UN SDG Action Campaign

SDGs: A People-powered Agenda – Leave No One Behind

The SDGs Exhibition Launches July 18 at the United Nations!

Throughout the post-2015 process and following a call to action from the United Nations Secretary-General in 2012, over ten million people shared their hopes and dreams with the UN to help shape the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). As we enter the era of Agenda 2030, the challenge now is to show that the SDGs are in fact achievable through partnership and action from everyone everywhere. Will YOU become a part of this movement to build a better world?

INTRODUCTION

The exhibition recounts how millions of ordinary people have ensured the Sustainable Development Goals are a bold and ambitious agenda through the most inclusive and transparent process the UN has ever seen. It also provides some concrete examples of the actions people can take now to help their governments with the implementation of the SDGs by 2030.

We need YOU to help ensure the SDGs become widely known and to ensure that as the Agenda 2030 is implemented, and NO ONE IS LEFT BEHIND.

The exhibition was curated, designed and produced by the UN SDG Action Campaign on behalf of the UN Development Group (UNDG), in partnership with: the Federal Government of Germany, the UN Development Programme (UNDP) and the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).

It features voluntary input and stories from millions of people around the world through data visualizations, photographs, videos, virtual reality. It also allows interactive ways to share your opinion, make your commitment and explore how to take action on the SDGs.

HOW TO VISIT

The exhibition is open to the general public during official UN visiting hours, 418 July 18 – 7 September 2016,

Monday through Friday from 9:00 am to 4:30 pm
Saturday & Sunday from 10:00 am to 4:30 pm
All visitors must exit the building by 5:30pm

The entrance is at 46^th Street and 1^st Avenue, New York, NY 10017. Visitors without an official UN Pass will have to first obtain a guest pass at the screening station on 46th and 1st across the street from the UN. Be sure to bring a photo ID.

If your delegation or mission would like to schedule a special exhibition tour, please kindly contact Alice Chen at alice.chen@undp.org (6096510945)

FEATURED CONTENT

MDGs to SDGs

Learn about the process that led us from the Millennium Development Goals to the Sustainable Development Goals with a special emphasis on peoples’ voices. By using cutting edge technology and data visualizations, the voices of over 10 million people, especially the voices of the most vulnerable populations, are told through the following initiatives:

MY World 2015 Survey – over 10 million people, most of them youth, have told the UN their top six of sixteen priorities for a better world, data that has fed into the post-2015 agenda
World We Want – a knowledge platform hosting documentation, and data visualizations including those from online, national and thematic civil society consultations
Humans of MY World – a photo exhibition telling the stories of MY World voters around the world
Virtual Reality – immerse yourself in the life of some of the world’s most vulnerable using high-tech 3D VR headset

Action to Engagement Arena

The action and engagement arena allows visitors to “get their hands dirty” and take action for furthering the SDGs: right here, right now! These are some of the ways to take action:

MY World Survey2030 – Modeled after the first phase of MY World, this citizen satisfaction survey will monitor Global Goal progress and allow further specialization at a local level
Women’s Economic Empowerment– tell us what you think would help to empower women economically by filling out our survey
Own Your Voice– Virtually “Meet” six young women from around the world who are using their voice to change the world, they are the Youtube Change Ambassadors!
Commitment Corner – How will you help achieve the SDGs by 2030? Make your commitment on our SDGs blackboard and take a selfie, tag us @SDGAction

There’s more, but you’ll have to come see for yourself. Visit the SDGs Exhibition before September 7^th 2016 and see what actions you can take for the SDGs!

#bringbackourgirls 1 year after – New York City lights up the Empire State Building and vows to never forget!

by Austin Schiano – World We Want 2015 Coordination Associate

It was a deeply emotional moment when on Monday April 13th at 11:00am in Dag Hammarskjold Plaza across for the United Nations in New York City, U.S. Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney (NY-12), joined in solidarity alongside political representatives, members of the NGO Committee on Sustainable Development, and UN leaders to support #BringBackOurGirls after the tragic 1-year anniversary of Boko Haram’s kidnapping of 270 Nigerian schoolgirls from school in their town of Chibok. In a gesture of resilience, the conference was attended by: fellow survivors of violence, local high school students, members of civil society, leaders of faith, international human rights advocates, the public, along with many members of the World We Want 2015 Policy and Strategy Group (PSG).

Rep. Maloney’s firm stance against this injustice, along with powerful words, also drew significant media attention. The Guardian published an article the following day on April 14th, which draws our attention to the global protests of those also outraged by this mass abduction. Congresswoman Maloney proudly announced that on the night of April 14th, the Empire State Building would be lit purple and red in recognition of our solidarity with these young women and their families. Red for #BringBackOurGirls and Purple for Ending Violence Against Women. Rep. Maloney made special note to extend her sincere thanks on this matter, recognizing that this lighted display will be a great awareness tool for all those who can view the tower.

