SDG 16: Peace and Justice
Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels.
If we were to ask what the end goal of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) looks like, we might find that SDG16 sums it up and comes close to describing Shalom.
During the MDG campaign, Micah Challenge concluded that the Eight Goals were only reachable when there was good governance, no corruption, safety and security for communities to flourish in and fair, inclusive and just societies for all.
There are 12 targets linked to SDG16, which have been criticised as both too many, and too difficult to meaningfully measure. In Micah we feel that together we can make a difference, by:
Forming a Baseline: Understanding our government's and local authorities' current position on each target
Articulating a Vision: Reflecting together what we long for our country to attain
Acting Justly Together: exploring ways to move together towards this vision
For example, these are a few areas where Micah is currently involved in moving towards the SDG 16 targets:
1. Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere
Micah: we are hosting a regional consultation on integral mission in violent places, exploring the concept of Shalom and advocating towards this.
2. End abuse, exploitation, trafficking and all forms of violence against and torture of children
Micah: In 2014 held an Integral Mission and Freedom Consultation in Zambia and developed a Declaration
against Violence and Trafficking; working with members such as Restored and Paz y Esperanza to campaign against violence.
3. Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all
Micah: promoting members such as IJM and Paz y Esperanza to support training of policy and judiciary and to enable access to justice services for the poor and vulnerable.
4. Significantly reduce illicit financial and arms flows, strengthen the recovery and return of stolen assets and combat all forms of organized crime
Micah: see recent statement and call to action around the Panama Papers and Corruption
5. Substantially reduce corruption and bribery in all their forms
Micah: partnered with Micah Challenge in the EXPOSED: Shining a Light on Corruption campaign; teaching on integrity and anti-corruption.
6. Develop effective, accountable and transparent institutions at all levels
Micah: promoting accountability and transparency initiatives; facilitating the development of the Sustainable Organisations Initiative.
7. Ensure responsive, inclusive, participatory and representative decision-making at all levels
Micah: promoting participation and informed consent as an integral part of transformation development practice.
8. Broaden and strengthen the participation of developing countries in the institutions of global governance
Micah: through active demonstration of this model in the method we administer Micah Global (events, governances, and training); Micah Haiti has developed a great training programme for government leaders.
9. Provide legal identity for all, including birth registration
Micah: as yet we have not engaged in this other than through our members engaged with refugees enabling them to access services.
10. Ensure public access to information and protect fundamental freedoms, in accordance with national legislation and international agreements
a. Strengthen relevant national institutions, including through international cooperation, for building capacity at all levels, in particular in developing countries, to prevent violence and combat terrorism and crime
b. Promote and enforce non-discriminatory laws and policies for sustainable development
Micah: promoting justice and reconciliation, inclusion and equality and equity for all; teaching on Integral Mission and the Common Good.
Together we can make a real difference.
Sheryl Haw
International Director
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