Here's an extract from the report of the inaugural UK SDGs Summit that was held last autumn.<\/p>\n
The Inaugural UK SDGs Summit<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n
The new United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which came into effect on 1 January 2016, are a landmark agreement by all countries on a blueprint for a better future. \u00a0 The inaugural UK\u00a0SDG Summit was the UK's\u00a0first high-level multi-stakeholder forum to advance national implementation of the SDGs. \u00a0The Summit, convened on 7 September 2016 in London, brought together 150 leaders and decision-makers from government, business, civil society and academia to explore what the SDGs mean for the UK, showcase existing commitments and implementation efforts, and identify what actions need to be taken collaboratively and by different sectors to achieve the goals.<\/p>\n
Key discussion points <\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n
The SDGs provide a fundamentally new approach for addressing the social, environmental and governance challenges facing the UK\u00a0and the world. \u00a0The SDGs framework provides a new way of articulating what a prosperous future looks like which is positive, comprehensive, tangible, measurable and relevant to the UK\u00a0both domestically and internationally. \u00a0As such it provides opportunities for new conversations, partnerships and actions to help realise such a future. \u00a0We need to build on the growing momentum for action on the SDGs across all sectors. \u00a0There is already broad support and significant momentum for the SDGs from across all sectors in the UK, with a number of companies and other organisations already demonstrating the agenda\u2019s practical uses and benefits. \u00a0This momentum was further demonstrated by the four sectoral statements of support for the SDGs launched at the Summit.<\/p>\n
A way forward <\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n
Important starting points for taking implementation of the SDGs forward in the UK\u00a0include:<\/p>\n
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- Using the SDGs to build a vision for the UK's\u00a0future and a plan to get us there.<\/li>\n
- Mapping how the UK\u00a0is already performing against the SDGs \u2013 particularly to identify areas where we are not doing well.<\/li>\n
- Mapping existing activities from across sectors which are contributing to the SDGs, on which to build.<\/li>\n
- Developing the economic and strategic case to quantify a range of strategic, social, environmental and economic benefits in working towards and achieving the SDGs.<\/li>\n
- Developing tools, case studies and other resources to assist UK\u00a0organisations in engaging with and contributing to the SDGs.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Collaboration and partnerships are critical to addressing the complexity of the SDGs. \u00a0Although partnerships can be challenging to build and maintain, they provide a range of opportunities. \u00a0To help forge strong partnerships, the SDGs should be used as a common starting point for discussion. \u00a0Communication and awareness raising is key to ensuring meaningful impact towards the SDGs. \u00a0It is important that a wide range of actors are engaged in addressing them \u2013 including government at all levels, business, civil society, academia and the broader public. \u00a0Currently the SDGs are neither well known nor well understood in the UK, so raising broad awareness of them is important. \u00a0To engage these actors, a positive vision of the SDGs should be articulated and an emotional connection built through stories showing what the agenda means for people\u2019s own lives. ...<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Interesting, you might say; promising even. \u00a0But why didn't I know about this meeting, you might add \u2013 or, if you're that way inclined: why wasn't I invited!<\/p>\n