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  • Empowering Democracy: The Importance of Civic Education

    By Benjamin Barham

    In the United States, only 22 percent of eighth-grade students are proficient in civic education. The principles of democracy formed numerous ideals of the Western world, but how can we permit our democracies to thrive without proper education regarding them? Civic education defines the crucial ideas that will allow us to live in a freer, fairer world, but how can we promote these ideas without helping our youth understand them? The world as a whole can do better about preserving our sacred democracies in many ways. Still, one of the most crucial is allowing everyone to understand them and providing opportunities for them to thrive. Civic education is mandatory for empowering youth across the world to participate in effective democracies, to understand their rights and freedoms, and to shape the future of democratic ideology. 

    Civic education is the practice of teaching governmental and legal principles to understand rights, civic responsibilities, and civic duties. Many states across the United States don’t require students to take a separate civics class to fulfill their graduation requirements. This diminishes civil knowledge of young citizens, which may pave the way to problems in the future. Many students and teachers across the nation take the initiative by promoting civic education in their classes, founding clubs such as Debate or Model United Nations, and through community service. Educating the younger generation is not only needed but also vital in the preservation of democratic ideals. By graduation, all students must know the core principles of government, such as how the legislative system works, the power of the executive branch, and how to vote. All young adults should know how to and feel comfortable standing up for what they believe in through protest and speaking out for what’s right, even in the face of adversity, something young people must know.

    Youth will become fully functioning members of society, becoming future politicians, voters, and changemakers. If youth get exposed to civic ideals and engagement at a young age, they will stay involved for the rest of their lives. By making civics classes mandatory, all students can have an opportunity to understand laws, policies, and political decisions. Furthermore, they can understand how they affect not just them but everyone in their community. Additionally, countering misinformation must be added to the curriculum to teach media literacy and promote fact-checking, ensuring that misinformation has no place in our societies. Finally, civic classes must incorporate leadership and public speaking skills and exercises to encourage speaking up within a community and pave a path for students to advocate for their beliefs.

    In the real world, youth get involved in issues they believe in, often stemming from the household or the classroom. March for Our Lives (2018) caused over 250 pieces of gun safety legislation within the United States. Additionally, the movement extended gun violence’s platform, making it more crucial and essentially a pressure point in recent elections. The movement is a real-world example of how change happens when youth get involved in their communities. Youth Activists reported a 21 percent higher voting rate than other youth, proving participation in community activism promotes civic engagement.  

    Without proper civic education, young people are unprepared to participate in democracy. It is vital to preserving democracy that citizens know how and what it means to advocate, the process of passing legislation, and how to take active roles in the community. A civic gap is seen without proper education, leading to low voter turnout, especially among young adults aged eighteen through twenty-four. The United States Census Bureau states that only fifty percent of eligible eighteen through twenty-four-year-old citizens cast their vote in the 2020 U.S. Presidential Election, a rate of seventy-four percent for ages sixty-five and older. These metrics set a dangerous precedent for the future of democracies worldwide; civic education is dying, as you can see simply by looking at the statistics. We can bridge this civic gap by providing the necessary resources to promote civic engagement. 

    Now, we face a serious question: How can we improve civic engagement in youth? First, we must make civic education courses mandatory within schools worldwide by making them graduation requirements. Schools should also be encouraged to hold extracurricular activities and/or simulations that promote engagement, such as Model United Nations or Debate. These experiences will give youth a real-world application of civic principles to learn. Next, school districts must implement community service projects as a graduation requirement, enabling civic engagement instead of encouraging it. By investing in the civic education of our young citizens and leaders of tomorrow, our society ensures we can maintain a more secure world where democracy can thrive.

  • The Global Impact of Emerging Technology: Opportunity and Risk

    By Mahum Khan

    In today’s fast-changing world, emerging technologies like artificial intelligence (AI), biotechnology, and robotics are transforming how we live, learn, work, and communicate. These innovations are evolving faster than expected, offering powerful tools to solve global challenges—from improving healthcare and education to addressing climate change. However, they also bring significant risks that require urgent attention.

