Written by: Karol Alejandra Arámbula Carrillo, National Operations Coordinator & Jesús Epifanio Vicencio Prior, Content and Writing Division at MY World Mexico.
Last month the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) was held at United Nations Headquarters with the purpose of giving a space to different stakeholders for the sharing of their efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The HLPF is the United Nations main platform for follow-up and review of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the SDGs that provides the full and effective participation of all States Members of the United Nations and States Members of specialized agencies. This year’s team was “Eradicating poverty and promoting prosperity in a changing world”. The set of goals that were reviewed in depth were Goal 1 (No poverty), Goal 2 (Zero hunger), Goal 3 (Good health and well-being), Goal 5 (Gender equality), Goal 9 (Industry, innovation and infrastructure), Goal 14 (Life below water), and Goal 17 (Partnerships for the goals).
In accordance with Paragraph 84 of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, Member States decided that the HLPF shall carry out regular Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs) of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the SDGs which included developed and developing countries, as well as relevant United Nations entities and other stakeholders. The HLPF reviews this year were state-led, involving ministerial and other relevant high-level participants, and provided a platform for partnerships, including through the participation of major groups and other relevant stakeholders.
This year’s VNRs aimed to facilitate the sharing of experiences, including successes, challenges and lessons learned with a view to accelerating the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The VNRs also focused on strengthening policies and institutions of governments and to mobilize multi-stakeholder support and partnerships for the implementation of the SDGs. The VNR countries submitted comprehensive written reports that were be made available in the VNR database. In addition, each VNR country provided main messages summarizing their key findings. In addition, the Secretariat invited all relevant stakeholders to host side-events during the HLPF. In total, 147 side-events, 3 special events, and 10 learning courses and workshops to favor the 2030 Agenda and the implementation of the SDGs were organized. MY World Mexico was able to join events daily and participate in key meetings with stakeholders at the global and national levels.
For this year’s HLPF five team members from MY World Mexico were selected by as a result of their work on the ground since 2016 to represent My World Mexico at this outstanding event.
As result, our participation increased the voices and impact of young people and volunteers of MY World Mexico due to the campaign’s work related to the implementation of SDGs and its monitoring through the MY World 2030 survey. In addition MY World Mexico’s partnerships strengthened with key meetings and approaches (like Ilmi Salminen, United Nations Youth Delegate of Finland; Anne-Sophie Dubrux, United Nations Youth Delegate of Belgium; Adil Skalli, Project Office, Climate Change, Global Goals Camp; Model Assemblies, United Nations Association in Canada; Steve Lee, Executive Director, Foundation for Environmental Stewardship, among others).
We were able to share best practices of implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the SDGs locally, nationally and internationally, which were acknowledged by its focus on volunteering. On the other hand our team improved youth advocacy skills and got to explore new opportunities for MY World Mexico to improve and innovate our work (specifically, key points to improve MY World Mexico as a network of youth talent).
We established frequent communication and collaboration with youth around the world, to advocate for the involvement of young people in the governance processes aimed to achieve the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the SDGs. This included a close dialogue with Mexico’s Presidency to interact on new ways to include youth in SDG action and discussion mechanisms at the national level.
Read MY World Mexico’s Full Report on the 2017 HLPF: here.
Written by: Jesús Epifanio Vicencio Prior (Content and Writing Division) Karol Alejandra Arámbula Carrillo (National Operations Coordinator) MY World México
One of the key pillars of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development is how to protect our planet and secure that future generations enjoy a healthy natural habitat like many of us do. Our environment faces many evident challenges, mainly caused by human activities. These challenges which in many cases have turned into actual issues, have considerable impacts upon human health, biodiversity and climate alterations.
