Closing Ceremony – Global Citizen Scholarship Program 2021

December 24, 2021

On December 15th, the Global Citizen Scholarship Program 2021 held its virtual Closing Ceremony. The Ceremony honored this year’s eight outstanding Global Citizen Scholars from African countries – Cameroon, Kenya, Madagascar, Nigeria, and Zimbabwe.

The Ceremony was co-moderated by BKMC CEO Monika Froehler and BKMC Program Officer Julia Zimmerman and featured opening remarks from Co-chairs Ban Ki-moon and Heinz Fischer as well as Márcia Balisciano, Chief Sustainability Officer, Global Head of ESG and Corporate Responsibility at RELX Group and BKMC Board Member. Further congratulatory remarks were delivered by Stéphanie Debette, Vice-President for External Relations at the University of Bordeaux, and Joanna Orne-Gliemann, Senior Scientist and Professor from the University of Bordeaux who coordinated the ‘African Cities in 2030’ summer school attended by the scholars and served as a mentor.

“It makes me proud to see that you choose to be ambassadors for global citizenship and that we can count on you as a valued part of our BKMC family.” – Ban Ki-moon

After the opening and congratulatory remarks, Program Officer Julia Zimmerman presented an overview of the program and its activities. She highlighted the academic training with the University of Bordeaux, the 6 expert workshops, and networking opportunities provided as well as the one-on-one mentoring and the implementation of an SDG Micro-Project by each scholar.

Following the overview, video pitches of four of the scholars’ SDG Micro-Projects were shared. The project videos screened included:

Informal Urban Fabrics Flood Resilience by Scholar Fenosoa Ramiaramanana (Madagascar)
Implementing Garden Sachs in Deep Sea Slum Nairobi by Scholar Bessy Thuranira (Kenya)
Get the Children off the Streets by Scholar Eedee-Bari Bawoh (Nigeria)
Project BLISS by Scholar Gillian Ndlovu (Zimbabwe)

After the project videos, scholars were honored one by one for their achievements and were presented with a professional illustration of their projects as well as a Certificate of Achievement signed by BKMC Co-chairs.

Before concluding the ceremony, Scholar Gillian Ndlovu (Zimbabwe) was asked to take the floor and share her reflection on her time in the program. She shared her deep appreciation for the opportunity and her hopes for the future.

“It only takes a little spark to get a fire going. Our SDG Micro-Projects are sparks that have become flames and that will soon become a fire. We are going to keep the fire burning, and we will endeavor from this moment forward to work hard for the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.” – Gillian Ndlovu

The BKMC congratulates our eight scholars on their tremendous achievements and thanks their partners – RELX Group and the University of Bordeaux – for making this program possible.

Watch the full recording of the Closing Ceremony HERE.

Learn more about the Scholarship Program HERE.

Mid-Term Reflections on the Online Executive Training “Young Women Leadership on Climate Adaptation”

December 22, 2021

End of the first term of the Online Executive Training

The Ban Ki-moon Centre launched a new Online Executive Training aiming to foster Young Women Leadership on Climate Adaptation in cooperation with the CARE Climate and Resilience Academy and the Diplomatic Academy of Vienna, supported by the Global Center on Adaptation.

Thirty outstanding young women from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Ghana, Egypt, Kenya, Nigeria and Zimbabwe with diverse professional backgrounds were selected to embark on a unique learning journey together. During 20 weeks of training, the trainees strengthen their leadership skills, broaden their professional networks, and elevate their knowledge on gender-sensitive climate adaptation.

After a challenging and enriching nine weeks, the first term of the training came to an end. Before kicking off the second and final term, our trainees took some time to reflect on their experience being part of this journey.

We are delighted to share with you the reflections of Patience Sibanda, a 28-year-old Zimbabwean student and researcher in the field of climate-smart agriculture and resilience building at University of Fort Hare, South Africa.

Guest Blog by Patience Sibanda

Flawless, seamless, exceptional, informative, are the words that describe my experience as a trainee in the Online Executive Training. I gained priceless knowledge on climate crisis management, the nexus of gender, climate vulnerability, adaptation, resilience and advocacy and the pivotal role young women play in bringing attention to climate policy architecture.

