Socialist Republic of Vietnam
Economic and Social Council
______
- Promoting the Involvement of Youth in the Transition from the Millennium Development Goals to Sustainable Development Goals
Since the creation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in 2015, it has been extremely important to ease the transition from the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) to the SDGs. More importantly however, is the involvement of youth in the achievement of these goals. With the youth population projected to increase by 7% globally by 2030, the importance of their involvement proves uncanny.[1] First and foremost, SDGs 4, 5, 8, and 10 should be heavily emphasized as of utmost importance to youth.[2] The youth of this world must grow up in a global society where an education is guaranteed, inequality on any basis is reduced, and economic opportunity is present in all nations. Building on the upcoming ECOSOC Youth Forum and past forums, all youth must be given the opportunity to partake in this conversation. ECOSOC should enact an extensive campaigning effort to inform as many youths as possible about the SDGs and their important role in their achievement. By utilizing the platform social media provides, ECOSOC should take advantage of the prevalence of technology in the global community by promoting this initiative and holding online feedback forums. Additionally, as a nation, Vietnam adopted the Youth Development Strategy in 2011 which emphasizes shaping a highly educated and skilled youth ready for the workforce.[3] Vietnam recommends working with UN bodies such as UNICEF, UNDP, and UNESCO to develop similar frameworks for youth globally that include the SDGs as active goals. ECOSOC regional commissions may discuss the development of frameworks targeted to the specific needs of their member states. Through these means, youth become aware that SDGs are beneficial to them and will be more inclined to achieve them.
II. Coordinating the Response and Management of Migration and Refugee Problems
As there are more than 200 million internally displaced peoples (IDPs) and refugees worldwide, effective response management for this crisis is required.[4] In 2015, the UN established the SDGs with no goal pertaining to the refugee crisis.[5] However, this does not mean that a solution cannot be sought out. Many of the SDGs have targets that certainly can aid in the management of this crisis such as 1.a, 9.1, 16.1, and 16.3. Vietnam would also like to emphasize that member states may accept refugees and IDPs or aid in this effort at their own discretion. Moreover, the international community should encourage unity in the management of these crises. Every member state that is willing may donate a certain amount of money based on economic indicators such as GDP, so as not to prove burdensome on the nation, to the UNHCR. Willing states may also accept a certain number of refugees also based on these economic indicators so as not to present a burden. Furthermore, the CMM must occur more often to discuss specific solutions for management of these crises. The meetings must be more specific and any suggestions drafted must be brought before ECOSOC for further discussion and implementation when possible. Lastly, ECOSOC regional commissions can provide diplomatic processes for conflict torn countries where refugees mainly stem from. They may invite participating parties and act as an intermediate negotiating body to solve the conflict. Together, these solutions will provide for more effective crisis management and response.
III. Encouraging Gender Equality Within the Development of Sustainable Industrialization
Gender equality must be aggressively pursued and achieved to move forward as a society. SDG 5 makes this reality very clear and Vietnam is determined to aid the achievement of this SDG.[6] Vietnam wholeheartedly supports and promotes the achievement of gender equality and has actively implemented policies, such as the Socio-Economic Development Plan for 2016-2020, that implement gender perspectives.[7] Women ought to be provided equal opportunity in industry as well. As a community, we must aim to build on past framework such as the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women as well as recent calls for gender mainstreaming.[8][9] Member States should be encouraged to commit to uphold these agreements and utilize them as the foundation for individual programs within their own nations that fit their own needs. Moreover, member states must feel inclined to invest necessary and proper resources into education for their people as well as adopt an individual goal to achieve in conjunction with the SDGs that specifically entails a 30% improvement of the status of women in their economies indicated by: wages, number of women employed, number of women in government, number of women educated at the secondary level or beyond, and lastly number of women in field not traditionally dominated by women. This committee should focus on collaborating with the Commission on the Status of Women as well to collect all necessary information and data and manage this initiative.
[1]"Youth Population and Sustainable Development." Population and Development Review 22.2 (1996): 391. Web. 15 Oct. 2016.
[2]"Sustainable Development Goals .:. Sustainable Development Knowledge Platform." UN News Center. UN, n.d. Web. 15 Oct. 2016. <
[3] "Permanent Mission of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam." Permanent Mission of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Oct. 2016. <
[4]"UNHCR Global Appeal 2016-2017 - Responding to Emergencies." UNHCR News. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Oct. 2016. < encies.html>.
[5]"Sustainable Development Goals .:. Sustainable Development Knowledge Platform." UN News Center. UN, n.d. Web. 15 Oct. 2016. <
[6] "Goal 5 .:. Sustainable Development Knowledge Platform." UN News Center. UN, n.d. Web. 15 Oct. 2016. <
[7]"Permanent Mission of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam." Permanent Mission of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Oct. 2016. <
[8] "Major Resolutions." UN Women. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Oct. 2016. <
[9] "United Nations Official Document." UN News Center. UN, n.d. Web. 15 Oct. 2016. <