Our country Mexico is a country already affected by theses issues. At the national level, toxic waste; pollution and climate change can be easily identified. Mexico City for example, has one of the highest percentages of annual pollutant emissions in the world. Other cities such as Guadalajara or Monterrey generate around 3.5 and 3% percent respectively. Cities like Mexicali and Tijuana are also among the most polluted cities in the country.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), around 15,000 people die as a result of pollution-related diseases in our country. Mexico also produces an average of 86,349 tons of waste every year, giving this an approximate of 770 grams per person, which mainly occurs in households, buildings, parks and streets. Around 87% of garbage waste is produced in rural communities.
The official statistics provided by the Mexican government, have shown that in the last 3 years, a total investment of nearly $ 1 billion dollars has been done in fighting pollution. Around 44,000 people in our country in the last 8 years, have lost their lives as a result of pollution according to WHO, and 300 children a month die because of air pollution in Mexico.
These statistics replicate themselves as you look into each country’s case. This is why the United Nations has promoted the protection and improvement of environment though establishing June 5 as World Environment Day. The celebration provides the opportunity to develop a basis for well-informed individuals, organizations and companies to promote the conservation of our environment and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. The first time the international community commemorated this day was in 1974. Ever since this day has provided individuals and organizations with a platform of public discussion that aims to preserve a healthy Earth. Each year, World Environment Day revolves around a theme that seeks to place attention upon a particular issue. This year’s theme focused on the relation of people with nature to appreciate its beauty and reflect on how we are an integral part of it.
MY World México through its strong national network, partner with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP); the United Nations Volunteers Programme (UNV) and Design For Change to promote actions across the country in favor of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 6, 12, 13, 14 and 15. This aligned with MY World Mexico’s integral strategy to work at the local, national and international levels for the implementation, monitoring, financing, monitoring and socialization of the SDGs in Mexico.
With the support of UNEP, UNV and Design For Change, MY World Mexico launched a call inviting individuals and organizations to promote #SDGAction in favor of the environment. The call reached many organizations and individuals and at the end of the day we were able to register over 30 activities across the country focused on creating awareness and solutions to solve environmental issues at the local level and promote action towards its protection.
Some of these actions included activities such as cleaning of public spaces; reef system tours; conferences and workshops; responsible consumption lectures; reforestations; tours and guided visits to natural parks; among others. Most of the participations were led by high schools, elementary schools, universities, civil society and interested individuals, as well as the private sector. Participant states included Quintana Roo, Veracruz, Yucatán, Puebla, Mexico City, Jalisco, among many others.
In addition to what was being led on the ground, MY World Mexico was also being represented at the first ever United Nations Ocean Conference at the United Nations Headquarters in New York City. Two of our 2030 Agenda Youth Ambassadors, Leonildo Tun Caamal and Patricia Lineth Cervantes Rodríguez were responsible for taking to the United Nations the results of MY World Mexico’s National Voluntary Commitment towards SDG 14 on Life Below Water published by the United Nations Presidency of the General Assembly.
Over 50 awareness activities such as lectures, workshops, conferences and others.
As MY World Mexico worked with the United Nations Global Survey For A Better World MY World 2030, we were able to identify that SDG 14 on Life Below Water was positioned as the least important in people’s choices in this consultation exercise before the High Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development in 2016. This is why the network considered as fundamental to promote #SDGAction and efforts that helped achieved those goals being left behind.
So far, the results have been incredible and people continue to be motivated to work towards the preservation of our environment beyond the dates that commemorate its existence, as well as challenges. We reaffirmed our commitment to continue to work on towards the achievement of the SDGs, as well as creating and sharing the knowledge, skills and experiences that help others do the same.
Written by Karol Alejandra Arámbula Carrillo
National Operations Coordinator at MY World México
Three years ago when we had the opportunity to implement the United Nations Global Survey For A Better World MY World 2015 in my hometown Jalisco, México we were able to realize people’s interest in being part of the new global development agenda. Back then, I was amazed by people’s willingness to act and help others participate in the definition of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). At the end of the day, having collected nearly 400,000 voices in the survey thanks to the mobilization of 500 young volunteers and 255 organizations, Jalisco was able to position itself as one of the most participative entities in the world in the definition of these new Global Goals.
