Education for Sustainable Development: A Driver for Building Back Better

Consisting of a briefing session and a panel discussion on the crucial role of Education for Sustainable Development as a key enabler of successful achievement of the SDGs, especially within the context of Building Back Better from the COVID-19 pandemic, this event will provide a platform for participants from the UN Member States, UNESCO, other intergovernmental organizations and academia will engage with audience members.

Register here.

The virtual briefing will bring together Member States, key UN agencies and education experts around 4 objectives:

Highlight ways to harness the transformative power of ESD in achieving sustainable societies and sensitize the UN membership on the latest developments and trends;
Share the best practices on how ESD can contribute to building back better from the COVID-19 pandemic;
Facilitate exchange of good practices and provide a platform for the UN Member States to engage with key UN agencies and leading education experts on advancing ESD and integrating it into education plans and programmes;
Provide updates on the preparation and objectives of the upcoming World Conference on ESD.

The briefing session on Education for Sustainable Development is organized by the Group of Friends for Education and Lifelong Learning, as co-chaired by the Permanent Missions of Argentina, Czech Republic, Japan, Kenya and Norway, together with UNESCO.

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CoNGO Notes: For more information on the NGO Committee on Financing for Development, please visit ngosonffd.org. For more information on the NGO Committee on Education, Learning, and Literacy, please visit facebook.com/NGOCELLatUN. For more information on the NGO Committee on Sustainable Development-NY, please visit ngocsd-ny.org. For more information on the NGO Committee on Sustainable Development-Vienna, please visit ngocsdvienna.org.

SDG Global Festival of Action

Join us on 25-26 March 2021 for the SDG Global Festival of Action! The SDG Action global community’s annual meeting place is returning, bigger and bolder than ever, in a new virtual space.

We are at a turning point for people and our planet. Now is a moment where transformation is possible, and every individual action matters. The choice is ours to make, in our own lives and collectively.

The Festival will be held in a dynamic virtual space featuring plenary sessions, lightning talks and innovation labs with leaders, changemakers, activists, private sector and more – focused on #TurningItAround for poverty and inequality, gender, climate action and inclusive systems and finance.

Register here!

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CoNGO Notes: For more information on the NGO Committee on Sustainable Development-New York, please visit ngocsd-ny.org. For more information on the NGO Committee on Sustainable Development-Vienna, please visit ngocsdvienna.org. For more information on the NGO Committee on Financing for Development, please visit ngosonffd.org.

Economist Group’s 8th Annual World Ocean Summit: Accelerating a Sustainable Ocean Economy

Since 2012 The Economist‘s World Ocean Summit has been the pre-eminent global platform for leaders in business, finance, government, and civil society to debate the greatest challenges facing the seas, share bold strategies to help tackle them, and form partnerships that will mobilize the action needed to build a sustainable ocean economy.

The 2020 “ocean super year”, of a series of major conferences and events, was disrupted by the pandemic. In 2021 it will therefore be an even more urgent move from theory to action.

The 8th annual edition, now a fully virtual event, will aim to change the way business is done in the ocean, shaping and accelerating how governments, businesses, and civil society work together to create a sustainable blue economy.

The virtual week offers the opportunity to access five days of highly curated content and the chance to make meaningful connections no matter where you are in the world.

Plenary sessions and action-oriented industry tracks include: Aquaculture, Energy, Plastics, Fishing, Shipping, and Tourism.

Register here and explore the full agenda here.

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CoNGO Notes: For more information on the NGO Committee on Financing for Development, please visit ngosonffd.org. For more information on the NGO Committee on Sustainable Development-New York, please visit ngocsd-ny.org. For more information on the NGO Committee on Sustainable Development-Vienna, please visit ngocsdvienna.org.

World Wildlife Day

The animals and plants that live in the wild have an intrinsic value and contribute to the ecological, genetic, social, economic, scientific, educational, cultural, recreational and aesthetic aspects of human well-being and to sustainable development.

World Wildlife Day is an opportunity to celebrate the many beautiful and varied forms of wild fauna and flora and to raise awareness of the multitude of benefits that their conservation provides to people. At the same time, the Day reminds us of the urgent need to step up the fight against wildlife crime and human-induced reduction of species, which have wide-ranging economic, environmental and social impacts. Given these various negative effects, Sustainable Development Goal 15 focuses on halting biodiversity loss.

