Page 85 - EMCAPP-Journal No. 24
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Wellbeing for all people and the planet is a gro- The world community, as spearheaded by the
wing global effort and a uni�ng watchword to United Na�ons, has embarked on an ambi�ous
priori�ze sustainable development and safe- agenda for sustainable development. Seven-
guard humanity’s future. It is a sobering ack- teen sustainable development goals (SDGs)
nowledgment of the crippling course and cau- and 169 targets have been iden�fied in the
ses of poverty along with the viola�on of the 2030 Agenda, priori�zing the eradica�on of po-
planet and a serious a�empt to confront these verty in all of its forms (Goal 1). A current es�-
and other entrenched social, economic, and mate is that over 800 million people live below
environmental problems. Sustainable develop- the $3.00/day poverty line (World Bank Group,
ment recognizes that our globalizing world 2025). The 2030 Agenda is a voluntary agree-
community must priori�ze ongoing progress ment and not a legally binding treaty and was
for all people, las�ng peace, and the enduring unanimously approved by all 193 UN member
protec�on of the planet. For Chris�ans, this states in September 2015. It reflects the gro-
global effort reflects the mandate (duty, desire, wing collabora�ve efforts among governments,
and delight) to seek the wellbeing for all peo- the private sector, and civil society including
ple, including jus�ce and prosperity, and to ste- faith-based organiza�ons (e.g., Partnership for
ward God’s crea�on responsibly in our fallen Religion and Development) and provides im-
world. portant opportuni�es for mental health profes-
sionals (MHPs) to impact our needy world. You
See also: Following Jesus Globally: Engaging the can track progress and review core documents
World through Global Integra�on, Kelly and on the SDGs via the United Na�ons Sustainable
Michèle O’Donnell, Lausanne Global Analy- Development Knowledge Pla�orm (United Na-
sis (2020) and the expanded version, Following �ons, 2016b).
and Serving Jesus Globally, Global Member
Care Volume 3: Stories and Strategies for Stay- Mental health is explicitly included in Goal 3 as
ing the Course (2024a). part of the overall commitment “to ensure he-
althy lives and promote well-being for all at all
Part One: Three Agendas ages.” In addi�on, three of the Targets under
Sustainable Development Goals, Mental Health Goal 3 with important mental health implica�-
Ac�on Plan, and Agenda for Humanity ons are: “By 2030, reduce by one third prema-
Agenda 1: Sustainable Development Goals ture mortality from non-communicable disea-
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