Pope stresses need for jobs, stability, and dignity – Vatican News

Report on Papal Address Concerning Sustainable Development and the World of Work

Executive Summary

During the Jubilee Audience, Pope Leo XIV addressed participants of the Jubilee of Work, issuing a call for collective action to advance global employment objectives. The address strongly aligns with several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), primarily focusing on SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), with significant implications for SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), SDG 4 (Quality Education), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). The Pope underscored the necessity of creating dignified and stable employment, particularly for younger generations, to ensure they can contribute to the common good and achieve personal fulfillment.

Key Directives for Achieving SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

The Pope’s message outlined several key priorities for the global community, which directly support the targets within SDG 8.

• Promotion of Full and Productive Employment: A call was made for a “collective commitment from institutions and civil society” to create valid employment opportunities. This directly supports SDG Target 8.5, which aims for full and productive employment and decent work for all.
• Focus on Youth Employment: Special emphasis was placed on ensuring “young people can realize their dreams.” This aligns with SDG Target 8.6, which seeks to substantially reduce the proportion of youth not in employment, education, or training.
• Upholding Dignity in Work: The address stressed that work must be a source of hope and life, allowing for the expression of creativity. This reflects the core principle of “decent work” that underpins SDG 8, which includes fair income, security in the workplace, and social protection.

Historical Context and Alignment with Global Labor Rights

The address referenced historical teachings that reinforce contemporary goals for sustainable development and labor rights.

1. Legacy of Laborem exercens: The Pope recalled the encyclical by Saint John Paul II, which calls for attention to the dignity and rights of workers. This historical document’s principles are mirrored in modern global standards.
2. Protecting Labor Rights (SDG Target 8.8): The encyclical’s mission to “condemn situations in which that dignity and those rights are violated” is a direct parallel to SDG Target 8.8, which aims to protect labor rights and promote safe and secure working environments for all workers.

Broader Implications for the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development

The Pope’s catechesis extended beyond labor, touching on foundational principles of the entire 2030 Agenda.

• Reduced Inequalities (SDG 10): By emphasizing God’s preference for “the least” and the “more humble,” the address champions the core SDG principle of “Leave No One Behind.” This focus on the marginalized is central to achieving SDG 10.
• Partnerships for the Goals (SDG 17): The explicit call for a “collective commitment” involving both institutions and civil society directly advocates for the multi-stakeholder partnerships that are essential for achieving all SDGs, as outlined in SDG 17.
• Human Dignity as a Foundation: The message that hope is a testimony to reawakened dignity reinforces the human-rights-based approach of the SDGs, which seeks to ensure a life of dignity for all.

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The primary Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) addressed in the article is SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth. The analysis is as follows:

• The article is centered around the “Jubilee of the World of Work,” directly linking its theme to employment and labor.
• Pope Leo’s call for a “collective commitment” to “create jobs” and ensure “valid employment opportunities” aligns with the core mission of SDG 8, which is to promote sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all.
• The emphasis on the “dignity and rights of those who work” and ensuring work is a “source of hope and life” reflects the “decent work” aspect of SDG 8.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the article’s content, the following specific targets under SDG 8 can be identified:

• Target 8.5: Achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all.

  This target is directly supported by the Pope’s call to “create valid employment opportunities that offer stability and dignity.” The mention of condemning situations where “dignity and rights are violated” further reinforces the focus on decent work for everyone, not just job creation.

• Target 8.6: Substantially reduce the proportion of youth not in employment, education or training.

  This target is explicitly addressed through the repeated focus on younger generations. The Pope urges the community to foster conditions for the “professional development of all, particularly younger generations” and expresses a hope that “young people can realize their dreams and contribute to the common good” through employment.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

The article does not mention specific, quantitative indicators used by the UN. However, it implies several qualitative and outcome-based indicators that could measure progress:

• Implied Indicators for Target 8.5:

  • Job Stability: The call for employment opportunities that “offer stability” suggests that the nature of contracts (e.g., permanent vs. temporary) could be an indicator.
  • Workplace Dignity: The emphasis on the “dignity and rights of those who work” implies that progress could be measured by the prevalence of fair labor practices, safe working conditions, and the reduction of rights violations in the workplace.

• Implied Indicators for Target 8.6:

  • Creation of Youth Employment Opportunities: The call to “create valid employment opportunities” for youth implies that a key indicator would be the rate of job creation specifically for this demographic.
  • Professional Development for Youth: The focus on fostering “professional development” for younger generations suggests that access to and participation in vocational training and skill-building programs would be a relevant measure of progress.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: vaticannews.va