Sustainable Development Final Essays

Course Year: 2023-2023

Student Name: Thai Ngo
Chosen Topic: A. Choose 3 goals out of 17 Sustainable Goals of the UN, which you think are
important for you/ your generation/your country. Explain why you chose them and what should
be done/you could do to make them real.
Introduction
In the modern world teeming with complexity and interdependence, the urgency to achieve
sustainable development has never been greater. And as a fervent advocate for the planet's
prosperity, I find myself drawn to the Sustainable goals of the UN, an ambitious blueprint for
future generations to follow. Among these goals, particular three aspirations resonate the most
with the core of my being: No Hunger, Quality Education and Climate Action.
The pursuit of these goals transcends many younger generations. It required us to collectively
join hands and create a future in which hunger is eliminated, education is accessible for all and
a more harmonized climate between humankind and the planet. In this draft, I will outline the
reason behind the selection of “no hunger, quality education and climate action” as a priority
for my generation and offer practical solutions to transform these ambitions into tangible
reality.

No Hunger
Hunger remains a distressing reality for millions of people worldwide, despite living in a world
of abundance. The United Nations defines hunger as a severe physical condition caused by
insufficient dietary intake. In 2017, approximately 821 million people faced food insecurity, with
151 million children experiencing stunting and 12.5% of adults being obese. 1 This crisis not only
affects individuals but also undermines sustainable development at the country and community
levels. This section will focus on two key drivers of hunger: food inequality and conflict.
Food inequality plays a paradoxical role in the hunger crisis. While the planet has the capacity to
produce enough food, inequality remains the primary driver of food insecurity. Studies have
shown a strong correlation of 70% between food security and personal income, emphasizing
the close link between hunger and poverty.2 The COVID-19 pandemic has further exacerbated
the hunger crisis by restricting trade flows, increasing food prices, and widening food inequality.
Addressing this issue requires reducing poverty through sustainable economic development,
social protection initiatives, and fair resource allocation, including land distribution and
agricultural inputs.
1
“Sustainable Development Goals: United Nations Development Programme.” UNDP. Accessed June 15, 2023.
https://www.undp.org/sustainable-development-goals/zero-hunger?
gclid=Cj0KCQjw7PCjBhDwARIsANo7CgnyyPo0n6_GnWVIfch390pgUXUbr7T9HKapLS6JlWH94Z29XNmXlgMaAu8ZEALw_wcB.
2
Roberts, Joanna. “Inequality, Not Unavailability, Is the Main Driver of Food Insecurity .” Horizon Magazine, May 6, 2015.
Accessed June 15, 2023 https://ec.europa.eu/research-and-innovation/en/horizon-magazine/inequality-not-unavailability-main-
driver-food-insecurity-prof-johan-swinnen.
Conflict serves as the second significant driver of hunger, perpetuating a vicious cycle that
worsens the plight of vulnerable populations. Around 70% of the world's hungry people reside
in areas affected by armed conflict. Countries like Yemen and South Sudan exemplify the
catastrophic effects of prolonged conflict on food security. The civil war in South Sudan has led
to mass displacement and abandoned agricultural crops, leaving 7.2 million people in a severe
food crisis. The interruption of farming operations and the collapse of regional marketplaces
have created limited access to essential food supplies for affected communities. Resolving
conflicts and promoting peace is crucial for breaking this cycle and addressing the underlying
causes of hunger.
Collectiveness is a crucial value in sustainable development, ensuring that no one is left behind.
Building a world without hunger is an ethical and invaluable goal for our generation. Despite
Vietnam's strong agricultural economy, and being a top producer of rice, the country still faces a
concerning hunger rate, with approximately 10% of the population experiencing hunger. 3 As
individuals, we can contribute by being mindful of our dietary intake, ensuring it is sufficient and
sustainable. However, it is equally important to support those in need through voluntary
awareness campaigns and donations to combat hunger.