Read more about why the UN commemorates World Wildlife Day and how to get involved here.

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CoNGO Notes: For more information on the NGO Committee on Financing for Development, please visit ngosonffd.org.

PyeongChang Peace Forum Parallel Session: Global Civic Agenda on Peace and SDGs

Dear Friends of PyeongChang,

Welcome to PPF 2021! You are cordially invited to register for the three sessions on Peace and SDGs hosted by PNND, APSD, PCK in partnership with many international CSOs during the PPF 2021. The outcome of the sessions will be incorporated into the PyeongChang Agenda for Peace (PCAP) 2021.

The Parallel Session No 10 (English/Korean) will focus on the Global Civic Agenda on Peace and SDGs 2021.

A zoom or youtube link and background materials will be sent to those who have registered here in advance. Pre-registration is available here: http://bit.ly/21ppf4youth

Please visit http://ppf.or.kr/en/index.asp to register for other sessions.

Contact and inquiries PPFpeacemakers@gmail.com / asia@apsd2030.org

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CoNGO Notes: For more information on the NGO Committee on Disarmament, Peace, and Security, please visit ngocdps.wordpress.com. For more information on the NGO Committee on Human Rights, please email the co-chairs at bknotts@uua.org or bobbinassar@gmail.com.

International Youth Conference 2021

COVID-19 has paused the life of every human being on earth and affected global development at large. Whereas the world is under lockdown the progress of development is halted. On account of this, the International Youth Conference 2021 (IYC 2021) will take place under the theme ‘Regeneration: Moving forward with Development’. The conference will shed light on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and youth relevant themes. Youth and field experts will come together to discuss youth issues and drive youth action towards the achievement of SDGs while the world is at pause.

Register here!

The objectives of the conference are:

To provide an international platform to youth to develop and engage in participatory development of the world
To support the UN achieve its Sustainable Development Goals through youth engagement
To empower gender and youth equality and inclusion in decision making, policy making, and development at all levels (communal, local, institutional, national, and international)
To brainstorm implementation of the Youth Climate Compact
To chalk out innovative ideas for development
To foster youth advancement through digital innovation and tools
To steer thinking and aspiration towards social developmental solutions provision

IYC 2021 will also formulate a policy and action recommendation/document/manual for youth on how to act under ‘world at pause’ conditions, how to find relevant opportunities, combat depression and come out of it a victor.

The conference is truly global with organizers and speakers from all continents and is open to anyone identifying as youth as per the UN definition.

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CoNGO Notes: For more information on the NGO Committee on Intergenerational Solidarity, please email the vice chair at susanneseperson@gmail.com. For more information on the NGO Committee on Children’s Rights, please visit childrightsny.org. For more information on the NGO Committee on Education, Learning, and Literacy, please visit facebook.com/NGOCELLatUN. For more information on the NGO Committee on Mental Health, please visit ngomentalhealth.org.

UNESCO World Conference on Education for Sustainable Development

Education for Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals

Our planet and its inhabitants are under increasing pressure: Human-induced climate change, limited and recklessly exploited resources, rising temperatures and sea levels, pollution and shrinking biodiversity are just a few of the issues governments and populations face around the world. The current Covid-19-pandemic amplifies existing weaknesses and challenges in our societies.

Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) is crucial to empower people to have the knowledge, skills, values and attitudes to meet these crises and other sustainable development challenges. The new ESD for 2030 framework provides us with an important opportunity to move away from the disastrous path of climate and other emergencies by transforming our societies through education.

The UNESCO World Conference on Education for Sustainable Development will highlight the crucial role of Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) as a key enabler for the successful achievement of all SDGs, the COVID rebuilding process, and to create momentum for strengthening ESD in policy and practice.

The Conference will take place as virtual event. Further information on participation and how to register for the Conference will be made available shortly on this website. Read the full concept note here.

All UNESCO Member States will be invited to attend the event and nominate a delegation including participants from diverse backgrounds.

