2022 Roundtable Topics
This years roundtables are based off the UN's 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which were adopted by United Nations General Assembly in 2015 as a part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. They are a collection of 17 interlinked goals designed to be a "blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all".
Note: This event is not sponsored or associated with the United Nations.
Note: This event is not sponsored or associated with the United Nations.
GOOD HEALTH AND WELL-BEING
Long-term care (LTC) is regarded as a crucial social welfare. Aging comes with dementia, cognitive degeneration, and countless chronic illnesses and disabilities. On average, each Taiwanese requires 7.3 years of long-term care service and an American requires about 2 years. Recently, the income source for long-term care services has become the primary concern of the elderly, with the lack of LTC funding from the government. Nonetheless, many countries have turned co-living of youth and senior citizens into practice, given that youth receive discounted rent. Suggest how can the general public and governmental institutions perform and collaborate better for a brighter future.
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QUALITY EDUCATION
Problem-solving, innovations, and entrepreneurship often require individuals to think outside of the box. How can our education possibility facilitate horizontal thinking? While we acknowledge fluency in foreign languages as a practical skill set, how can students develop their cultural appreciation and global mindset at the same time? Is our current educational system good enough to inspire and motivate students with different talents and passions? While the phenomenon of urban-rural education inequality is ubiquitous, how can we bridge the gap by making resources more accessible? Are students under this educational system still passive and lacking autonomy? Discuss what needs to be done to achieve an idea-driven, creative, and inclusive society.
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GENDER EQUALITY
Gender equality, referring to when persons of all genders have equal rights and opportunities, is critical as the equality between men, women, non-binary and non-conforming identities is a fundamental human right. The establishment of a social framework that allows individuals to pursue various lifestyles without being bound by rigid, stereotyped gender roles is essential to the realization of truly inclusive societies. Currently, gender equality is still a work in progress around the world and legal frameworks and reforms to combat “deeply rooted gender-based discrimination” are critical essentials to achieving empowerment for all. Women and girls, transgender and non-binary people, and other non-conforming individuals remain disproportionately impacted by the socioeconomic fallouts from the COVID-19 pandemic, struggling with more job and livelihood losses, education disruptions and increased burdens of unpaid care work versus cisgendered men. This is just the tip of the iceberg. As individual citizens, we must question and reconsider our prejudices around gender roles in order to achieve societies where every person can safely lead exciting and fulfilling lives.
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CLEAN WATER AND SANITATION
Despite all the innovative technology and modern inventions of today’s world, lack of access to clean water and sanitation continues to be a crisis experienced by many around the world. Based on the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals Report in 2021, one in three people do not have access to safe drinking water, two out of five people do not have a basic hand washing facility with soap and water, and nearly 2.4 billion people lack access to basic sanitation services such as toilets and latrines. The multi-layered impacts of COVID-19 have exacerbated these disparities making less-resourced communities more vulnerable than ever. With the enormous influx and constant introduction of technological solutions for everyday problems, how do the issues of water and sanitation availability go unresolved? What factors are perpetuating these issues and what solutions are possible?
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RESPONSIBLE CONSUMPTION AND PRODUCTION
Did you know that the global population could grow to around 8.5 billion in 2030 and 9.7 billion in 2050? While worldwide consumption and production rely on the use of natural environment and resources, almost three planets are required to support current lifestyles. In recent years, the outbreak of COVID-19 offers an opportunity to develop recovery plans that will create a more sustainable pattern of consumption and production, with consideration of resource efficiency and economic activities. There are many aspects of improving the consumption and production behaviors. For example, reducing food loss and waste by lowering production costs and increasing the efficiency of food systems. Suggest in what ways can we increase resource efficiency and reduce environmental degradation - that is to reduce destructive impacts on the planet - to ensure our future development.
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