Read the articles selected in October 2017
“It’s too easy to insulate yourself”-Davos leaders reflect on social divides
by Stéphanie Thomson
Source: https://www.weforum.org/
The World Economic Forum has underlined the importance of leaving aside messages of divisions and despair, an easy solution to the failure of politics that has completely lost touch with the reality of a class-divided society and the everyday people struggling to have a say in the decisions that affect them.
Read more:
https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2017/01/davos-populism-globalization-social-divides/
19th CPC National Congress: Xi’s report to 19th CPC National Congress
Source: http://www.asvis.it, 19 October
At the recent CPC National Congress President Xi Jinping has announced a new Chinese era, a socialism inspired by the 2030 Agenda’s ecological and social principles but with Chinese characteristics. A programme which though not mentioning the human rights imagines a shared humankind future.
Read more:
http://au.china-embassy.org/eng/sgfyrth/t1502969.htm
Mind the gap. Il distacco tra politiche e città
Source: http://www.asvis.it/
The gap between institutions and cities is a problem but also an incentive to innovation for the necessarily established government forms. This Report, elaborated in a university environment, for its proper vocation to recognize the signals of change, means to carry out a leap in political planning.
From sea to rising sea: climate change in America
by Leah Burrows
Source: https://green.harvard.edu/
Whether we believe in climate change and its catastrophic future, or not, we have first to account for the immediate consequences of increasing temperatures on our health. A communication well-done of scientific evidence can change regulations and the course of the world.
Read more:
https://www.seas.harvard.edu/content/from-sea-to-rising-sea-climate-change-in-america
United Nations Day 24 October
Source: http://www.un.org
In his message for 2017, UN Secretary–General António Gutierrez evokes the strength of the willingness to overcome the many grave challenges the world is to face, from conflicts and nuclear wars to inequalities and extreme weather. But all these threats are our collective destiny.
Read more:
http://www.un.org/en/events/unday/messages.shtml
Mondi a parte
Source: http://www.asvis.it, 18 October
Social injustices affect whole economies and nations. Inequalities are not only a question of income but also of equal access to fundamental rights. Women’ reproductive health, the prevention of unwelcome and teenage pregnancies, as well child marriages, are a milestone for sustainable development.
Migrazioni, sicurezza alimentare e politiche di cooperazione
Source: http://www.asvis.it/, 12 October
Helping the economy of a poor country is a too easy solution for mass migrations, that have deeper and also traumatic drivers and triggers. After this report, the migratory politics of European institutions are blocked in an impasse because they don’t enhance the positive aspects of the flows.
Preventing Ageing Unequally
Source: http://www.oecd.org/, 18 October
With the increasing average of aged people across OECD countries, reduced pension outcomes, unemployment and low earning experienced in the working age, some groups of future retirees will have to face with dramatic life conditions. This report proposes a strategy of action.
Read more:
Will Italy’s ominous supervolcano erupt soon?
by Barbie Latza Nadeau
Source: https://www.scientificamerican.com, 12 October
Phlegrean Fields are a network of craters stretched under Naples metropolitan area, whose eruptions in the past have caused catastrophic global events. Although scientists fear an imminent explosion, unlike for earthquakes, for volcanoes there are precursors that they monitor at any time.
Read more:
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/will-italy-rsquo-s-ominous-supervolcano-erupt-soon/
Cancer du sein: pour un dépistage génétique
by Anne Prigent
Source: Le Figaro, 13 October
The association BRCA France is engaged for the extension of the BRCA1 e BRCA2 genetic texts to all the women affected by a metastatic tumor. The genetic research saves the life of one woman out of four bearing the mutation, responsible for breast and ovary cancer.
See attached
The Pursuit of Gender Equality
Source: http://www.asvis.it/ 4 October
Despite the heightened awareness of gender inequalities, gender gaps persist at every level of development, in both public and private life, as well in the workplace. Female education is crucial but not enough to eliminate inequities and cultural barriers. Violence against women is still a widespread issue.
Read more:
We’re facing the possibility of antibiotic apocalypse-this is how it could be stopped
by Carel Du Marchie Sarvaas
Source: The Independent, 9 October
The health of humans and animals are intrinsically linked. The animal health industry is developing new vaccines, diagnostics, and nutritional supplements to reduce the use of antibiotics and tackle the most dangerous drug-resistant disease risks. This global health emergency needs cooperation and innovation.