Over and above, the structure and organization of the training is unique and didactic for two key reasons. Firstly, through the use of CLANED, a learning tool, I am able to study and visit any training material at my convenience, given that I come from a developing country, where the cost of the internet is exorbitant.

Secondly, the weekly live sessions’ by facilitators make the experience even more engaging through their ability to break down complex concepts that can be understood by beginners, such as the Climate Vulnerability and Capacity Analysis (CVCA) tool. As an aficionado of climate adaptation and resilience, I studied the CVCA tool and the climate adaptation checklist with curiosity. I can safely say that I am ready to adopt the tool in my academic writing and community adaptation actions that I will pioneer.

Another interesting aspect of Term 1 was the career coaching module by Hesed Consulting CEO Vumile Msweli, which was life-changing for me. The key takeaways from this session were the 4Bs in career building: Bona (see), Buza (ask), uBuntu (humanness), Bhadalwa (get paid).

I learned a lot from other experienced professionals such as Seychelles’ Conservation and Climate Adaptation Trust CEO Angelique Pouponneau, University of Pretoria Prof. Lindiwe Majele Sibanda, African Development Bank Group Senior Regional Climate Change and Green Growth Expert for Central Africa Monique Motty and CIAT Senior Scientist & Global Leader Policies and Institutions Dr. Caroline Mwongera. The training is not just about having continuous lectures, but testing your knowledge and comprehension through assignments and quizzes.

I am overly grateful to the organizers’ continued support and BKMC Program Officer Viola Christian and her team. Thank you for making this training worthwhile. Looking forward to Term 2.

Beyond COP26 – Moving Towards a Green Economy

November 24, 2021

First Virtual Climate Symposium hosted by the Ban Ki-moon Centre & the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Korea to the International Organizations in Vienna

“Beyond COP26 – Moving Towards a Green Economy” hosted by the Permanent Mission of the Republic of Korea to the International Organizations in Vienna and the Ban Ki-moon Centre for Global Citizens took place on November 30, 10 AM CET. We showcased achievements and challenges on climate action in the Republic of Korea and the Republic of Austria.

The Virtual Climate Symposium featured leaders and experts across sectors to discuss key outcomes of the UN Climate Change Conference (COP26) in Glasgow, Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), best practice examples and opportunities to increase efforts in transitioning to a greener and hydrogen-based economy in the Republic of Korea and Republic of Austria, and how to accelerate the implementation of the Paris Climate Agreement.

H.E. Shin Chae-hyun, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Korea to the United Nations in Vienna, H.E. Ban Ki-moon, 8th United Nations Secretary-General and Co-chair of the Ban Ki-moon Centre for Global Citizens (Video Statement), and Dr. Heinz Fischer,11th Federal President of Austria and Co-chair of the Ban Ki-moon Centre for Global Citizens gave opening remarks.

Katrin Harvey, COO of the Ban Ki-moon Centre for Global Citizens delivered a COP26 recap, highlighting main results in Glasgow, such as countries committing to ending deforestation by 2030, phasing out fossil fuels, doubling climate finance for mitigation and adaptation, first steps of recognizing loss and damage vulnerable countries, and a rising commitment by the private sector to net-zero.

Our distinguished panelists Dr. Renate Christ, Former Director of the IPCC Secretariat, Dr. Jonghee Han, Director of Institute of Hydrogen Energy of Korea Institute of Energy Technology, Marie-Theres Thöni, Director for Renewable Energy and Electricity, Federal Ministry for Climate Action, Environment, Energy, Mobility, Innovation & Technology in Austria discussed the results of COP26, the importance of scientific facts to fight the climate crisis, the technological pathways Austria is currently envisioning to tackle the climate emergency, and the role of hydrogen economy in Korea to achieve carbon neutrality and green economy. The panel was moderated by Monika Froehler, CEO of the Ban Ki-moon Centre for Global Citizens.

“We see some progress. The NDCs submitted after Paris would have led to a global temperature increase of 3.2 degrees. The revised ones in July 2021 estimated an increase of 2.7 degreees. We can have the best agreement, the best pledges but they have to be put in action.” – Dr. Renate Christ

“It’s important to put the emphasis on RENEWABLE Hydrogen. We need to elevate the current renewable electricity production by 50 percent within the next ten years. Thus, there is not only a technological pathway, but we must also raise acceptance for the renewables in the population, especially for the instalation of solar and wind power by establishing an energy community.” – Marie Theres-Thöni

“Hydrogen could be one of the primary items to decarbonize import and transportation. We need to collaborate internationallyto build the hydrogen transport structure and we have to share the technology to build the international connection/ transportation.” – Dr. Han Jong-Hee

We thank our speakers and the Korean Permanent Mission to the United Nations in Vienna for their insights on transitioning to a greener and hydrogen-based economy in South Korea and Austria.

26th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) – There is No Time to Waste

November 13, 2021

First Pledge for Smallholder Farmers, Agricultural Innovation and Research reaches $575M!

Between October 31^st and November 12^th, the United Kingdom (UK) hosted the 26^th UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) in Glasgow, Scotland. After one year of delay, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, more than 25.000 delegates from all over the world gathered to exchange, partner, negotiate, and significantly accelerate climate action towards achieving the Paris Climate Agreement.

In Glasgow, the BKMC was present throughout the conference and met with with high-level stakeholders and decision-makers of countries and institutions including the European Commission, Germany, Netherlands, UK, Qatar, and Zambia to advocate for higher attention to climate change adaptation in agriculture, especially towards the most vulnerable group – smallholder farmers.

Co-chair Ban Ki-moon delivered several calls for action during COP26. At the Agri-Food Transition Summit Climate Spotlight, he reinforced the key role of Agricultural Adaptation for building resilient food systems.

Monika Froehler, CEO of the BKMC, and Katrin Harvey, COO of the BKMC spoke at the COP26 side events: Sustainable Innovation Forum “Climate Action Dialogue – Future Foods: Creating a Sustainable Food System for All” and the Agri-Food Transition Summit Panel Discussion “Meeting the Net Zero: Promoting Technological Innovation to Adapt Supply Chains Towards Efficiency, Resilience and Sustainabilty”, organized by Climate Action.

At COP26, a coalition of funders pledged $575 million to deliver climate-smart solutions to farmers in low-income countries via CGIAR. Several launches of initiatives and partnerships to draw further financing and commitment towards agricultural adaption were made.

In contrast to previous UN Climate Change Conferences, conversations and pledges at COP26 had a greater focus on adaptation measures, with agriculture playing a vital role. As of today, only roughly one-quarter of global climate change finance is directed towards adaptation measures. With the Elevating Agricultural Adaptation Program, the BKMC calls on leaders to increase commitments towards climate-smart agriculture, channeling resources to the CGIAR.

“It was encouraging to see the dynamics on many layers that increase the attention towards adaptation efforts in the agricultural sector,” says Angela Reithuber, Program Manager of Elevating Agricultural Adaptation at the BKMC. “However, it became very clear that there are still huge gaps in quantitative and qualitative commitments of countries to accelerate action in climate-smart agriculture. We need farmer-centred solutions with a high level of transparency to accelerate innovation and knowledge-sharing.”

There were loud calls that next year’s COP27 in Egypt, Africa must focus even more on adaptation measures, as agriculture is both a driver and a solution to solving the climate crisis.

Read the COP26 Op-Ed by Co-chair Ban Ki-moon here.

Watch the Sustainable Innovation Forum recording here.

Watch the Agri-Food Transition Summit recording here.

Stage at Global Citizen Live Paris Copyright - Katre Olmez

World Leaders Pledge to Save the Planet at Global Citizen

October 5, 2021

$100B Climate Pledge, $6B for Famine Relief, and Vaccine Justice at Global Citizen Live!

Official partner of Global Citizen through a joint program Elevating Agricultural Adaptation the BKMC attended Global Citizen Live in Paris. The 24-hour broadcasted festival spanning seven continents and bringing together over 70 artists, activists, and leaders raised more than US$1.1B, 157M trees, and over 60M COVID-19 vaccines.

While calling for leaders to make financial and political commitments to agricultural adaptation, the BKMC calls to direct such resources to CGIAR. At Global Citizen Live, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced a €140 million pledge while Mark Rutte, Prime Minister of the Netherlands, announced a €75 million pledge, and Meryame Kitir, Belgian Minister of Development Cooperation and Major Cities Policy, announced a €6 million pledge to CGIAR.

The BKMC is strongly advocating for more attention to the most vulnerable in the world, supporting smallholder farmers and climate change adaptation. Thanks to all joint efforts, several world leaders made pledges to commit to vaccine distribution, fighting hunger, education for all as well as battling the impacts of climate change.

