Welcome to the April / May 2022 edition of UNAA News
Welcome to the second edition of UNAA news for 2022. This issue is focused on our promotion of the Sustainable Development Goals to the major political parties and candidates standing for election to our Federal Parliament.
The Sustainable Development Goals are Critical Today
We are living through a sustainable development crisis according to Professor Jeffrey Sachs, the President of the Sustainable Development Solutions Network. The Covid-19 Pandemic and the Russian invasion of Ukraine have profound and negative impacts on literally billions of people and on our global security and justice. We are facing consequences which are not inevitable, consequences which, with political will and renewed attention can be, in part, addressed and repaired.
In 2015 the global community, including the Australian government, signed up to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) which were to be achieved by 2030. These seventeen goals are a comprehensive pathway to a more sustainable and just global community. They encompass social and environmental concerns. Unlike their predecessor goals, the Millennium Development Goals, they are applicable to all countries, regardless of their level of development.
The relevance and importance of the Goals has only increased with the pandemic. The Goals serve as a blueprint to guide Covid-19 recovery and resilience.
The Australian government at the time endorsed the Goals. The then prime minister, Malcolm Turnbull, said at the heart of the Goals is the belief in “a fair go for all” and that nothing could be more Australian. In 2018 Australia prepared a voluntary report on progress with the goals.
But since then there has been little governmental, let alone prime ministerial attention. Ministerial responsibility for the Goals has fallen to the Minister Foreign Affairs, implicitly suggesting that the goals are only of relevance to Australia’s international aid programs.
This lack of governmental engagement has resulted in a significant fall in international rankings of progress with the Goals. Australia has slipped from 17th in 2015 to 35th in 2021. Australia is on track to achieve just two of the seventeen SDGs by 2030.
This governmental inaction is in contrast to increasing engagement with the Goals by corporations, local government, universities, community sector organisations and philanthropic institutions.
Corporations such as QBE find the SDGs are an effective tool in employee engagement. Other companies see that leading on the SDGs has flow on benefits such as increased trust from customers and recognition as an employer of choice.
Australian universities are in the global forefront of using the SDGs. They are implementing the SDGs into their operations and management but also into their courses. In last year’s ranking of universities worldwide against the SDGs, Australian universities were described as the world leader with four Australian universities in the overall top ten.
Philanthropic trusts and foundations are using the goals to measure grant applications and to allocate funding. Local government is increasingly using the Goals and the City of Melbourne has recently become the first Australian city to join the United Nations Voluntary Local Review movement.
Statutory authorities like Melbourne Water are using the Goals to work with companies involved in their supply chain. After working together to develop an agreed code of practice, Melbourne Water and its suppliers are now collaborating to help deliver progress against the SDGs relating to environmental protection, gender equality, reconciliation and family violence.
The pandemic has highlighted global and national inequalities. The Russian invasion demonstrates the precarious security environment. The SDGs provide an alternative vision.
We are at a crossroads with the SDGs. Is there going to be enough momentum without a national framework or thoroughgoing government engagement to keep moving forward?
International experience is that strong governance and institutional mechanisms are essential for any country trying to implement the SDGs effectively. Ministerial leadership, often by the head of government, is vital.
In early 2019 an Australian parliamentary enquiry into the SDGs recommended that the government should create a national implementation plan, set up a national secretariat , integrate the SDGs into processes such as COAG and that the government should report to parliament every two years on progress with the Goals.
We can address this in our 47th Parliament.
It’s not too late; all that it requires is political will.
Andrew Hewett, Chair Public Policy Committee and Director UNAA, and UNAA VIC
UNAA Board
The UNAA Board is promoting the Sustainable Development Goals as the blueprint for local and international policy in the 2022 Federal election. Led by the National President, we are
Writing to the Ministers and spokespeople with responsibility for the Sustainable Development Goals
Promoting the Goals and our public statement through our website and through Linked In and Instagram please insert links
Hosting a webinar to support members wanting to get involved at 11am on 30 April
Sharing the recording for members unable to attend at that time, this will be ready by the 7 May
Promoting qualified members of UNAA to prepare opinion pieces and contribute to podcasts and events.
Toolkit: How UNAA members can promote the Sustainable Development Goals During the 2022 Federal election.
The Public Policy Committee developed a toolkit to support members to discuss the Goals with your local candidates.
It contains
an overview of the United Nations Association of Australia
important information about our brand, and our policy framework for advocacy
an outline of the work that we are doing in this election to promote the UN and the Sustainable Development Goals
a guide for your discussions with local candidates and how to keep us informed of your discussions and the results
a copy of our Statement on the Sustainable Development Goals
useful links.
