01/03/16

SciDev.Net Podcast: End age discrimination in the SDGs

Elderly man in mauritania.jpg
Copyright: Nyani Quarmyne / Panos

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In today’s programme, we hear about the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and why there’s been a call to tweak one target relating to SDG 3, which seeks to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages.

The target calls for a one-third cut in premature mortality from non-communicable diseases by 2030. Although the basic idea is laudable, some researchers say the target discriminates against people older than 70.

We then follow the footsteps of a researcher who has spent the last 15 years in Africa studying long-term, low-cost famine responses. He has found a way to bring seemingly dead trees back to life using a method called ‘farmer-managed natural regeneration’.

And we travel to Nigeria where we meet tomorrow’s female scientists: schoolgirls taking part in a rubbish-themed competition using hand-made robots. We talk with the founder of the organisation that aims to ignite a passion for STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) subjects among these girls through play and problem solving.

This month’s reporters are:
Daisy Dunne: @daisydunnesci
Lou Del Bello: @loudelbello
Jon Spaull: @jonspaull

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