Under the leadership of Co-chair Ban Ki-moon, the BKMC thanks Ursula Von Der Leyen, President of the European Commission, Prime Minister Mark Rutte of Netherlands, Minister of International Development Dag Inge Ulstein of Norway and Meryame Kitir Minister of Development Cooperation of Belgium and so many more for their commitments to the most vulnerable in our world.

Check out Global Citizen’s impact report here to find out about the details.

Eröffnung des ersten “SDG Dialogforum Österreich: Building forward mit der Agenda 2030”

October 1, 2021

Am 28. September 2021 wurde das allererste “SDG Dialogforum Österreich: Building forward mit der Agenda 2030” als hybrides Format im Naturhistorischen Museum Wien eröffnet.

Das Forum war das Ergebnis monatelanger Vorbereitungen und engagierter Zusammenarbeit zwischen den Kooperationspartnern: der Republik Österreich, Ban Ki-moon Centre for Global Citizens, SDG Watch Austria, und des Naturhistorischen Museum Wiens.

Als neues und innovatives Format bildet das SDG Dialogforum eine Grundlage für Partnerschaften zwischen Politik, Verwaltung, Zivilgesellschaft, Wissenschaft und Wirtschaft, ganz im Sinne von SDG 17 – Partnerschaften zur Erreichung der Ziele, in Österreich.

Das Forum wurde von Karoline Edtstadler, Bundesministerin für EU und Verfassung eröffnet, und Begrüßungsworten von Margarete Schramböck, Bundesministerin für Digitalisierung und Wirtschaftsstandort, Peter Launsky-Tieffenthal, Generalsekretär im Bundesministerium für europäische und internationale Angelegenheiten, Ban Ki-moon, 8. UN-Generalsekretär und Co-chair des Ban Ki-moon Centre for Global Citizens, Katrin Vohland, Generaldirektorin und wissenschaftliche Geschäftsführerin des Naturhistorischen Museum Wiens, und Thomas Alge, Geschäftsführer Ökobüro/ Steuerungsgruppe SDG Watch Austria beigetragen. Moderiert wurde die Veranstaltung von Ban Ki-moon Centre (BKMC) CEO Monika Froehler.

„Der Schwung, der mit der Präsentation von Österreichs ersten Freiwilligen Nationalen Bericht zur Umsetzung der Nachhaltigen Entwicklungsziele SDGs gekommen ist, den gilt es jetzt aufrechtzuerhalten. Daher ist die heutige Veranstaltung ein weiterer Meilenstein auf unseren Weg bis 2030.“ – Bundesministerin für EU und Verfassung im Bundeskanzleramt Karoline Edtstadler

„Ich freue mich, dass Österreich in diesem Forum zusammenkommt, um darüber nachzudenken, wie sich COVID-19 auf die Fortschritte des Landes bei den SDGs ausgewirkt hat, und um Prioritäten für die Zukunft zu setzen.“ – 8th UN Secretary-General and Co-chair of the Ban Ki-moon Centre for Global Citizens Ban Ki-moon

Mit einem besonderen Schwerpunkt auf entsprechende Innovationen in den Themenbereichen:

Digitalisierung
Klimaschutz und Klimawandelanpassung
Frauen, Jugend und „Leaving no one behind“
Österreich im globalen Kontext

wurden Ideen, Lösungen und konkrete Fragen gesammelt von eingeladenen Teilnehmer aus der Zivilgesellschaft, den Bundesministerien, dem Parlament, der Wissenschaft und der Wirtschaft, zu den Hauptthemen des Freiwilligen Nationalen Umsetzungsberichts (FNU), welchen Österreich im Juli 2019 den Vereinten Nationen präsentierte.

In der Berichterstattung der Innovationspools wurden zwei konkrete Fragen an die Mitglieder der österreichischen Bundesregierung sowie ExpertInnen und Experten in der „Club 2“-Diskussionsrunde gestellt. Danach folgte die kulturelle Intervention, wo sich der Künstler, Filmemacher und Umweltaktivist Edgar Honetschläger Gedanken zu Klimaschutz und Klimaanpassung machte.

