SDG17 — ENDPOVERTY2030

**GOAL 17**

Seeks to enhance and strengthen national and international partnership and cooperation, particularly in the areas of finance, technology, trade, infrastructure, and economic and social stability.

‘Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble’ 1 Peter 3:8-9. At the heart of EP2030 is a desire to see Gods church, across denominations and nations, uniting in partnership to help end poverty by 2030. The church needs to engage in global partnerships if these goals are to be reached.

We The People from The Global Goals

+ THEOLOGICAL REFLECTION

Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble. Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. 1 Peter 3:8-9

This final goal is a little different from its predecessors. Instead of focussing on a specific issue it addresses instead an approach to them all. The way in which, if they are to be achieved, the work will have to be done, namely collaboratively. The range of these goals are so wide that their remit will, of necessity, impinge upon the territory of a large swathe of different organisations, disciplines and nations. Governments, individuals, industry, civic society, charitable Non Governmental Organisations (NGO’s) as well as faith based organisations, including the church, will all have to be involved. Different experience and expertise will need to be called upon; financial, creative, logistical, campaigning, data handling and many more. It will be a challenging and complex business.

Perhaps the greatest challenge though will not be the technical problems, in any or all of these fields, but the simple fact that they are all required together, and so will need all of that diversity to commit to working with and alongside each other. There is an important principle here, as well as a pragmatic necessity. The greatest problems in the world will only ever be able to be solved by a certain coming together of the world, a preparedness to put aside ego and partisanship, for the sake of an end result and a common good. More particularly still it may require collaboration between those who may previously have been competitors, if not enemies.

In truth, the Christian Church has not always been great at collaboration. Sectarian division, for a wide range of reasons, has hardly been a rarity. However, there is contained within the Bible a calling towards a perspective which is undoubtedly the necessary precursor to effective working across every sort of barrier. The sort of attitudes referred to in the verses above reflect such a call. Loving service, humble generosity, compassionate commitment, these are the hallmarks of the mindset which will be required to build a coalition capable of achieving such monumental tasks. They are also classic gospel traits, right down to the Jesus focussed challenge of loving our enemies. As it has been suggested throughout, the church and Christian people generally, have a unique, key and vital contribution to make to the fulfilment of these goals. Possibly their most significant role though may be their ability to model a form of generous, spirited commitment, alongside those of all faiths and none, to get these things done, once and for all.

+ DISCUSSION POINTS

What spiritual qualities are required to enable different groups of people to work together effectively?
What are the potential problems that can arise between different nations or groups as they face up to these goals? How might they be overcome?
What specific positive contributions might Christians bring to this challenge?
How can you build or support an existing partnership initiative to push for change?

+ GOAL 17 IN ACTION

The Catholic Agency for Overseas Development (CAFOD) believes poverty is not part of God’s plan and that a better world is possible. Working with local partners across the world, it seeks local solutions to end poverty and injustice and provides people with opportunities to flourish.

For CAFOD, the Goals are a step forward in the way the world addresses the root causes of development and environmental challenges. They reflect an opportunity for us to come together in partnership and advocate for positive change built on some of CAFODs core values of solidarity, human dignity, care for creation, and inclusive participation. CAFOD considers no goal met unless it is met for all of our sisters and brothers regardless of faith. The Goals recognise that success can only happen through strong partnerships and meaningful participation. CAFODs is supporting partners around the world to influence decisions on how to implement the Goals for the worlds poorest.