    One major concern is the global impact on jobs. AI and automation are changing labor markets by replacing repetitive, low-skilled tasks. While this can boost productivity, it also increases unemployment risks—especially in low-income countries where alternative job opportunities may be scarce. This growing economic imbalance highlights the need for ethical and inclusive approaches to tech development.

    Access to these technologies is also uneven. Many communities around the world still lack basic digital infrastructure, leaving millions excluded from the benefits of innovation. Without efforts to close the digital divide, technology may deepen inequality rather than reduce it.

    Privacy is another global concern. Governments and corporations now collect vast amounts of data through AI-powered tools. In some countries, surveillance technology is used to monitor citizens and suppress dissent, raising serious human rights issues. Even in democratic societies, data misuse and lack of regulation can lead to privacy breaches and manipulation.

    Emerging tech has also made it easier to spread misinformation. AI-generated content, such as fake news or deepfakes, can deceive users and undermine trust in media and institutions. As people increasingly rely on technology, the danger of blindly trusting what machines produce grows more serious.

    In conclusion, emerging technologies offer great potential—but they also present real risks. Their benefits must be shared fairly, their use regulated responsibly, and their development guided by ethics and human rights. The future will depend not just on innovation, but on how wisely and justly we manage it.

  • Local Builder Company’s Environmental Goals to a Greener Future in Construction

    By Ruby Sharkie

    Astral Ltd is a local building contractors business in my local area of Sheppey, and I spoke to them about how they manage their environmental impacts as a building business. Building and construction companies make up to 62% of the UK’s waste and 32% of all waste sent to landfill according to a 2023 study by Qualisflow. 

    I recently spoke with Paul, the founder of Astral Ltd, to learn more about how his company is managing its environmental impact, and how their work aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Particularly Goal 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure), Goal 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), and Goal 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production). 

    When asked how seriously Astral Ltd takes sustainability, Paul replied: 

    “I think it’s very important – we handle a lot of waste material – the waste market is not up to speed in my opinion, when it comes to recycling. But we try to pull out cardboard and we will recycle it at a local tip – we will pull out metal work even if it’s scrap metal and we’ll take it away to be recycled. We use sustainable skip companies – we don’t just dump it somewhere – I mean you see so many quiet country roads full of rubbish because people don’t want to pay the costs of taking away material – and it is expensive! ” 

    Paul then stated that his company averagely spends £30,000 to £40,000 a year on skips. 

    “If it’s a larger project we will use demolition companies because they have methods of recycling the concrete which is important – so I think sustainability is really important. It’s just the building industry is not quite up to speed with it yet,” Paul added. 

    Astral Ltd also integrates sustainable features directly into the architectural parts of their projects, aligning with evolving building regulations that demand greater energy efficiency and lower carbon footprints. 

    “Well the current building regulations require a lot now – insulation regulations are high – you do have to build new, with solar, although i don’t think the solar requirement is big enough – 5 panels – its really scratching the surface. Each time the building regulations are upgraded the thickness of insulation improves and the running costs are reduced.” 

    One standout project Astral Ltd took on was Scocles Court, a series of passive houses, ultra-energy-efficient homes that require minimal energy to heat or cool.

    “We did build some passive houses (Scocles court) and they are quite hard to build. They were built with a completely different type of construction to what we normally do in this country. They used polystyrene formers and you pour concrete into the middle. It requires a lot of planning – the end product is very good but expensive. But the use at the end of those completed houses is such that the running costs should be a lot lower.” 

    Paul is also involved in the Sheppey Light Railway Greenway project – a charity-rub project that aims to build a greener transport route through Sheppey. Make sure to check out my previous article on the project for more details. 

    Astral Ltd’s approach may not yet be the industry norm, but it’s a compelling example of how small, local businesses can lead the way in environmental responsibility. Astral is not only reducing its environmental footprint—it’s also contributing to a more sustainable future for Sheppey and beyond.

