#WeChampion Interview with Yasmine Sherif

June 23, 2022

On Tuesday 28 June 4 PM CEST, the Ban Ki-moon Centre (BKMC) is organizing the next “We Champion Speaker Series” session which showcases best practices and innovative approaches to Transformative Education. Register here.

The event will welcome Director of Education Cannot Wait Yasmine Sherif to discuss the importance of delivering quality education in humanitarian crises like those occurring in Ukraine, Afghanistan, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo – especially to children and adolescents. Learn how Education Cannot Wait supports rapid responses to urgent education needs, turns investments into concrete public goods, and faces challenges in the field. Building on Mission 4.7’s #WeChampion social media campaign, the “We Champion” speaker series showcases best practices and innovative approaches to Transformative Education from across the Mission 4.7 community and beyond. The series will help further collective thinking around SDG 4.7 implementation and gather momentum on various thematic areas pertaining to SDG 4.7. AGENDA:

Interview with Director of Education Cannot Wait Yasmine Sherif and BKMC CEO Monika Froehler
Q&A Session with audience

Virtual Roundtable “Voices of Hope: Realities of Afghan Women”

June 3, 2022

On Wednesday 25 May 5 PM CEST (8:30 PM AFT), the Ban Ki-moon Centre (BKMC) and its Afghan fellows from the Global Citizen Women Empowerment Program hosted a virtual roundtable “Voices of Hope: Realities of Afghan Women” to highlight the activism of Afghan women on the ground.

International Gender Champions Her Excellency Manizha Bakhtari, Ambassador of Afghanistan to Vienna, and BKMC CEO Monika Froehler spotlighted Afghan women as resilient and active agents of change fighting for sustainable peace.

“The spirit of Afghan women will never die” – H.E. Manizha Bakhtari

Both iterated the risks to civil society leaders, activists, and reporters, especially women, and their shrinking involvement in public life due to the Taliban’s fundamentalist hardliner policies. Their resistance is moving more and more off the streets and onto social media and smaller underground movements.

“We are currently experiencing a new generation of [ Afghan women] that is more enthusiastic and more focused.” – Gender and Feminist Researcher at the McMaster University of Canada, Executive Director of the Immigrant Culture and Art Association (ICAA), and former Law Professor at Kabul University Marufa Shinware

With their knowledge and independence gained over the last 20 years, Afghan women are increasingly trying to transform the system they are living in and resisting the Taliban’s oppression. They also question the international community’s silence and condemn global misbelief in a new and more liberal Taliban regime.

Increased solidarity is needed to fight for democracy, human rights, and peace.

Watch the recording of our Roundtable via YouTube.

Join us for our Virtual Roundtable “Voices of Hope: Realities of Afghan Women”

May 20, 2022

On Wednesday 25 May 5 PM CEST (8:30 PM AFT), the Ban Ki-moon Centre (BKMC) and its Afghan fellows from the Global Citizen Women Empowerment Program are organizing a virtual roundtable “Voices of Hope: Realities of Afghan Women” to provide a space for local, regional and international Afghan activists to come together and share their stories to a wide audience.

The event seeks to raise awareness about the current situation of Afghan women on the ground and spotlight local women’s activism as well as the international Afghan diaspora and their efforts in fighting for sustainable peace. The roundtable should serve to devictimize Afghanistan’s women and instead portray them as active agents of change.

AGENDA:

Moderators: BKMC Program Officers Jessica Besch and Viola Christian

Welcome Remarks: BKMC CEO Monika Froehler

Opening Remarks: H.E. Ambassador Manizha Bakhtari, Ambassador of the Republic of Afghanistan to Vienna

Roundtable Discussion:

Hooria Sardar, Former Director-General of Women’s Economic Empowerment and Child Care at the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs in Afghanistan (MoLSA), Gender and Women Studies Expert, Women’s Rights Activist, and BKMC Global Citizen Fellow
Marufa Shinware, Gender and Feminist Researcher at the McMaster University of Canada, Executive Director of the Immigrant Culture and Art Association (ICAA), and former Law Professor at Kabul University
Dr. Zahra M., Dentist and Leader of the Afghan Women’s Unity and Solidarity Group

BACKGROUND:

In 2019, at the margins of the first BKMC Women Empowerment Program, the Centre together with the Diplomatic Academy of Vienna and Women in International Security Austria organized the event “ A Long Road to Peace – Realities, Hopes, and Visions from Afghanistan”, featuring five of its stellar Afghan women fellows and activists as speakers. Processes of peace talks between the United States and the Taliban in that year gave reason for hope for a secure, democratic, and equal Afghanistan. Including women in these negotiations was deemed crucial for the achievement of sustainable peace and women’s rights. The fellows suggested solutions for their country’s challenges, talked about their own initiatives, and discussed women’s roles in decision-making and peace processes.

The developments since August 2021 and the internationally unrecognized governmental rule by the Taliban have once again crushed the rights and dignity of women and girls, spiraling into a humanitarian crisis as we speak. While some were able to leave Afghanistan on time, many are still stuck or staying voluntarily to defend their country against the authoritarian and extremist Taliban regime.

