The European conference on “SDGs, Climate and the Future of Europe”: live streaming

The international event of the Sustainable Development Festival, hosted by the Italian Alliance for Sustainable Development, advances a new narrative for Europe based on the SDGs. 

The European conference on “SDGs, Climate and the Future of Europe” of May 31st 2018 in Milan, hosted by the Italian Alliance for Sustainable Development (see www.asvis.it), takes place at a critical moment when Europeans reflect on their future. It is the responsibility of each one of us, as suggested by President Macron's call for Conventions on the future of Europe. It is the responsibility of the Commission, in shaping its Communication on the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the EU budget & 2020-2025 programme. It is the responsibility of the Heads of State and Government, who should be ready to ‘innovate’. An 'Enhanced Partnership' between European Union Members and state and non-state actors will be proposed, in order to make Europe the world leader in ‘polylateralism’, to accelerate the implementation of the SDGs and climate agreements, together with a new narrative for Europe.

 

 

 

The conference advances a new narrative for Europe based on the SDGs. The 2030 Agenda’s 'Transforming Our World' is an invitation to 'Transform Our Europe' and to make Europeans the champions of the 'leap forward of humanity' that is necessary to face the challenges of the 21st century. Achieving the 17 SDGs of the 2030 Agenda, including No Poverty, Zero Hunger in an inclusive economy and financial system would definitely be a leap forward for humankind. Europeans should catch the vast opportunities offered by the implementation of the SDGs and the climate agreements to improve the well-being in Europe and to exercise a global constructive role to reach the targets of the SDGs in time.

To do that, it is necessary to build the 'new social contract' generated by the SDGs and the climate agreements, as highlighted by the United Nations, and to show 'resilience' to the threats that weigh in, especially by reinforcing the effectiveness of coalitions and partnerships. Indeed, the latest Eurostat report on the 'performance' of the European Union in the implementation of the SDGs shows that the objectives for which Europeans are the least successful are, in decreasing order: Gender Equality, Decent Work, No Poverty, Zero Hunger, and, lastly, Reduced Inequalities. That says a lot about the state of society in Europe, its values and the way to go.

The push needed to achieve the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs within 12 years has not been strong enough, neither globally nor at the European level. It is no longer about walking, it is about running! At the European level, in the areas covered by the SDGs and the climate agreements, multiple coalitions are in place with their commitments and champions. It is time to innovate, to be inclusive and to upscale cooperation through a 'Revolutionary Alliance' based on a synergy between the four revolutions (digital, environmental, financial, ethical) and an ‘enhanced partnership’ at the highest level between the EU and its Member States on the one hand and all other state and non-state actors on the other.

The Milan Conference discusses these issues with the participation of European Institutions, businesses, civil society representatives and subject matter experts, including some members of the «Multistakeholder Platform» established by the European Commission. It provides a unique opportunity to develop a strong contribution to the European Commission’s «reflection paper», which is under preparation.

Read the preparatory documents:

 

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