News

The Italian Alliance for Sustainable Development (ASviS): think global, act locally

By ASviS

On 18 January 2022, ASviS, partner of the Italian Pavillion at EXPO 2020 Dubai, together with the EU Commission, will present a High-Level Forum at EXPO 2020 Dubai, which will be live-streamed online in English. The event will see the participation of international experts on Governance and the private sector to share best practices for a sustainable recovery. ASviS will disseminate the English translations of: the 2021 annual Report on Italy and the SDGs; the research “SDG20” on the position of the G20 countries and the 2030 Agenda; the Paper on the Encyclical Laudato Sì and Goal 16. Find more on www.asvis.it. 

ASviS has presented the second edition of the  Report on Italian territories on 2 December during an online event in which the Minister of Sustainable mobility and transport also took part. The Report measures and analyses the positioning of regions, provinces, metropolitan cities, urban areas and districts compared to the 17 SDGs. In addition to statistical data, the report focuses on territorial inequalities in Italy, with a particular focus on the South and internal areas. The report indicates policy proposals to move the country towards a sustainable recovery.

Walk the talk: SDG Walk in Bern, Switzerland

By Platform Agenda 2030

In November, Switzerland’s capital Bern got its first SDG walk. The walk brings life to the SDGs by linking them to existing initiatives and institutions. From the main station via the government building, the city library or a shop selling vegetables and fruits that are not conform to norms in the department stores: every one of the 15 stations gives an insight into several of the SDGs, thus illustrating their interconnectedness. It puts the spotlight on the numerous actors that are already making their contribution to a sustainable future, often on a small scale at the local level. Many of them did not wait for a global framework such as the Agenda 2030. For example, the city libraries, which have always followed the motto “sharing instead of owning” and are important actors for meetings, exchange and access to information. Or the town hall: with 69% of women sitting in the city parliament, it gives a strong role model for women in politics. 

The walk can be done life or online. It is a pilot project developed by the Swiss CSO Platform Agenda 2030 and shall be transferred to other cities in Switzerland over the coming months. Maybe even to other countries? 

www.sdg-walk.ch

Sustainable food systems: what is Switzerland’s responsibility?

By Platform Agenda 2030

One-third of the world’s population has no secure access to sufficient and healthy food. This is not due to insufficient food production; sufficient calories are produced worldwide to feed even a growing world population. To eradicate hunger and malnutrition, we need to look at food systems holistically and transform them with a view to sustainable production, fair distribution and human rights. In short: implement all 17 SDGs.

The Swiss CSO Platform Agenda 2030 published a short document showing how strongly a transformation of our food system is connected to the 2030 Agenda, with a special focus on Switzerland’s responsibility.  

The report asks for a strict review of all subsidies as to their effect on sustainability, to ban all exports of highly toxic pesticides, no patents on seeds, public actors to go ahead, to regulate publicity for non-healthy products and to invest in more and more effective participation of all actors in designing a sustainable food system. 

The document is available in German, French and Italian. 

 

Links: 

Publication in German: https://www.plattformagenda2030.ch/publikationen/kurz-gefasst/agenda-2030-und-ernaehrungssysteme/ 

In French: https://www.plateformeagenda2030.ch/publications/l-essentiel/agenda-2030-systemes-alimentaires/ 

In Italian: https://www.piattaforma-agenda2030.ch/pubblicazioni/in-sintesi/in-sintesi-agenda-2030-sistemi-alimentari/ 

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1st SDG Dialogue Forum Austria: Building forward better with the 2030 Agenda

By SDG Watch Austria

Austrian government officials, civil society and experts discussed current opportunities and challenges of sustainable development caused by the COVID-19 pandemic at the first SDG Dialogue Forum in Austria, jointly organised by the federal administration and civil society representatives (SDG Watch Austria). The first edition of the annual event laid the foundation for strengthened cooperation between civil society, administration, politics, private sector, and academia for the implementation of the 2030 Agenda both in Austria and abroad.