Gardening
by Adrian Higgins
Source: The Washington Post, 5 October
A new book co-edited by 30 experts in disparate fields shows how different the human existence could be, compared to today, if in the urbanization of the planet we hold our touch with nature, other species and venerated the green spaces as citizens, institutions, and the marketplace.
Students aiding the environment
by Katie Hammer
Source: https://green.harvard.edu/ 15 September
Five undergraduate women at Harvard College tell their holiday spent doing research abroad by local communities about ecological problems and sustainable development, experienced with a human and interdisciplinary approach which proposes solutions with both practical and political implications.
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Shunning fossil fuels, 40 Catholic groups seek climate action
by Alister Doyle
Source: Scientific American, 3 October
A coalition of 40 Roman Catholic groups inspired by the figure of Saint Francis and the Encyclical Laudato Si of Pope Francis is urging action to disinvest from fossil fuels and prepare the financial conditions for a carbon-neutral economy.
Read more:
L’Italia e gli Obiettivi di Sviluppo Sostenibile
Source: http://www.asvis.it
This Report by Asvis assesses the condition of Italy as regards the several themes of the 2030 Agenda, in order to accelerate the cultural and legislative change needed to fill the gap with the other European countries and to eliminate the wide inequalities present in our country.
Prevalence and Correlates of Food Insecurity among Children across the Globe
Source: http://www.unicef-irc.org
Ending hunger and achieving food security in the world needs a more comprehensive understanding of food security, assessed in more differentiated dimensions and in the nutritional and not nutritional consequences on child growth. The study includes also rich countries.
The Microbiome, Diet and Health
Source: http://www.oecd.org, 22 September
The achieved scientific understanding of the role played by microbiome, diet, and nutrition in the development of complex diseases is expected to lead to innovative approaches and policies on science, to new regulatory frameworks on food and focused clinical and research programming.
Sociotechnical transitions for deep decarbonisation
by Frank W. Geels, Benjamin K. Sovacool, Tim Schwanen & Steve Sorrel
Source: Science, 22 September
Deep and rapid decarbonization depends on country-specific political dynamics and cultural discourses, industry strategies, as well civil society pressures, in order to legitimate low-carbon policies. A technological transition should integrate different systems phasing out backward structures progressively.
Read more:
http://science.sciencemag.org/content/357/6357/1242.full
Reducing antimicrobial use in food animals
by Thomas P. Van Boeckel etc.
Source: http://www.oecd.org/
The rise in drug-resistant infections in animals and humans has been linked to the inappropriate use of antimicrobials in livestock. The combination of regulations to limit it, a low meat animals diet and increased costs can achieve meaningful results for global health.
Read more:
http://science.sciencemag.org/content/357/6358/1350.full
Worldwide Educating for the Future Index
Source: The Economist
A new educational model is needed to prepare students for a quickly changing digital and automated world, which requires both creative and analytical skills grounded on a strong linguistic and scientific literacy. Education links knowledge to the society. The priority to education is a mark for a future-ready policy.
Reflection paper on harnessing globalisation
Source: https://ec.europa.eu
Through globalization we have discovered the world, exchanging goods and ideas. To cope with the challenges of our day, from migration flows to terrorism, from financial crisis to epidemics or climate change, the world needs more knowledge, and knowledge is spurred by global cooperation.
Reflection paper on the social dimension of Europe
Source: https://ec.europa.eu
Meeting the hopes and expectations of European citizens doesn’t mean just to distribute the benefits of economic growth fairly. Technological change and the society of knowledge can create new forms of poverty and exclusion. Fostering equal opportunities in education is a matter of social justice and cohesion.
President Jean-Claude Junker’s State of the Union Address 2017
Source: http://www.eua.be/
Europe is first of all a Union of freedom, from oppression and to give voice your opinion. Europe protects the intellectual property, the cultural diversity, gives cultural life to solidarity. Europe’s law tradition has set up the Paris Climate Agreement.
Fedeli, ecco le venti azioni per l’educazione sostenibile
by Giulia D’Agata
Source: http://www.asvis.it
The sustainable development starts from education because it requires skills and a change of mentality.The plan for the education to sustainability by the Italian minister of Education has adopted the 2030 Agenda’s Goals in a wide cross programme addressed to the all actors of education as citizens of the country.
Read more: