Partnership for the Goals

By Emma Andrew

Rome was most certainly not built in a day, but they were most certainly working together every hour. And over the course of 1000 years, brick by brick, side by side, they built Rome, one of the greatest cities in human history. And now, in this present day, we’ve built a world where people are suffering less, living longer, and more interconnected than ever. Human’s greatest strength has been the ability to think critically and collaborate to achieve visions previously thought impossible. Ground-breaking technology has been developed, massive cities have sprung up around the globe, medical innovations have exceeded all previous expectations.We are each other’s best asset, and the key to our progress.

However, progress is not equal, as life inherently is unequal. As some regions of the world have reached pinnacles in their success, others have remained far behind. This inequality is at a crucial point, where either the gap between the developed and developing countries can widen or close, depending on how the developed countries decide to extend their success to those in need. There are various facets in which this can occur. These include mobilizing financial resources for developing countries, assisting developing countries in attaining debt sustainability, promoting sustainable technology to developing countries, and removing trade barriers for least developed countries. Various educational, economical, and political changes can be made in order to promote the success of developing countries.

The beginning of this change can be a shift in mindset. Instead of a “how much farther can we go”, perhaps we can pause and think “how can we bring others along with us.” In the last several hundred years, the world has drastically changed with the introduction of technology.

From then we have been moving forward with rapid speed, rarely stopping to even marvel at the lengths the world has changed. It is time to pause, as the developed countries are at a place now more than ever where they are stabilized and in a position to help those in need. This simple pause could be the catalyst for a great change towards a united world. Although a me-first attitude can be important, as a country needs to be able to help themselves before they can help someone else, the division of time doesn’t need to be all or nothing. It can take just a fraction of the efforts exerted by a country in its daily workings to be extended to developing countries.

A united world is a stronger world. With inclusive policies comes a framework for a planet that can grow forward together, instead of at odds with one another. Although conflicts will always arise, as people will always have their own interests, it is better to work towards a common cause rather than assume peace is unattainable. Although a perfect world might never be the end goal, a more peaceful world is a noble goal, and one I am positive is at our feet if we try for it.