Martha Gallahue: Sustainable Development Goals

In September, 2015, the General Assembly of the United Nations is scheduled to complete its work and vote to approve a core document of the Rio Post-2015 Development Agenda called Sustainable Development Goals. They represent the most inclusive commitment made by the UN since the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Further, they are founded in the universal dignity of all people as they serve also to protect our biosphere. Martha will discuss them and offer some critical assessment of their limitations and at the same time describe how they represent the most expansive level of environmental agreements ever made worldwide. These SDGs as they are now called build upon the achievements of the Millennium Development Goals including lessons learned. Martha serves as leader for the Ethical Culture Society of Essex County. National Ethical Service, an affiliate with the American Ethical Union, Ethical Culture’s National Federation, has been in affiliation with the UN Department of Public Information at the United Nations since 1947; Martha has been with NES since l997 in the capacity of main representative at the UN, president, secretary and now treasurer of this organization. She will offer a thumbnail sketch of NES and remind all members of ethical culture they are also members of NES. Martha has just completed a chapter “Let’s Celebrate the Sustainable Peace Development Goals” in the book Ethics, Spiritual Values and Sustainable Development edited by Rick Clugston and Marion Vilela of Earth Charter Institute. The book is to be published in the Spring by New Frontiers Publishing Company.