Report on the Contributions of Ashley Blazer Biden to Sustainable Development Goals

1.0 Profile and Educational Background

Ashley Blazer Biden, born on June 9, 1981, has established a career centered on social work and justice, aligning her professional and personal endeavors with key global development objectives.

• Education: Ms. Biden holds a master’s degree in social work, obtained in 2010 from the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Social Policy and Practice. This academic foundation underpins her work in social equity and community support.
• Early Career: She served as the associate director of the Delaware Center for Justice for over seven years, an organization dedicated to transforming the justice system.

2.0 Professional Initiatives and Alignment with SDGs

Ms. Biden’s professional activities demonstrate a strong commitment to the principles outlined in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly in areas of justice, economic equality, and community well-being.

2.1 Advancing Justice and Strong Institutions (SDG 16)

Her tenure at the Delaware Center for Justice directly contributed to SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions. The role involved advocating for criminal justice reform, which supports the SDG target of promoting the rule of law and ensuring equal access to justice for all.

2.2 Entrepreneurship for Social and Economic Equality (SDG 1, SDG 8, SDG 10)

In 2017, Ms. Biden founded the clothing brand Livelihood, an enterprise with a mission extending beyond commerce.

1. Mission: The brand was established to promote economic equality, particularly in underserved communities.
2. SDG Alignment: This initiative directly supports several SDGs:
   • SDG 1 (No Poverty) and SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth): By focusing on creating economic opportunities and fostering equitable enterprise.
   • SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities): By channeling resources and attention toward reducing economic disparities.

3.0 Public Advocacy Platform

As First Daughter, Ms. Biden has stated her intention to utilize her platform to advocate for key social issues that are integral to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

• Social Justice: Her commitment to social justice aligns with SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions), continuing her career-long focus on systemic fairness.
• Mental Health: By advocating for mental health, she supports SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), which aims to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages.
• Community Development: Her focus on community development and revitalization is a direct contribution to SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), which seeks to make human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable.

Identified Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

• The article explicitly states that Ashley Biden plans to use her platform “to advocate for… mental health,” which is a core component of SDG 3, aimed at ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all at all ages.

SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

• Ashley Biden’s focus is on “economic equality,” as mentioned in the quote from The Lily. Her advocacy for “social justice” also directly addresses the goal of reducing inequality within and among countries.

SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

• Her stated intention “to be involved in community development and revitalization” aligns with SDG 11, which focuses on making cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable.

SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

• The article highlights her work as the “associate director of the Delaware Center for Justice” and her plan to “advocate for social justice.” These activities are directly related to SDG 16, which aims to promote peaceful and inclusive societies and provide access to justice for all.

Specific SDG Targets

1. Target 3.4: Promote mental health and well-being

   This target aims to “reduce by one third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being.” Ashley Biden’s plan to “advocate for… mental health” directly supports the promotion of mental health as outlined in this target.

2. Target 10.2: Empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all

   This target seeks to “empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status.” Her advocacy for “social justice” and “economic equality” is a direct effort to achieve this goal.

3. Target 11.3: Enhance inclusive and sustainable urbanization and human settlement planning

   This target aims to “enhance inclusive and sustainable urbanization and capacity for participatory, integrated and sustainable human settlement planning and management in all countries.” Her commitment to “community development and revitalization” contributes to this objective.

4. Target 16.3: Promote the rule of law and ensure equal access to justice

   This target is to “promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all.” Her professional experience as “associate director of the Delaware Center for Justice” and her ongoing advocacy for “social justice” are concrete actions toward this target.

Indicators for Measuring Progress

1. Indicator for Target 3.4

   The article implies an indicator through her stated actions. Progress can be observed through her “advocacy for mental health” using her public platform. The existence and reach of these advocacy activities serve as a qualitative indicator.

2. Indicator for Target 10.2

   The article provides two implied indicators: her general “advocacy for social justice” and the specific initiative of founding the “clothing brand Livelihood” with a focus on “economic equality.” The activities and impact of this brand could be measured as progress.

3. Indicator for Target 11.3

   The indicator is her stated intention and future actions. Progress would be measured by her level of involvement “in community development and revitalization” projects, as she plans to do.

4. Indicator for Target 16.3

   The article points to her past professional role (“associate director of the Delaware Center for Justice”) as a tangible contribution. Her ongoing “advocacy for social justice” serves as a current indicator of her commitment to ensuring equal access to justice.

Summary Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: eonline.com