Changing Course for Sustainable Development: Bold Alternatives to Business as Usual

Spotlight on Sustainable Development 2018—Geneva Launch of the Civil Society Reflection Group Report

"The world is off-track in terms of achieving sustainable development and fundamental policy changes are necessary to unleash the transformative potential of the SDGs.” This is the main message of the Spotlight Report 2018.

Civil society organizations have a key role to play as independent watchdogs holding governments and international organizations accountable for their actions that help—or hinder—the implementation of the 2030 Agenda. The Spotlight on Sustainable Development 2018 report, produced by a global coalition of civil society organizations and trade unions, provides a wide-ranging independent assessment of the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals.

The 2018 edition shines a light on existing bold alternatives to business as usual that can help to change the course towards more coherent policies for sustainable development aligned with human rights principles and standards.

But it goes far beyond that, seeing policy reform as necessary but not sufficient. More fundamental shifts in how and where power is vested are necessary to unleash the transformative potential of the SDGs. In particular, the report calls for more coherent fiscal and regulatory policies, and a “whole-of-government” approach towards sustainability.

At this event, co-organized by UNRISD and FES, some of the key findings and recommendations of this year’s global Spotlight Report will be presented and discussed from various perspectives.

---Sandwiches and light refreshments will be served prior to the event---

Panelists Gita Sen (DAWN) Kate Donald (Center for Economic and Social Rights) Sandra Vermuyten (Public Services International) Ziad Abdel Samad (Arab NGO Network for Development) Discussants Paul Ladd (UNRISD) Victoria Tauli-Corpuz (United Nations Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples) Moderation Hamish Jenkins (UNRISD) Opening Remarks Hubert René Schillinger (FES)