People’s capabilities are strengthened

People should have access to the relevant knowledge, technology and services that will allow them to respond to day-to-day challenges and opportunities to the best of their ability. Here we consider actions which contribute to this.

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About this Positive Pursuit

People should have access to the relevant knowledge, technology and services that will allow them to respond to day-to-day challenges and opportunities to the best of their ability. This will ensure that people have the capacity to meet their basic needs and pursue higher needs.

This means that, as a society, we must continuously strive to ensure:

Access to education and vocational training (e.g. schooling for young girls, business skill workshops);
Access to information needed to make more informed decisions (e.g. reproductive choices, business decisions);
Access to information and communication technologies (e.g. access to smart phones and computers with Internet connectivity);
Access to productivity-enhancing technologies (e.g. farming implements, manufacturing equipment);
Access to social security, insurance and finance (as a means to build resilience and insulate against shocks); and
Access to transport networks (increasing mobility to bring more capacity-building opportunities within reach).

This Positive Pursuit encompasses any action which achieves such an outcome.

Why it’s needed

Education is key to escaping poverty.
Enrolment in primary education in developing countries has reached an amazing 91% but 57 million children still remain out of school.
Some two billion adults today don't have access to a financial institution.
But microfinance is a rapidly growing sector, with over 123 million customers in 2016.
Internet access is growing rapidly, and yet vast swathes of the global population remain unconnected.
As of 2015, around 43% of people had access to the internet. In developing countries, this was 34%.

SDGs this will contribute to

1. No poverty
Poverty is about more than lack of income. It is about ensuring everyone has the resources and resilience needed to secure a sustainable livelihood.
Learn more about SDG 1
2. Zero hunger
Hundreds of millions of people today go hungry, while unsustainable farming practices degrade soil quality, use too much water, reduce biodiversity, and put rural communities under pressure.
Learn more about SDG 2
3. Good health and well-being
Health is a fundamental human right and a key indicator of sustainable development. In recent years notable progress has been made, but significant challenges remain.
Learn more about SDG 3
4. Quality education
Education is the cornerstone of a healthy society. It empowers people to improve their lives and futures, and affords them the knowledge and competencies necessary for sustainable development.
Learn more about SDG 4
5. Gender equality
Providing women and girls with equal access to education, health care, decent work, and representation in decision-making processes will fuel sustainable economies and benefit communities and society at large.
Learn more about SDG 5
8. Decent work and economic growth
Sustainable economic growth requires society to create conditions that allow the whole working age population to have quality jobs which stimulate the economy while not harming the environment.
Learn more about SDG 8
9. Industry, innovation and infrastructure
Growth in productivity and incomes, and improvements in health and education, require innovation and investment in critical infrastructure such as transport, irrigation, energy, and information technology.
Learn more about SDG 9
10. Reduced inequalities
Economic growth reduces poverty only if it is inclusive, yet inequality persists within and among countries, and large disparities remain in terms of access to health and education services and other assets.
Learn more about SDG 10
11. Sustainable cities and communities
Half of humanity now lives in cities, and the number is increasing. For cities to thrive we must address the pressures that rapid urbanization is placing on freshwater, infrastructure, air quality and people’s health.
Learn more about SDG 11
12. Responsible consumption and production
Sustainable consumption and production aims to do more and better with less, increasing net welfare gains from economic activities that reduce resource use, degradation and pollution.
Learn more about SDG 12
13. Climate action
The effects of climate change - from changing weather patterns and more extreme weather events to rising sea levels - are impacting all countries, disrupting national economies and affecting people's lives.
Learn more about SDG 13