The trajectory of progress must change

Source:The Hindu

For Prelims: The G-20, The G7, Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), The McKinsey Global Institute, “Pixels of Progress: A granular look at human development around the world” Report,  LiFE (lifestyles for sustainable development), poorna swaraj.

For Mains: G20 Forum - Soloving Global Problems.

Highlights Of the Article:

• The G-20, led by India, has a crucial role in addressing global issues and creating equitable solutions for 90% of the world's population outside the G7.
• Global governance is facing challenges due to wars among nations, financial and trade conflicts, and increasing precarity for millions of people seeking better lives.
• The trajectory of progress must change to achieve sustainable and equitable economic growth. The planet's health is at risk, and traditional models of growth are not solving the world's problems.
• India, as chair of the G-20, advocates the vision of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (One Earth, One Family, One Future) to unite all citizens for a better world.
• The current approach to global problem-solving is flawed, and a new paradigm is required for effective global governance.
• The UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) adopted in 2015 address complex combinations of environmental, social, and economic problems worldwide.
• The McKinsey Global Institute's report, "Pixels of Progress," highlights the importance of local solutions to address the diverse realities on the ground, going beyond country-level statistics and GDP growth.
• India proposes the LiFE approach (lifestyles for sustainable development) to the G-20, emphasizing cooperation among stakeholders and recognizing the role of local communities in supporting sustainable living. Additionally, achieving "poorna swaraj" (full freedom) for citizens requires stronger local governance.

Context:

The context of the article revolves around the G-20 Summit, which is being led by India, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi playing a significant role. The article discusses the challenges faced by global governance and the need for a change in the trajectory of progress to achieve sustainable and equitable economic growth.

UPSC EXAM NOTES ANALYSIS:

1. Challenges in Global Governance:

• The article starts by acknowledging the G-20's crucial role in addressing global issues and providing equitable solutions to the majority of the world's population outside the G7.
• It highlights the various challenges faced by global governance, such as wars among nations, financial and trade conflicts, and the increasing precarity of millions of people seeking better lives and safety.
• The traditional model of economic growth is criticized as being unsustainable and unable to solve the world's problems effectively.

2. The Call for a Paradigm Shift:

• The article argues that a change in the trajectory of progress is necessary to achieve sustainable and equitable economic growth. It stresses the urgency of the situation, with climate change advancing rapidly and rich countries unwilling to find equitable solutions.
• The UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), adopted by all countries in 2015, are highlighted as a roadmap for addressing complex environmental, social, and economic problems. However, the article acknowledges that standard solutions may not fit all countries due to their unique challenges and situations.
• The McKinsey Global Institute's report, "Pixels of Progress," is mentioned as it emphasizes the importance of local solutions in addressing ground realities, beyond country-level statistics and GDP growth.

3. India's Approach and the Importance of Local Governance:

• The article discusses India's vision of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (One Earth, One Family, One Future) and its commitment to unite all citizens for a better world.
• India proposes the LiFE approach (lifestyles for sustainable development) to the G-20, emphasizing cooperation among stakeholders at all levels and the recognition of local communities' role in supporting sustainable lifestyles.
• The importance of democracy and local governance is highlighted. The article argues that true democracy requires government of, for, and by the people, where the citizens themselves actively participate in decision-making processes.

4.Conclusion:

The article concludes by pointing out that the success of the G-20 Summit and the vision of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam lie in the adoption of a new paradigm for global governance. It calls for greater emphasis on local solutions, cooperation, and empowerment of local communities to effectively address the diverse challenges faced by humanity. The urgent need to change the trajectory of progress to achieve sustainability and equity is emphasized, with the hope that leaders worldwide will respond to the call for action.