UNLEASH-Igniting a Movement for SDGs
We live in a world dominated with competing demands, short attention spans and an over reliance on band aid solutions to complex issues. From this perspective we often approach large pressing issues affecting us locally and globally with a sense of pessimism for long term solutions to systemic and collaborative change. The question then becomes, how can we create a sense of collective and practical ownership to solving global issues(i.e quality education, decent work/economic growth, affordable energy etc)affecting us all?
In a few days I will be joining 1000 young innovators/change-makers across the world(129 countries represented) in Denmark(Copenhagen/Aarhus) as part of the founding cohort for the UNLEASH-Global Innovation Lab. The primary purpose of the 9 day conference will be to strategize, co-create/design and disrupt conventional solutions into implementable initiatives for 7 of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals(SDG).
In order to achieve real impact in addressing some of the SDGs, we will need to break down the silos and improve inefficiencies in the implementation of the goals by cultivating new innovative strategies(i.e tech, impact investing, public/private investment)and championing scalable solutions that yield positive outcomes. The annual cost to finance the SDGs currently is 2.5 trillion(USD) dollars; the time for us to accelerate and experiment with new models to lower delivery costs and build a long term strategy for 2030 and beyond is now. I believe the strongest model to create real sustainable change is to empower local communities and young emerging leaders by igniting a passionate movement to scale the reach/collaborative impact of SDGs.
One of the interesting aspects that drew me to UNLEASH, is the opportunity to connect with emerging leaders, across different sectors and disciplines(academics, government, investors, NGO’s)to collaborate and develop practical solutions to building a sustainable movement of SDGs. I’m particularly interested in exploring the energy stream at UNLEASH, as I’m passionate about economic development and providing homegrown solutions for affordable clean energy options to transform communities within Sub-Saharan Africa.
I’m excited to participate at UNLEASH and connect with some amazing talents from across the world(greetings from Toronto, Canada), to solve current SDG challenges with long term solutions.
#UNLEASHLAB2017
