COVID-19 has shifted our world, and there have been a lot of changes in the last six months. No matter where we stay, no matter what background we come from, or how old we are, something this event has affected us all. Some communities have come together, and networks of support have formed for each other.

That is wonderful to see. At the same time, many institutions mandated to serve people have failed to fully utilize the wealth of abilities and support structures that already exist. International development is an example of this. Well, it is time for that to change. When it comes to fighting poverty, conflict and other problems, we often mistake identifying individuals or groups as being vulnerable. It portrays these people as weak, helpless and passive.

World

This type of language can also lead to ineffective or inappropriate policy and programming. One prime example is our tendency to categorize women as vulnerable groups needing special protection or assistance. We need better language the better describe men and women in our work.

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is always working to better the world through efforts with many different partners. However, one of the major problems UNDP faces is the use of terminology that holds them back in their work. Most notably, this issue comes up when describing certain groups as “vulnerable. Change is hard: we’re used to our ways, and sometimes it’s easier to stay in your lane.

Change can be especially scary when you don’t understand how that change will affect you, as with the empowerment of women and marginalized groups. It can also apply to companies that try to use underrepresented groups in their marketing efforts: when they fail to understand their audience, they misfire with campaigns intended for empowerment, criticism, or even mockery.

The U.N. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are the biggest change to the conversation about world poverty since the first-millennium development goals (MDGs) started way back in 1990. While the SDGs don’t bring a new approach, they add a new layer to our understanding of how we should look at ending world poverty, and it all comes down to how we see the people who are living in poverty.

Implementations on making the world a better place

Organizations that aim to provide aid to vulnerable populations must search for new ways of identifying and helping people in the developing world. For example, using terms like ‘the vulnerable’ and ‘the weak’ to describe people who need help is no longer acceptable. This language is archaic and objectifies people living in poverty by suggesting that they are not powerful enough to change their own lives without external support.

Words are powerful. They shape how we see the world and influence how we act within it. When we describe people by their circumstances, rather than seeing them as individuals with hopes and dreams, we rob them of their dignity. Students looking for essays on this topic can ask the writers available online to dissertation writing service uk, and they will tailor a perfect essay with more information.

It is time for us to change your narrative from vulnerability to empowerment. Start by changing the words you use. Language has a habit of shaping our reality, whether or not we want it. When the United Nations defines people by their circumstances, they fail to engage with them as multidimensional beings with aspirations and agency.

Tapping into the shared reality of humanity, where we all moved forward through similar trials, is a powerful way to see how inequality stems from a scarcity mentality and how everyone has a role in fighting it. Too often, we use words in separate ways from their roots, losing sight of the fundamental sense of their meaning. In a world that is more related and diverse than ever before, it is essential to use words that acknowledge the humanity of others and encourage empathy as a means of achieving social change. Words matter. They shape mindsets, and mindsets shape approaches and outcomes.

Society

We all want to create a society that is equal and inclusive of all individuals. To do that, we need to promote those in vulnerable positions. We need to remember that the individual, the community, and social institutions are the protagonists of civilization building. By promoting those in vulnerable positions, we can create a better future for everyone. We can all do better for minorities, women, and disenfranchised groups as we work to build a better society.

With greater vision, determination, and reflection, we can work with the individuals and help them achieve their highest potential. In turn, this helps build stronger communities through our collective efforts. We should promote the nobility of these individuals, and it is something worth fighting for. We can choose to recognize the legitimacy of different groups and treat them equally, regardless of their race, age, religion, gender, or anything else.

There is no explanation for why one group should enjoy more power than another or why one group should exercise more control over society. That’s the key to making our lives better: recognizing and instituting equality. Good Copy isn’t hard to write, but it is hard to get right. Just because someone belongs to a minority group doesn’t mean that their lives are automatically filled with hardship. A human rights approach allows people from all walks of life to live their lives in the manner of their selection. Still, it also includes the responsibility for everyone to help each other when necessary.

The world is full of chaos

We are all vulnerable at times, and society needs to be aware of its vulnerability. Far too often, we forget that being a woman, Muslim, black, or Latino is not an inherent weakness, just as being a man, white, or Christian is not an inherent strength. We can pursue the path of greater awareness now. A path that makes room for all individuals and communities to bring their unique wisdom and experience to the table. Labels are powerful, but only when we define our own.

By choosing to break away from the habit of labelling groups as vulnerable, we can celebrate individual differences and empower every person to see their potential. By taking this first step into embracing a new way of thinking, we can build a civilization that endures for generations, one where every person feels worthy and empowered.

Youth

We can choose to stop referring to women, youth, and racial and religious minorities as “vulnerable groups.” We can instead start asking ourselves how our policies and programs promote the nobility of these individuals and draw on their knowledge.

Acknowledge that the individual, the society, and society are themselves protagonists of civilization and that we act accordingly opens up a whole new world of possibilities for human happiness. While the world is slowly awakening to the injustices that women and other vulnerable groups experience every day, we can still find people who see them as a societal burden or even a threat to our way of life. To combat this strident dehumanization, we must ask ourselves how we can change how others see these groups and whether we can change our perspectives on them. We can always try and keep trying; still, the entire world cannot change.