  • Mental Health Global Crisis – SDG3

    By Nermine Chenini

    Mental health is oftentimes regarded as a deeply personal issue that is to be managed solely within oneself in our daily self-care routines or with private counseling or therapy sessions. Moreover, it is undeniable that the opportunity to speak up about one’s trauma, anxiety, depression, or any mental health struggle strongly depends on where one lives. However, this pattern makes mental health a privilege, rather than a universal right.

    According to the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 970 million people globally live with a mental disorder, with only 25% of those people receiving treatment. Yet, this figure can be much lower in low and middle-income countries, with approximately less than 10% of people receiving mental health treatment . Globally, health expenditure on mental health is much lower than overall health spending, particularly in developing regions where most governments allocate less than 2 percent of health budgets to mental health. These shocking statistics demonstrate the ‘inadequate awareness’ of the mental health treatment gap issue. Indeed, this means that the rare moments where people with mental health disorders seek help are so out of reach for the majority that even acknowledging mental health suffering is seen as a luxury. 

    The Zimbabwe Friendship Bench, a project that conducts an evidence-based intervention aiming to bridge the mental health treatment gap, provides a clear demonstration of the injustice behind these numbers. Founded originally from community research and cultural insight, ‘grandmothers’, otherwise known as ‘ambuyas’, sit on wooden park ‘Friendship Benches’ which serve as ‘primary health care clinics or safe community spaces’ . The structured problem-solving therapy applied by lay health workers, trained for eight days and then completing a short internship, has successfully transformed countless lives for the better. The 2016 trial conducted by the University of Zimbabwe and supported by the Canadian Government has showcased that participants in the Friendship Bench were more than 3 times less likely to remain depressed after 6 months compared to standard care .

    Also, they were five times less likely to have suicidal thoughts, pointing towards how such interventions can be life-changing and truly effective in tackling the mental health crisis in developing or underdeveloped regions. 

    Furthermore, the impact has spread across the country. By 2023, Friendship Benches reached all 10 provinces in the country with more than 2000 community workers serving over 220,000 people. Thanks to this community effort, nearly one in eight local citizens have access to mental health support that feels safe, trusted, and simultaneously rooted in culture. The potential of such models is indubitable. The idea is simple, yet extremely powerful: a grandmother, sitting quietly, listening attentively, and finally offering a plan of action rather than pity or lifelong medication. This new catalyst for healing has completely reshaped the meaning of emotional pain. It is no longer about manifesting signs of weakness. Rather, it is all about taking a visible step towards recovery, progress, and self-love. 

    However, beyond Zimbabwean provinces, mental health issues and crises persist. In Nigeria, for instance, a country with over 200 million inhabitants, fewer than 300 psychiatrists are providing mental health support locally. In such cases, cultural and societal beliefs play a huge role, with assumptions around possession or spiritual agony dominating, leading to reduced acknowledgement or proper mental health care. 

    A way to solve this mental health crisis is by targeting the root of the issue, where health systems and budgets justify neglect, leading to festering stigma surrounding the topic of mental health. This crisis is a humanitarian one, that we all collectively must engage in: refugees in camps, exposed to violence, loss, and inhumane conditions, endure all this suffering in silence. Post-traumatic stress, depression, constant worry, and sadness without any counseling or supportive communities are simply unbearable. The intense pain of these people must become a public health concern that we all should address and work on repairing.

    Since the emergence of lay-led interventions in this crisis, it has become crystal clear that their impact is immediate. However, despite how ‘highly acceptable’ initiatives like the Friendship Benches in Zimbabwe have become among communities as well as the feasibility to implement them, cultural adaptation is still relevant and necessary. 

    Mental health suffering shortens lives by a decade or more, driving disability and the likelihood of having chronic diseases. Depression alone has affected over 300 million people globally, ranking among the leading causes of illness. But with active community structures, help is close at hand. 

