The role of a law student towards Sustainable Development Goals (Speech)
Let me quote Mr. Antonio
Gutters Secretary General of the United Nations “The 2030 Agenda for
Sustainable Development is our agenda of hope. It is our contribution to that
fair globalization that we need. The Sustainable Development Goals make clear
our ambition and commitment. “
New, post-2015
development agenda: a set of 17 goals with 169 targets and further indicators
to be pursued by every UN member state until 2030.
The new development
framework has sought to improve on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in
breadth, complexity and applicability. Number of the stated objectives apply
beyond a specific sector to form fundamental building blocks for the agenda as
a whole.
The main theme of SDG is
that current generation can achieve everything without compromising the same
for the future generations and it is necessarily linked with the concept of
inter-generational equity.
The SDGs are ‘a plan of
action for people, planet and prosperity’. They seek to strengthen universal
peace in larger freedom. They are integrated and indivisible and seek to
balance the multiple dimensions of sustainable development: the economic,
social and environmental, aiming to achieve the human rights of all.
For example, a country’s
ability to combat hunger is directly connected to its policies on agricultural
system, its strategy for rural development, economic and income growth,
management of natural resources, level of infrastructure, natural disaster
mitigation plans, foreign policies and the health of its population, requiring
that many actors work together across and outside of government.
The shift towards more
inclusive development goals will now require transformative changes in the way
society deals, from the economy to life sciences to law, existing institutions
and systems of rules must remove the obstacles to sustainable development and
actively promote the achievement of the 17 Goals and 169 targets.
Robust legal systems
provide an essential pillar for success across all aspects of development: they
safeguard human rights, uphold the rule of law and ensure equality and non-discrimination
through a holistic approach.
Goal 16 is directly
related to the legal profession that reads
Promote peaceful and
inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for
all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels.
It is shortened to peace, justice and strong institutions.
Nestled under this goal
there are 12 targets and let me read some of them
16.3 Promote the rule of
law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice
for all
16.5 Substantially reduce
corruption and bribery in all their forms
16.6 Develop effective,
accountable and transparent institutions at all levels
16.9 By 2030, provide
legal identity for all, including birth registration
16.10 Ensure public
access to information and protect fundamental freedoms, in accordance with
national legislation and international agreements
16.B Promote and enforce
non-discriminatory laws and policies for sustainable development
Legal frameworks matter
for SDGs at all levels.
Despite these significant
legal challenges to the effective implementation of the SDGs, the global legal
community holds a unique position in the delivery of the new agenda through
enforcement of the rule of law. This community extends to lawyers involved in
advocacy, law reform, drafting of new legislation, legal education and in
providing legal assistance and representation.
A law student today will
definitely will be a lawyer tomorrow, then will be a one among those who creates
policies, and some will issue judgements. I request you to mindful of economic,
social and environmental factors at all times. Even when it involves with your
life events and celebrations. Coming back to the theme,
For the successful
implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals, their inclusion and
mainstreaming into national policies, plans and strategies will be crucial.
Without a doubt, the fulfilment of the pledge to “leave no one behind” will
also depend on how well the ones furthest behind will be taken into account
when drafting the required policies and plans. Goal 5 (gender equality), for
example, will be facilitated through the abolition of all forms of gender-based
discriminatory legislation and practices, and the implementation of effective
legal systems enabling the rights of women and girls to be heard and enforced. Goal 12 (responsible consumption) and Goal 7
(affordable and clean energy) similarly require internationally agreed legal
frameworks which further provide developing countries with the legal tools with
which to implement them.
I have read, “Justice
delayed is a justice denied”
According to the
statistics of Ministry of Justice more than Seven Hundred and twenty five Thousand
nine hundred forty four (725,944) court cases pending in Sri Lanka as at September,
2016 out of them Seven hundred twenty
three thousand seven hundred and eleven (723,711) were been carried over from
the previous years. Who can calculate the difference? Is it Two thousand two
hundred and thirty three (2233). In order to achieve a fair sustainable society
could Information and communication technology be the answer, as some people
suggest globally?
For example, I have read;
in the UK, the Local County Court Management System (LOCCS) is very efficient,
In Australia “Cyber Courts” use of technology in the legal arena extensively at
all stages and have demonstrated considerable reduction in delays as a result.
In Singapore the courts manage their time and resources optimally to achieve an
active, efficient and effective case management process. Are we using the
Information and Communication Technology sufficiently in Sri Lanka? I even read
if Artificial Intelligence and Data Science be used impartiality might be
maintained while saving time and human resources. However then there is responsibility
and accountability.
Accountability is needed in
all three branches of the Government. The legislative branch of government that
writes and passes legislation, the executive branch that makes sure that laws
are enforced and allocates necessary funding and the judicial branch (the court
system) which evaluates the laws passed by the legislative branch and
determines whether they comply with the Constitution should carry on the
process with a transparency and without being bias to any actor. Does it happen
with a holistic approach in the country? Are the people aware on their rights? Who
is responsible to make the people aware on the existing legal framework? It
reminds me of a landmark document UDHR.
This is the 70th
Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of the United Nations. Former UN
Secretary General Ban Ki Moon said “The 70th anniversary of the United Nations
is a timely opportunity to highlight its many and enduring achievements -- and
to strengthen our collective resolve to do more to promote peace and security,
sustainable development and human rights.” How can you make the people aware of
their rights. Specially the marginalized people? What are your strengths and do
you have innovation to find ways and means.
Building on the unique
global convening role of The United Nations and its mandate to serve the
world’s peoples, The Secretary General presented Youth 2030: The United Nations
Youth Strategy , aimed at guiding the entire UN-System, as it steps up its work
to empower young people to realize their full potential and stand up for their
rights and ensure their engagement and participation in the implementation,
review and follow-up of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
The Generation Unlimited
Partnership is launched as one of the first new actions of the UNYouth
Strategy. The partnership will contribute to delivering the UN Youth Strategy,
creating synergies across partners to mobilize support and maximize results for
young people in three areas - skills development, secondary education and
empowerment of girls. Also Youth voices are amplified to reinforce advocacy for
countries to transform the way which they engage young people and apply the
principles of meaningful and sustainable youth participation and engagement.
I believe I have shared
enough information now. As an information professional I do not believe in
holding the hand and take you thorough you the easy path. Instead I can show
you different paths and as youth you may find new ways to reach the
destination.
As Law Students now you
can think and explore the ways to promote and implement the SDGs in your own
communities. To Leave no one behind and to achieve Global Goals remember to see
the challenges and issues through Social, Economic and Environmental
perspective.
After all Sustainable
Development should not be a concept it should be a lifestyle .
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