Our Brand
Working within the ecosystem of the United Nations is a privilege, and we have responsibility to both amplify and protect the United Nations brand. Our Sustainable Development Goals Public Statement is developed by our Public Policy Committee drawing from UN policy and international and local evidence, it is approved by the UNAA Board.
Members are encouraged to promote the organisation, our public statement, programs, events and campaigns, and raise the profile of the UNAA and the UN in a way that builds trust in UNAA. We are professional, demonstrate integrity and show respect for diversity. Our advocacy is one component of our mandate to engage, educate and inspire. Our advocacy is informative, constructive and without political bias.
How you can get involved
Read our public statement and toolkit
Explore your local candidates and their policy position statements
Join or watch our webinar and make a plan
Talk with local candidates
Amplify our socials
Share what happens with admin@unaa.org.au
Webinar Recording: Promoting the Sustainable Development Goals
Use this link to access the recording after 7 May recording
Join the Goals focused programs of our divisions and networks
Australian Capital Territory ACT conducted an SDG event last week with two speakers to promote the SGD Advocacy Action Plan and to promote a greater ownership and shared responsibility on the implementation of the SDGs, with a call to action for the Australian Government to do more.
Programs draw on the presence of the international diplomatic community, the Commonwealth Parliament, the departments and agencies responsible for Australia’s foreign policy and programs, as well as numerous UN delegations and officials that visit the city. UNAA ACT hosts interesting speakers and events across the full range of the UN’s programs, encompassing peace and security, human rights, sustainable development, and justice and the rule of law.
Northern Territory NT delivers a program of events throughout the year focusing on the United Nations International Days and raising awareness of the SDGs and the 2030 agenda through the delivery of these events. The events include the International Women’s Day Walk, International Women’s day Lunch, Sport, Arts, First Nations, Friendship and Human Rights Days.
New South Wales UNAA NSW's purpose is to inform, inspire and engage Australians to create a safer, fairer, more sustainable world. We do this by working with our partners, members and the broader community on campaigns, events and educational programs to promote the SDGs.
Our strategic focus to promote the SDGs is driven by the activities of our 4 pillars:
Peace and Security - to promote a peaceful Australian community
Sustainable Development - to support progress on the SDG Decade of Action and to drive net zero by 2050
Global Citizenship - to support organisations and individuals to think globally and act locally
Human Rights - to advance respect for human rights, diversity and inclusivity in the Australian community.
Examples of events and activities with SDG focus include -
Collaborating with a diverse range of partners to raise awareness about the SDGs
Social media campaigns to promote awareness of the SDG's eg International Mother Earth Day
Annual Global Citizenship Gathering and regular member meetups
International Women's Day Forum.
Queensland QLD delivers a program of events throughout the year which focus on different SDGs. The program includes events for UN Peacekeepers, World Environment Day, International Women’s Day, World Refugees Day, Human Rights Day. The program has a strong Peace and Security focus, including the annual Doug Everingham Peace & Security Lecture. Each year UNAA QLD recognises the wonderful work done by community champions of the SDGs across the 5’p’s of the SDG agenda: Peace Prosperity People Planet Partnerships.
South Australia SA programs focus on the Sustainable Development Goals, in partnership with local artists, communities, governments and research organisations.
Schools participating in our Global Education program choose from SDG-related topics and each of our events is planned around either one or more of the Goals.
The small-group Study Tours we run to the UN in New York and Geneva are also focused on raising awareness of the Goals, with visits to UN officials and organisations related to the UN planned to cover as many of the areas covered by the Goals as possible.
In late 2021, UNAA Victoria collaborated with Spark Strategy to produce The UN Sustainable Development Goals = social, environmental, and business value An Australian handbook with insights, advice, and practical strategies
In recent years, UNAA Victoria has also partnered with Deakin University, the Australian Neighbourhood Houses and Centres Association (ANHCA) and SENVIC, the Victorian Social Enterprise Network, to deliver SDG-focused face to face and web-based programs for students and member organisations
Western Australia WA delivers a program of SDG Business Forums. Our focus is to showcase the impact of SDGs on Western Australia businesses and organisations. Our mission is to generate dialogue and sharing of best practices of SDGs implementation by local actors. Thoughts leaders and practitioners would contribute on real-life challenges that organisations face. Program partners include BHP, West Coast Eagles and EY.
Young Professionals Network YPN run national online webinars that bring a focus on the UN and the Sustainable Development Goals through a professional development and youth oriented lens. Check out recordings from the 2021 Sustainability in Action series and follow the YPN for upcoming events in the 2022 series My Climate Action.
The UNAA is a Not-for-profit charity and relies on donations to support our events and continued efforts. All donations over $2 made under the auspices of the Australian Institute for International Affairs are tax deductible and much appreciated.