    Community service and local interventions for such crises that seem impossible to tackle on an individual level, teach us how healing begins not with diagnosis and antidepressants, but with true, heartfelt connections. A community elder, a trusted friend, a reliable neighbor, and a safe space to speak can all outweigh inadequate public health services. They highlight that mental health care should not be seen as an individual favor but rather a communal necessity. 

    Therefore, these emerging patterns underscore that modest investments should not be overlooked as they could provide effective solutions with culturally sensitive methods and human empathy. Through such approaches, crises can be prevented and lives restored. Moreover, truly democratizing mental wellbeing should become a priority with global systems recognizing dignity as a right rather than a privilege reserved for some. 

    Until the world begins to treat mental well-being with the same urgency as food, shelter, and safety, the same problems will remain hidden and unaddressed. No one should be left behind simply because their suffering is silent.

  • How Music Can Help You Learn a Language

    By Isabella Fernanda Hernández Soriano

    Learning a new language can be a challenging but deeply rewarding journey. It requires exposure to vocabulary, grammar, pronunciation, and cultural nuances. Among the many tools and methods available, one of the most enjoyable and effective ways to enhance language learning is through music. From improving listening comprehension to boosting memory retention and pronunciation, music offers unique advantages that traditional study methods often lack. 

    One of the most powerful benefits of music in language learning is its ability to aid memory. Songs often have repetitive structures, rhyme schemes, and catchy melodies that help learners remember words and phrases more easily. Studies in cognitive science suggest that melody and rhythm activate multiple parts of the brain, creating stronger neural connections and improving recall. When learners sing along to a song, they are not only practicing vocabulary but also reinforcing grammar patterns subconsciously. 

    Listening to music in a target language allows learners to hear authentic pronunciation and intonation. Unlike textbook recordings, songs often reflect how language is used in real life, with natural pacing, contractions, and emotional tone. Singing along helps learners mimic native pronunciation and improve their accent. Over time, this active listening and vocal practice can make learners more confident in speaking. 

    Music is an expression of culture, history, and emotion. Through songs, learners are introduced to idiomatic expressions, slang, and cultural references that might not be found in a traditional classroom. This exposure helps them understand the context in which the language is used and develop cultural sensitivity. Engaging with music also fosters emotional connections to the language, which increases motivation and long-term engagement. 

    Every song offers an opportunity to learn new words and phrases in context. Lyrics often tell stories or describe feelings, situations, and actions, providing relevant vocabulary in an understandable setting. By studying lyrics and translating them, learners can deepen their understanding of word usage and grammar structures. 

    Perhaps one of the greatest advantages of using music to learn a language is that it’s accessible and enjoyable. Music can be played on a commute, while exercising, or during study breaks, turning passive moments into valuable learning experiences. When learners enjoy what they’re doing, they are more likely to stay committed to their goals. 

    How to Use Music for Language Learning 

    ● Choose appropriate songs: Start with slow, clear songs with simple lyrics, and gradually move to more complex genres. 

    ● Use lyrics websites: Follow along with lyrics while listening to develop reading and listening skills.

    ● Translate songs: Try translating your favorite songs and identifying new vocabulary and grammar. 

    ● Sing along: Mimicking the singer improves pronunciation and rhythm. 

    ● Create playlists: Organize songs by themes or grammar points (e.g., past tense, emotions, greetings). 

    Incorporating music into your language-learning routine can make the process more dynamic, memorable, and culturally rich. Whether you’re a beginner or an advanced learner, music provides an enjoyable path to fluency. So, plug in your headphones, hit play, and let the rhythm guide your way to mastering a new language.

  • Afghan Green Tea: A Daily Tradition of Comfort and Strength

    By Homa Zaland

    In Afghanistan, green tea isn’t just a drink, it’s part of daily life, a symbol of hospitality, and a quiet source of strength. We drink it when we wake up, when guests visit, during conversations, and in silence. As a teenage girl living here, I drink nearly five cups every day. Some might find that surprising, but for Afghan families, tea is a tradition that connects generations, especially in hard times.

