Blog
ASAP's Initiatives and Outlook
As we enter 2025, the global landscape presents both challenges and opportunities for advancing justice and combating poverty. Thomas Pogge ASAP’s President, notes: “As the virus of national selfishness proliferates, policy talk drifts toward security and armaments, and the policy space for achieving real progress on poverty and theSustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is shrinking. Still, two factors create a special opportunity for 2025. Both the G20 and the COP have good leaders (South Africa and Brazil), providing a small window for reform before the US and Australia take over in 2026. Also, realizing that they can no longer trust the US to direct their foreign policies, European states are more open to independent engagement with countries of the global south and even with China. Let us seize this opportunity to achieve at least one striking step toward global justice.”
This unique moment aligns perfectly with ASAP’s ongoing initiatives and our commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). South Africa’s leadership of the G20 is particularly significant, as ASAP has long advocated for greater representation of African nations in global governance. This development, coupled with the African Union’s inclusion as a permanent G20 member, presents an unprecedented opportunity to amplify voices from the Global South in shaping international policy.
In response to this pivotal moment, ASAP has launched the inaugural Nelson Mandela Essay Prize Competition. This initiative aims to nurture young African scholars, encouraging them to address pressing continental issues and propose innovative solutions for global governance. By providing a platform for emerging African voices, we hope to contribute to a more inclusive and diverse dialogue on poverty eradication and sustainable development.
Our ongoing Amartya Sen Essay Competition continues to play a crucial role in fostering critical thinking on global justice issues. The 12th round, focusing on illicit financial flows and their impact on poverty, directly addresses SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions) and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities). By encouraging scholarly examination of these complex issues, we aim to generate innovative ideas that can inform policy and practice.
The ASAP Fellowship Program, now in its second year, further supports our commitment to nurturing the next generation of poverty scholars and activists. This initiative, which aligns with SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), provides mentorship and networking opportunities to emerging researchers, particularly from lower-income countries.
Journal ASAP continues to be a vital platform for disseminating cutting-edge research on poverty alleviation strategies. Recent publications have explored topics such as sustainable agriculture practices and community-based mental health programs, addressing SDGs 2 (Zero Hunger) and 3 (Good Health and Well-being) respectively.
As we navigate the complex global landscape of 2025, ASAP remains committed to leveraging these initiatives to drive progress towards the SDGs. By fostering collaboration between established and emerging scholars, particularly from the Global South, we aim to generate innovative solutions to persistent poverty challenges and contribute to a more equitable global governance structure. Let us indeed seize this opportunity to achieve at least one striking step toward global justice.
