Category: October 2016

SDG Watch Europe attended the 2016 Global Perspectives conference in Berlin on “The Future of Civic Space”. The conference focused on the growing range of threats and restrictions being imposed on “civil society space” – or to explain simply – the right of people to assemble, network, empower themselves and have the opportunity to determine their own choices and future.

These threats and restrictions include surveillance, intimidation, legislative and financial barriers etc. SDG Watch Europe used this opportunity to point out the incredible potential of the new global Sustainable Development Goals framework to open up new spaces for civic engagement.

SDG Watch was represented at the DG Devco consultation with CSOs on the new European Development Consensus.

SDG Watch spoke out strongly on the need for new and more inclusive modes of governance that include civil society when implementing the SDGs. It also called on the EU to champion and protect civic space in its internal and external policies.

Seventy-five diverse civil society organisations have today joined forces to formally launch SDG Watch Europe. This broad coalition will work to ensure that the European Union and its Member States live up to their commitments, made when signing the Agenda 2030 agreement in New York last September, to enable a sustainable future at home and abroad.

A year ago, governments across the world agreed on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development that calls for a bold transformation in policy and practice. Its 17 ambitious Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are aimed at ensuring that decisions by governments contribute to a more sustainable, inclusive and equal future for all by 2030.

The SDGs are based on the understanding that the challenges we face, such as poverty, environmental destruction, inequality, over-consumption, corruption and conflict, are all inter-connected and cannot be tackled alone. The goals are also universal in nature and will require collaboration and co-operation by all governments and across all sectors if they are to be successful.

The European Union, as a signatory to the SDGs, has an important role to play in making the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development a reality. That is why the SDG Watch Europe coalition will push the EU to keep its promises for a better tomorrow.

The EU faces a multitude of challenges from migration to climate change. However, instead of firefighting to tackle the latest crisis, the EU should develop a strong and coherent strategy that includes a concrete implementation plan for achieving all of the SDGs.

We need to tackle the root causes of the challenges we face and not just the symptoms.

To ensure that this is the case, SDG Watch Europe is calling for civil society to be included as active partners in the entire SDG process, from planning to implementation and monitoring. Civil society has a vital role to play, bringing experience, expertise and diversity to the table.

Together we can bring about fair, inclusive, open and sustainable development for everyone, everywhere by 2030.

Read the press release that was distributed prior to the launch, here.