    Afghan green tea, known as Chai Sabz or Shna Chai, is light in color but rich in aroma. It is usually made from loose-leaf green tea, often mixed with crushed green cardamom for a better taste and smell. The flavor is slightly bitter and earthy, but very soothing especially when served hot. Sugar cubes (Qand) or Deshlama are usually served on the side, and it’s common to place one in the mouth while sipping unsweetened tea.

    The method of preparing tea is simple but deeply respected. To prepare Afghan green tea, we first add a small amount of dry chai sabz (green tea leaves) and a few crushed cardamom pods into a tarmoz (metal teapot). Meanwhile, water is boiled separately. Once it’s boiling, we pour the hot water into the tarmoz over the tea mixture. The tea is served in clear glass cups, usually on a tray. In Herat, Kabul, and other regions, it’s common to serve tea with dried fruits, nuts, or Kolocha, buttery Afghan cookies often flavored with cardamom and sometimes topped with poppy seeds. As food blogger Humaira Ghilzai explains on her website Afghan Culture Unveiled, Afghan hospitality almost always begins with a cup of tea, no matter the time of day. “The minute you walk into a house,” she writes, “someone will bring you a cup of tea.”

    Serving tea is also a cultural lesson. In many families, the youngest serves tea to elders tradition that teaches respect and patience. I’ve grown up watching my mother prepare tea with care, and I now serve it to guests myself. But beyond manners and customs, tea brings women together. I’ve seen how tea gives my mother and aunts a safe space to talk, laugh, and sometimes cry. In a country where women’s voices are often silenced, a cup of tea creates a circle where we can speak freely, even if only for a moment.

    Even in times of conflict, tea has never disappeared. During war, blackouts, and loss, the kettle always continues to boil. That is why it means so much. Tea is affordable, comforting, and familiar.

    Personally, tea is part of my daily rhythm. I study with tea, rest with tea, and talk to my little sister while sipping it. When the world feels uncertain, tea gives me one thing I can count on. It warms my hands, calms my thoughts, and connects me to my roots. And so, we continue pouring cup after cup holding onto our traditions, and finding resilience in every sip.

  • When the World Moved on Without Us

    By Froogh Nargis

    The world claims to care, but everyday that passes in silence sends a louder message to Afghan girls. The initial wave of support, statements, trending hashtags has long faded, and now the truth is clear: The world has moved on. Women and girls in Afghanistan are banned from education, shut out from opportunities, and deprived of their fundamental rights with the world leaders and activists watching in silence, distracted by the next crisis. What remains is injustice and abandonment.  

    It has been more than 1,400 days since Afghan girls have been banned from attending secondary and higher education, and more than 920 days since they have been denied access to universities.  In schools and universities, we not only learn how to read and write, but how to form opinions, make choices, learn about our rights, and speak up for ourselves. Denying education is a strategic move to silence us. When a girl is told that she has no right to learn, she is told that her dreams, goals, rights, and opinions do not matter. 

    Women and girls are being erased from the public life, and it all started from being banned from education. Today, women are no longer allowed to work in any government job, female journalists are no longer allowed to appear on camera, healthcare workers face severe restrictions, even the Ministry of Women’s Affair which once was the symbol of resilience and progress, no longer exists. With each ban and restriction, the message became clearer that Afghan women are not mean to be seen, heard, or become financially independent.

    The impact of these devastating restrictions cannot be measured in statistics, it can be described through the dreams of millions of girls that are no longer within reach, through the silent classrooms and workplaces, shattered instruments in abandoned studios, and through the businesses shut down after a knock on the door. 

    The world is watching while Afghan women and girls are being erased systematically, deliberately, and terrifyingly efficiently. What makes this situation worse is the silence that surrounds this issue as the world remains muted.  This silence reflects the growing tolerance for such cruelty, especially from those who once stood proudly beside all Afghan women, applauded their achievements, and promised them solidarity and progress. The world turned Afghan women into symbols of resilience for inspirational speeches, but in reality, they were left to carry the weight of survival alone.