This also led to make Jalisco’s the first in our country to align its State Development Plan to the SDGs taking into account the MY World 2015 results. Jalisco was also part of the adoption of the SDGs and was also awarded the “People’s Voices Challenge Award” for Best Multi-stakeholder Collaboration in September 2015. The results also had a considerable impact in Mexico’s First National Voluntary Review before the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) in 2016, as a significant input for SDG actions coming from civil society’s mobilization mechanisms.
However, as soon as the SDGs were adopted in September 2015, the big questions for an already highly motivated team made mostly of young people, were “so what comes next?” and “how do we make sure that the SDGs are a reality by 2030?”. Thankfully for us this was also a question raised by the United Nations SDG Action Campaign which had recently transform itself from the United Nations Millennium Campaign and was exploring the different ways in which MY World could be used as a platform to track awareness and implementation on SDGs and monitor progress according to peoples’ satisfaction until 2030.
(c) MY World 2030 México – UN SDG Action Campaign. School kids hold the SDGs they feel most passionate about.
This is how a group of organizations and highly motivated people supported by the United Nations SDG Action Campaign and United Nations Volunteers in Mexico, decided to establish a national network called MY World Mexico in April 2016. This network, would not only implement the MY World 2030 survey throughout Mexico, replicating Jalisco’s successful strategy, but would also lead actions at the local, national and international levels for the implementation, monitoring, financing, follow-up and socialization of the SDGs in Mexico.
In its first year, MY World Mexico was able to collect close to 30,000 MY World 2030 votes in at least 25 states around Mexico thanks to the efforts of 75 volunteers and 20 Civil Society Organizations. By July 2016, during the first HLPF that would review countries the team was able to provide the United Nations SDG Action Campaign and Mexico’s Office of the Presidency, the first results of the survey. At the same time at the United Nations Headquarters MY World 2030 was officially launched and members of our team were able to present some of the outcomes of this first implementation phase.
Simultaneously at the grassroots level, our volunteers were activating hundreds of other activities that were able to get others engage in the SDGs. The first challenge that the MY World 2030 results showed was that people did not know about the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Around 83% of the people who were surveyed, said they never heard about the SDGs before. The second challenge was that the results of MY World 2030 were quite different from what the MY World 2015 had shown in the past. For example, Water and Sanitation (SDG 6) were among the top priorities, as well as Health and Well-being (SDG 3), which led to identify that people indeed perceive implementation of the SDGs as quite a challenging effort.
Ever since, the network has grown significantly. As of today, MY World México is composed by nearly 60 organizations from academia, civil society, the public and private sectors, as well as 130 volunteers in almost all states in Mexico. The actions and strategies MY World Mexico focuses on are:
Promote and socialize the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development with the support of key stakeholders at the local, national and international levels.
Strengthen and expand the participation and commitment of people in the implementation, monitoring, financing, follow-up and socialization of the SDGs in Mexico.
Lead actions in favor of the SDGs through volunteerism and multi-stakeholder mobilization at the local, national and international levels to achieve all goals and targets proposed in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Empower citizens to they promote actions and activities to tell everyone about the SDGs.
Lead national communication campaigns with key stakeholders of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Promote the creation of local and inclusive networks for individuals and institutions in favor of the implementation, monitoring, financing, follow-up and socialization of the SDGs.
Co-create and promote accountability mechanisms at the local and national levels by people through ground mobilization and the search of multiple sources, as well as publicly acknowledge efforts and best practices.
Use technology, innovation and creativity to maximize the impact of people’s participation, as well as knowing SDGs progress in the country for information sharing and appropriate use of data.
Lead advocacy actions at the international, national and local levels.
Promote the annual participation of people in the MY World 2030 Survey.
The network has also participated in key advocacy processes in the United Nations, such as:
2016 United Nations High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development.
2016 71º United Nations General Assembly.
2017 United Nations Economic and Social Council Youth Forum.
2017 United Nations 55º Commission for Social Development.
2017 1º Global Festival of Ideas for Sustainable Development.
2017 Youth Forum of the United Nations 61º Commission on the Status of Women.
2017 United Nations 50º Commission on Population and Development.
2017 United Nations First Regional Meeting on Sustainable Development of the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC)
The network is leading actions across the country on a daily basis to achieve the SDGs. We have also taken into account other projects such as Humans of MY World; Virtual Reality; Hackatons; hundreds of conferences and other mechanisms that allow us to tell everyone about the SDGs and incentive action.
The network has been one of the first partners to sign a National Voluntary Commitment before the President of the United Nations General Assembly for the 2017 Ocean Conference leading 25 coastal cleaning activities; 50,000 MY World 2030 surveys and 87 educational activities to achieve SDG 14 on Life Below Water.
(c) MY World 2030 México – UN SDG Action Campaign. Coastal cleaning activity volunteer holds SDG14 c) MY World 2030 México – UN SDG Action Campaign. School kids participate in educational activities around SDG14
We have partnered with initiatives such as TeachSDGs, The Global Goals and The World’s Largest Lesson to use existing creative platforms to engage many others in the process. The network grows by numbers every week and is trying to ensure State and Municipal Committees on SDGs are implemented and that the recently established National Council on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development mandated by the Office of the Presidency includes the participation of all social actors involve in the SDGs. The MY World Mexico’s team took part in the installation of this Council, which is hoped to shape federal policies in the SDGs for the years to come.
A year of great achievements for our time has not only motivated others to participate in the SDGs but has built a solid, diverse and talented team across the country. As one of the first pilot countries of the second phase of MY World 2030 we have been able to secure a place for the SDGs in many people’s hearts and minds, as well as in key efforts in organizations from across sectors. We are certain that MY World Mexico will continue to grow and expand itself to make the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development a reality in our country.
Being able to lead this amazing project has taught me great life lessons, among them realizing how interested young people are in shaping their future. Interest has led to amazing daily actions, which is why I see MY World Mexico as more than a team but a community that has been able to build a strong spirit of commitment to make our country better. We are in contact every day, through every possible mean, making sure we connect our ideas and our work wherever we go. Part of the success of our strategy depends on respect to diversity and willingness to work despite challenges.
We are forever grateful with each and everyone of the individuals, organizations, authorities and United Nations entities that have participated in this one-year journey as MY World Mexico. We could not have done this without out you. We hope to continue to work together for another year of great efforts!
c) MY World 2030 México – UN SDG Action Campaign. MY World volunteers
The SDG Action Campaign recently issued a Global Call for Partners to take part in supporting the MYWorld 2030 survey on Wed 31 May 2017 at 10am EST: Join the MY World 2030 Partner Team
The 71st regular session of the United Nations General Assembly met this past September, which also coincided with the High Level Meeting on Large Movements of Refugees and Migrants. In an effort to raise the voices are those most in danger of being left behind, the UN SDG Action Campaign brought two immersive technology experiences to the UN Secretariat Building, highlighting some of the most complex global challenges the UN faces. The particular focus on refugees, displaced people, and migrants allowed diplomats direct access and a deeper understanding of their everyday realities.
Haider al Abadi, Prime Minister of Iraq speaking to a young boy displaced from Mosul
Haider al Abadi, Prime Minister of Iraq speaking to a young boy displaced from Mosul
Ewan MacGregor, Goodwill Ambassador for UNICEF poses with young girl he met on his last visit to Erbil
Ewan MacGregor, Goodwill Ambassador for UNICEF poses with young girl he met on his last visit to Erbil
Above: Haider al Abadi, Prime Minister of Iraq speaking to Waleed, a young boy displaced from Mosul by violence now living in the Harsham IDP Camp. Below: Ewan MacGregor, Goodwill Ambassador for UNICEF poses with Mirna, young girl he met on his last visit to the Camp in Erbil.
The United Nations Virtual Reality film series and Portals immersive experiences enables people to access locations and situations they would otherwise never experience, providing context for some of the most complex issues the UN is striving to mitigate. By doing so, the Campaign hopes it will help transform understanding of critical global issues that must be addressed in order to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals into a medium that is instantly empathetic and universally relatable.
Liliane Plouemen, Minister Foriegn Trade and Development Cooperation, Netherlands
Anifa Aman, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Malaysia
Throughout the course of the week, Delegates were able to watch several films on the newly launched UNVR app (available at www.UNVR.org) about the everyday realities of refugees. Filmed in the Zaatari Camp in Jordan, Clouds Over Sidra recounts the new normal for a young girl from Syria, and Born Into Exile by UNFPA highlights the importance of providing safe births for mothers, revealing the amazing statistic that zero mothers have been lost at the camp. Beyond the Lake recounts the harrowing experience of a woman escaping violence in Burundi who is able to start a new life in the DRC through the support of UN Women safe spaces. UNOCHA also previewed Home, a new film documenting the UN Secretary-General’s humanitarian tour, highlighting the plight of refugees living in Lebanon, Syria and the DRC.
Delegates further had the opportunity to have full-body conversations with individuals living these realities, in real time, through the UN Portal, curated by the Campaign, Shared_Studios, and Bridges of Understanding. It is part of an international project with countless locations around the world by Shared_Studios. The UN Portal connected to the Harsham IDP Camp in Erbil, curated by UNICEF Iraq, allowing delegates to speak to young Iraqis displaced by fighting in Mosul. It also connected to a refugee resettlement home outside of Berlin, where delegates could speak to people from Chad, South Sudan, Afghanistan, and Syria in varying stages of asylum seeking, and to young people at the University of Kabul in Afghanistan with Turquoise Mountain Institute. In the afternoons, the UN Portal connected to Mexico City with an NGO called Proyecto Habesha that is supporting Syrian refugees in coordinates higher education degrees in Mexico.
Bert Koenders, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Netherlands
Cristina Gallach, Under Secretary-General for the UN Department of Public Information
Ahmad Alhendawi, UN Special Envoy for Youth
Colleagues from UN Security and Safety
Youth from China
http://www.sharedstudios.com/mexico/
This exhibition was made possible through the political support of the Government of the Netherlands, the Government of Germany, the Government of Iraq, and the UN Department of Information.
The Campaign also shared the space with UNICEF’s Time Machine, an installation that translating childhood memories from data into unique sound – giving visitors and delegates attending the UNGA an opportunity to understand the data on children currently available and areas that fall short.
Did you know, the MY World Survey is comprised of much more than one simple question now?
On July 18, 2016, the UN SDG Action Campaign, in partnership with UNDP, ODI and Global Pulse, launched the next phase of MY Worldin the UNHQ. Partners from multiple sectors joined in the discussion, reporting on methodologies and strategies. They also presented lessons learnt and preliminary results from early pilot testing and representative studies.
See what our speakers and panelist have said during the MY World 2030 Launch!
“MY World is an opportunity to hear from voices across the spectrum, voices of the people who really shifted this agenda” – Rosemary Kalapurakal, Lead Advisor, 2030 Agenda Bureau for Policy and Programme Support, UNDP
“We really need to work together to make sure that the spirit of the MY World campaign lives” – Haoliang Xu, Assistant Administrator and Director for the Regional Bureau for Asia and the Pacific, UNDP
“MY World 2030 is about monitoring progress, satisfaction and awareness” – Mitchell Toomey, Global Director, UN SDG Action Campaign
“The main focus of a questionnaire has got to be on the individual respondent” – Hayk Gyuzalyan, Methods Director, TNS Opinion
“Partnership is not about engaging varying entities, but also engaging all individuals in ensuring we leave no one behind” – Muhsin Syihab, from Indonesia
“Local actions must be taken to make impact, particular by youth” – Maria Fernando Olvera, Director of Injuve
“We must continue unfinished business of MDGs through implementation of SDGs” – Princess Orelope-Adefulire, from Nigeria
The UN MY World 2015 survey (2013-2015) showed that it is both possible and useful to bring peoples’ voices directly into policy making at a global level. MY World was designed to bring the voices of individual people into the political deliberations on the new Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and it has been highly successful in doing so. Almost ten million people have responded to the survey, and the results have fed into every part of the political process for creating the new goals. MY World has been cited as part of the High Level Panel deliberations, the Open Working Group discussions, the PGA consultations and the Independent Expert Group on Data. The SG, DSG, Special Adviser on Post-2015 Development Planning, Secretary General Youth Envoy and chair of the UNDG regularly reference the MY World data.
MY World 2030 will have two clear areas to contribute to, enabled through four different channels.
Main goals of MY World 2030:
Contribute to efforts to report back on progress. The aim here will be to collect globally comparable (both at scale and nationally representative) data to monitor how people feel their lives are changing. This data could feed into official monitoring efforts both locally and globally and contribute to an enhanced mechanism for the effective monitoring and implementation of the goals.
Mobilise andbuild dialogue between decision makers such as parliamentarians, local governments, mayors and citizens, in particular young people in order to contribute a “people’s perspective” on how to implement the new agenda at different levels and establish accountability mechanisms. This data and citizen voice will be focused at the community; municipal and provincial level and provide a rich source of information for national decision makers. It is envisaged that this dialogue will be aggregated at national, regional and global levels. The demand for this has been demonstrated by the MY Municipality initiative in Macedonia and the continued expansion of U Report globally.
Por Karol Alejandra Arámbula Carrillo, Coordinación General de Operación MI JALISCO
En septiembre de 2014, Corporativa de Fundaciones, A.C. y la Campaña de Acción para los Objetivos de Desarrollo Sostenible (previamente Campaña del Milenio de las Naciones Unidas) firmaron una Carta de Entendimiento en el marco de la Asamblea General de las Naciones Unidas con miras a recolectar las voces de 200,000 personas de Jalisco, México en el proceso de definición de la Agenda 2030 para el Desarrollo Sostenible a través de la Encuesta Global de las Naciones Unidas para un Mundo Mejor MY World 2015.
Desde entonces, MY World logró conformar una Coordinación General de Operación y un Equipo Operativo de más de 440 jóvenes provenientes de escuelas secundarias, preparatorias y universidades de fuera y dentro de la Zona Metropolitana de Guadalajara, quienes se aseguraron que la encuesta llegara todos los jaliscienses posibles entre diciembre de 2014 a mayo de 2015.
Con el apoyo de más de 255 organizaciones de todos los sectores (Organizaciones de la Sociedad Civil, sector privado, sector público y academia), la encuesta llegó a 72 municipios del estado de Jalisco y a 28 estados de la República, logrando un total de más de 400,000 votos de los jaliscienses y más de 10,000 del resto de México. El proceso fue testigo de cientos de memorables historias que recaba el Reporte “Nosotros las y los jaliscienses: Celebramos 400,000 votos”.
Con este reporte, las y los jaliscienses realizan una petición puntual a las autoridades a nivel local, nacional e internacional: la exitosa inclusión, implementación, seguimiento, monitoreo y financiación de los Objetivos de Desarrollo Sostenible para vivir en un mundo mejor para el año 2030. Jalisco logró posicionarse en la quinta entidad con mayor participación en MY World a nivel global.
La meta pactada hace casi dos años entre Corporativa de Fundaciones, A.C. y la Campaña de Acción para los Objetivos de Desarrollo Sostenible, no sólo superó su cometido, sino que además se convirtió en un instrumento ciudadano para involucrar a la ciudadanía en la construcción de políticas públicas sobre desarrollo sostenible.
By Di Cao – Global Youth Advocate at the UN Millennium Campaign
Answering the United Nations Secretary-General’s call, MY World was developed with one clear goal in mind —to reach out to people all over the world— and ask them: “What would make your life better?” As an integral part of the UN’s “global conversation” initiative, MY World gave people across the world a platform and the tools to raise their voices and tell the United Nations what is important to them. By engaging 8.5 million people in the global survey, MY World has proven that people want to be involved in defining their government’s priorities, and they are already actively working to make change in their communities. It has also proven that governments are interested in what their people prioritize and are willing to integrate their opinions into their public planning.
(MY World Youth Ambassadors in Mexico City)
Mexico was responsible for 23% of the 8.5 million votes collected globally. The great success came from the massive mobilization of youth across the country, and in Mexico City in particular with the Mexico City Youth Institute. Mexico City had the highest number of people participate out of any city with 1.6 million votes. The city-wide initiative not only helped the government see priorities at the local government, setting the stage for the implementation of the new Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), but it also had a positive impact on the local policy making and funding decisions made by the Mexico City government.
(Mayor of Mexico City Dr. Miguel Ángel Mancera at the launch event of MY World Survey)
“The MY World survey recovers that democratic spirit of listening and taking into account the perspectives of young people who with their perseverance, talent and creativity have contributed to make of our city. The survey results allowed us to approach the priorities of 1.6 million people, it represents the most important youth public opinion consultation that has been realized in the country.”
——Miguel Ángel, Mayor of Mexico City
“MY World Mexico City Executive Report”
Recognizing this significant achievement, the UN Millennium Campaign and INJUVE DF launched the “MY World Mexico City Executive Report” on November 9th, 2015 at the UN Headquarters. INJUVE DF presented the report to the UN as well as the general public through live streaming. Maria Fernanda Olvera Cabrera, Director of INJUVE DF, shared the agency’s experiences in inspiring 3,000 youth ambassadors to collect millions of votes:
“Local, common people are receiving services from the government, therefore the government needs to know people’s priorities,” she said. “We inspired 3,000 youth ambassadors and created an educational program to teach them how to collect the votes; furthermore, we provided young ambassadors with small scholarships, which supported them to be completely devoted to the MY World survey for 3 months.”
(Maria Fernanda Olvera Cabrera, Mexico City Executive Report in UN Headquarters)
1.6 million voices had a great impact on the local policymaking. Although Mexico City offers universal healthcare, the result of MY World survey highlighted the need for greater mental health services for young people, causing INJUVE to investigate with a more robust survey, focusing on emotions. In response, the government now offers free services for emotional health care and risk reduction for young people. “It is a long lasting experience and inspiration of empowering youth for the future,” said Mitchell Toomey, the Director of the UNMC.
(Youth Ambassadors were collecting votes in Mexico City)
H.E. Mr. Zinsou, the Ambassador of Benin to the United Nations, joined the Executive report to celebrate 1.6 million Mexican voices. Ravi Karkara, the World We Want Policy Strategy Group Co-chair, praised the survey of Mexico City as “an great example of how to ensure inclusiveness for people-centered policy”.
(L-R: Director of INJUVE DF Maria Fernanda Olvera Cabrera, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Benin to the United Nations H.E.Mr. Jean-Francis R. Zinsou, Director of the UNMC Mitchell Toomey,World We Want Policy Strategy Group Co-chair Ravi Karkara)
Phasing in the new SDGs, the upcoming MY World 2030 survey will move forward to a more customized and localized platform with continued monitoring of SDG progress. INJUVE DF proposed a specific survey for young people to provide empirical evidence to inform youth-related policies in capital cities across the world.
