SDG Advocacy Working Group
YOU ARE INVITED TO JOIN THE SDG ADVOCACY WORKING GROUP:
Be a part of these highly interactive meetings which provide an opportunity for stakeholders to engage in frank conversations about advancing the 2030 Agenda. The group will hear from guest speakers including, but not limited to, government officials, NGOs, and businesses working on advancing the Global Goals.
The Working Group will explore opportunities to shape a responsible business environment in a post-Covid world and influence the Government’s activities on the SDGs. The group is open to all members and external stakeholders. The Working Group was launched in October 2020 to build on the momentum generated by both UKSSD and the UN Global Compact Network UK around the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Measuring Up 2.0: How the UK is performing on the UN Sustainable Development Goals
Launched on 28 September, our Measuring Up 2.0 report assesses the UK’s performance against each of the 17 SDGs and their 169 targets to understand how and where the Government, and other organisations, should focus efforts for the remainder of the Decade of Action.
The Measuring Up 2.0 report:
- Mobilised a diverse group of stakeholders to illuminate the opportunities and challenges that lie in delivering the Goals
- Establishes key pathways and actionable plans for all stakeholders, including the UK Government, to work together to achieve the SDGs
- Calls on the UK Government to uphold its commitments from the first Voluntary National Review, identify responsibilities within the Cabinet Office to coordinate and lead on this Agenda, and commit to producing a second Voluntary National Review.
The report includes over 120 individual recommendations to advance the Goals and almost 50 case studies from business, civil society, national and local government, demonstrating what we can achieve when we focus our efforts and work in partnership for the SDGs.
PREVIOUS MEETINGS:
September 2022
Measuring Up 2.0 - What have we learned and what's next?
This virtual workshop took a deep dive into the Measuring Up 2.0 report to discuss the findings, recommendations, and priority focus areas for all stakeholders going forward.
June 2022
The group explored the early findings from our Measuring Up report and discussed opportunities to further elevate this work to engage more stakeholders.
View the early findings here.
December 2021
The group discussed the 2018 Measuring Up report and the value in updating the report ahead of the High-level Political Forum in 2022. Guest speakers also shared their insights:
- Andrew Griffiths and Lilei Chow, Co-Chairs of the Bond SDGs Group, spoke about their plans to review the UK’s international performance on the SDGs;
- Dr Graham Long, Newcastle University, spoke about data.
July 2021
Held during the Responsible Business & SDGs Summit, a panel of speakers led a discussion on the need for local action on the SDGs, and shared examples of their work in this area, including:
- Rt Hon Justine Greening, Former Cabinet Minister and Founder and Chair; Social Mobility Pledge and Levelling Up Goals;
- Jane Hutt MS, Minister for Social Justice;
- Marvin Rees, Mayor of Bristol;
- Junko Ota, Policy Researcher, Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES); and
- Stella Psarropoulou, Coordination & Management, Dept. Operations Planning & Development, Monitoring Programs Municipality of Thessaloniki.
The group discussed the practical challenges and opportunities of advancing the SDGs on a local scale. Watch a recording of our guest speakers here, and read a summary report of the meeting here.
January 2021
The group discussed local action and possible outputs. We also welcomed a discussion around the Wellbeing of Future Generations Bill (UK) and how members could support the campaign, led by:
- Lord John Bird, MBE, Founder and Editor-In-Chief of The Big Issue;
- Priya Shivaram, Parliamentary Research Assistant, Office of Lord Bird.
Watch a recording of our guest speakers here, and read a summary report of the meeting here.
October 2020
The group explored three key areas where it could steer its advocacy actions, led by guest speakers:
- Davide Stronati, Mott MacDonald, spoke about government procurement and the SDGs;
- Allan MacLeod, Bristol City Office, shared insights on cities, universities, and local action;
- Sophie Howe, Future Generations Commissioner for Wales, discussed the Future Generations Act and national implementation of the Goals.
Read a summary report of the meeting here.
Join the SDG Advocacy Working Group
The Working Group convenes quarterly. If you would like to find out more and/or join our mailing list, please contact Global Goals Programme Manager, Jessica Lobo.