    The world does not need more proof for supporting Afghan women. The fight for our rights has never been quiet, but the response to our resistance has become quieter with each day passing. But despite all of this, Afghan women continue to fight relentlessly and tirelessly for their rights and the futures that have been stolen from them. They fight for themselves and the generations to come. For the little girls who are still playing around without a care, and for the young women who could have finished school, started their dream businesses, or could have attended their dream universities. Afghan women continue to find ways to live, learn, and lead. They teach in secret classrooms, create online platforms to share their knowledge with each other, and run home-based businesses even with limited resources and constant fear. Artists are still painting, writers are still writing, and activists are still speaking up, even though all of these are mostly kept hidden.  

    The world may have moved on, but Afghan women have not given up. They continue to resist not only for themselves, but for all women and girls whose dreams were cut short. They continue to move forward even while facing countless obstacles. They stand up for themselves by creating new ways that challenge the restrictions they face, from secret classrooms to home-based businesses, or unknown pieces of poetry or music. This silent resistance does not deserve silence in return. So, speaking up, supporting their works, sharing their voices, and refusing to accept their erasure are not difficult or extremely time-consuming gestures, but very necessary ones. The world does not need more proof to act; it needs more people to care enough to act, and staying silent now means that all the support and solidarity were never meant to last.

  • Rethinking the Legal System Through a Neurodiverse Lens

    By Benjamin Barham

    Modern-day legal systems across the globe are centered around the neurotypical citizen, but disregard the will of the neurodiverse individual. They are built upon rationality and consistency, a system that needs to be rethought for all members of society to benefit. Disabilities such as ADHD, dyslexia, and autism are largely unaccommodated in the legal world- something that must change. The legal system fails to understand or assist in these differences, something that tends to punish neurodiverse individuals. As our society continues to grow, we must rethink our legal systems through a lens of neurodiversity in order to represent everyone equally under the law.

    Neurodiversity is the idea and acceptance of neurological differences. In the United States, roughly 19% of the people identify as neurodivergent, 15% in the United Kingdom, and 15-20% across the globe, showing roughly one-fifth of the world population is somewhat misrepresented in the legal system due to different neurological functions. In our legal systems today, certain traits are required, such as emotional control, eye contact, and consistent memory. However, not everyone can control these things, leading to distrust or opposition against the neurodiverse individual. For example, dodging eye contact is often associated with being guilty or, at a minimum, raises concerns, which may simply be a sensory reaction or a way to manage stress by the neurodiverse individual.

    Traditionally, a medical model is used in the legal system for neurodiverse individuals instead of a neurodiversity model. The current “model” operates under conditions such as autism, ADHD, Tourette’s Syndrome, and dyslexia as disorders or issues, as something that needs to be “fixed” or changed. Under this non inclusive model, an individual with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) might be viewed as forgetful or impulsive, which might be seen as a personal drawback instead of the neurological function of the brain.

    However, if a neurodiverse model is adopted, neurological differences would be seen as differences, not disorders. This model would argue that brain diversity is natural and normal, similar to linguistic or cultural diversity, which our society has grown to accept today. Rather than blaming neurodiverse individuals, the neurodiverse model pushes our society to reform the system instead of drawing back functioning members of our communities.

    One of the most frightening consequences of ignoring neurodiversity in a legal environment is the overrepresentation of neurodiverse individuals in justice systems worldwide. If we reform our legal systems to accommodate all members of society, those numbers will undoubtedly drop, and we will be able to provide support instead of punishment. As our legal systems refuse to accommodate neurodiverse members of our society, we are unilaterally funneling members of our communities into injustice and promoting neurological prejudice.

    In criminal justice systems around the world, around 25-30% of incarcerated individuals have ADHD, whereas only about 4-8% of the general public has it. This statistic represents the overproportional number of neurodiverse individuals in the justice system. Additionally, anywhere from 30-50% of incarcerated youth have undiagnosed learning disabilities. About 20% of youth with autism in the United States have been stopped and questioned by police, and nearly five percent have been arrested. All of these numbers are alarming. All of these numbers show that neurologically different individuals are overrepresented in the criminal justice system, something that we can fix.

