SOCHUM

A PERSON CENTERED APPROACH TO THE ACHIEVEMENT OF THE

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS

BACKGROUND GUIDE
SAIMUN 2020
SAIMUN 2020 SOCHUM

Letter from the Dias

Greetings Dear Delegates,

I am very delighted to welcome you to the Main Conference of the 4th Session of The Sub Saharan
International Model United Nations, and more specifically to the 3rd Committee of the General
Assembly on Social, Humanitarian and Cultural Issues. My name is Eileen Ayieko and I will be
your 2020 SOCHUM chair.

The purpose of this background guide is to help you focus on relevant areas of research as you
prepare for the debate. In marking the emergence of a new decade and there is an undeniable need
to embrace the sustainable goals even more by the youth. When young people are empowered with
the knowledge of their rights and equipped with leadership skills, they can drive change in their
communities and countries. Our topic has been carefully selected and relevantly relates to the
theme which is based on Youth Leadership to actualize and sustain the Sustainable Development
Goals. Therefore, we shall discuss “A person centered approach to the achievement of the
sustainable development goals”

It is our sincere hope that this background guide will assist you in your research, as we look
forward to an active, engaging, fruitful and fun Conference week.

See you at the Conference!

Best Wishes,

SOCHUM Chair.

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As stated, the theme for the 4th Session of the Sub-Saharan International Model United Nations is
Youth Leadership to actualize and sustain the Sustainable development goals, which is in line with
SDG 10 – Reduced Inequality. In the upcoming Conference, the 3rd Committee shall discuss “A
person centered approach to the achievement the sustainable development goals.”

Statement of the Problem

The international community has made significant strides towards lifting people out of poverty.
The most vulnerable nations – the least developed countries, the landlocked developing countries
and the small island developing states – continue to make inroads into poverty reduction.
However, inequality persists and large disparities remain regarding access to health and education
services and other assets.

There is growing consensus that economic growth is not sufficient to reduce poverty if it is not
person-centered and if it does not involve the three dimensions of sustainable development –
economic, social and environmental1.

Part of being young involves making sense of personal experiences and asking questions about the
world. Youth have the capacity to identify and challenge existing power structures and barriers to
change, and to expose contradictions and biases. Youth-led organizations and networks, in
particular, should be supported and strengthened, because they contribute to the development of
civic leadership skills among young people, especially marginalized youth. (insert photo for
context)

1
https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/inequality/

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History/Past UN Actions

Sustainable development has been defined as development that meets the needs of the present
without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. The plan of
implementation elaborates poverty eradication, changing unsustainable patterns of production and
consumption and protecting and managing the natural resource base of economic and social
development and environmental protection.

The very first principle of the Rio Declaration is that humans are at the center of concerns for
sustainable development2. They are entitled to a healthy and productive life in harmony with
nature3. The ICPD Program of Action reiterates this principle and explains that ‘’people are the
most important and valuable resource of every nation. Countries should ensure that all individuals
are given the opportunity to make the most of their potential”4. This means that sustainable
development policies and programs must reflect what is best for the person. Furthermore they must
be in conformity with human rights and fundamental freedoms and consistent with national laws
and cultural and religious values5. insert photo for context)

Social development necessitates a society that respects the family as an essential component of
sustainable development and ensures that the fundamental needs of all persons are met 6.

The family is the basic unit of society, wherein the human person receives a foundational education
rooted in the knowledge of self- worth, and has a primary role in nurturing the human person
toward achieving his or her full potential. For social development to be sustainable, the
fundamental needs of the person must be met, including access to clean water and sanitation,
nutrition, basic health care, housing and education.

2
Rio Declaration, Principle 1, Report of the United Nation conference on Environment and Development, Annex I,
U.N. Doc. A/CONF.151/Rev.1 (Vol. I) ,(Aug 12,1992)
3
Ibid
4
ICPD Report, Ch. I, Re. 1, Annex, Principle 2, U.N. Doc. A/CONF.171/13/Rev. 1, (Oct 18,19994)
5
Report on the World Summit on Sustainable Development, U.N. Doc. A/CONF.199/20
6
https://www.wya.net/publications/declarations/declaration-on-sustainable-development/

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Sustainable economic development depends on investment in human capital. Our greatest resource
is the tremendous potential of the human person. The person has the capacity to develop the
knowledge, skills, and creativity to achieve economic development7. Economic development can
be achieved through education, vocational training, the promotion of entrepreneurship, innovation
and trade, a greater investment in the creation of employment and a more efficient and creative
use of resources8. Furthermore, good governance is imperative for social, political, economic and
environmental conditions to be conducive to the flourishing of each person. The critical
importance of economic growth and maintenance that human flourishing is the ultimate goal of
sustainable development9. insert photo for context)

There exist pressing environmental issues that require human solutions. There is need to emphasize
the importance of long-term environmental measures and solutions aimed at ensuring the health
and well-being of present and future generations. Each person possesses the capacity to improve
the natural environment. Because of this potential, the view of the growing global population not
as a threat, but an opportunity to meet the challenges of a changing world with innovation and
invention. Standing in solidarity with all people from both developed and developing nations, in
affirming that responsible stewardship of the earth is the duty of each person.

Sustainable development can be achieved only through a person-centered approach to each of its
social, economic, and environmental pillars. Upholding the dignity of the person must be the
primary goal of sustainable development and the means by which we create a sustainable world.

7
Ibid
8
ibid
9
Ibid

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Latest Development

There exists a corporate rights regime that is rapidly proliferating through trade and investment
treaties that has enabled corporations to restrict policy space by giving them the tools to sue
governments when public policy threatens profits.

There is lack of binding mechanisms to hold corporations accountable for human rights abuses.

Austerity and debt servicing measures, which starve public coffers and restrict public spending on
social services and infrastructure.

There is persistence in skewed spending priorities and failure to allocate public resources to the
public services and public goods required for healthy and sustainable communities10. insert photo
for context)

10
https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/content/documents/15949People
Centered%20Means%20of%20Implementation.pdf

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Questions a Resolution should answer

1. What does it mean to have a person centered approach to the successful implementation of
the SDGs?
2. What is the role of the family in economic development?
3. In what ways can the economy serve society and environment and not the other way
around?
4. In what way can SOCHUM ensure that SDG 10 is achieved through a person centered
approaches?
5. How can SOCHUM best ensure the youth’s participation in the achievement of the SDGs?

Works Cited

1. https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/inequality/
2. Rio Declaration, Principle 1, Report of the United Nation conference on Environment and
Development, Annex I, U.N. Doc. A/CONF.151/Rev.1 (Vol. I) ,(Aug 12,1992)
3. ICPD Report, Ch. I, Re. 1, Annex, Principle 2, U.N. Doc. A/CONF.171/13/Rev. 1, (Oct
18,19994)
4. Report on the World Summit on Sustainable Development, U.N. Doc. A/CONF.199/20
5. https://www.wya.net/publications/declarations/declaration-on-sustainable-development/
6. https://unstats.un.org/sdgs/report/2019/The-Sustainable-Development-Goals-Report-
2019.pdf.
7. https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/content/documents/15949People
Centered%20Means%20of%20Implementation.pdf