scholarly journals How Factoring Ethics Encourages and Stimulates Innovative Development of IT Systems Responsive to Stakeholder Needs and Requirements

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zvikomborero Murahwi
Keyword(s):  
Intelligent Systems ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Human Beings ◽  
Daily Lives ◽  
Use Of Technology ◽  
It Systems ◽  
Working Together ◽  
Innovative Thinking ◽  
Development Goals ◽  
Stakeholder Needs

Human beings have become increasingly dependent on IT in running their daily lives and doing business. The development and the increase in use of Autonomous Intelligent Systems in the last few years is making it increasingly impossible to ignore ethics in engineering and building IT Systems as more factors other than the traditional ones like financials come into play. As the use of technology continues to grow among people of all ages, there is also a growing awareness of the potential social harms such systems can have on human well being. Where there is such an awareness (of potential harms the systems may have on humans), there is a likelihood of resistance in adoption and use of the technology resulting in the loss of the benefits such systems are supposed to bring with them. Where potential harms have been ignored and people went ahead and adopted and used the technology, but eventually experienced cases of social harm, possible abandonment of the technology becomes a reality - a situation which also results in the loss of all the gains the technology could have potentially brought. Some good examples are societies which continue to keep under-aged children away from technology as a way of safeguarding them from the harms caused by technology. Situations like this have set limits to the effectiveness and reach of technology driven services such as autonomous eHealth systems and even educational programmes.There has also been a view mainly among technology creators that Ethics considerations are slowing down or getting into the way of innovation. In the proposed chapter, and driven by the theme “Ethics Considerations to drive innovative thinking in building systems which are responsive to the needs of the user and promote adoption, and safe use of IT” the writer argues for a unified front in the development of IT systems in an ethical manner - That is, it is time users and creators of technology start working together to build systems for the future. And with well-being among the UN Development Goals, and technology taking centre stage in many aspects of development and growth, Ethics in technology cannot be ignored.

scholarly journals Why Affordable Clean Energy Is Not Enough. A Capability Perspective on the Sustainable Development Goals

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
pp. 2485 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rafaela Hillerbrand
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Sustainable Development Goals ◽  
Capability Approach ◽  
Energy Systems ◽  
Clean Energy ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Human Beings ◽  
Energy Technologies ◽  
Development Goals ◽  
The Capability Approach

This paper reflects on criticisms raised in the literature on the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). These have been criticized as creating a dichotomy between the environment and human beings that fails to address the multiple interconnections between the two. This paper focuses on SDG7—“affordable and clean energy”—and suggests that there is in fact a tripartite distinction between the environment, human beings and technology underlying the SDGs. This distinction, we argue, does not adequately represent the multiple interconnections among the various SDGs and hampers their implementation. We contend that the formulation of SDG7 produces a circular definition of sustainability, a difficulty that is currently resolved at the level of the targets and indicators in a way that regards energy technologies primarily as artifacts. By contrast, the literature on ethical aspects of energy systems largely agrees that energy is a paradigmatic example of a sociotechnical system. We contend that, by not considering this sociotechnical nature, the SDGs run the risk of implicitly defending a certain variant of technological optimism and determinism. We argue that this is disadvantageous to the environment, human well-being and technological development. In line with recent critical evaluations of the SDGs, we argue that these (and other) shortcomings can be addressed by better connecting the SDGs to human well-being. Building on recent literature that expands the scope of the Capability Approach as an alternative measure of well-being so as to include considerations of sustainability, we articulate a framework that allows us to elucidate this connection and thus to take advantage of synergies between human well-being and the environment. On the basis of the Capability Approach, we argue that equating sustainable energy with renewable energy—as is done in the transition from SDG7’s goal to its targets—is indefensible because, as part of the overarching energy systems, energy technologies cannot be classified as simply right or wrong. Rather, the indicators and targets within a framework focused on sustainability need to be (more) context sensitive, meaning that, among other things, they may vary by country and with the available technology.

The Role of Zakat to Alleviate Poverty of Refugees in Malaysia

2021 ◽  
pp. 47-66
Author(s):  
Nur Amirah Mohd Razin ◽  
Romzie Rosman
Keyword(s):  
State Government ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Human Beings ◽  
Adoption Of Technology ◽  
Government Organization ◽  
Government Organizations ◽  
Muslim Countries ◽  
High Commissioner ◽  
Development Goals

