Collective Action is Needed to Achieve Sustainable Development
By Diane Whitehead, President & CEO
Collective action is needed now more than ever.
A United Nations report last year found that progress on more than 50 percent of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) targets is weak and insufficient, and progress on 30 percent is stalled or reversing.
In the education sector, learning losses due to COVID-19 have devastated already slow progress toward building the bright futures all children deserve. The report found that by 2030, only one in six countries is expected to achieve the universal secondary school completion target, an estimated 84 million children and young people will be out of school, and 300 million students will lack basic numeracy and literacy skills.
Collective Action is Key
Despite these challenges, there is hope if we embrace the opportunity for collective action.
Earlier this month, global leaders gathered for the 2024 High Level Political Forum (HLPF) on Sustainable Development. This event is a prime example of the importance of decision-makers working together to achieve the SDGs, and we must continue to seek collective, collaborative efforts through the HLPF.
Yet, collective action is not limited to high-level events; it requires partnerships at all levels, from grassroots to global forums.
We must all build partnerships and work collaboratively to solve the enormous challenges our world faces. I believe our children’s futures depend on it.
Effective, Inclusive Partnerships
By working together, we can create comprehensive solutions that address multiple challenges simultaneously.
Effective partnerships offer many benefits, including:
- Pooling of resources
- Amplification of knowledge
- Opportunity to leverage expertise
- Increased efficiencies
- Prevention of duplication
- Effective and innovative ways of addressing complex or entrenched problems
Inclusive partnerships are key. We must involve governments, the private sector, civil society, and local communities. Most importantly, we must include children’s voices and perspectives. They are the stakeholders of the future, and their insights can lead to innovative and effective solutions.
Challenges
Achieving the SDGs is no small feat, and it involves overcoming challenges in our current global landscape. Some of challenges include:
- Fragmentation and silos – Existing structures often lead us to work independently and separately in fragmented, siloed ways. Instead, we need better coordination among different sectors and stakeholders to create unified strategies.
- Resource mobilization – Resources are often scarce or lacking, so we must find innovative ways to secure funding and ensure that it is used effectively.
- Capacity-building – Sometimes we don’t have the knowledge or skills needed to effectively work together. We need to build the right platforms and competencies to create and sustain effective partnerships.
Opportunities
Luckily, there are far more opportunities than there are challenges, and there are effective ways to overcome the challenges we face.
By taking advantage of opportunities to promote partnership and collective action, we can achieve progress on the SDGs and build a better future. Some opportunities I believe are crucial include:
Innovative financing
We need to advocate for innovative financing mechanisms such as blended finance, social impact bonds, and public-private partnerships that can provide the necessary resources for sustainable development projects.
Data and Monitoring
Robust data collection and monitoring systems are crucial in allowing us to track progress, identify gaps, and make data-driven decisions that ensure our efforts are both effective and efficient.
Policy Coherence
Greater policy coherence at national, regional, and international levels will help align our efforts to ensure that policies support the SDGs and do not work at cross-purposes.
Multi-Stakeholder Engagement
We need to engage diverse stakeholders – including children – to ensure that solutions are inclusive, equitable, holistic, and sustainable.
South-South Cooperation
South-South and triangular cooperation can lead to shared knowledge, technology, and best practices among countries in the Global South and an acceleration of progress and innovation.
Leveraging Technology
Technology and innovation play a critical role in enhancing partnerships by improving efficiency, scalability, and the ability to monitor and evaluate initiatives.
Holistic and Creative Approaches
We must view partnerships holistically, creatively, and innovatively, working with the business sector and civil society, and involving children as partners. Each sector brings unique strengths and perspectives that enrich our collective efforts.
Children's Voices
It’s essential to include children’s voices and perspectives in decision-making processes. They offer fresh insights and can help design more effective and relevant interventions.
Examples & Tools for Partnership-Building
At Childhood Education International, we believe in the power of collective action, and we’re seeking to facilitate that through several initiatives.
We recently launched the Center for Business Champions, which seeks to bridge the gap between the business and child development sectors. We are supporting business and childhood development leaders in building connections so that they can explore, expand, and leverage their synergies and connections to achieve common goals.
We have also pioneered the concept of Education Diplomacy, which provides a roadmap for leaders seeking to develop effective, collaborative relationships with powerful results. Education Diplomacy teaches ways that diplomacy skills and competencies can be used to effectively work together and find pathways for mutual success that benefits children.
The Way Forward
There will always be barriers to partnerships, but if we address these head-on and utilize effective collaboration skills, we can work together more effectively than we can alone.
Indeed, the only way to achieve sustainable development is through collective action. We must see ourselves as part of an interconnected ecosystem where relationships are crucial for success and where every action we take impacts others.
Building and maintaining strong relationships enables us to take collaborative action that has a positive ripple effect. Together, we can create a better future for all, especially our youngest and most vulnerable.
This September, at the Summit of the Future during the United Nations General Assembly, there will be a focus on committing to greater and more inclusive global cooperation toward solutions for a brighter future. Continue to follow us as we engage in that conversation.
About the Author
Diane Whitehead, President & CEO
Diane Whitehead has dedicated her career to issues that affect the lives of children and families. She specializes in global education, children’s education and learning, the human right to education, nonprofit leadership, management, strategic direction-setting, and program development.
Through her strategic guidance and management of this 130+year-old organization, Diane has expanded its global reach, built partnerships with education-focused organizations around the world, designed impactful programs, and participated in key international education forums and United Nations’ initiatives, a recognition of her commitment to transforming education. As Chief Executive Officer, she is dedicated to building CE International’s relevancy, reach, and impact.
Diane is the creator of Education Diplomacy and co-author of the Education Diplomacy Professional Standards. She also co-authored the International Principles of Practice for Educators to guide and inspire practitioners and to elevate the education profession by highlighting the incredible service that educators provide to both international and human development. Both Education Diplomacy and the International Principles of Practice are forging new pathways for the professional development of educators.
Diane is available to speak on education topics, leadership, change management, and the future of humanity. If you would like to invite Diane for a speaker engagement at a conference or event, please contact Kacy Kostiuk, Director of Communications, at kkostiuk@ceinternational1892.org.