social aspects of sustainable development

• Target 5.1: End discrimination against women and girls
• Target 5.2: End all violence against and exploitation of women and girls
• Target 5.3: Eliminate forced marriages and genital mutilation
• Target 5.4: Value unpaid care and promote shared domestic responsibilities
• Target 5.5: Ensure full participation in leadership and decision-making
• Target 5.6: Universal access to reproductive rights and health
• Target 5.a: Equal rights to economic resources, property ownership and financial services
• Target 5.b: Promote empowerment of women through technology
“Achieve gender equality • Target 5.c: Adopt and strengthen policies and enforceable legislation for gender equality
and empower all women
([Link]
and girls”

9 targets; 14 indicators
 Chapter 3. The Social Factors of Sustainability

3.2. The SDGs social aspects of sustainable development

• Target 7.1: Universal access to modern energy
• Target 7.2: Increase global percentage of renewable energy
• Target 7.3: Double the improvement in energy efficiency
• Target 7.a: Promote access to research, technology and investments in clean
energy
• Target 7.b: Expand and upgrade energy services for developing countries
([Link]
“Ensure access to affordable,
reliable, sustainable and
modern energy for all”

5 targets; 6 indicators
 Chapter 3. The Social Factors of Sustainability

3.2. The SDGs social aspects of sustainable development

• Target 11.1: Safe and affordable housing
• Target 11.2: Affordable and sustainable transport systems
• Target 11.3: Inclusive and sustainable urbanization
• Target 11.4: Protect the world's cultural and natural heritage
• Target 11.5: Reduce the adverse effects of natural disasters
• Target 11.6: Reduce the environmental impacts of cities
• Target 11.7: Provide access to safe and inclusive green and public spaces
• Target 11.a: Strong national and regional development planning
“Make cities and human • Target 11.b: Implement policies for inclusion, resource efficiency and disaster risk
settlements inclusive, safe,
reduction
resilient, and sustainable”
• Target 11.c: Support least developed countries in sustainable and resilient building
10 targets; 15 indicators
([Link]
 Chapter 3. The Social Factors of Sustainability

3.2. The SDGs social aspects of sustainable development

• Target 16.1: Reduce violence everywhere
• Target 16.2: Protect children from abuse, exploitation, trafficking and violence
• Target 16.3: Equal access to justice
• Target 16.4: Combat organized crime and illicit financial and arms flows
• Target 16.5: Substantially reduce corruption and bribery
• Target 16.6: Develop effective, accountable and transparent institutions
• Target 16.7: Ensure responsive, inclusive and representative decision-making
• Target 16.8: Strengthen the participation in global governance
“Promote peaceful and • Target 16.9: Provide universal legal identity
inclusive societies for
• Target 16.10: Ensure public access to information and protect fundamental freedoms
sustainable development,
provide access to justice for • Target 16.a: Strengthen national institutions to prevent violence and combat crime and
all and build effective,
terrorism
accountable and inclusive
institutions at all levels” • Target 16.b: Promote and enforce non-discriminatory laws and policies
 Chapter 3. The Social Factors of Sustainability

3.3. Case study

引きこもり 躺平
(hikikomori – xa lánh xã hội) (tang ping – thảng bình)
 Chapter 3. The Social Factors of Sustainability

3.3. Case study

Racing against
Social networks Fast economic Glamorous illusion
“others”
growth

React against Fear/Loneliness of Disorientation

the trend being left behind
 Chapter 3. The Social Factors of Sustainability

3.3. Case study

• The impact of social media also depends on how it is used relative to the user's lifestyle. While studies show
that social media increases feelings of loneliness, they also show that if the amount of online activity
surpasses or replaces other offline activities, loneliness is impossible.
• FOMO (the Fear Of Missing Out) certainly contributes to feelings of loneliness among Millennials. A 2012
survey found that at least three out of four Millennials suffer from FOMO. These feelings are born out of the
glamorous life others portray as leading on social networking sites. An experiment conducted by Facebook in
2014 showed the relationship between the emotions expressed in posts and a person's emotions when
reading those posts. It is known to have a rippling effect that covers large groups.
(source: Alberti, Fay Bound,2021, A Biography of Loneliness: the History of an Emotion)
 References

1. Alberti, Fay Bound (2021), A Biography of Loneliness: the History of an Emotion.

2. Ellis, Erle C. (2018), Anthropocene – A very short introduction. Oxford University Press, UK.
3. Frey, R. G. & Wellman, Christopher Heath (edited) (2005), A Companion to Applied Ethics.
Blackwell Publishing Ltd., USA.
4. Martha C. Nussbaum (2010), Not for Profit – why democracy needs the humanities.