Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Poverty and Hunger;
Why in the News?
The recent G20 Leaders’ Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, featured the official launch of the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty (referred to as “the Alliance”).
What are the primary objectives of the Global Alliance?
- Eradication of Hunger and Poverty: The Alliance aims to eliminate hunger and poverty by 2030, aligning with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
- Support for Vulnerable Populations: It focuses on providing targeted assistance to vulnerable groups through various initiatives, including cash transfers and school meal programs.
- Resource Mobilization: The initiative emphasizes large-scale resource mobilisation to support its objectives, aiming to reach 500 million people through income distribution programs by 2030.
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Who are the key stakeholders involved in this initiative?
- The Alliance has 148 founding members, including 82 countries such as India, Brazil, and Bangladesh.
- It includes participation from 26 international organizations, such as the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and UNICEF.
- Nine financial institutions and 31 philanthropic foundations and non-governmental organizations are also involved in supporting the Alliance’s goals.
How will Alliance function?
- The Alliance serves as a platform for countries to share best practices and access technical expertise or financial support from other member nations.
- It offers more than 50 evidence-based policy instruments that member countries can utilize to develop their national strategies against hunger and poverty.
- Unlike traditional funding bodies, the Alliance does not have an exclusive fund but acts as a matchmaking entity connecting countries in need with donors and technical support providers. Its operational costs are estimated at $2-3 million annually, funded by member contributions.
What challenges does the Global Alliance aim to address in combating hunger and poverty?
- Impact of COVID-19: The pandemic has exacerbated issues of hunger and poverty, reversing progress made toward the SDGs. The Alliance aims to counteract these setbacks by fostering international cooperation.
- Global Inequalities: It addresses deepening social, racial, and gender inequalities that have been intensified by recent global crises.
- Food Insecurity Projections: Current trends suggest that without intervention, millions will continue to live in extreme poverty and hunger by 2030—double the target levels set in the SDGs. The Alliance seeks to reverse these projections through coordinated action.
Conclusion: The Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty aligns with SDGs 1 (No Poverty) and SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) by mobilizing resources, fostering collaboration, and implementing targeted interventions to combat hunger, poverty, and inequalities, ensuring a sustainable and inclusive future.
Mains PYQ:
Q Poverty and malnutrition create a vicious cycle, adversely affecting human capital formation. What steps can be taken to break the cycle? (UPSC IAS/2024)
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Mains level: Challenges related to AI;
Why in the News?
Policymakers globally are addressing Big Tech’s dominance in AI by investing in sovereign cloud infrastructure, open data platforms, and supporting start-ups, yet these measures may inadvertently reinforce Big Tech’s control.
How can we ensure that AI is implemented in a way that upholds democratic values?
- It promotes Open Data Initiatives: While open data can enhance AI systems, it must be safeguarded against commercial capture by larger entities. Initiatives should focus on making data accessible and usable for smaller players without allowing Big Tech to monopolize it.
- It invests in Public Compute Infrastructure: Establishing public computing resources can provide alternatives to private cloud services dominated by Big Tech. However, these resources must be competitive in terms of cost and functionality to be effective.
- It fosters Smaller AI Models: Shifting focus from large-scale deep learning models to smaller, theory-driven AI models can democratize development. This approach emphasizes domain expertise and lived experiences over sheer data volume, which aligns better with democratic values.
What role should public participation play?
- Engagement in Policy Development: Involving diverse stakeholders, including community representatives and industry experts, can help create policies that reflect a broader range of interests and concerns regarding AI deployment.
- Transparency and Accountability: Mechanisms should be established to ensure transparency in AI decision-making processes. Public oversight can help hold organizations accountable for their AI practices, particularly regarding data usage and algorithmic biases.
- Community-Centric AI Solutions: Encouraging local communities to participate in the design and implementation of AI solutions can lead to more equitable outcomes. This involvement ensures that AI applications address specific community needs rather than serving corporate interests alone.
What are the risks associated with technocratic governance?
