The United Nations’ Committee on Sustainable Development has as its stated purpose: “Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.”
What better country to chair this committee than Zimbabwe? Really. Just happened. Swear. Look it up.
When tyrant Robert Mugabe came to power in 1980 following Zimbabwe’s independence from Great Britain, he inherited thriving manufacturing sectors, a robust economy including a substantial tourism component, and a well-oiled agricultural machine.
Today Zimbabwe is a place in which private property is routinely seized, and police officers violently squelch political dissidents. The economy has shrunk 40%. Half the country will need food assistance this year. Inflation is 3,700% annually. The average life expectancy is 34 for women and 37 for men. That is the lowest in the world. More in this excellent column by Brett D. Schaefer and Marian L. Tupy.
From a “sustainable development” standpoint, Zimbabwe is broken just about every way a country can be broken. What better choice to chair the committee on such?
What’s next, UN? Oh, I know. Let’s put North Korea in charge of human rights!
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Or China perhaps.
You always ahve such good thought-provoking posts. Its very cool. Mine are bit blah in comparison.
Aw, shucks, Brina. Thanks. But calling your posts “a bit blah” is just crazy talk. I’m enjoying the saga of Preston very much, and seeing you and Mr. Bat doing cool outdoor stuff that I could do if only I would get in shape. I have a feeling I will ultimately consider the effect cumulatively inspirational. 🙂