Quality Education
Quality education is crucial for me, my generation, and my country - Vietnam. Despite
significant progress in achieving universal primary education since 2000, there are still
challenges to overcome. In developing regions, the enrollment rate reached 91% in 2015, and
the number of out-of-school children worldwide has dropped by almost half. 4 Literacy rates
have improved, and more girls have access to education. However, disparities persist due to
poverty, conflicts, and emergencies.
In Vietnam, quality education is essential for the country's development. While there has been
notable progress, disparities exist, particularly in rural areas and among the poorest
households. By prioritizing inclusive and quality education, we can ensure that all girls and boys
have the opportunity to complete primary and secondary schooling by 2030. This goal also aims
to eliminate gender and wealth disparities and provide affordable vocational training and
universal access to quality higher education.
Education is a powerful vehicle for sustainable development. It empowers individuals, promotes
social and economic progress, and contributes to reducing inequality. By investing in quality
education, we can equip future generations with new technology and up-to-date education. As
an individual, it is important to be knowledgeable and open to sharing with others, such
platforms like YouTube and other social media is a great way to share our unique experience. A
condensed and informational 5-minute blog or video can go a long way to help broader
communities.

3
Thelwell, Kim. “What to Know about Hunger in Vietnam.” The Borgen Project, September 1, 2020. Accessed June 15, 2023
https://borgenproject.org/hunger-in-vietnam/.
4
“Sustainable Development Goals: United Nations Development Programme.” UNDP. Accessed June 15, 2023.
https://www.undp.org/sustainable-development-goals/quality-education?
gclid=Cj0KCQjw7PCjBhDwARIsANo7CgnyyPo0n6_GnWVIfch390pgUXUbr7T9HKapLS6JlWH94Z29XNmXlgMaAu8ZEALw_wcB.
Climate Action
Lastly, Climate action is one of the three prominent goals when comes to my choice of UN
development goals. The drastic effects of climate change are evident worldwide, with
greenhouse gas emissions exceeding 50% of 1990 levels.5 The consequences of global warming
are leading to long-lasting climate system changes, posing irreversible threats if left
unaddressed. The economic losses from climate-related disasters amount to hundreds of
billions of dollars annually, impacting nations globally. Additionally, 91% of geophysical disasters
between 1998 and 2017 were climate-related, resulting in the loss of 1.3 million lives and 4.4
billion injuries.6
By supporting vulnerable regions, we not only contribute to achieving the climate action goal
but also advance progress across other “Sustainable Development Goals”. It is crucial to
integrate disaster risk measures, sustainable resource management, and human security into
national development strategies. This necessitates strong political will, increased investment,
and the utilization of existing technology.
As for Vietnam, this goal couldn’t be further from the truth, as one of the fastest-growing
economies, the country will inevitably face climate issues in the future. Therefore, the nation
needs to invest in more sustainable products and services. One of the most powerful
investment trends in the southeast region is ESG, where investment and government funds can
find many opportunities to be responsible and conduct a long-term investments for its citizens.
Our generation can also make an impact through lifestyle choices, supporting environmentally
friendly products and influencing companies' ESG policies. Taking individual actions and
accountability is vital for a sustainable future.

In conclusion, the goals of No Hunger, Quality Education, and Climate Action are immensely
important for my generation, my country, and the world. These goals address pressing
challenges that require urgent attention. By eradicating hunger, providing quality education for
all, and taking climate action, we can create a brighter future. Governments, organizations, and
individuals must work together and take concrete steps towards achieving these goals. Let us
join forces to ensure that no one is left behind, and together, we can build a sustainable and
equitable world for everyone.

5
“Sustainable Development Goals: United Nations Development Programme.” UNDP. Accessed June 15, 2023.
https://www.undp.org/sustainable-development-goals/climate-action?
gclid=Cj0KCQjw7PCjBhDwARIsANo7CgnyyPo0n6_GnWVIfch390pgUXUbr7T9HKapLS6JlWH94Z29XNmXlgMaAu8ZEALw_wcB.
6
Ibid.