(TODAY COLOMBIA) Yet another country ranking, this one from the The Good Country Index that measures how much each of the 125 countries on the list contribute to the planet and to the human race through their policies and behaviours.
The Index is a composite statistic of 35 data points which are mostly generated by the United Nations. These data points are combined into a common measure which gives an overall ranking and a ranking in seven categories such as Science and Technology, Culture, International Peace and Security, World Order, Planet and Climate, Prosperity and Equality, Health and Wellbeing.
The ‘Good Country’ concept and the Good Country Index were developed by Simon Anholt. The Index was built by Dr Robert Govers with support from several other organisations, and funded by Simon Anholt.
So how does Colombia stand up against all the countries in The Good Country Index?
Overall the country places 31st. In Science and Technology 57th, 83rd in Culture, 43rd in International Peace and Security, 1017th in World Order, 15th in Planet and Climate, 29th in Prosperity and Equality and in Health and Well Being.
Tops in the overall rankings is Ireland, followed by Finland, Switzerland, Netherlands, New Zealand, Sweden, United Kingdon, Norway, Denmark and Belgium to round out the top 10.
In last place, 125th on the list, is Libya.
In the South America, Venezuela is ranked 117th, Brazil 49th, Peru 86th, Argentina 57th, Ecuador 39th,k Paraguay 54th, Uruguay 41st and Chile 24th.
What can we expect to do with these results? The Good Country Index says it can be for people to urge their governments to look at the total impact of their policies. It’s no longer enough to provide prosperity, growth, justice and peace to one population alone: the international consequences of every action must be considered.
The Good Country Index website says that Economic growth is a good thing, but not if it’s at the cost of the environment or the wellbeing of another country or species. Competition between nations is increasingly looking like a dangerous idea. It’s up to us to tell these things to our politicians, and the Good Country Index can help get the message across.