#Bringbackourgirls (source: http://www.360nobs.com/)

Others followed the Congresswoman’s passionate call to “Bring Back our Girls”!! with Dr. Mojúbàolú Olufúnké Okome from #BringBackOurGirls. Margo LaZaro, Co-Chair of the NGO Committee on Sustainable Development (NGOCSD) and PSG member thanked the Congresswoman for her voracity, re-iterating the importance of this message. Indeed it was at a meeting of the NGOCSD, that Congresswoman Maloney was inspired to facilitate this public discussion. Mr. Lawal Mohammed Hamidu, the Minister of Counter Terrorism of the Permanent Mission of Nigeria to the UN spoke to those assembled, providing an update on the work being done by his country to search for these young women. Many others also made impassioned calls for justice. These included Consolee Nishimwe, Survivor of the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda; along with Vivian Adhiambo Onano, Youth Representative & Advisor to UN Women Global Civil Society Advisory Group & African Leadership Academy; Ayana Gay Student & President of St. Joseph’s High School’s “Girls vs. Trafficking Club” and Ravi Karkara Co-Chair of the World We Want 2015 PSG who reminded us of the importance to engage men and boys in enduring this struggle. The image of the United Nations Headquarters in the background of this speech, pushed the crowd on toward substantive action.

In solemn reflection, the High School students in attendance have tied 223 ribbons around the trees and railings that surround Dag Hammerskjold Plaza. This gesture is meant to represent one ribbon for each girl still missing of the original 270 girls taken captive, some of which have been able to escape.

This act of abduction is just a particular instance of violence against women, one that illustrates a trend, which has become all too common in our world. We are severely inhibited in our attempts at development, if we cannot guarantee the safety and right to education, of all our women and girls. This claim is further strengthened by research and reflective data conducted around the topic. Several innovative data visualizations, which display this crucial connection, can be viewed at www.worldwewant215.org/trends.

For those of us that traverse these grounds regularly, and will pass these ribbons as they shall fade in the rain and sun, let us not forget the hopes they represent.

More information can be found at:

Congresswoman Maloney: @RepMaloney

#BringBackOurGirls:http://bringbackourgirls.us/ @BBOG_Nigeria #BringBackOurGirls

World We Want 2015: www.worldwewant2015.org @WorldWeWant2015

NGO Committee on Sustainable Development: http://www.trunity.net/CoNGOSD/ @MargoLaZaro

Consolee Nishimwe: @nconsolee

Vivian Onano: @vivianonano

Ravi Karkara: @ravikarkara

FEMNET: http://femnet.co/index.php/en/ @FemnetProg

Mobilizing the Data Revolution for Sustainable Development

Blog by Caya Johnson, MY World Global Youth Advocate

“Data are the lifeblood of decision-making and the raw material for accountability.
Without high-quality data providing the right information on the right things at the right
time; designing, monitoring and evaluating effective policies becomes almost impossible.”

– A World that Counts – Mobilising the Data Revolution for Sustainable Development a report by the IEAG on the Data Revolution, November 2014

In the period leading up to the adoption on the 2015 global sustainable development agenda, a revolution has been emerging at the UN – a data revolution for sustainable development.

In their report published in May 2013, the High Level Panel of Eminent Persons on the Post-2015 Development Agenda called for a Data Revolution for Sustainable Development to improve the quality of information for both people and governments, for purposes including a higher standard of accountability and decision-making. The High Level Panel stressed the need for disaggregated data, specifically by gender, income, disability and other categories in order to ensure inclusivity underpins the post 2015 agenda.

In August 2014, the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon appointed an Independent Expert Advisory Group on the Data Revolution tasked with providing expert recommendations on how data can be used to maximum effect in the development work of the UN.

Last Thursday the group launched their report entitled A World that Counts – Mobilising the Data Revolution for Sustainable Development. The report specifically recommends a global consensus on principles and standards, the sharing of technology and innovation for the common good, the dedication of new resources for data capacity development, the establishment of a UN-led Global Partnership for Sustainable Development, and the establishment of a ‘SDG (Sustainable Development Goal) Data Lab’.

The report also features the MY World Survey as an important advance in the Data Revolution for Sustainable Development– the survey has provided decision makers at the UN with disaggregated data on the priorities of people around the world. This open-source data platform has allowed for people’s voices to contribute to the informed decision-making process surrounding the new sustainable development agenda.

MY World 2015 Disaggregated Data

Want to join the global conversation on the Data Revolution?

Go to the Data Revolution We Want consultation on World We Want 2015 and share your ideas on the data revolution for sustainable development!

