Highlighting SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
The Foundational Crisis: Peace, Justice, and the Threat to Global Development
In the current global landscape, the fundamental freedom of human rights is arguably the most persistently violated principle. While individuals are inherently entitled to peace, justice, and effective governance, numerous states worldwide are failing in their responsibility to uphold these protections. This failure directly undermines Sustainable Development Goal 16 (SDG 16): Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions.
The realization of SDG 16 is severely threatened by the global rise of democratic backsliding, state-sanctioned violence, xenophobia, and virulent nationalism. Efforts by the United Nations to promote this goal have been undercut by a shift in world order, where powerful actors frequently turn a blind eye to silent destabilization. We are deeply concerned by ongoing crises that reflect this breach of justice, from the civil war in Sudan and the systematic persecution of the Uyghur community in China to the general rise of authoritarianism. The sheer volume of conflicts and human rights crises today must serve as an urgent global alarm.
SDG 16: The Keystone Goal
SDG 16 is unequivocally the keystone goal of the 2030 Agenda. Without the consistent upholding of the rule of law, the protection of fundamental human rights, and accessible justice, the remaining goals lack a stable foundation upon which to build lasting progress.
This destructive failure of SDG 16 has devastating ripple effects across the entire agenda. We aim to specifically spotlight homelessness in Austin as if we can’t address the problems in our community we can’t work toward solutions for our world.
In Austin, homelessness is not simply the result of individual circumstance; it reflects a broader failure of institutional coordination, accountability, and long-term planning. Despite the city’s commitment of over $350 million toward housing and homelessness services over the next decade, outcomes remain stagnant or worsening. As outlined by the Texas Public Policy Foundation, continued funding without a strategic shift has become a cycle of spending without resolution. Policies that prioritize “low-barrier” housing without enforceable pathways toward self-sufficiency risk trapping individuals in systems that do not meaningfully address addiction, mental health, or economic reintegration.
Moreover, the lack of reliable data collection undermines informed policymaking. Point-in-Time counts, the primary method used to estimate homelessness, fail to capture the true scope of the population, excluding those who are couch-surfing, living in vehicles, or residing in informal encampments. Without accurate data, institutions cannot design effective interventions, nor can they be held accountable for outcomes. This absence of transparency directly contradicts the core principles of SDG 16.
Equally troubling is the uneven enforcement of existing public safety ordinances. The failure to uphold laws related to public camping, sanitation, and drug use has contributed to unsafe living conditions for unhoused individuals while simultaneously straining surrounding communities. When governments selectively enforce laws or fail to enforce them altogether, they erode public trust and normalize institutional breakdown. Strong institutions are not defined solely by compassion, but by their ability to balance rights, responsibilities, and public safety consistently and humanely.
At its core, the homelessness crisis in Austin reflects the same structural issues seen globally: institutions that prioritize optics over outcomes, fragmented service delivery, and a reluctance to confront systemic inefficiencies. Without independent audits, inter-agency coordination, and outcome-based metrics focused on long-term stability and self-sufficiency, homelessness policy becomes performative rather than transformative.
As Young Professionals, we are committed to upholding the principles of SDG 16 and promoting its realization through advocacy and direct action. Our recent strides toward advancing peace, justice, and strong institutions include:
Working towards organizing community dialogues and education events to inform the public of their rights, specifically homeless people, and how they can access the resources available to them
Partnering with student groups and advocacy organizations to amplify reform in our state (Texas)
References
Bonura, J. (2025, February 5). Funding failure. Texas Public Policy Foundation.
https://www.texaspolicy.com/funding-failure/
United Nations. (2015). Transforming our world: The 2030 agenda for sustainable development. United Nations General Assembly.
https://sdgs.un.org/2030agenda
United Nations Development Programme. (n.d.). Goal 16: Peace, justice, and strong institutions.
https://www.undp.org/sustainable-development-goals/peace-justice
Mya Duncan
Edited by Marissa Ambat
