Network News - July 2016
New index shows where countries stand on the SDGs
A new report from SDSN assesses how countries are performing across and on each of the 17 SDGs. The aim of the SDGs Index & Dashboards is to help countries identify priorities for early actions so they can get started with implementing the SDGs.
The report was launched at the 2016 High Level Political Forum, the UN’s annual meeting on the SDGs. This year’s meeting was the first since the SDGs were adopted.
In our region, Australia ranks 20th and New Zealand 22nd on the index. These articles in The Conversation and The Guardian explore the reasons behind Australia’s ranking and how it coud do better.
No Pacific islands have been included in this report because of lack of data, a huge challenge for the Pacific region in implementing the SDGs.
Tell us about your SDGs initiatives
SDSN Australia/Pacific would like to hear from universities, higher education organisations and knowledge institutions in our region on how you are using the SDGs framework to advance research, education and organisational leadership on sustainable development. Help us show the sector’s importance and inspire others to action. Submissions received before 22 August could be featured at the Australian SDGs Summit. Find out more at staging-ap-unsdsn.staging67.com.
Network news and events
> The report from our joint workshop with the Pacific Community is now available: The role of regional knowledge institutions in implementing the SDGs in the Pacific.
> We recently joined with the RDI Network and Sydney-based universities to host a forum for development practitioners on The SDGs in the Asia-Pacific: A shared agenda for action.
> Catch up on videos, reports and media from global cities expert Aromar Revi’s inspirational visit to Australia recently.
> In September, we will be co-hosting the Australian SDGs Summit, a forum for leaders and decision-makers on how Australia can move forward with implementing the SDGs.
> We are happy to announce the establishment our new SDSN Australia/Pacific Executive Committee, made up of representatives of our members, to provide strategic leadership and guidance on activities undertaken by the network.
> Finally, welcome to our newest member, the Centre for Policy Development – an independent Australian public policy institute that develops long-term policies to promote shared prosperity and sustainable wellbeing.
Be part of the first ever Youth Solutions Report!
SDSN Youth is calling for all young change-makers with solutions to achieve the SDGs. If you have a ground-breaking project or idea, share it with them and you could be featured around the world in the first #YouthSolutions Report. To find out more, visit youthsolutions.report.
New SDGs cities guide
Getting started with the SDGs in cities: A guide for local stakeholders is a new report from global SDSN that outlines how cities and local governments can get started with implementing the SDGs and use them to guide on-the-ground planning and development.
Member news & events
>Global Ideas: Global Ideas Forum: The many faces of global health. Examine the relationship between culture, identity, power and health. 2-4 September, Melbourne.
> Australian Council for International Development (ACFID): ACFID Conference 2016: Impact. Explore a bold, future agenda for the Australian development sector to maximise impact on sustainable development and poverty alleviation. 26-27 October, Melbourne.
> Institute for Sustainable Future, UTS: The report Managing drought: Learning from Australia has been translated into Portguese, to assist with Brazilian drought response.
> University of Queensland: New from the Sustainable Mining Institute: The new rise of Nauru: Can the island bounce back from its mining boom and bust? and Lessons from implementing free prior and informed consent in the Philippines: Case study for teaching.
> Monash University: Two new articles on addressing interlinkages in the SDGs: Map the interactions between SDGs and Integration: The key to implementing the SDGs.