    So, how can we adapt the system to the needs of all currently in the justice system and those who may go through the legal system in the future? First, we can start by requiring designated training sessions for legal professionals and law enforcement officers on interacting with neurodivergent individuals, which would change the arrest and trial procedures to further accommodate everyone. Next, we can accommodate our courtrooms by offering support persons, quiet waiting areas, and simplified language, all to increase understanding in legal proceedings.

    By changing our legal system to accommodate all minds, we can ensure a fair society for everyone to thrive. Legal philosopher Martha Nussbaum’s Frontiers of Justice says “The capabilities approach insists that we ask not just about the total or average well-being, but about the opportunities available to each person. A society that does not guarantee at least a threshold level of these capabilities to all its citizens falls short of being a fully just society” (Nussbaum 70). In order to have a society where equality prevails and every citizen, no matter the level of cognitive ability, is our one-way ticket to a fairer environment for everyone to thrive.

  • A World Full of Food, Yet Empty Stomachs

    By Mahum Khan

    Hunger remains one of the most pressing global challenges, affecting millions of people across every continent. Despite significant advancements in agriculture and food production, an estimated 735 million people—nearly 10% of the global population—go to bed hungry each night, according to the 2023 State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World (FAO) report. This crisis is not simply about the absence of food; rather, it reflects a deeper web of interconnected problems: poverty, conflict, climate change, poor infrastructure, and inequality.

    Food For Poor Roadside Vendor's Families - Ketto

    One of the primary drivers of global hunger is poverty. Families living on less than $2.15 per day—the World Bank’s updated threshold for extreme poverty—often cannot afford nutritious food, clean water, or healthcare. In many developing countries, food prices have risen sharply due to inflation, global supply chain disruptions, and reduced local production, making basic meals unaffordable for the poor. For example, in sub-Saharan Africa and parts of South Asia, rising food costs have pushed millions into food insecurity.

    Armed conflict also remains a major contributor to hunger. In war-torn regions like Yemen, Sudan, South Sudan, the Gaza Strip, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, agricultural infrastructure has been destroyed, markets have collapsed, and humanitarian aid is often blocked or politicized. When fields are bombed, irrigation systems fail, and supply chains are broken, communities are cut off from food sources—sometimes for months or years. According to the World Food Programme (WFP), conflict is the primary driver of food insecurity for about 70% of the world’s acutely hungry people.

    Climate change further exacerbates the problem. Erratic weather patterns, prolonged droughts, flooding, wildfires, and desertification reduce crop yields and livestock health, affecting both subsistence farmers and large-scale agricultural production. Countries like Ethiopia, Somalia, and Pakistan have suffered repeated climate-related disasters in recent years, pushing millions into hunger. The 2022 floods in Pakistan, for instance, destroyed millions of acres of farmland, displacing families and decimating food supplies.

    Hunger is also deeply connected to systemic inequality. In many cultures, women and girls eat last and least. According to the UN Women, women are more likely to suffer from food insecurity than men, particularly in rural and patriarchal societies. Discrimination based on gender, ethnicity, religion, or social class limits access to food, employment, land ownership, and agricultural education. Indigenous communities and minorities are often overlooked in food distribution plans and are disproportionately affected by malnutrition.

    The consequences of hunger are severe and far-reaching. For children, chronic malnutrition—known as stunting—can lead to irreversible cognitive and physical impairments, increased vulnerability to disease, and poor school performance. According to UNICEF, over 45 million children under five suffer from wasting, a life-threatening condition where the body becomes dangerously thin due to severe undernutrition. For adults, hunger reduces productivity, weakens immune systems, and entrenches the cycle of poverty. When people are too weak to work or learn, entire economies suffer.

    Despite the gravity of the crisis, solutions exist—and are working in some parts of the world. Efforts to combat hunger include investing in resilient agricultural systems, promoting climate-smart farming, expanding social safety nets, and empowering smallholder farmers, particularly women. Countries like Bangladesh and Rwanda have made significant progress by combining community-based nutrition programs with public health initiatives and microfinance. Additionally, reducing global food waste, which amounts to nearly one-third of all food produced (FAO), could feed billions if properly redistributed.

    Education and awareness are also key. By teaching communities about nutrition, food storage, and sustainable farming techniques, hunger can be prevented before it begins. Equally important is political will: world leaders must prioritize hunger relief through stronger international cooperation, humanitarian funding, and equitable food distribution systems.In a world with more than enough food to nourish everyone, hunger is not a supply problem—it’s a justice problem. Addressing it requires empathy, innovation, and action. Every person has a fundamental right to access safe, nutritious, and culturally appropriate food. With shared responsibility and global solidarity, we can build a future where no one’s stomach is left empty in a world full of plenty.

  • Re-Inventing the Rails: How a New Charity-Run Path Will Transform Sheppey’s Community

    By Ruby Sharkie

    A group of cycling enthusiasts are re-inventing the old railway route of the Sheppey Light Railway (SLR) into an accessible, sustainable path that promotes movement, community and tourism. I look at how this exciting new project lightens the future of the rural town and implements SDGs into an increasingly car-dependent world. The SLR opened in 1901 and once held high hopes of prosperity – aiming to boost tourism, housing, and the local economy. But its goals were never achieved and it was closed in the 1950s, leaving behind a forgotten dream and skeletal tracks. 

    Unlike the current train route, the SLR track stretched the whole way across Sheppey, stopping at places such as East Minster, Minster-on-Sea, Brambledown Halt, Eastchurch, Harty Road Halt and Leysdown. Ensuring more accessibility across the more rural areas in Sheppey. The SLR Greenway project is a charity funded project that aims to breathe new life to the SLR by building a path following the old railway tracks for public access that encourages walking, cycling, wheeling and horse riding. This will not only bring a new life to the old railway system, once forgotten, but it will also bring a new life to transport in Sheppey. 

    Tim Foreman (Chairman of SLR Greenway) told the Simply Sheppey Podcast “When I moved to Sheppey the bike never came out of the garden shed (…) simply there was nowhere to cycle.” By introducing a path for all, that reaches all parts of Sheppey, people in the rural towns will have more accessibility, safety and prosperity when travelling around the Island. 

    Tim added: “The idea of it is, a route connecting the west end to the east end of the island that’ll be open to walking, wheeling, cycling and horse riding.” With people being forced to use cars more due to poor bus and train services: up to 10 new car parks have been introduced onto Sheppey, one of them was built over the remains of the SLR’s Leysdown railway station, hiding that piece of history forever. 

    “Because bus services on the island are not good and cost money (…) children who live in Eastchurch, who go to St Clements school in Warden – if they walk they have to walk on the road” Tim told Simply Sheppey. 

    In a KentTV documentary: ‘Kent Tonight Special: Can devolution solve Kent’s bus crisis?’, mum of three in Leysdown, Kristie Martin, told journalists that her husband has to take the day off work just to get their daughter to the hospital, because the bus doesn’t run after 6. Kristie added: “We need the money here in rural communities, the real out-reached ones are the ones that need the support (…) we need it here, we need the support” 

    Furthermore, the Greenway aligns with several of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including: 

    • SDG 11 – Sustainable Cities and Communities: By improving safe, inclusive transport in underserved areas, we can protect our residents and promote activity.
    • SDG 9 – Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure: Through innovative reuse of the historic railway infrastructure, we can bring the once-abandoned vision back to life.
    • SDG 13 – Climate Action: Encouraging green transport alternatives to reduce car dependence and emissions and build a cleaner world for us all. 

    Check out the Simply Sheppey Podcast episode: 

    Find more information about the SLR Greenway on their website: https://www.slrgreenway.org/

    By restoring this historic route as a shared space for all, the SLR Greenway promises to bring social, economic, and environmental benefits to Sheppey. It is a testament to how local action and community vision can drive sustainable progress and build a more connected future.