- Concentration of Power: The dominance of Big Tech can lead to a concentration of power where a few entities dictate the terms of AI development and deployment. This scenario risks sidelining smaller players and reducing diversity in innovation.
- Surveillance and Privacy Concerns: The use of AI for surveillance by powerful corporations can threaten individual privacy rights. Policymakers must carefully consider the implications of deploying AI technologies that could exacerbate existing inequalities or infringe on civil liberties.
- Erosion of Public Trust: If the public perceives that AI governance is primarily driven by technocratic elites without adequate input from citizens, trust in these systems may erode. This distrust can hinder the effective implementation of AI technologies that could otherwise benefit society.
Way forward:
- Establish Inclusive AI Governance: Create multi-stakeholder frameworks involving governments, communities, and smaller players to ensure transparency, accountability, and equitable access to AI resources, safeguarding against monopolistic practices.
- Prioritize Ethical, Small-Scale AI Development: Shift focus from large-scale deep learning models to theory-driven, domain-specific AI solutions that respect privacy, foster community involvement, and address localized needs, promoting democratic values in AI deployment.
Mains PYQ:
Q The emergence of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (Digital Revolution) hasinitiated e-Governance as an integral part of government”. Discuss. (UPSC IAS/2020)
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Kaziranga National Park
Why in the News?
A sub-adult female tiger from Kamakhya Reserve Forest in Assam strayed near Kaziranga National Park and was attacked by locals.
All facts about Kaziranga National Park:
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Details |
| About |
• Located in the Golaghat, Sonitpur, Biswanath, and Nagaon districts of Assam, India.
• Spans 430 sq. km. (166 square miles).
• Established as a reserve forest in 1905, declared as a National park in 1974, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985.
• Declared as a Tiger Reserve in 2006. |
| Geographical Features |
• The park is crisscrossed by the Brahmaputra River along with numerous small bodies of water.
• Dominated by tall elephant grass, marshland, and tropical moist broadleaf forests.
• Terrain includes sandbars, beels (flood-formed lakes), and chapories (elevated areas). |
| Flora and Fauna |
- Flora: Includes 4 main vegetation types: alluvial inundated grasslands, alluvial savanna woodlands, tropical moist mixed deciduous forests, and tropical semi-evergreen forests.
- Fauna: Home to 35 mammalian species(15 threatened), it also includes the world’s largest populations of Indian rhinoceros (2,613), wild water buffalo (1,666), swamp deer (468), elephants (1,940), gaur (1,300), and sambar (58).
• Important bird area with 57 species of birds, including migratory species.
• Rich biodiversity, including significant populations of chital, Indian muntjac, wild boar, and hog deer.
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PYQ:
[2013] Consider the following pairs:
National Park River flowing through the Park
1. Corbett National Park : Ganga
2. Kaziranga National Park : Manas
3. Silent Valley National Park : Kaveri
Which of the above pairs is/are correctly matched?
(a) 1 and 2
(b) 3 only
(c) 1 and 3
(d) None |
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: International Cooperative Alliance (ICA)
Why in the News?
- India is set to host the International Cooperative Alliance (ICA) Global Cooperative Conference in Delhi this month.
- It will mark the first time in the 130-year history of ICA that the ICA General Assembly and Global Cooperative Conference are being hosted in India.
About the International Cooperative Alliance (ICA):
|
Details |
| About |
• Established in 1895 to unite, represent, and serve cooperatives globally.
• Represents 315 cooperative federations and organizations from 107 countries.
• Estimated to represent about 1 billion individuals worldwide across various sectors like agriculture, banking, fisheries, health, housing, insurance, and more.
• It has held consultative status with the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) since 1946, making it the first NGO to receive this status.
• Custodian of the internationally recognized definition, values, and principles of cooperatives. |
| Structure of ICA |
• Governing Board: A 20-member board responsible for overseeing activities.
• General Assembly: Highest governing authority, with representatives from member organizations, convened at least annually.
• ICA is divided into four regional organizations:
- ICA Asia-Pacific (New Delhi, India),
- ICA Africa (Nairobi, Kenya),
- Cooperatives Europe (Brussels, Belgium), and
- ICA Americas (San José, Costa Rica).