This year’s kick-off event, which attracted over 530 participants, was centred on innovative solutions for sustainable development in the era of COVID-19 and focused on partnerships for the implementation of the SDGs. To this end, experts from civil society, academia, the private sector and other stakeholder groups discussed perspectives and solutions in the fields of climate action, digitalisation, international development cooperation and social equality (women, youth and leaving no one behind) in four online discussion rounds (“innovation pools”). The results were reported back to the Natural History Museum in Vienna, where Ministers Edtstadler, Gewessler and Mückstein, and experts Antonella Mei-Pochtler (Think Austria) and Nicola Brandt (OECD Berlin Centre) joined a high-level panel discussion and reacted to the innovation pools’ questions and statements. 

Throughout the high-level panel discussion, the federal ministers and experts demonstrated awareness of the interconnected issues related to sustainable development. In particular, they were in favor of addressing issues on multiple levels and applying innovative measures to build a better future for all. Furthermore, the discussants recognised the need for joint efforts, cooperation, and new partnerships to reach the Global Goals and concluded that it is important to involve civil society and academia in the Austrian SDG implementation process.

As co-host (together with the federal administration, the Ban Ki-moon Centre for Global Citizens and the Natural History Museum), SDG Watch Austria prioritised the contribution of civil society representatives and academia, aiming at fostering dialogue between different stakeholder groups, the federal administration and politicians. 

After the consultation process leading to Austria’s first VNR in 2020, the SDG Dialogue Forum marks another important step for strengthening the collaboration and exchange between SDG Watch Austria and the federal administration – and there is still more work to be done to reach the 17 Sustainable Development Goals. The next steps include incorporating the outcomes of the four innovation pools into the future work of the Inter-ministerial Working Group (IMAG), which is entrusted with the implementation of the 2030 Agenda in Austria. Furthermore, the next SDG Dialogue Forum in 2022 will build upon this year’s results and reflect the ongoing implementation process in Austria. SDG Watch Austria will maintain its dialogue with the IMAG and government representatives and will continue to advocate for ambitious structural measures and political changes to reach the Global Goals.

European Volunteering Capital 2023

By CEV

On 5 December 2021, on the occasion of the International Volunteer Day 2021, CEV announced, during the closing ceremony of the EVCapital Berlin 2021, Trondheim Kommune (Norway) as the European Volunteering Capital 2023. The EVCapital winner announcement shows the local implementation of SDGs through volunteering. Volunteering can help engage people in national planning and implementation for the SDG’s, and work together for a common goal. During the ceremony, the EVCapital Berlin 2021 handed over the role to Gdansk as EVCapital 2022. The European Volunteering Capital Competition aims to promote volunteering at the local level by sharing best practices and recognising municipalities that support and strengthen partnerships with volunteer centres and volunteer-involving organisations in their communities.

Additionally, CEV is coordinating  the Single-Use Plastic Awareness – Stop All Plastic Straws (SUPA-SAPS) and the Waterways Heritage Action Together (ESC WHAT!) European Solidarity Corps Teams projects. In 2022, these projects plan to bring together 160 young people from Barcelona, Berlin, Padova, Strovolos, Cork, Augsburg, Stirling, Lisbon and Kosice (members of the European Volunteering Capital Candidates #EVCC) in 10 different activities in the ten countries involved. These volunteers will be a valuable asset to achieve SDG 12, 13, 14  to protect the environment, combat climate change, and promote cultural heritage. 

EU adopts guaranteed access to services for Europe’s children in need

By Caritas Europa

The EU recently adopted the European Child Guarantee, asking the Member States to prevent and combat the social exclusion of children in need by guaranteeing effective and free access to early childhood education and care; school-based activities; at least one healthy meal each school day and healthcare; and effective access to adequate housing.

Caritas Europa believes that the Child Guarantee can effectively contribute to achieving some of the UN’s sustainable development goals, provided that national plans to implement reforms are well designed and done in consultation with civil society organisations.

The new recommendation defines children in need as individuals under 18 years who are at risk of poverty or social exclusion. It identifies six categories of children in need: homeless children or those in substandard housing; children with disabilities; mental health issues; a migrant background or minority ethnic origin, particularly Roma; and children in institutional care or precarious family situations.

The European Child Guarantee should be implemented through national action plans, identifying children in need and the barriers they face in accessing and taking-up the services covered by the recommendation.

On navigating digitalisation and creating alternative narratives

By Forus international

Despite restrictions, lockdowns and curfews, millions of people around the world mobilised with intense discussions, agitations and processions, to demand more just, equal and sustainable societies in 2021. All this while witnessing clamp downs on civic freedoms and rights restrictions – both online and offline. 

