Sustainable society with sustainable development was the key discussion topic at the 76th United Nations General assembly, which could be considered as one of the most unified gatherings of world leaders since its establishment in 1946. The speech of Mr. Charles Michel, the President of the European Council who addressed world leaders on behalf of the EU was one of the many that expressed the importance of health prevention, building resilience and unity while achieving sustainable development through the harmony between human race and the nature.
“COVID 19 has brought us back to the basics: life and human dignity. We have taken extraordinary decisions to fight this pandemic… But defeating it would not be enough. We must prevent the next one and build resilience with an international treaty on pandemics”.
President Michel at the 76th UN General Assembly
As Mr. Charles Michele has stated in his speech, COVID 19 has brought us back to the basics where life and dignity are considered as the most important factors of our survival, not only as individuals but also as a global community. Unfortunately, the current death toll from this deadly virus has surpassed 4.55 million while its economic, financial and social impacts are incalculable. Yes, the global vaccination programs are necessary for minimizing the death toll as well as the financial and social impacts that comes along with it. But is it enough to overcome the burden of this pandemic on societies that are already burden by existing health and social issues?
Australia for an example is a developed country with one of the greatest government supported health and welfare systems.
Yet, the following data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics provides only a glimpse of its financial burden with an annual health budget of $180 billion in 2016-17 Australia Bureau of Statistics [2019]. Causes of Death, Australia, 2018. – 1:4 Australians with a cancer – 2/3 population above normal weight [ 1:3 overweight & 1:3 Obese leaving 1:3 of Australians within normal weight] – 1 million hospital admissions due to CVD [ 11% of all hospitalizations]
In 2020 Victorian Government alone spent millions of dollars on mental health in an effort to support 1:5 Australians with mental health conditions that also included higher suicide rates among the young with an expectation of 25% increase during the earliest stages of COVID -19 pandemic.
As Mr. Michel stated, it is clear, that defeating it would not be enough especially under these circumstances. We must come together to prevent, build resilience and protect environment to rise above this challenge as a global community. Yes COVID-19 has brought us on our knees economically, socially and psychologically. But, it is inarguable that it has also led to a dramatic decrease in global carbon emission while providing us the opportunity to pause, think and evaluate our priorities; an opportunity for the young generation to work hand in hand with older generation to build a sustainable society through sustainable development, defined by UN as the “development that meet the needs of the present world without compromising the ability of the future generations to meet their own needs”.
A concept that sounds very modern
Yet practiced in ancient civilizations like Indus- valley also known as Mohenjodaro-Harappa dated back to 3300 BCE, which was not only known for its urban planning, elaborate drainage systems, water supply, craft and metallurgy but also for its political governance that valued equal opportunities to all citizens without hierarchy.
Nobel Prize Winner Mr. Muhammad Yunus dedicated his book ‘A World of Three Zeros’ “to the young generation, who will build a new civilization”; a civilization with zero poverty, zero carbon emission and good governance that protects basic human rights: right to access nutritional food, clean water, medication, shelter, cloths and education; The question on most of our minds including yours and mine is, where should we start? Because, it is not that we haven’t tried, but our efforts have not been unanimous keeping aside our differences.
Growing attention of modern researchers
For those who are familiar with Buddhism are unlikely to be surprised with the growing attention of modern researchers including economist, ecologist and scientist towards it; most likely due to the way it creates a happy, healthy, safe and fair society through a governance, which not only provides equal rights to men and women but also education and training to create a disciplined individual, who is considered as the foundation of community composed of culture, society, environment and economy that are considered by UNESCO as four dimensions to sustainable development, which are intertwined but not separated.
I believe this explains the secret behind its global existence for more than 2500 years while being a perfect social model for a sustainable society with sustainable developments.
At AROGYA PTY LTD, it is our mission to support the global vision of developing a sustainable society with healthy and happy individuals. “We kindly request you to join our “Heal with Buddhism” programs based on Theravada Buddhist teachings with the most practical approach to a sustainable society 12, 13, 14. We hope our programs could help you in creating a society that not only respect the rights of all being, but also live by example to protect them.