Die Club 2-Diskussion fand statt mit Karoline Edtstadler, Bundesministerin für EU und Verfassung, Leonore Gewessler, Bundesministerin für Klimaschutz, Umwelt, Energie, Mobilität, Innovation und Technologie, Wolfgang Mückstein, Bundesminister für Soziales, Gesundheit, Pflege und Konsumentenschutz, Antonella Mei-Pochtler, Sonderbeauftragte des österreichischen Bundeskanzlers und Leiterin von ThinkAustria, der Stabstelle für Strategie, Analyse und Planung im Bundeskanzleramt, und Nicola Brandt, Leiterin des OECD Berlin Centre. Moderiert wurde die Club 2-Diskussion von PULS 4-Infodirektorin Corinna Milborn.

„Wir müssen einen Dialog auf Augenhöhe etablieren, uns intensiv auf allen Ebenen damit auseinandersetzen, um eine Balance zu finden, wie man Forderungen besser ausgleichen kann.“ – Bundesministerin für EU und Verfassung im Bundeskanzleramt Karoline Edtstadler

„Unsere Aufgabe als Politik ist es, die größte Transformation im Klimaschutz zu gestalten, vor der wir jemals gestanden sind…. Der Klimaschutz wird ein riesiger Digitalisierungsschub.” – Bundesministerin für Klimaschutz, Umwelt, Energie, Mobilität, Innovation und Technologie Leonore Gewessler

„Es ist die Aufgabe des Ministeriums für Menschen die Möglichkeiten zu schaffen, um gute Entscheidungen zu treffen, z.B. über ein verbessertes Herkunftslabel.“ – Bundesminister für Soziales, Gesundheit, Pflege und Konsumentenschutz Wolfgang Mückstein

„Es ist ein Bewusstsein entstanden, dass man Krisen nur global lösen kann. Es muss mehr Bemühungen geben, den Impfstoff in alle Länder zu bringen, und insbesondere gefährdete Personen zu immunisieren.” – Leiterin des OECD Berlin Centre Nicola Brandt

Abschließend, wurden Schlussworte von UNODC Exekutiv Direktorin, Generaldirektorin UN-Office in Wien Ghada Waly und von BKMC CEO Monika Froehler geteilt:

„Ich bin Österreich, unserem Gastland, dankbar für das starke Engagement für die SDGs. Die UNO in Wien wird mit Ihnen allen für einen inklusiven, vernetzten Multilateralismus arbeiten, um eine gerechtere, nachhaltigere Zukunft aufzubauen.“ – UNODC Exekutiv Direktorin, Generaldirektorin UN-Office in Wien Ghada Waly

„… Wir haben einen Planeten A. Wir haben keinen Planeten B. Wir haben einen Plan A und das sind die SDGs.“- CEO des Ban Ki-moon Centre for Global Citizens Monika Froehler

Insgesamt konnte das Forum über 548 Teilnehmer (live und virtuell) begrüßen, und erreichte zusätzlich über 20.000 Zuseher durch diverse Streamings.

Das BKMC bedankt sich bei allen Kooperationspartner für ihren unermüdlichen Einsatz für den Erfolg des ersten SDG Dialogforums Österreich. Unser Dank geht auch an das Naturhistorische Museum Wien für die Ausrichtung des Forums.

Wir hoffen, dass das SDG Dialogforum Österreich nur das erste von vielen ist.

Um den Zugang zu dieser Veranstaltung inklusiv zu gestalten, wurde eine Interpretation von GebärdendolmetscherInnen und grafische Aufzeichnungen angeboten.

Die vollständige Aufzeichnung der Veranstaltung finden Sie HIER.

Das Album zur Veranstaltung finden Sie unten.

On 28 September 2021, the first-ever “SDG Dialogforum Österreich” took place in a hybrid format at the Natural History Museum of Vienna. The forum was the result of months of dedicated preparation and collaboration by the co-organizers: the BKMC, the Austrian Government, SDG Watch Austria, and the Natural History Museum of Vienna.

