Despite the fact that time is ticking, she said, the paradigm shift from the Millennium Development Goals to Sustainable Development Goals is not yet complete.

By MARYA SALAMAT
Bulatlat.com

MANILA – The end of the first half of President Rodrigo Duterte’s term happens to coincide this year with the first review of progress of every country’s efforts to meet the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It is a set of 17 growth and inclusion targets globally agreed upon by United Nations’ member governments. Taking off from the MDGs (Millennium Development Goals), its announced ultimate goal is to “leave no one behind” by 2030.
The first review covers about four years since the goals were globally set and agreed upon. It covers the entire length of time the Duterte administration has been in power after also having promised some change in the people’s lives.

Across the Asia-Pacific, fellow governments are citing this week their initial successes and laid-down mechanics to “localize” and meet the goals.

At the regional gathering of inputs for the first global review this year, the United Nations Economic and Social Commission in Asia Pacific (UN ESCAP) opened in Bangkok this Wednesday March 27, 2019 the Asia Pacific Forum on Sustainable Development (APFSD). The Duterte administration sent as representative Ms Rosemarie Edillon, undersecretary at the National Economic Development Authority who, last year, stirred up an outcry when she estimated a “hypothetical” example of P10,000 for a family’s needs.

On the first day of the forum, UN Deputy Secretary General Amina Muhammad cited the rising inequality among the population of Asia Pacific, home of the biggest number of the world’s billionaires yet most people lack access to social services.

Despite the fact that time is ticking, she said, the paradigm shift from the MDG to SDG is not yet complete.

Presence of vibrant civil society organizations

Muhammad’s fighting words at the opening of the Asia Pacific Forum on Sustainable Development are amplified and preceded by unity statements from more than 200 civil society organizations and people’s movement that gathered for three days in Bangkok to conduct their independent assessment and attempt to make the SDGs work.

Dubbed as Asia Pacific Peoples’ Forum on Sustainable Development, they represented constituencies, sub-regions and thematic groups with their issues and struggles in the Asia-Pacific.

These groups have succeeded in adding a regional mechanism that injects the United Nations’ “system” with bits of lobbied calls and content. The UN is reportedly encouraging the formation of similar regional mechanisms to enrich the “engagement.”

The UNESCAP opened the forum with a report that admits “Additional action is imperative and the inclusion and participation of marginalized groups such as women and youth must be part of our response.”
On the other hand, for the peoples’ forum, the calls go beyond participation and “leave no one behind.” They pressed the UN system to take more action toward “development justice.”

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By JANESS ANN J. ELLAO
Bulatlat.com

MANILA – Heading to watch a film this month?

Gabriela Women’s Party, along with the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB), has recently launched video campaigns tackling the need to break common and unfair gender stereotypes.

Currently being aired on all cinemas nationwide are the three films titled, “Chase,” “Hostage,” and “Trapped” directed by Pam L. Reyes to “honor modern-day Gabrielas who are breaking stereotypes and social norms.” These were also made in partnership with award-winning ad agency Dentsu Jayme Syfu.

Gabriela Rep. Emmi de Jesus said in a statement sent to Bulatlat, “These materials are very important, especially now that those in power have poor regards to women. More Filipinos should watch these.”

De Jesus said Gabriela initially thought of coming up with a video that highlights “the positive qualities of women and the need to break the dominant stereotypes.” She added that after several discussions with Dentsu Jayme Syfu, the agency came up with “an impressive storyboard consisting of three stand-alone short films.”

“It is simple but the important message is there,” she said, adding that the concept was presented to MTRCB Chairperson Rachel Arenas who agreed to shoot the videos.

Gabriela expressed hopes that the video campaign will still be aired even after the Women’s Month.

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