In 2015, the world came together to adopt an ambitious plan for global development: the United Nations 2030 Agenda and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Subsequent global shocks and setbacks, however, have increasingly underscored our shared vulnerabilities and hindered our progress towards a peaceful, prosperous, equitable and sustainable future. International cooperation and collective action are needed more than ever; yet our existing systems of multilateral engagement weren’t designed for the complex, interconnected, and rapidly-changing world in which we live.
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In 2015, the world came together to adopt an ambitious plan for global development: the United Nations 2030 Agenda and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Subsequent global shocks and setbacks, however, have increasingly underscored our shared vulnerabilities and hindered our progress towards a peaceful, prosperous, equitable and sustainable future. International cooperation and collective action are needed more than ever; yet our existing systems of multilateral engagement weren’t designed for the complex, interconnected, and rapidly-changing world in which we live.
In 2015, the world came together to adopt an ambitious plan for global development: the United Nations 2030 Agenda and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Subsequent global shocks and setbacks, however, have increasingly underscored our shared vulnerabilities and hindered our progress towards a peaceful, prosperous, equitable and sustainable future. International cooperation and collective action are needed more than ever; yet our existing systems of multilateral engagement weren’t designed for the complex, interconnected, and rapidly-changing world in which we live.
It’s time for the United Nations to turbocharge.
In 2021, UN Secretary-General António Guterres issued Our Common Agenda, his vision for the future of international cooperation. Our Common Agenda aims to “turbocharge” action on the SDGs and, most poignantly, presents practical recommendations to transform global governance for the 21st century. Its publication started a conversation that will culminate in September 2025 at the World Social Summit where all countries will recommit to the UN charter and trust in multilateralism. The Summit of the Future in 2024 is an important step towards reinvigorating multilateralism where UN Member States will deliberate on three global compacts to transform international cooperation up to 2030 and beyond.
To support this vision and inform the Summit, the Secretary-General has released 11 thematic policy briefs to provide more detail on proposals for the Summit and aid Member States as they prepare for deliberations. The topics of these 11 policy briefs have been further condensed into five Chapters for the Summit, namely: Financing, Peace and Security, Digital Cooperation, Youth and Future Generations, and Global Governance.
The Summit of the Future marks a “once-in-a-generation opportunity” to reframe global governance for the future. Revitalizing Multilateralism for a Sustainable Future is designed to help you understand and prepare for it.
In this unique course, Prof. Patrick Paul Walsh will guide learners through the past, present, and future of the global development agenda, examining the five Chapters, 11 policy briefs, and three Compacts with the aid of renowned leaders in the field of sustainable development. Through recorded videos from the prestigious Global Classroom lecture series and other high-profile fora, learners will hear from experts in global governance, finance, digital transformation, and more, and consider the Summit of the Future in light of their insights.
Following the Summit, new modules will be added to discuss the outcomes and preparations for the 2nd UN World Social Summit in September 2025.
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Learning objectives
- Take stock of where we are at the mid-point of the sdgs and what more needs to be done before 2030.
- Explore the origins of our common agenda and the goals for the summit of the future in september 2024.
- Understand the multilateral process for adopting the three compacts at the summit.
- Dive into the 11 thematic policy briefs that will inform the summit and explore the new challenges and opportunities for multilateralism in the 21st century.
- Consider how you can contribute to reimagining and revitalizing global cooperation in your spheres of influence.
- Take stock of where we are at the mid-point of the sdgs and what more needs to be done before 2030.
- Explore the origins of our common agenda and the goals for the summit of the future in september 2024.
- Understand the multilateral process for adopting the three compacts at the summit.
- Dive into the 11 thematic policy briefs that will inform the summit and explore the new challenges and opportunities for multilateralism in the 21st century.
- Consider how you can contribute to reimagining and revitalizing global cooperation in your spheres of influence.
Syllabus
I. Welcome to the Course
A. Introducing Our Common Agenda and the UN Summit of the Future
B. Jeffrey Sachs. "Sustainable Development: The Future We Want."
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Syllabus
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Activities
Read "The Sustainable Development Goals Report 2023"
Show steps
Review the progress and challenges of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to contextualize the course materials.
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-
Read through the report to gain an overview of the progress made towards each SDG.
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Pay special attention to the challenges and obstacles highlighted in the report.
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Consider how the findings of the report align with your own understanding of the SDGs.
Navigate the UN website and resources
Show steps
Familiarizes learners with the organization and resources they will use in the course.
Show steps
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Explore the UN homepage and key sections.
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Locate specific information on the SDGs and Our Common Agenda.
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Subscribe to relevant UN publications and newsletters.
Review the history of global development
Show steps
Provides context for the current state and future plans for sustainable development.
Show steps
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Read the course introduction and overview.
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Review UN history and milestones, such as the Millennium Development Goals.
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Explore timelines and interactive resources on global development.
Two other activities
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Compile a glossary of key terms
Show steps
Supports understanding and retention of important concepts in the field of sustainable development.
Show steps
-
Identify key terms from assigned readings and discussions.
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Define and record the terms in a digital or physical glossary.
-
Review the glossary regularly to reinforce understanding.
Practice applying the SDGs to real-world scenarios
Show steps
Enhances understanding of how the SDGs can be used to address global challenges.
Show steps
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Identify specific case studies or issues.
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Analyze the situation and apply relevant SDGs.
-
Develop concrete solutions or recommendations.
Read "The Sustainable Development Goals Report 2023"
Show steps
Review the progress and challenges of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to contextualize the course materials.
View
COVID-19 – Rapid impact assessment on the...
on Amazon
Show steps
- Read through the report to gain an overview of the progress made towards each SDG.
- Pay special attention to the challenges and obstacles highlighted in the report.
- Consider how the findings of the report align with your own understanding of the SDGs.
Navigate the UN website and resources
Show steps
Familiarizes learners with the organization and resources they will use in the course.
Show steps
- Explore the UN homepage and key sections.
- Locate specific information on the SDGs and Our Common Agenda.
- Subscribe to relevant UN publications and newsletters.
Review the history of global development
Show steps
Provides context for the current state and future plans for sustainable development.
Show steps
- Read the course introduction and overview.
- Review UN history and milestones, such as the Millennium Development Goals.
- Explore timelines and interactive resources on global development.
Compile a glossary of key terms
Show steps
Supports understanding and retention of important concepts in the field of sustainable development.
Show steps
- Identify key terms from assigned readings and discussions.
- Define and record the terms in a digital or physical glossary.
- Review the glossary regularly to reinforce understanding.
Practice applying the SDGs to real-world scenarios
Show steps
Enhances understanding of how the SDGs can be used to address global challenges.
Show steps
- Identify specific case studies or issues.
- Analyze the situation and apply relevant SDGs.
- Develop concrete solutions or recommendations.
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