Zakat plays an important role as part of the Islamic socio-economic system. Zakat is said to be one of the financial tools to alleviate poverty apart from micro financing and micro credit. However, it is found that most of the benefits are only offered to the citizens of Malaysia and not the other untapped communities from other countries especially the refugees that seeks our government's protection. Hence, if the existing zakat recipients who are the citizens still unable to avoid from the unruly poverty, let alone the untapped group, especially the refugees. With the majority of refugees hailing from Muslim countries, Muslims around the world fulfilling zakat, a major pillar of their faith, can play an important role in alleviating their suffering and restoring their dignity as human beings. The realization of the incredible philanthropic Islamic social finance such as zakat, which can potentially exceed $300 billion a year, has driven United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to launch a Zakat Program in late 2016, namely Refugee Zakat Fund. Currently, the approach by zakat institution to help refugees are less proactive, given that most of the approach are made by the non-government organization (NGO) such as UNHCR Malaysia and local non-government organizations. The issues are very important to be solved as Islamic social finance has a huge potential mechanism to reduce poverty. Hence, the objectives of this study are (1) to explain the role of zakat in eradicating poverty among refugees for improving their socio-economic well-being, (2) to explore the issues and challenges of zakat administration in Malaysia especially in helping refugees, and (3) to explore the issues and challenges of UNHCR in managing refugees' zakat funds. This study adopted qualitative approach by conducting interview with five experts in relation to Islamic social finance especially on the issues of zakat management. These experts have vast experience in Islamic finance and in Shariah. In general, the findings suggest that (1) zakat can play a crucial role in providing assistance to those in need without exception to fulfil both Maqasid Shariah and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs); (2) one of the challenges facing the zakat institution is their managements are inefficient and a lack of transparency in terms of how the funds are collected, managed, and distributed, and hence, the adoption of technology is important for effective and efficient zakat system; (3) UNHCR must take important care on governance aspects in order to manage and administer zakat funds for refugees to improve the trust of zakat payers and recipients. This study may contribute to the enhancement policies in relation to both zakat and refugees made by both federal and state government by harmonizing the policies to solve the issues on poverty of the refugees, especially in Malaysia.

scholarly journals Who Will Be the Members of Society 5.0? Towards an Anthropology of Technologically Posthumanized Future Societies

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 (5) ◽  
pp. 148 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew E. Gladden
Keyword(s):  
Intelligent Systems ◽  
Social Robots ◽  
Human Beings ◽  
Close Collaboration ◽  
Apparent Paradox ◽  
Daily Lives ◽  
Technological Processes ◽  
Scientific Analysis ◽  
The Government ◽  
Social Scientific

The Government of Japan’s “Society 5.0” initiative aims to create a cyber-physical society in which (among other things) citizens’ daily lives will be enhanced through increasingly close collaboration with artificially intelligent systems. However, an apparent paradox lies at the heart of efforts to create a more “human-centered” society in which human beings will live alongside a proliferating array of increasingly autonomous social robots and embodied AI. This study seeks to investigate the presumed human-centeredness of Society 5.0 by comparing its makeup with that of earlier societies. By distinguishing “technological” and “non-technological” processes of posthumanization and applying a phenomenological anthropological model, this study demonstrates: (1) how the diverse types of human and non-human members expected to participate in Society 5.0 differ qualitatively from one another; (2) how the dynamics that will shape the membership of Society 5.0 can be conceptualized; and (3) how the anticipated membership of Society 5.0 differs from that of Societies 1.0 through 4.0. This study describes six categories of prospective human and non-human members of Society 5.0 and shows that all six have analogues in earlier societies, which suggests that social scientific analysis of past societies may shed unexpected light on the nature of Society 5.0.

scholarly journals A importância dos ODS – Objetivos de Desenvolvimento Sustentável, no desafio da educação para os direitos humanos

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 275-296
Author(s):  
Tânia Ribeiro Libório
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Human Rights ◽  
Sustainable Development Goals ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Human Beings ◽  
International Treaties ◽  
Derechos Humanos ◽  
Sao Tome And Principe ◽  
Development Goals ◽  
The Individual

Os Direitos Humanos não são aprendidos estudando-os, mas praticando-os diariamente em todos os contextos, em que o ser humano se desenvolve. São essenciais para desfrutar de uma vida digna, baseada na liberdade, igualdade e dignidade, e refletida nos tratados internacionais, bem como nas constituições de cada Estado. Numa perspetiva histórica, os Direitos Humanos foram-se construindo como uma forma de resistência à opressão e busca pelo bem-estar do indivíduo, grupos ou de comunidades inteiras. Ao longo da história, eles passaram por transformações, para conceituar, especificar e ampliar aqueles incluídos na Declaração Direitos Humanos Universais, de 1948. Os indivíduos tornam-se agentes de mudança no mundo, atuando contra as injustiças, através da concretização dos ODS – Objetivos de Desenvolvimento Sustentável. Eles precisam de conhecimentos, habilidades, valores e atitudes que lhes permitam contribuir para o desenvolvimento sustentável. A educação é crucial para a consecução deste desenvolvimento. Pretende-se demonstrar aqui a importância dos ODS, especificamente respeitante a: alterações climáticas e educação para os direitos humanos. Apresentamos os projetos desenvolvidos na Síria, em São Tomé e Príncipe, no Brasil e em Portugal, e as suas tendências para o futuro, tendo em conta as metas a atingir em cada ODS, e como este aspeto pode influenciar o desenvolvimento humano e tornar o mundo mais harmonioso, mais justo e igualitário.   La importancia de los ODS - Objetivos de Desarrollo Sostenible, en el desafío de la educación para los derechos humanos Los derechos humanos no se aprenden al estudiarlos, sino al practicarlos diariamente en todos los contextos donde se desarrollan los seres humanos. Son esenciales para disfrutar de una vida digna, basada en la libertad, la igualdad y la dignidad, reflejada en los tratados internacionales, así como en las constituciones de cada estado. Desde una perspectiva histórica, los derechos humanos se han construido como una forma de resistencia a la opresión y la búsqueda del bienestar del individuo. A lo largo de la historia, han sufrido transformaciones, para conceptualizar y especificar los incluidos en la Declaración Universal de Derechos Humanos de 1948. Los individuos se convierten en agentes de cambio en el mundo, actuando contra las injusticias, a través del logro de los ODS - Objetivos de Desarrollo Sostenible. Necesitan conocimientos, habilidades, valores y actitudes que les permitan contribuir al desarrollo sostenible. Por lo tanto, la educación es crucial para el logro de este desarrollo. Su objetivo es demostrar la importancia de los ODS, específicamente en relación con el cambio climático y la educación para los Derechos Humanos. Presentamos los proyectos desarrollados en Siria, Santo Tomé y Príncipe, Brasil y Portugal, y sus tendencias para el futuro, teniendo en cuenta los objetivos a alcanzar en cada ODS, y cómo este aspecto puede influir en el desarrollo humano y hacer que mundo más armonioso, más justo y más igualitario. Palabras clave: Derechos humanos. ODS. Educación.   The importance of the SDGs - Sustainable Development Goals, in the challenge of education for human rights Human rights are not learned by studying them, but by practicing them daily in all contexts where human beings develop. They are essential to enjoy a dignified life, based on freedom, equality and dignity, reflected in international treaties, as well as in the constitutions of each state. From a historical perspective, human rights have been built as a form of resistance to oppression and the search for the well-being of the individual. Throughout history, they have undergone transformations, to conceptualize and specify those included in the 1948 Universal Human Rights Declaration. Individuals become agents of change in the world, acting against injustices, through the achievement of the SDGs - Sustainable Development Goals. Education is therefore crucial to the achievement of this development. It is intended to demonstrate the importance of the SDGs, specifically regarding climate change; education for human rights. We present the projects developed in Syria, São Tomé and Príncipe, Brazil and Portugal, and their trends for the future, taking into account the goals to be achieved in each SDG, and how this aspect can influence human development and make the more harmonious, fairer and more egalitarian world. Keywords: Human rights. ODS, Education.

Persons Together

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alan L. Mittleman
Keyword(s):  
Human Nature ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Image Of God ◽  
Jewish Tradition ◽  
The Political ◽  
Human Beings ◽  
Human Flourishing ◽  
Political Dimensions ◽  
Market Relations ◽  
The Image Of God

This chapter moves into the political and economic aspects of human nature. Given scarcity and interdependence, what sense has Judaism made of the material well-being necessary for human flourishing? What are Jewish attitudes toward prosperity, market relations, labor, and leisure? What has Judaism had to say about the political dimensions of human nature? If all humans are made in the image of God, what does that original equality imply for political order, authority, and justice? In what kinds of systems can human beings best flourish? It argues that Jewish tradition shows that we act in conformity with our nature when we elevate, improve, and sanctify it. As co-creators of the world with God, we are not just the sport of our biochemistry. We are persons who can select and choose among the traits that comprise our very own natures, cultivating some and weeding out others.

Changing Places

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
John MacDonald ◽  
Charles Branas ◽  
Robert Stokes
Keyword(s):  
Open Space ◽  
Urban Landscape ◽  
Health And Safety ◽  
Well Being ◽  
City Life ◽  
New Science ◽  
Science And Art ◽  
Working Together ◽  
Scientific Testing ◽  
Large Groups

The design of every aspect of the urban landscape—from streets and sidewalks to green spaces, mass transit, and housing—fundamentally influences the health and safety of the communities who live there. It can affect people's stress levels and determine whether they walk or drive, the quality of the air they breathe, and how free they are from crime. This book provides a compelling look at the new science and art of urban planning, showing how scientists, planners, and citizens can work together to reshape city life in measurably positive ways. It demonstrates how well-designed changes to place can significantly improve the well-being of large groups of people. The book argues that there is a disconnect between those who implement place-based changes, such as planners and developers, and the urban scientists who are now able to rigorously evaluate these changes through testing and experimentation. It covers a broad range of structural interventions, such as building and housing, land and open space, transportation and street environments, and entertainment and recreation centers. Science shows we can enhance people's health and safety by changing neighborhoods block-by-block. The book explains why planners and developers need to recognize the value of scientific testing, and why scientists need to embrace the indispensable know-how of planners and developers. It reveals how these professionals, working together and with urban residents, can create place-based interventions that are simple, affordable, and scalable to entire cities.

Ghana: the State of Agriculture and Prospects for Food Security in the Context of Achieving SDGs

2018 ◽  
pp. 16-31
Author(s):  
Tatyana Denisova
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Socioeconomic Development ◽  
Agricultural Sector ◽  
Well Being ◽  
The State ◽  
Successful Implementation ◽  
Careful Study ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Development Goals ◽  
The Government

For the first time in Russian African studies, the author examines the current state of agriculture, challenges and prospects for food security in Ghana, which belongs to the group of African countries that have made the most progress in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The SDGs are a collection of 17 global goals adopted by UN member states in 2015 with a view of achieving them by 2030. The SDGs include: ending poverty in all its forms everywhere (Goal 1); ending hunger, achieving food security and improved nutrition, and promoting sustainable agriculture (2); ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all at all ages (3), etc. These goals are considered fundamental because the achievement of a number of other SDGs – for example, ensuring quality education (4), achieving gender equality (5), ensuring sustainable consumption and production patterns (12), etc. – largely depends on their implementation. Ghana was commended by the world community for the significant reduction in poverty, hunger and malnutrition between 2000 and 2014, i.e. for the relatively successful implementation of the first of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs, 2000–2015) – the eradication of extreme poverty and hunger. However, SDGs require more careful study and planning of implementation measures. In order to achieve the SDGs, the Government of Ghana has adopted a number of programs, plans and projects, the successful implementation of which often stumbles upon the lack of funding and lack of coordination between state bodies, private and public organizations, foreign partners – donors and creditors, etc., which are involved in the processes of socioeconomic development of Ghana. The author determines the reasons for the lack of food security in Ghana, gives an assessment of the state of the agricultural sector, the effective development of which is a prerequisite for the reduction of poverty and hunger, primarily due to the engagement of a significant share (45%) of the economically active population in this sector. The study shows that the limited growth in food production is largely due to the absence of domestic markets and necessary roads, means of transportation, irrigation and storage infrastructure, as well as insufficient investment in the agricultural sector, rather than to a shortage of fertile land or labor.

Consular Protection and Solidarity across Borders

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexandra Délano Alonso
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Latin American ◽  
Legal Status ◽  
Well Being ◽  
The United States ◽  
Migrant Populations ◽  
Policy Goals ◽  
Large Populations ◽  
Mexican Government ◽  
Working Together

This chapter demonstrates how Latin American governments with large populations of migrants with precarious legal status in the United States are working together to promote policies focusing on their well-being and integration. It identifies the context in which these processes of policy diffusion and collaboration have taken place as well as their limitations. Notwithstanding the differences in capacities and motivations based on the domestic political and economic contexts, there is a convergence of practices and policies of diaspora engagement among Latin American countries driven by the common challenges faced by their migrant populations in the United States and by the Latino population more generally. These policies, framed as an issue of rights protection and the promotion of migrants’ well-being, are presented as a form of regional solidarity and unity, and are also mobilized by the Mexican government as a political instrument serving its foreign policy goals.

Gender Equity and the SDGs

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizabeth Dettori ◽  
Geeta Rao Gupta
Keyword(s):  
Gender Equity ◽  
Adolescent Girls ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Economic Resources ◽  
The Sustainable Development ◽  
Global Partnership ◽  
Development Goals ◽  
Gender Based ◽  
Health And Well Being

This chapter identifies some of the most stubborn gender-based risks and vulnerabilities girls face as a cohort from preadolescence through late adolescence across the domains of personal capabilities, security, safety, economic resources, and opportunities. It reviews progress made during the Millennium Development Goal era in improving girls’ health and well-being and looks to the role of adolescent girls in advancing the Sustainable Development Goals. The chapter concludes by recommending an approach for global partnership that is linked to national and local actions and that is centered on priority interventions that can catalyze change, at scale, for adolescent girls.

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