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CoNGO Notes: For more information on the NGO Committee on Sustainable Development-New York, please visit ngocsd-ny.org. For more information on the NGO Committee on Sustainable Development-Vienna, please visit ngocsdvienna.org. For more information on the NGO Committee on Financing for Development, please visit ngosonffd.org. For more information on the NGO Committee on Education, Learning, and Literacy, please visit facebook.com/NGOCELLatUN.

What the World Wants: A Briefing on the UN75 Global Consultation

On Friday 15 January, from 1630 to 1745 GMT / 1130 to 1245 EST, the UN’s 75th anniversary team will partner with UN entities based in the UK to hold a policy briefing on the findings of the global consultation conducted to mark the Organisation’s milestone at this turbulent time for the world.

The event will be hosted by the United Nations Association – UK, a charity devoted to providing information and analysis of the UN.

Join the Zoom webinar here: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83991850723

Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, humanity was grappling with the paradox of diminishing global cooperation against a backdrop of ever more challenges requiring global cooperation: from the climate crisis to deepening inequalities. The pandemic has added to this suffering and exposed long-standing fragilities in our societies and economies.

In this context, the UN75 initiative was an opportunity to for the Organisation to listen to the people it serves. Over 1.5 million people took part, sharing their hopes, fears, priorities and solutions for the future.

This event will see Under-Secretary-General and Special Adviser on UN75, Fabrizio Hochschild, present the results.

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CoNGO Notes: For more information on the NGO Committee on Human Rights, please email the co-chairs at bobbinassar@gmail.com or bknotts@uua.org. For more information on the NGO Committee on Sustainable Development-Vienna, please visit ngocsdvienna.org. For more information on the NGO Committee on Financing for Development, please visit ngosonffd.org.

Committee of Religious NGOs at the UN-Climate Working Group Meeting

Dear friends,

I hope this note finds you well! I am writing to update you all on a few considerations related to the next steps for the Committee of Religious NGOs Climate Working Group (CRN CWG). Our next meeting will be on Monday, 1 February from 10-11 AM (zoom link here). Here is a bit more context:

Because of the CSocD, CSW, international women’s day and other winter/spring events, we would like to propose meeting on the first Monday of the month for the next few months. Apologies if this causes any inconvenience, but we are hopeful that it will reduce conflicts.
The meeting on Feb. 1 is meant to cover a few items (agenda will be here in the coming days). Namely: what are the various areas of focus we would like to prioritize this year? and what are the main ideas we wish to develop collectively? This, of course, in addition to other matters we will address at future meetings such as what are the opportunities and, specifically, how to engage with UNFCCC COP.
Finally, a few items that might be nice to refer to. First is the Climate Adaptation Summit taking place next week. Second is a link to a number of key reports, including the recent adaptation gap report. And third is a link to an interesting recent meeting between the Dalai Lama and Greta Thunberg regarding feedback loops.

Finally, as many of us are losing friends, acquaintances, and family members – let us do our best to keep each other in our prayers.

Warmly,

Dan, Beth and Julia, CRNGO CWG executive committee

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CoNGO Notes: For more information on the Committee of Religious NGOs at the United Nations, please visit rngos.wordpress.com. For more information on the NGO Committee on Spirituality, Values, and Global Concerns-NY, please visit csvgc-ny.org. For more information on the NGO Committee on Financing for Development, please visit ngosonffd.org.

COP15 to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity

The fifteenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP 15) to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) will review the achievement and delivery of the CBD’s Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020. It is also anticipated that the final decision on the post-2020 global biodiversity framework will be taken, together with decisions on related topics including capacity building and resource mobilization.

The “zero draft” for a post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework has included a focus on ensuring work to preserve biodiversity contributes to “the nutrition, food security, and livelihoods of people, especially for the most vulnerable.”

Read more and stay apprised of forthcoming planned events here and/or here.

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CoNGO Notes: For more information on the NGO Committee on Financing for Development, please visit ngosonffd.org. For more information on the NGO Committee on Sustainable Development-NY, please visit facebook.com/NGOCSDNY. For more information on the NGO Committee on Sustainable Development-Vienna, please visit ngocsdvienna.org.

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