To curate ideas, solutions, and concrete questions for decision-makers, the forum began with four separate breakout sessions or so-called “Innovation Pools” on the main themes of Austria’s Voluntary National Review (VNR), which was presented to the United Nations in July 2019:

Digitalization
Climate mitigation and adaptation
Women, Youth and Leaving no one behind
Austria in a global context

Following the closed session, the forum had an official opening segment, featuring speeches and video statements from Karoline Edtstadler, Federal Minister for EU and Consitution, Margarete Schramböck, Federal Minister for Digitalization and Economic Affair, Peter Launsky Tieffenthal, General Secretary at the Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs, and Ban Ki-moon, 8. UN-Secretary-General und Co-chair of the Ban Ki-moon Centre for Global Citizens, Katrin Vohland, Scientific Director of the Natural History Museum Vienna, und Thomas Alge, Director of Ökobüro/ Steuerungsgruppe SDG Watch Austria. BKMC Monika Froehler moderated the event.

After the opening, rapporteurs, pre-selected speakers on behalf of each of the four Innovation Pools, shared the outcomes of their discussions. In addition, they shared questions for the high-level decision makers gathered.

With the close of the reporting, a cultural invention was presented featuring a video prepared by the artist and film-marker Edgar Honetschläger.

Following the cultural intervention, the Club 2 discussion took place, featuring Karoline Edtstadler, Federal Minister for EU and Consitution, Leonore Gewessler, Federal Minister of Climate Action, Environment, Energy, Mobility, Innovation and Technology, Wolfgang Mückstein, Federal Minister for Social Affairs, Health, Care and Consumer Protection, Antonella Mei-Pochtler, Special Advisor to the Austrian Chancellor and Head of ThinkAustria, und Nicola Brandt, Head of OECD Berlin Centre. It was moderated by PULS 4-Information Director Corinna Milborn.

The ministers and high-level representatives addressed the questions posed by the Innovation Pools and reflected on Austria’s efforts to implement Agenda 2030 to date. After the Club 2, a concluding statement was shared from Ghada Waly, Director-General, UN Office at Vienna and Executive Director, UN Office on Drugs and Crime.

Overall, the event saw over 548 participants (live and virtual) and additionally reached over 20.000 through various streaming.

The BKMC thanks all co-organizers for their tireless efforts to make the first Dialogforum Austria such a success. Additionally, we are grateful to the Natural History Museum of Vienna for hosting the forum.

We hope this is only the first of many to come.

Watch the full recording in German HERE.

Coldplay Supports the Ban Ki-moon Centre’s Call for Climate Action

September 22, 2021

Coldplay’s call to action echoed the urging of Indonesian climate advocates, who co-signed a letter to President Joko Widodo, widely known throughout the country as Jokowi, to reaffirm Indonesia’s commitments to protecting rainforests from deforestation, investing in renewable energy, and achieving net zero emissions by 2050.

Join the @bankimooncentre, @coldplay & so many more advocates calling on governments around the world to make substantial commitments at @GlblCtzn #GClive to invest in #ClimateSmartAgriculture and lead the way of climate change adaptation for #farmers 🌾 https://t.co/CElstK3o83 pic.twitter.com/RPw1tdMarq

— Ban Ki-moon Centre for Global Citizens (@bankimooncentre) September 19, 2021

The Ban Ki-moon Centre is an official partner of Global Citizen through a joint program Elevating Agricultural Adaptation and will be attending Global Citizen Live in Paris, where we will see a massive call to action, spanning seven continents and bringing together over 70 artists, activists, and leaders in our push for an equitable end to the COVID-19 pandemic, relief for the hunger crisis, protecting the environment, and more.

Join us to advocate for the climate resilience of smallholder farmers around the world by championing them and calling on world leaders to strengthen food security. Check out this link for actions you can take!

Watch the livestream here:

Opening Week of the Women’s Empowerment Programme Latin America (WEP)

July 16, 2021

On July 12, 2021, we launched the Women’s Empowerment Programme (WEP) Latin America, which brings together 20 young women changemakers from Bolivia, Brazil, El Salvador, Honduras and Peru. Cooperating with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime’s Doha Declaration (UNODC) and the Diplomatic Academy of Vienna (DA), the fully virtual WEP will take place between July 2021 and March 2022. Thanks to the financial support of the State of Qatar, the selected young leaders were equipped with Global Citizen Fellowships to embark on this journey together with the BKMC. From July to September the GC Fellows will take part in an intensive leadership training, preparing them to implement an SDG Micro-Project in the months to come.

Orientation Session

The initial orientation session of the WEP gave an overview of the training programme and provided the opportunity for the fellows to meet and get to know each other. They shared their inspiring backgrounds as young professionals in international and environmental affairs, the education and NGO sector, as well as being founders of their own initiatives.

