Economic and financial pathways towards sustainable development

Green economy was put on the top of the political agenda following the financial crisis of 2007–2008. Recession, debt, job losses, and business failures coincided with increasing concern about the impacts of climate change resulting from anthropogenic activities. All these crises occurred against a backdrop of publicized ecological degradation, and growing concern about its impact on human life. 

The preoccupation at the root of the green economy isn’t new. Sustainability, the mother concept, was first presented to the world of international politics in 1987 through what is now commonly known as the Brundtland report. The report insisted on a “development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs”. This is the heart of sustainability and green economies: the health of people and the health of the planet are interconnected. The green economy should therefore be understood as an economy that improves “human well-being and social equity”, while simultaneously “reducing environmental risks and ecological scarcities” (UNEP, 2011, Modelling Global Green Investment Scenarios. Supporting the transition to a global green economy). 

While green economies are a future-oriented plan, which takes into account social inequalities and human well-being, they don’t escape criticism. The role of economic growth, which should be maintained, is notably criticized. Green economies are sometimes considered another way of saying “almost business as usual”, a status quo that is more and more frowned upon, especially in the context of Covid-19 and climate change.

However, emerging during a time of financial and economic duress, “green growth” and “green economy” have become popular concepts across all major world regions. The appeal lies in the collaboration of economic growth and environmental responsibility while encouraging social development, alongside the possibility to restructure the economy to our needs without any losses. 

In the context of the Geneva Global Games, we address green economies as they are inextricably bound to Geneva itself. The Partnership for Action on Green Economy (PAGE), which supports the countries wishing to embark on greener and more inclusive growth trajectories, is based in Geneva, as is the WTO, which is strongly linked to sustainable finance. If your think tank intends to address green economies and all their challenges, the Geneva Global Games are the perfect opportunity to present your idea!

Which opportunities for public health?

Digital technologies are changing our health systems at all levels: from the research of new vaccines, drugs or medical devices to treatment methods and healthcare services in our everyday life. They open up new and partly still unknown possibilities, changing the way we understand health and how we deal with it. 

Digital health is not a new phenomenon and has been discussed since the mid-2000s at the multilateral level (falling under the term ‘eHealth’ back then). Yet, recent technological developments and Covid-19 have acted as catalysts for increased awareness on and about need for action from a policy perspective. For the international community, the digitalisation of health systems offers new opportunities to achieve the goal of Universal Health Coverage by 2030 (Sustainable Development Goal n°3) as well as, for example, to combat infectious diseases such as Covid-19 more effectively. 

While the opportunities are immense, there are as many challenges around digital health technologies and solutions (e.g. misuse and discrimination related to the data used), which have to be addressed.

Digital health refers to any aspect related to the digital transformation of health care involving technologies such as the Internet of things, virtual care, remote monitoring, AI, big data analytics, blockchain, smart wearables as well as data exchange and storage tools. Digital health should always have an end goal to improve health outcomes be it by improving medical diagnosis, facilitating access to health care services, facilitating self-management and person-centred care or unleashing new treatment methods and outcomes.

In the context of the Geneva Global Games, we address digital health and its impact on society and citizens. What opportunities can digital health create for public health? What policies and regulatory frameworks are needed to guarantee it has a positive societal impact? If your think tank intents to address the close relationship between digital health and its impact on public health in future projects, the Geneva Global Games are the perfect opportunity to get started!