Adhering to its mission statement of empowering women and leaving no one behind, the BKMC wants to create a safe platform for its Afghan fellows to raise awareness about the situation of Afghan women and youth on the ground by jointly organizing an virtual roundtable.

Register for the event here to join or zoom or click here to set a reminder for our live stream via YouTube.

Ban Ki-moon and CEO Monika Froehler mission trip to the UAE

March 7, 2022

BKMC Co-chair Ban Ki-moon and CEO Monika Froehler travel to the United Arab Emirates for a mission trip on climate change and agricultural adaptation.

Check out the photos from the visit on Flickr.

During 1-5 March 2022, the delegation held several meetings with government leaders, attended events, had private tours to key locations, and also spent a day at the EXPO 2020 Dubai to visit multiple pavilions. The Ban Ki-moon Centre for Global Citizens was excited to be in Dubai and Abu Dhabi to promote its advocacy work on agricultural adaptation and global citizenship education.

On the first day of the trip, Co-chair Ban Ki-moon and CEO Monika Froehler met Minister H.E. Mariam bint Mohammed Almheiri وزارة التغير المناخي والبيئة Ministry of Climate Change and Environment. They discussed UAE’s leadership on climate action and also the importance of financing climate adaptation.

Ban Ki moon with Mariam bint Mohammed Saeed Hareb Almheiri — Ban Ki-moon with H.E. Mariam bint Mohammed Saeed Hareb Almheiri, UAE Minister of Climate Change and Environment.

As an end to the day, Co-chair Ban Ki-moon joined a panel to discuss recovery from COVID19 and accepted the Social Humanitarian Award at the Asian Business Leadership Forum.

Ban Ki-moon on stage the Asian Business Leadership Forum to receive the Humanitarian Award.

Starting the second day with a visit to the UAE Special Envoy for Climate and Minister of Trade and Advanced Industry Co-chair Ban commended H. E. Dr. Sultan bin Ahmed Al Jaber, for UAE’s pledge to an economy-wide reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 at the COP26.

In the afternoon, the delegation was welcomed at the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) in Abu Dhabi. Co-chair Ban Ki-moon and CEO Monika Froehler had a VIP tour of the agency together with DG Francesco La Camera and Deputy DG Gauri Singh as well as a discussion on how crucial renewable energy is in our path towards a sustainable and green future.

In the evening, H.E. Lee Seok-gu, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to the UAE hosted a warm dinner reception at the Embassy of the Republic of Korea to the UAE.

Starting the day with an extensive visit at the GEMS School, Co-chair Ban Ki-moon and CEO Monika Froehler had a meeting with GEMS World Academy CEO Dr. Saima Rana to discuss how to better implement global citizenship education around the world and best practice examples from their curricula.

As Ambassador of the Model United Nations (MUN) of the GEMS World Academy, Co-chair Ban Ki-moon delivered a keynote at the MUN opening ceremony. He addressed the students and Executive Committee with a clear and inspirational message:

“You are the young generation. Use your voice to speak up. You are soon going to be responsible for this world.”

Ban Ki-moon on stage at the GEMS World Academy for a session on the status of the SDGs.

Throughout the day Ban Ki-moon and CEO Froehler held several discussions with different student groups on topics such as How Koreans can have a global impact, Approaches to Leadership, Sustainable Development Goals, skills required to overcome challenges. Ban Ki-moon Centre contributor and CEO of GEMS Education Dino Varkey hosted a dinner reception welcoming GEMS World Academy CEO Dr. Samai Rana to discuss continued collaborations on quality education.

BKMC Delegation in front of the Dubai Cares Pavillion at Expo2020.

To end the mission trip the BKMC delegation spent the day at EXPO 2020. While visiting the Dubai Cares pavilion Ban Ki-moon met with CEO Dr. Tariq Al Gurg, discussing the future of education and the role of lifelong learning.

Amid the ongoing war between Ukraine and Russia Co-chair Ban Ki-moon expressed his support for the Ukrainian people at the Ukrainian Pavilion. It was a delight to participate in a tour of the UN Pavilion where Co-chair Ban Ki-moon and CEO Monika Froehler saw how the setup inspired daily visitors to act for the SDGs. At the Korean Pavilion, the delegation learned about the future of smart cities and listened to a concert to experience Korean culture and Kpop.

The BKMC delegation at the Ukranian Pavillion at the EXPO2020.

An intimate gathering organized by BKMC Program Officer Viola Christian who was also part of the delegation allowed BKMC Fellow alumni Nada Al Turifi and Huda Al Salah an opportunity to discuss their achievements with Co-chair Ban Ki-moon in person for a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

READ THE PRESS RELEASE OF FORMER UN SECRETARY-GENERAL BAN KI-MOON’S VISITS TO THE CLIMATE MINISTER AND CLIMATE ENVOY IN THE UAE.

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.

Category: Event