SDGs, Global Citizenship, and SDG Micro-Projects: Turning Ideas into Action

On the 14th of July, CEO Monika Froehler introduced the mission and vision of the BKMC. The fellows subsequently voted on the strongest statements they would use to describe the concept of global citizenship and the relation between justice and the SDGs.

Global Citizenship Education Expert d’Arcy Lunn then elaborated on how to turn ideas into action. After an inspiring session, the fellows felt more motivated to be changemakers for the SDGs.

SDG Micro-Project Ideation Workshop

On the following day, the cohort got together for a workshop on SDG Micro-Project Ideation, facilitated by COO Katrin Harvey, Program Officer Viola Christian and Project Intern Anna Koessler. Split up into small teams, the fellows practiced their skills to spot a challenge, find a solution, and innovate an SDG Micro-Project.

With 10 weeks of intensive training ahead of them, the GC Fellows, now have a solid understanding on Global Citizenship, the SDGs and SDG Micro-Projects. We cannot wait to see what initiatives they will pursue as their very own SDG Micro-Projects.

BAN KI-MOON STAGE at the RELX INSPIRATION DAY

June 23, 2021

On June 22nd, RELX hosted the seventh SDG Inspiration Day in collaboration with several organizations including the Ban Ki-moon Centre for Global Citizens, Global Citizen, UN Global Compact India, UN Global Compact UK. The virtual event explored the topic Mobilising Business for a Better World: Accelerating Business Action on the #SDGs. Watch all the sessions right here.

This year the event hosted a Ban Ki-moon stage with opening remarks from the former United Nations Secretary-General himself. “We need everyone’s engagement. If we want this global roadmap to succeed by 2030, the contribution of businesses is essential. I am proud to have expanded and mainstreamed the UN Global Compact, which ensures that business is done both sustainably and responsibly.”…watch his full message below:

The same stage also hosted an interactive session moderated by BKMC CEO Monika Froehler joined by Youth Council Member of the World Humanitarian Forum and SDG Ambition Leader of UN Global Compact, Kenneth Kwok, Operations Consultant and Global Citizen Scholar Akosua Pepra, and Executive Director, UNGC India, Shabnam Siddiqui.

The session titled Mobilising future business leaders on the SDGs focused on the role of youth entrepreneurship and activism when it comes to achieving the 2030 Agenda. A key takeaway is to make the process of SDG implementation much general conclusion was that youth are seen as agents of implementation, but not seen as strategic partners who can join the decision table. Akosua demanded, “I think it is time to see youth as really important stakeholders in strategy and planning.”

Get more information about Relx Inspiration Day here.

„Only the Beginning“– Closing of the ASEAN Youth for SDGs Webinar Series

May 28, 2021

Throughout a two-month period, 33 young leaders from the Southeast Asian Region took part in the ASEAN Youth for SDGs Webinar Series, organized by the BKMC in cooperation with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). After participating in two webinars and one side event at the margins of the 14^th UN Crime Congress, the ASEAN youth representatives were put in charge of planning their own SDG Micro-Projects during a one-month SDG Micro-Project Incubator phase.

At the end of the Incubator, 33 SDG Micro-Project plans were submitted, accompanied by video pitches putting forth 33 innovative solutions to tackle local challenges and, thus, contribute to the SDGs.

On April 29^th we celebrated the closing of the ASEAN Youth for SDGs Webinar Series. As a special highlight, each of the participants received their Certificate of Participation and a unique illustration of their SDG Micro-Project, designed by the artist Kat J. Weiss. The three most compelling video pitches were streamed during the event, demonstrating the immense potential that lies within to act as global citizens. Check out the illustrations at our online exhibition below:

Co-chair Heinz Fischer and UNODC Programme Officers Lulua Assad and Gilberto Duarte provided congratulatory remarks and the event provided the opportunity to reminisce about their learnings and experiences throughout the webinar series.

The cohort agreed that this was only the beginning and that the webinar series motivated them to actively contribute to the SDGs and turn their ideas into action. Congratulations to all!

Looking for some inspiration to turn your ideas into action? Have a look at our album of action here and check out the video about the ASEAN Youth for SDGs Webinar Series below:

Category: Event