Making connections and sharing knowledge are key if we are to achieve all 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030. At the opening week of the United Nations General Assembly in New York City, the SDG Philanthropy Platform convened leaders across sectors for multiple events to highlight philanthropy’s role in the SDGs, report on implementation progress in the Platform’s target countries, and facilitate partnerships.

At the opening of the first event, Heather Grady, Vice President of Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors, discussed the importance of bringing partners together for collaboration opportunities; “We believe that meetings like this are about making connections and sharing knowledge so we can achieve the SDGs. Participants in the room hold a wealth of knowledge and experience.”

Over three days, people from many different backgrounds and sectors shared their experiences and progress from their respective regions and other Platform target countries. Many participants had a chance to connect with others doing similar work in the same countries, opening the door for them to discuss relevant issues and potential partnership opportunities.

One common theme that emerged from the events was the importance of cross-sector collaboration in identifying gaps to close and developing solutions. As more stakeholders from diverse backgrounds join the conversation on SDG implementation, new perspectives can help shed light on effective methods of addressing the world’s most pressing issues.

From speakers’ experiences, one lesson is clear – we will not be able to achieve the SDGs if we continue with business as usual. We as a global community must work together and take innovative new approaches to solve the problems identified by the 17 goals. As Lauren Whitehead, Program Manager at BRAC, emphasized, “Ambitious goals like the SDGs require ambitious measures.”

RPA launched a report this week looking at how funders can work differently to shift systems in ways that enable faster, deeper achievement of goals like the SDGs. Entitled Scaling Solutions toward Shifting Systems, it represents a snapshot of the learning journey of a group of funders committed to working more collaboratively, and presents a set of five recommendations for any interested funder to consider. The report is available for download here.

To learn more about the SDG Philanthropy Platform and how to get involved in SDG implementation, visit sdgphilanthropy.org.

 

Written by Melissa Blackerby of Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors communications team.

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