Special Lecture - Amina Mohammed: The 2030 Agenda and the SDGs

This evening I had the pleasure of attending a special presentation by the 

UN Deputy Secretary-General, Ms. Amina Mohammed

Domus Academica, Urbygningen at University Square. 

The Oslo SDG Initiative 
The presentation took place at the University of Oslo's Domus Academica building and was sponsored by the University of Oslo's Centre for Development and the Environment (SUM) as part of the Oslo SDG Initiative. You can learn more about the initiative here.

Inside of gamle festal (the old party hall). 

Not Your Average Hall

During the mid 1800s the hall was used for Norwegian parliament, but today we met for a discussion about the United Nations 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The presentation was particularly interesting, because our class just finished a unit on ''Poverty Reduction and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.'' Also, it isn't every day that you get to listen to a presentation by the United Nations Deputy Secretary-General.  Prior to serving as Deputy Secretary-General in charge of the SDGs, Amina Mohammed was Nigeria's Minister of the Environment and Special Adviser to Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, among others. 

Prof. Dan Banik giving opening remarks.

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 

The seventeen SDGs were developed by the UN in 2015 to cover all dimensions of development, many of which the previous Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) were lacking.  The goals cover poverty reduction, gender equality, zero hunger, sustainability, etc.  See here for all seventeen SDGs.  Amina explained how the SDGs are not merely goals, but development guide points. To achieve these points, actors from all sectors need to develop partnerships, communicate, and unite for the common good. As Amina put it, "The future is here and now.  Life is a journey and every step you build upon." 

Prof. Dan Banik and Amina Mohammed. 

Achieving the SDGs
Despite critiques about how far-fetching the SDGs are and how little evidence is coming back showing positive progress, the glass is not yet empty. The SDG initiative has till 2030, which is still twelve more years.  It was interesting that Amina pointed out there is a ''globalization of indifference.''  People tend to ignore issues, yet, eventually the problem gets them in the end.  The SDGs are about creating long term solutions, not fast-fixes which will have negative consequences.  Currently, there is no baseline data for the SDGs, so the private sector is weary to want to invest.  However, the mindsets of governments and private sectors will need to transform into brave, collaborative teams in order to "spin success."

UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed. 

Closing Remarks

There is lots of work still to do in regard to achieving the SDGs by 2030. In addition to connecting states with other sectors to develop vital partnerships, the UN also wants to get more youth, especially women, involved in all levels. The average age on a UN official is 45 years old, so it is necessary to have fresh eyes and ideas brought to the table. Though the next twelve years may be challenging, sustainable development is vital to our shared future.  As Mandela used to say "it always seems impossible until it's done."