Month: October 2023

Discover the SDG Pavilion 

Posted on by Esther Kissiedu

Last month leaders from across the world gathered in New York for the United Nations General Assembly. As they came together to discuss how to accelerate action on the Global Goals, and create a sustainable future for all, Project Everyone and the United Nations Office for Partnerships unveiled the iconic SDG Pavilion, at UNHQ. 

The SDG Pavilion – designed by artist Es Devlin – provided a beacon of hope for the Goals at Halftime, its brightly coloured totems inviting attendees to engage with the 17 Goals through 17 doors.

“Each door is a portal to one of the goals  – seen through the lens of artists, activists, poets, thinkers and makers from every continent. Within the pavilion we have installed ‘An Assembly of the Trees’, a parallel to the assembly of humans in the UN headquarters across the lawn.” 

Es Devlin

 

Now, it’s your turn to be inspired, learn, and engage with the SDGs like never before. Explore the exhibits and meet the makers by visiting our virtual Pavilion hosted by Google Arts & Culture.

The Halftime Talks

Throughout UNGA week, the Pavilion welcomed an extraordinary roster of illustrious speakers, artists and visionaries for lively debates, talks and performances. From Winning Strategies for Financing the SDGs to Climate Justice – the sessions explored solutions to  some of the most pressing issues we face today. Watch the Halftime Talks  here. 

 

Programming kicked off with the Halftime Show – featuring an incredible line-up of Goals supporters, including Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley, Deputy Secretary General of the United Nations Amina Mohammed, Orlando Bloom, Forest Whitaker, and Yemi Alade, among many others who added their voices to our call for urgent action on the SDGs. If you missed it, catch up on the show on UN YouTube.

 

We also welcomed influencers Prajakta Koli, Nathalia Arcuri and Alice Aedy to our first ever Creator Studio at the SDG Pavilion. From Marina Silva, Environment Minister of Brazil to Valentina Muñoz Rabanal, feminist STEM advocate and SDG Advocate – the studio brought the Goals to life and to brand new audiences. Take a look at our  YouTube playlist. 

Reflecting on the past month’s activities inspires hope for the second half but we know there is still so much more to be done. The world needs to change the game in the second half – and we will continue to ensure that our rallying cries to come together and win are heard loud and clear. 

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A huge thanks to the United Nations Office for Partnerships and the following partners for making the SDG Pavilion possible: Betsee Parker, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Bloomberg Philanthropies, Government of Canada, Deloitte, Education Above All, Google.org, Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth, Microsoft, Government of the State of Qatar, the United Nations Foundation and Wellcome Trust.

Sustainability Hour: A new volunteering initiative inspires the next generation to create a brighter future 

Posted on by admin_user

Whether it’s fighting climate change, advocating for gender equality, or ending poverty – the next generation must be equipped to face the world’s challenges head-on. Sustainability Hour, a volunteering opportunity from the  World’s Largest Lesson, aims to do just that. 

The initiative is empowering companies to lead volunteering opportunities in their communities. Colleagues are skilled-up to visit local schools and teach a one hour lesson on sustainability – inspiring young people to explore, innovate, and make change. 

Since it was created in June, volunteers have been doing amazing work around the world supporting students by bringing the Global Goals and Design Thinking to life.

AIESEC and Accenture India reach over 1,000 school children with Sustainability Hour in one day!

In July 2023, volunteers from youth network AIESEC and Accenture India collaborated for a one day event in Mysore, India. The volunteers visited a number of schools to deliver workshops, introducing students to the Global Goals and inviting them to come up with imaginative ideas to solve them. 

Accenture volunteers in New York teach students about the Global Goals during Global Goals Week

In September 2023, while world leaders met at the UN General Assembly, the New York City Mayor’s Office for International Affairs collaborated with Accenture volunteers to visit local schools across the boroughs and teach Sustainability Hour.

The lessons were customised to focus on the local relevance of UN Headquarters in New York and help local students feel connected to the mission of the Goals. Volunteers used interactive activities and ideation games to teach students about the SDGs in a fun and engaging way. 

How to get involved with Sustainability Hour

Sustainability Hour can be a truly rewarding experience for volunteers, helping to build affinity with sustainability work and develop valuable leadership and facilitation skills.  It is completely free and open to all to participate, and can be tailored to companies’ specific sustainability themes or  public moments like Earth Day or International Women’s Day. 

If you are interested in getting involved with Sustainability Hour, visit the Sustainability Hour website to learn more. 

A lot can happen in an hour!