But how did civil society react?

This year, from Uganda to Colombia, passing through South East Asia and Eastern Europe, we have heard from several voices within and beyond the Forus network on how democratic space, polarising politics and divided societies are affecting civic space globally. Two areas of focus linked to civic space have particularly demanded efforts and actions in 2021: digitalisation and the construction of alternative narratives to promote and protect the work of civil society worldwide.

The Digital “Joker”

It all started with the tagline: “no civic space without digital space.” The # Let’s Talk Digital campaign developed by Forus was born after researching and publishing a joint report with TechSoup on a digital enabling environment. The aim of the campaign and our recent advocacy efforts is to (a) spark debates on digitalisation and (b) collect recommendations from civil society organisations to shape the agendas of governments, institutions and “Tech Giants”. 

Via micro-surveys, interviews, research and collaborations, the campaign aims at inspiring civil society organisations to hold governments responsible and challenge and suggest policies that secure the digital wellbeing of communities. Though representation in international forums is indespensable, it is participation that transforms civil society into an agent capable of suggesting alternatives and defending the rights of communities. 

From Taiwan Aid, Global Focus in Denmark, SLOGA in Slovenia or CONGCOOP in Guatemala, the # Let’s Talk Digital campaign thus collects concrete recommendations, data and examples “from the field”.  Digitalisation doesn’t come in one form or shape, and it’s important to enlarge spaces of discussion and advocacy around this issue. 

In 2022, we invite allies and partners to participate in the # Let’s Talk Digital campaign – let’s join hands to shape “our digital futures”. The goal is clear: how can we advocate for an inclusive, human-rights-based and democratic form of digitalisation that will empower and enable rather than restrict and repress? 

Changing narratives about civil society

Narratives represent another necessary instrument for promoting an enabling environment for civil society. Civil society organisations are increasingly targeted with narratives undermining their work. Those at the frontline of social change are often depicted as “corrupt”, “money-oriented” or “enemies of the State”, especially in populist rhetoric. This can have very concrete impacts on the work of civil society ranging from popular distrust and hostility to cuts of public fundings.  

Civil society organisations increasingly need to counter negative narratives with alternative ones. What are the negative stereotypes being used to describe civil society organisations? What actions and reactions do they trigger? How do we “reclaim” narratives about the activities and experiences of civil society? How do we develop compelling narratives with a bottom-up approach? And finally, how can we create alternative narratives that promote and protect the work of civil society organisations?  

These are some of the questions being explored by the participants of the Forus Working Group on an Enabling Environment, which kicked off earlier this year and will continue throughout 2022. The Working Group led and animated by Forus members and allies, such as PLATONG, from Cape Verde and DENIVA, from Uganda, aims at countering negative narratives about civil society organisations and formulating alternative ones. The focus is on identifying narratives, unpacking them, unveiling where they originate from, “who is the messenger and what is the message”, seeing how they affect public perception of civil society, and exploring how different target groups react to them.  With this knowledge and brainstorming process, the aim is to then start developing new narratives according to local, national, regional or global contexts.

Collecting experiences and examples from Forus members such as Abong countering polarisation in Brazil, or Ccong in Colombia discussing feminism in Latin America, the working group will result in a practical “How to Guide” and campaign for civil society networks and organisations that can be replicated in and applied to national and local contexts.  

Interested in building an enabling environment for civil society? Find some extra resources below:

  • Be the narrative: Brought to you by JustLabs and the Fund for Global Human Rights (FGHR), Be the narrative lays out bold steps for building new narratives about human rights. “Viewing the increasingly antagonistic tide against human rights as part of a broader transformation process, we worked with 12 human rights organisations to produce new narratives that not only respond to those of populists, but that provide an alternate vision of what human rights are, where they take place, and who they are for.”
  • Forus A Space for Us podcast: A Space for Us podcast – a participative storytelling project with Forus members, allies and activists from around the globe. From Nepal to Central Africa, Bolivia, Taiwan and Portugal, we share stories from over 15 countries with 30+ individuals at the forefront of social change.

Article written in collaboration with Bibbi Abruzzini, Laura Manzi, Yohan Cambet and Adelaide Marre. 