Venezuela promueve una agenda con paz y protección contra el crimen y la violencia

Blog por Erly Muñoz, Coordinadora Nacional de Proyecto, Venezuela Libre de Violencia,
ANUV

La Asociación de Naciones Unidas de Venezuela (ANUV) en conjunto con WFUNA, a través de su proyecto Venezuela Libre de Violencia (Freedom From Violence) Paz, Seguridad y Prevención del Conflicto en la Agenda de Desarrollo Post-2015; promueve la inclusión de la Meta #16 del Open Working Group (OWG) en la Agenda:

Goal 16: Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable
development, provide access to justice for all and build effective,
accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels.*

Nuestro objetivo es crear conciencia en la sociedad civil de Venezuela y promover la mayor participación en las definiciones de la Agenda. Venezuela ha tenido muy poca asistencia a todos los procesos de discusión, por lo tanto, creemos que es necesario impulsar el debate nacional para que los venezolanos puedan expresar cuáles son sus prioridades para generar un Desarrollo Sustentable. Venezuela particularmente, presenta tasas muy altas de homicidios al año (25,000, según el Observatorio Venezolano de Violencia). De esta forma, “Protección contra el Crimen y la Violencia” se convierte en una de nuestras principales prioridades según los resultado de la encuesta MY World 2015.

Trabajamos con cuatro grupos de Enfoque: Comunidad Académica, Medios de Comunicación, Sociedad Civil y “Políticos”. Impartimos talleres de capacitación sobre la Agenda de Desarrollo Post-2015 y la relación existente entra la seguridad humana y el desarrollo humano. Realizamos foros informativos y de discusión, y de esta forma construimos sus capacidades. Su voz debe ser escuchada y es nuestro trabajo que esa voz llegue lo más lejos posible. Venezuela por ser un país joven, entiende la importancia de incluir a la juventud en los espacios de toma de decisiones.

En nuestras actividades de promoción invitamos a los participantes a votar en la plataforma MY World 2015 y les pedimos que inviten a otros a sumarse a esta campaña. Debido a que ANUV forma parte de los socios de My World 2015 <http://data.myworld2015.org/?partner=ANUV>, llevamos un conteo del número de votos acumulados a nivel local. Hasta el momento, hemos acumulado más de 200 votos; debido a que utilizamos papeletas de votación, aún debemos
ingresar los votos acumulados en nuestros últimos ventos. Las papeletas nos ayudan a asegurar que más venezolanos sean parte del cambio que desean.

Continue reading “Venezuela promueve una agenda con paz y protección contra el crimen y la violencia”

Over 4 million voices heard

Over 4 million people have had their say at the UN! Many congratulations to Mexico as the country with the most votes (nearly 800,000)!

Up to now, the survey results reveal that the top priorities for voters to improve their lives are a good education, better healthcare, an honest and responsive government and better job opportunities. This strengthens the validity of the current Millennium Development Goals and places new issues on the global agenda.

MY World has massive support among the youth. Over 70% of all voters are younger than 30 years old.

International Youth Day in the Philippines

By the Balayan Social Action Office of the University of St. La Salle and the Sagay City Government.

International Youth Day 2014 brought together more then 150 youth leaders and activists at the University of St. La Salle for discussions on the post-2015 development agenda, the My World Survey and gender equality.

The day started with a message of inspiration by Jilt van Schayik, the Dutch Youth Delegate to the United Nations. “Leave your footprint behind, be part of the solution and act as leader of today, not for the future only” were among the messages he shared.

The forum then continued with a discussion on the post-2015 development agenda in which youth leaders from different backgrounds shared their ideas, solutions and best practices for the world of tomorrow. The main priorities and areas of concern were: education, healthcare and job opportunities. This is in line with the outcome of the MY World Survey in the Philippines were those priorities rank the top three.

Take away from International Youth Day in the Philippines: young Filipino’s want to shape their own future, and with them 1.8 billion youngsters around the world.

Facebook: UN Youth Delegates
Data visualisations: Worldwewant2015.org/trends

JCI Sandton, South Africa Starts “School Halls” MY World Campaign

JCI Sandton visited Eastbank High School, at the centre of Alexandra for the launch of the MY World Campaign ‘School Halls’. This was a different school hall because students were asked to address the issues about the development of their community and the country. The theme of the School Hall was “Active Citizenship.” For the first time, students were able to share their views in the discourse. 400 votes were collected from the school from the school.

The ‘School Hall’ coincided with the visit of the JCI World President Shine Bashkaran who addressed the students about being active in their communities and using initiative such as the my world to make a positive impact. He also spoke about MY World on Power FM 98.7.

Shaka Sisulu – a South African public speaker, a writer, a social-activist & an entrepreneur. who advocates for social mass movements of good – addressed the class and students voiced their concerns about the government and lack of resources within schools in Alexandra. Students seemed most concerned about the quality of education and the availability of good employment opportunities even suggesting that the government should increase their support for undergraduate studies by providing grants and or bursaries.

