Network News - August 2015
Preparing for the SDGs
Earlier this month, world governments approved the final text of the outcome document that will be adopted at the UN Post-2015 Summit on 25-27 September. Transforming our World sets out 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that articulate a far-reaching global ambition to end poverty, promote prosperity and well-being for all, protect the environment and address climate change.
We all need to work together to make these goals succeed. Over the coming months there will be many events, activities and discussions to get as many people as possible knowing about the SDGs and thinking how they can contribute.
SDSN Australia/Pacific and its members have been working on what the SDGs mean for our region for almost three years and will be leading and contributing to many of the planned activities.
Get involved >> There are still limited places available for the ACFID/ACOSS Civil Society Forum on the SDGs on 25 August. Find out about other events, activities, and resources on the SDGs in our region through our SDGs Resources page.
#KnowYourGoals campaign
In the lead up to the adoption of the SDGs, SDSN Youth has launched the #KnowYourGoals campaign, inviting individuals and organisations around the world to register and host an event raising awareness about the SDGs in their local communities.
Get involved >> Sign upto host an event as part of this campaign, or submit a short video telling the world why you think the SDGs are important.
Pathways to a low carbon future
A new website, 2050pathways.net.au, provides an interactive guide to the work done by ClimateWorks and the Australian National University showing how Australia can achieve zero net emissions by 2050 while maintaining economic growth. The work, done as part of SDSN’s global Deep Decarbonisation Pathways Project, provides important input in the lead-up to this year’s climate change negotiations at COP21.
Get involved >>Develop your own pathway to a low-carbon Australia with the 2050 Pathways Calculator; head to see Connie Hedegaard, former European Commissioner for Climate Action, in Sydney next week; or find out about other COP21-related activities and resources on the SDSN Australia/Pacific website.
A new youth initiative for SDSN
In June, SDSN launched SDSN Youth, a global network of young people with a mission to empower youth globally to create sustainable solutions. SDSN Youth, which started as an SDSN Australia/Pacific initiative, has hit the ground running, launching a blog and the #KnowYourGoals campaign.
Get involved >> Connect with SDSN Youth via newsletter, Twitter or Facebook, and encourage youth-led and youth-focused institutions, groups, NGOs, university clubs and societies to become members.
Welcome to new members
The Australian Council for International Development (ACFID) has joined the 14 other leaders from Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands who are working together to develop and promote solutions, policies and public education for sustainable development in our region.
Get involved >> Membership in SDSN is free and open to universities, research institutions, civil society, and other knowledge organisations that have a deep expertise in sustainable development. Contact us to find out more about becoming a member or other ways of partnering with us.
News from Global SDSN
- SDSN has launched a new interactive website for exploring its Indicators and a Monitoring Framework for the Sustainable Development Goals.
- Register now for SDSN’s 3rd Annual International Conference on Sustainable Development, which will take place on 23-24 September in New York. The conference theme is “Implementing the SDGs: Getting Started.”
>> To keep up with SDSN’s global activities, sign up for the global SDSN newsletter at unsdsn.org.
Member news
- The Australian Council for International Development (ACFID) and the Australian Council of Social Service (ACOSS) are hosting a forum on The role of Australian civil society in implementing the SDGs in Melbourne on 25 August. Limited places are still available – RSVP to Alice Ridge (ARidge@acfid.asn.au) by COB Wednesday 19 August.
- The Institute for Sustainable Futures at University of Technology Sydney is supporting CityTalks 2015: The Politics of Climate Change, a public event with former European Commissioner for Climate Action Connie Hedegaard on 25 August in Sydney.
- The Centre for Social Responsibility in Mining at the University of Queensland has completed a 2-year study on mining and development in Mongolia.
- The Australian Sustainable Built Environment Council (ASBEC) has released its cities policy platform, calling for renewed action by all governments to increase the productivity, prosperity and liveability of Australia’s cities, and delivering clear next steps for all spheres of government.