For more information: Deirdre De Burca, Forus Advocacy Coordinator – deirdre@forus-international.org Yohan Cambet, Assistant Communication Coordinator – communication.support@forus-international.org 

Building Back Better: Towards achieving SDG 8

By Caritas Europa

All across Europe, work still fails to be ‘decent’. Minimum wages that are insufficient to meet basic needs trap many people in in-work poverty. We see increasing forms of non-standard employment that have little to no social protection coverage and a significant informal economy that exposes workers to exploitation. To raise awareness of this and other labour market inclusion challenges, one of SDG Watch Europe’s members, Caritas Europa, organised a webinar on 22 November to assess how the EU and its Member States can advance towards achieving SDG 8 (decent work) in the context of the COVID-19 recovery. 

The COVID-19 crisis has further worsened the labour market situation across Europe and has impacted the progress Member States had been making on achieving this Sustainable Development Goal. It is now more important than ever for the EU and its Member States to refocus on guaranteeing decent work for all.

Professor Jeffrey Sachs, President of the UN Sustainable Development Solutions and an SDG Advocate under Secretary-General António Guterres, pointed out during his intervention that due to the transitions in digitalisation and automation, many people need training and retraining. This capacity-building would enable people to maintain formal employment to meet their and their families needs. Mirzha de Manuel, member of Executive Vice President Dombrovskis’ cabinet, emphasised that COVID-19 has also offered us an opportunity to address the challenges in our current economic model, highlighting many of the recent and upcoming Commission initiatives to tackle the existing challenges. As Professor Sachs rightly stated, strengthening and enforcing Europe’s social model and the European Social Charter will be an important foundation to build on.  

But the starting point, as Cardinal Turkson noted in his intervention, is that policymakers, employers, and each of us need to recognise the importance of human dignity and to centre our economy on the value and worth of all human beings. Jobs should promote the dignity of the human person, not their exploitation. All future initiatives and policies at the EU and national levels should be centred on this understanding, contribute to implementing the European Pillar of Social Rights, and aim to fulfil all SDGs holistically and coherently. 

The Forus Barefoot Guide: How do we practice collaboration in these times?

By Forus International

Collaboration is vital for transformative social change. But how do we practice collaboration in these times? That is the question driving Future Convergence: the Forus Barefoot Guide. The Guide and the campaign value our human history as a complex and intricate story of committed social change actors. We believe that civil society organisations have a unique and historic role in re-orienting people to work together, reducing polarisation and nurturing our shared humanity. But we also need to challenge ourselves, turning towards each other to mobilise and multiply our collective power. 

In the Forus Barefoot Guide, we explore real experiences, innovative practices, ways of collaborating and leadership forms that offer hope for a way forward. This practical resource is intended for individuals and organisations who want to improve their learning processes and social change practices. Written by thirty-one civil society leaders and practitioners from twenty countries worldwide, it reunites practices and experiences that bring diverse people and organisations together towards a vision of a more equitable, inclusive, humane, and sustainable planet. 

Each chapter focuses on a different topic, ranging from our understanding of “power”, our engagement with governments and the private sector, and civil society’s capacity to adapting in the face of the globalisation of social issues to collective leadership, relationships with donors, synergies with social movements, and the process of continual, horizontal learning.

Around the Guide, we have developed a multimedia and multilingual campaign with surveys to collected positive practices of collaboration from around the globe, podcast episodes and Conversation Starters – a series of videos focusing on topics from each chapter of the Guide that allows for interaction. 

Want to share your experience? Read the Forus Barefoot Guide here and join the campaign! The Guide is available in English, French and Spanish.

A big thank you to all the writers and Forus members, Doug Reeler, Nomvula Dlamini and Rubert Van Blerk from the Barefoot Guide Connection and Tamarind Tree Associates, South Africa, and Marcela Terán from Liberation Works for developing the Guide and campaign with us.

Europe Sustainable Development Report 2021 launch – 14th December 2021

By SDG Watch Europe

The Europe Sustainable Development Report will be published on the 14th of December 2021.

On such occasion, SDSN and the Institute for European Environmental Policy have organized a webinar for the long-awaited Europe Sustainable Development Report.

The event will be held on Zoom at 14:00 CET. Registration is required to participate.

For detailed information and registration, please visit the following link: LINK

As SDG Watch Europe, we are very much looking forward to knowing how the EU is performing on the SDGs. The event will have experts & practitioners talking about priorities and transformations to achieve the SDGs.