By Karol Alejandra Arámbula Carrillo, Global Youth Advocate for MY World 2015 and MI JALISCO’s Managing Director
Six months have passed since the implementation of MY World began in Jalisco, Mexico. Over 100,000 votes have been collected in 35 municipalities, and more than 50 institutions have joined our efforts. We are still mobilizing thousands of votes all over the state to reach our 200,000 goal thanks to the incredible work of many of our partners in the public and private sector, along with the fantastic contributions made by dozens Civil Society Organizations. Other states within Mexico such as Oaxaca, Durango, Veracruz and Michoacán have also had small contributions thanks to Jalisco’s volunteer team. 43% of our voters are young people 30 and under, and 52% are women. The six most voted priorities are A good education; Better job opportunities; An honest and responsive government; Protection against crime and violence; Better healthcare and Affordable and nutritious food. 300 young volunteers from 70 institutions – nearly 70% of them women – have been the main drivers of this remarkable citizens’ initiative. For the first time since the adoption of the Millennium Development Goals and the construction of the Post-2015 Development Agenda, Jalisco’s population works along the United Nations to advocate for real, democratic and inclusive sustainable development policies.
MY World volunteers in Jalisco have demonstrated that resources and financial constraints are not an obstacle to have everyone represented, especially the most marginalized and vulnerable communities. Over 85% of the entire voting process has been implemented offline, ensuring that the voices of the unheard are fully reflected in the results. Volunteers have received basic materials to undertake this survey, but most of the resources such as transportation or access to certain facilities, has been covered by them. Continue reading “MI JALISCO 2015: Over 100,000 citizen voices building a better and sustainable world”
The MY World 2015 global survey is bringing the voices of residents from Jalisco, Mexico to the United Nations by asking them what issues make the most difference in their lives.
On 23 September, the UN Millennium Campaign and Corporativa de Fundaciones, A.C. signed a memorandum of agreement to roll out MY World in the State of Jalisco, Mexico. This week Corporativa de Fundaciones, A.C., held a press briefing where the following partners signed an annex agreeing to take part in the campaign: the Undersecretary of Planning and Evaluation from the Government of Jalisco, COPARMEX Jalisco, Instituto Jalicense de la Juventud, Federación de Estudiantes Universitarias, Colegio de Estudiantes Cientificos y Tecnológicos del Estado de Jalisco, Instituto Tecnológico de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey, Campus Guadalajara, Universidad Jesuita de Guadalajara and the Unión de Sociedades de Alumnos del ITESO.
Nearly 400 dedicated and enthusiastic volunteers, mostly students and youth, are currently being trained to carry out the survey. The Jalisco campaign will run from now until May 2015 and aims to reach at least 200,000 Jalisco residents using both online voting and paper ballots. By engaging students at universities across Jalisco, and young people through the State’s Youth Council as well as IMJUVE (the Youth Institute of Mexico) the campaign aims to extend across at least 80% of the state’s territory.
The results of the survey will not only contribute to the new sustainable development agenda at the UN, but according to David Gómez Álvarez, the Jalisco Undersecretary of Planning, these citizen priorities will also become incorporated in the State Development Plan in 2015.
The evening of 25th of September during the UN General Assembly week brought together MY World friends from far and near, in person and via live web-stream – and these MY World friends had 5 million reasons to celebrate!
The hard work of dedicated MY World partners brought the voices of 5 MILLION PEOPLE from 194 countries into the United Nations. MY World has had very extensive support from a range of partners, over 700 organizations, including NGOs, heads of state, faith groups and youth movements who are still currently participating in its roll out and this collective achievement provides the perfect backdrop for a MY World Partner Recognition Event and MY World Award Ceremony which took place in New York during the UN General Assembly week.
This global survey, thanks to the dedication and enthusiasm of all is now the largest survey of its kind ever undertaken.