The founder of Miss EarthSA Catherine Constantinides discussed the importance of active citizenship and highlighted a good education, the environment and food security as some of her priority items.

JCI South Africa shared short videos from other my world advocate to expose the students to the various view points about development. One such video was from Luvuyo Mandela:

Follow JCI Sandton on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook!

Sri Lanka renews commitment to achieving 1 million votes

The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Skills Development in Sri Lanka takes pride to announce that Sri Lanka is currently one of the leaders in the MY World Global Survey. Hon. Minister Dullas Alahapperuma pleadged one million votes from Sri Lanka at the 68th UNGA in 2013.

Sri Lanka currently has 554595 votes. Almost 100% are youth 16-30 years old.

Watch the video below with interviews with Hon. Minister Dullas (Minister of Youth Affairs and Skills Development), Subinay Nandy (UN Resident Coordinator, Sri Lanka), Ravi Karkara (Expert Adviser, Children and Youth), Amila Rajapaksha (Global Youth Advocate, Sri Lanka), Shehara Herath (MY World Focal Point, Sri Lanka)

Ravi Karkara featured in 2014 Ministers Reference Book of Commonwealth

It is my privilege to share with you the 2014 Ministers Reference Book of Commonwealth which is Designed to help commonwealth member countries work ever-more closely with each other to build a peaceful and prosperous community.

The report features over 40 articles from leading commentators, including H.E.s David Cameron , Goodluck Jonathan, Executive Heads of UNCTAD, ITC, IMF, UNESCO, FAO and others. It also has a feature on Hon. Nelson Mandela’s legacy and his impact on the Commonwealth.

I am very honored to inform that the book features my article on Youth Led Development (Page 152-155) among all these other luminaries.

To access, click on the photo.

I hope you will find this useful.

Ravi

Involucrando a los Ciudadanos del Sur de Perú con los ODM y pos-2015

Post cortesía del Movimiento del Milenio

“Darnos cuenta que nuestra comunidad no estaba relacionada con los Objetivos de Desarrollo del Milenio, su impacto a nivel global y la creación de la Agenda para el Desarrollo post-2015, nos motivó a generar un cambio a través del emprendedurismo social”, cuenta Rosario Díaz Garavito, fundadora del movimiento en redes sociales The Millennials Movement.

Y es que hoy en día el equipo de voluntarios de TMM viene trabajando desde el mes de abril del año 2014, en incluir a su comunidad en uno de los procesos consultivos más inclusivos de la Organización de Naciones Unidas, dando el salto de una plataforma virtual a la vida real, en donde alrededor de 5 mil peruanos fueron capacitados e hicieron oír voz. En la región de Arequipa al sur de Perú, el equipo de voluntario de TMM realiza capacitaciones sobre la importancia del cumplimiento de los Objetivos de Desarrollo del Milenio y la creación de la nueva Agenda Para el Desarrollo a niños, jóvenes y adultos, facilitando su participación en este proceso.

Visitando escuelas públicas y privadas, universidades, Instituciones gubernamentales y no gubernamentales y diferentes organizaciones, el equipo de voluntarios de TMM busca generar un impacto en la comunidad, mediante su participación en la encuesta My World 2015 haciendo uso de la plataforma virtual y balotas físicas en zonas que no cuentan con computadores y /o conexión a internet, contribuyendo con el desarrollo integro de esta, enfocándose principalmente en jóvenes y niños, y generando así el dialogo entre diferentes grupos sociales que día a día se van sumando a esta iniciativa.

A la fecha se han generado alianzas con diferentes instituciones, las mismas que colaboran con promover la encuesta, rompiendo las barreras del desconocimiento y la burocracia, es así que la Red Arequipa Voluntaria, la Municipalidad Provincial de Arequipa, la Beneficencia Pública de Arequipa y el Ministerio de Desarrollo e Inclusión Social, junto al aliado The Millennials Movement forman parte del equipo impulsor de My World 2015 en Arequipa y vienen sumando esfuerzos con otras organizaciones como el Club de Leones, la Marina de Guerra del Perú entre otros, a fin de contribuir con el desarrollo de nuestra comunidad y de todos sus miembros.

“Es necesario empoderar a nuestra comunidad para lograr un cambio significativo, un cambio que permita que muchas más personas puedan vivir en condiciones adecuadas, que aseguren su desarrollo integro y el de las próximas generaciones, es por eso que estamos comprometidos con generar un impacto positivo en nuestra comunidad”. Agregó Rosario, con la alegría de ser parte de una nueva generación de jóvenes que buscan un mundo mejor para la comunidad global.

Hasta ahora, 69% de los votantes tienen menos que 15 años de edad. 28% tienen entre 16-30 años de edad.

For more information: