Redefining Achievement According to Carvajal

In a recent visit by Urban Planning students from the University of Central London to Forge, a nongovernmental organization I currently chair, the topic of social conditions arose. When asked if the world was improving or deteriorating, responses were mixed but valid.

Born in the early '40s to a middle-class family of school teachers, my upbringing was far from luxurious. We endured hardships such as no running water, no water-sealed toilets, and an outhouse. Yet, despite these adversities, we were fortunate enough to have radio and TV sets and cellphones, even if it was just a single device shared among family members.

While our material circumstances have improved, our aspirations for justice, equality, and freedom have grown exponentially. Today, we strive for equal opportunities in jobs, education, housing, and healthcare for people of all backgrounds. We have expanded our understanding of rights to include not just humans, but also nature and the environment.

In terms of our daily existence, things have significantly improved. Few still repair torn clothing, and barefoot walking has become a rarity. However, when considering transcendent values, we have set significantly higher standards for what is worthy of our dignity as human beings. As a result, issues such as economic insecurity, inequality, and social fragmentation continue to pose challenges.

This struggle for human dignity and the rights of all creatures is an ongoing journey, making it crucial to redefine success as the simple act of doing our part in this fight. We should not define success by the results of our efforts, as our accomplishments may fall short of ever-rising standards. This is development, a process of continuous progress and improvement, rather than stagnation.

Some key concerns facing the world today include economic insecurity, persistent inequality, challenges in justice and equality, and the need for security of tenure. Recommendations for addressing these issues include adopting a global policy consensus centered on equity, economic security, and solidarity, as well as implementing transformative, inclusive policies to break cycles of insecurity, inequality, and distrust.

Sources:

World Social Report 2025. United Nations. Retrieved from: http://www.un.org/development/desa/policyanalysis/publications/World-Social-Report-2025.html
Better Future. Better World: Sustaining Human Development in the Age of Urbanization. United Nations Development Programme. (2014). Retrieved from: https://www.undp.org/content/dam/undp/library/Human-Development-Reports/English/HD_Report_2014_web_es.pdf
Understanding Inequality. United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. Retrieved from: https://en.unesco.org/sofillant/inequality
Income inequality: A global concern. OECD. Retrieved from: https://data.oecd.org/inequality/income- inequality.htm
State of the World's Cities 2020-2021: Cities with a Con Scienza. United Nations Human Settlements Programme. (2020). Retrieved from: https://unhabitat.org/sowc2020/
As our understanding of human rights has evolved, it now includes the rights of nature and the environment, ensuring a holistic approach to education-and-self-development and long-term health.
The government's role in ensuring justice and equality is paramount as we strive for equal opportunities in jobs, education, housing, and healthcare for all, thereby promoting a healthier environment.
Addressing economic insecurity, persistent inequality, and challenges in justice and equality requires a global policy consensus, focusing on equity, economic security, and solidarity, to ultimately create a more just and environmentally-sound world.

Redefining Achievement According to Carvajal