Of course, politics can look like little more than a popularity contest where contestants often promise more than they can deliver. But in a world plagued by life-and-death challenges ranging from COVID-19 and climate change to sectarian violence and hunger, some leaders are trying something different.
In today’s Daily Dose, we look at the ground-breaking steps taken by political leaders around the world to try and fundamentally reset the destiny of their nations – from a Caribbean prime minister building a republic out of an old colony to a Kosovar mayor who bridges ethnic tensions with language and culture.
You might not agree with everything they try. And it is likely that not all of these initiatives will succeed. But the world needs new and bold ideas, and these leaders are leading the way.
HUNGER
Seeds of change
The island nation of Singapore imports more than 90% of its food from overseas, and that’s not normally a problem. But the the disruption of global supply chains by the pandemic forced the wealthy city-state to recognize the food insecurity it might face in future crises. Now, the seeds of change are germinating in an initiative spearheaded by the country’s National Parks Board and former Social and Family Development Minister Desmond Lee. Called Gardening with edibles, the program involves sending seeds to residents so they can grow fruits and vegetables on their tiny balconies. It’s part of the whole country”30 by 30» initiative: to meet 30% of its nutritional needs at the national level by 2030. By March, the initiative had sent nearly half a million packets of seeds.
The master class
To ensure that legions of new home gardeners aren’t left guessing, Singapore’s National Parks Board has released instructional videos on how to sow and harvest the products. Those who register do not choose their seeds, but the plants have been selected to reflect the ingredients of traditional Singaporean dishes, such as cai xin jumped and Kang Kong Belacan. Part of the deployment also means double the number of community gardens by 2030, as growing vegetables on a windowsill or balcony can become cramped and space on the island is limited. Additionally, Lee is pushing an initiative to get residential apartment developers to increase green space, like rooftop gardens and wall landscaping – providing the added benefit of cooling ambient temperatures.
invisible enemy
While still in its infancy as an independent nation, Bangladesh suffered a major famine in 1974, in which an estimated 1.5 million people died. Today, the country that former US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger once derisively called a “hopeless case” has become a success story in the face of food shortages. Between 2000 and 2015, he halve chronic hunger, although one-sixth of the country’s population remains food insecure. Today the Prime Minister of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina focuses on the next big threat to food supplies: antimicrobial resistance, (AMR), in which microbes, evolving over time, no longer respond to drugs. She is warn the world the risk of future pandemics because of this phenomenon and the threat he represents to food security. Will rich countries listen before it’s too late?
Fish for nutrition
It’s not just about having enough food; it’s also about having the right nutrition. Hasina encourages young people in Bangladesh to take up fish farming. Not only is it an opportunity for self-employment, she said, but it is a way to strengthen the country’s food supply locally. His government would focus on increasing fish production while providing food to farmers and fishermen to ensure they did not fall into financial hardship, as well as arranging collateral-free loans for those looking to start a fishing business.
POLITICS AND ECONOMY
The king of crypto
Creative? Yes. Effective? Only time will tell. El Salvador made headlines after thriving overbearing and depressed with children President Nayib Bukele made Bitcoin legal tender in the Central American country. It has been authorized since the beginning of September. But this does not want to say all companies are obliged to accept it as payment. Bukele’s vision is a libertarian dream: he has argued that he wants citizens to have access to a market-governed currency instead of depending on the US dollar, which is also legal tender. And at least in theory, it should be easier and safer to access money virtually.
Deployment Rumbles
But Bukele’s bold move didn’t have the smoothest launch. Bitcoin first took a beating in the markets shortly after officially becoming legal tender on September 7, before recovering. There has also been a significant pushback from Salvadorans, many of whom are concerned about Bitcoin’s volatility – he’s a fickle friend — and the potential for its use in money laundering. The state launched an official digital wallet, called Chivo, with $30 worth of bitcoin preloaded, but since its introduction it has been plagued by glitches. Some users did not receive the $30 and were unable to use ATMs or even access their wallets. And now the president is urging Salvadorans to “buy the dips” by joining him in currency speculation. Sink or swim, the outcome of this experiment could mean big changes for a country where 70% of the population does not have access to banking services.
The Republican
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle aren’t the only ones to cut ties with the British monarchy. Barbadian Prime Minister Mia Mottley, elected in 2018, has announced plans to impeach the Queen as the island nation’s head of state to make the country a republic by November 30. Talk to vogue, Mottley described the decision as “accepting responsibility for who we are”, rather than any ill will towards the Royal Family. The coming months will see the crystallization of a new constitutionas current Governor General Dame Sandra Mason is set to become Barbados’ first local head of state as president.
Marriage equality by popular vote
But Mottley is a changemaker in more ways than one: She’s also aiming for marriage equality. She explained how, as a “country that was forged in its modern incarnation in the experience of racism and discrimination”, Barbados can no longer willfully discriminate against its own citizens. His plan includes first legalizing same-sex civil unions, then holding a gay marriage referendum. LGBTQ groups and activists are not so confident, however, saying building equality would take much more than civil unions and warning that it may be too early for a referendum on marriage.
INTEGRATION AND EQUALITY
Break the language barrier
As an ethnic Albanian, Qëndron Kastrati, the mayor of Kamenica, Kosovo, does not speak much Serbian. But with a growing number of other people in his area, he learns — thanks to the language exchange courses set up by his municipality make the bridge ethnic and cultural tensions. The vast majority of Kosovars are Albanian, after violent conflict in the late 1990s which prompted many Serbs to leave. Those who remain live largely apart from the Albanians, and language and cultural barriers perpetuate historical divisions. The course includes visits to sites of religious and cultural significance to both parties. More than 100 people have joined the program, and Kastrati hopes to expand its reach as other cities borrow its idea.
Hire teachers
But Kastrati’s ideas are also controversial. The first mayor set out to reform education in his city, where some schools had only one student, and ordered the closure of 19 schools in 2019. Teachers and parents cheered, ostensibly attending closed schools. Kastrati nevertheless held firm. And last year, then Prime Minister Avdullah Hoti – who had previously criticized the mayor of Kamenica – Bliss for pushing for education reforms even as he urged him to seek a compromise with his critics.
Freedom Zone Activist
It takes courage to be an openly gay, atheist, feminist and pro-European politician in an increasingly conservative Poland ruled by the right-wing Law and Justice party. Yet it is a position that Robert Biedroń has been defending for years. Member of the European Parliament and candidate for the presidential election of his country in 2020, Biedroń pleaded for a counterattack plan against the proliferation of “LGBTQ-free zones” in Poland, where local authorities have pledged since 2019 to prevent pro-LGBTQ policies. Biedroń tabled a resolution in the European Parliament claiming that the bloc would instead become an area of ”LGBTQ freedom”. The resolution was adopted, although some regions chose to lose their EU funding rather than comply.
Solidarity with red hair
In March, Biedroń appeared on one of Poland’s biggest current affairs television shows with hair dyed tomato red. “This is my manifestohe said, explaining that it is his mark of support for young people struggling with a lack of access to sex education. Poland’s social history is intertwined with a lack of sex education, leading to perpetuated stereotypes, homophobia, inequality for women and minorities – and increasing physical violence. Biedroń said that from this day forward and for the foreseeable future, he will have Red hair in solidarity with “this big, fucking injustice” that affects especially children.
