Contribution to Humanity and Livelihood (CHL)
In addition to the two categories discussed above, contribution to humanity itself is proposed as a significant factor of GNG. Livelihood as essential for supporting humanity is interpreted in many ways; here it is meant as the means used for securing the necessities of life. The world of anthropology studies people in terms of history, behavior, adaptation and the nature of their socializing with one another. Claude Levi-Strauss defined anthropology as “a system of interpretation accounting for the aspects of all modes of behavior simultaneously, physical, physiological, psychical, and sociological, only to study the fragment of our life which is our life in society is not enough”. The pioneering work of Marcel Mauss and many anthropologists through the Pacific value of the Gift-Giving theory must not be underestimated. What else could the PICs contribute to knowledge development that western anthropologists missed? As the elderly people mostly keep this oral knowledge while many are quickly disappearing, this category hopes to identify spheres for PICs to share some of these hidden knowledge as a contribution to global prosperity.
Contribution to livelihood in the PICs insinuates the significance of the land, coastal, and marine resources into the existence of humanity as this region comprises the largest ecosystem of the world. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) is the oldest and largest global environmental organization focusing on identifying solutions to environmental and development challenges. Since the Pacific is 98% ocean, IUCN recognizes these valuable resources not only for the PICs, but also for the world. IUCN has confirmed that the region is under threat not only from the consequences of climate change, but also from activities resulting in the overuse, misuse, pollution and damage of the environment. The question here as commonly shared in the PICs is whether anyone has the right to place a value on common ecosystem. This initiative suggests considering the value system of the Pacific based on their strong belief as the caretakers of the ocean. Although the moral values of the Pacific do not recognize the estimates proposed by IUCN, the estimates are concluded to hold economic value that the PICs could refer to as contributing to GNG.
The CHL category not only recognizes the necessity of maintaining the resources in the Pacific for future generations, but also encourages generosity in conserving these priceless resources and human values as contributions towards global livelihood. This category could lead to realize various policy recommendations including policies to tackle Non-Communicable Diseases (NCD), the major cause of health failure in the PICs.
Possible spheres to re-articulate what Oceania can offer that the world needs:
Anthropological knowledge and survival of humanity
Gift of knowledge for human development
Birth place of Anthropology (Cultural and Social)
Uncovering hidden knowledge
Healing and Wellness
Herbal Medicine
Values of Generosity, Dignity, Peace, Family, Balance...
Climate Change
Improving the Ego systems (reducing CO2)
Saving the Mangroves and tree planting projects
Human movement (Migration)
Contributions of migrants to the economies of receiving countries
Contributions of migrants to the economies of sending countries
Unity in Differences (Multiculturalism)
Dignity of Migrants (See Mr. Anote Tong and his pioneer work on Migration with Dignity)
Conservations of Land and Marine Resources - Registrations as World Heritage?
Land Resources:
Saving the remaining forests, replanting of trees ...
Diamond, Gold, Silver, Copper, Oil, Gas ...
Marine Resources: food from the ocean (fish, shells... )
Potential Seabed Resources
Polymettalic nodules, sulphides, cobalt, copper, gold manganese, nickel etc
What are the spheres in the SDGs that Oceania could contribute from their CHL?
Join us today and be part of the CHL Discussion!
