Re-orienting Irish perspectives on

global development towards sustainable

human development

Su-ming KhooRyan Institute

Cluster for Environment, Development & Sustainability (CEDS)

NUI Galway

Irish perspectives on global development

Global development stance reflects Ireland’s own development trajectory• ‘Network’ developmental state (O’Riain 2004; 2009)

‘Late’, progressive and rapid ODA growth 1993-2008, decline – cuts Historical preponderance of missionary/charity sector

• Strong state partnerships with FBOs, NGOs CSOs (25% ODA) • Fit with private sector/ social enterprise?

Narrow view of expertise ? topics/countries; RBM Underdeveloped endogenous public good research

• reliance on multilateral networks, consultancy Policy networker/ broker – progressive ‘like-minded’ donor group

Ireland - Priority topics and approaches

Global Health: vertical disease focus (malaria, HIV, TB) balanced with broader systems/ equity approaches , maternal and child health

Humanitarian/ Disaster: ‘fragility’ vs. risk reduction and resilience Gender equality – ‘gender mainstreaming’, economics, GBV Consortium. Hunger/Agriculture – Broad ambitions : sustainable livelihoods? climate

adaptation? Narrow focus - nutrition, value-chain – focus on specific partnerships/foods, includes global public good crop research (CGIAR)

Water and sanitation - community/participatory approaches (governance)

Education - monitoring, assessment (EFA), child protection. • Refocus on quality issues and higher education

Climate change a stated priority, but....??? 9 IA ‘Key Partner’ countries – Ethiopia, Mozambique, Malawi, Zambia,

Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Uganda, Lesotho, Vietnam

(Un)Sustainable Human Development Global debate on UN SD Goals has not resolved basic contradictions SD concept has faltered, failing to link ecosystems, human needs/well-

being/rights and social development Alternative approaches to understanding, measuring and doing SD are not

widely understood or utilised Happy Planet Index shows that only 5 countries are near SHD

• NO country has succeeded across all 3 goals of health and well-being, within environmental limits (NEF 2012).

Threshold concepts/measures not integrated• ‘Safe operating space’

Limited recognition for ‘vulnerable groups’ - indigenous, women, poor• Mitigation strategies for the well-off not connected to adaptations for poor • Neglect how whole societies plan, account, produce, build, transport,

consume Neglect Middle Income countries (5/7 Billion, 73% of world’s poor)

Future Earth: Science and Development Integrated knowledge for climate change, food, water, health,

shelter, biodiversity and ecosystems (inter trans-disciplinary) Needed: conceptual work and indicators, theory and data

• Human, natural and social capital stocks, flows and critical thresholds,• Conceptually linked with human deprivations, rights, wellbeing,

participation Problems concern social distributions/equity/justice

• Ethical, political and cultural perspectives are basic topics Redress over-emphasis on ‘old economics’ measures /methods

• vis-a-vis ‘New economics’ - natural and social stocks and flows A fundamental challenge - turning around the Anthropocene

• To reach a safe operating space for humanity• Addressing basic needs deprivation, injustice, peace• Conserving and restoring livelihood systems in their ecological context

Broaden social sciences tools and approaches

Economic valuation....but also alternative measures Behavioural approaches...but also collective and

political action Public goods and commons Legal and rights-based approaches Ethical perspectives – wisdom, justice, relationships Sociological and cultural analysis – the symbolic and

communicative domains Don’t forget educational theory and practice

Five messages for Anthropocene science

Sustainable human development requires a new ecology of practice bridging science and society

Develop shared language and methodologies – mainstream SHD concepts, methods and measures within and across disciplines, in research, teaching and public communication

Move beyond survival/ humanitarian relief – towards visions and measures for environmental and human security, wellbeing, flourishing and thriving

Include middle income and urban, as well as rural livelihoods. Foster global solidarity and collective responsibility through

education, networking and capacity building

Mathare Valley, Kenya. © Crispin Hughes / Panos Pictures

Traditional biodiverse farming, Uttaranchal, India Poster for Environmental Pillar consultation, Galway Nov. 2013

80% of people in Gaza are in poverty, 75% receive food aid

Biodiverse horticulture in school gardens, Uganda

Livelihoods, Capabilities, Assets, Science, Networking, Education, Solidarity, People Transformation towards sustainable human development

Royal Irish Academy

Future Earth

General Discussion:

Chair - Professor Anna Davies, Trinity College Dublin, Chair of the Royal Irish Academy’s

Future Earth Organising Committee