• 8 sectoral organizations representing cooperatives in various sectors like agriculture, banking, fisheries, and more.
• 5 thematic committees focused on cooperative development, economic sustainability, social responsibility, and advocacy. |
| Powers and Functions of ICA |
• Represents cooperatives in international forums, particularly within the United Nations and other multilateral organizations.
• Influences international policies related to social and economic development and sustainable cooperative businesses.
• Promote and define cooperative identity globally, ensuring cooperatives adhere to internationally recognized principles.
• Collects and publishes data about the cooperative sector via reports like the World Cooperative Monitor and ICA Global 300 index. |
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: International Criminal Court (ICC) and its jurisdiction
Why in the News?
The International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued arrest warrant for Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu accusing them of war crimes and crimes against humanity.
About the International Criminal Court (ICC)
|
Details |
| What is it? |
• First international permanent court to prosecute individuals for serious international crimes.
• Established under the Rome Statute (1998, w.e.f 2002).
• 124 countries are States Parties to the Rome Statute.• Headquarters: The Hague, Netherlands. |
| Structural Mandate |
• Official languages: English, French, Arabic, Chinese, Russian, and Spanish.
• Members: 124 States Parties to the Rome Statute; Palestine (2015) and Malaysia (2019) became the latest members.
• Notable non-members: India, Israel, the US, Russia, Ukraine, and China.
• Funding: By contributions from member states and voluntary contributions.
• Enforcement: Relies on state cooperation for enforcement, as it does not have its own police force. |
| Composition |
• Judges: Consists of 18 judges elected by the Assembly of States Parties for a term of 9 years.
• Prosecutor: Leads the Office of the Prosecutor and investigates crimes.
• Additional Components: Includes the Trust Fund for Victims (2004), Detention Centre, and the Assembly of States Parties. |
| Jurisdiction |
Prosecutes 4 main crimes:
- War Crimes: Violations of the laws of war.
- Crimes against Humanity: Acts like murder, enslavement, and torture.
- Genocide: Intent to destroy a national, ethnical, racial, or religious group.
- Crimes of Aggression: Unjustified military action against another state.
• ICC can only prosecute crimes committed after the Rome Statute’s entry into force (July 1, 2002). |
PYQ:
[2018] “Rule of Law Index” is released by which of the following?
- Amnesty International
- International Court of Justice
- The Office of UN Commissioner for Human Rights
- World Justice Project
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Ashtamudi Lake
Why in the News?
Several dead fish are floating on the banks of Ashtamudi Lake in Kerala due to illegal use of ‘thotta’ (explosives) and ‘nanchu’ (poisons) for fishing.
About Ashtamudi Lake:
|
Details |
| About |
• Brackish-water estuarine lake, located in Kerala, covering 5,700 hectares.
• Designated as a Wetland of International Importance under the Ramsar Convention in 2002. |
| Geographical Features |
• Encompasses 8 channels (arms) connecting to the lake, giving it the name “Ashtamudi.” (gateway to the backwaters of Kerala)
• Second largest lake in Kerala (first being the Vembanad Lake), drains into the sea via Neendakara estuary.
• Kallada River is the main water source for the lake.
• Historical significance as a major port city of Quilon, as recorded by Ibn Battuta. |
| Flora and Fauna |
• Mangrove species: Avicennia officinalis, Bruguiera gymnorrhiza, Sonneratia caseolaris.
• Endangered species: Syzygium travancoricum and Calamus rotang.
• 57 species of avifauna, including 6 migratory species and 51 resident species.
• In 2014, the Clam Governing Council became the first Marine Stewardship Council certified fishery in India for their sustainable clam fishing. |
PYQ:
[2018] Which one of the following is an artificial lake?
(a) Kodaikanal (Tamil Nadu)
(b) Kolleru (Andhra Pradesh)
(c) Nainital (Uttarakhand)
(d) Renuka (Himachal Pradesh) |
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