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By the SDG Watch Europe and a broader coalition of CSOs
The foundation of the European Union is one of the most impressive peace projects in modern history. A region was created proclaiming human dignity, respect for human rights, freedom, democracy, equality and the rule of law as its core values.
Along with maintaining lasting peace among its members, the EU also brought cleaner rivers, protection against chemical pollution, parental leave, quality education and free movement within the Schengen region.
Despite the European Union’s great legacy and mission, European decision makers’ response to the financial crisis, to combating climate change and environmental degradation, to halting growing inequality and the undermining women’s rights, to scandals such as those in our food system and Dieselgate, and to increased migration by closing our borders to those in need, have not only run contrary to the core values of the EU but also rolled back some of the historical gains we have fought for.
People feel that the economic and financial interests of the wealthy are prioritised over the common good. We are confronted with the impacts of austerity - growing poverty and inequalities, deteriorating access to healthcare and especially youth unemployment - while large companies are allowed to circumvent paying fair taxes. Urgent issues go unsolved, such as the climate crisis and air pollution, which kill hundreds of thousands of people. In short, people in Europe are being left behind and not everyone shares in the benefits of the Union.
READ MORE: HERE
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By Loredana Giuglea, World Vision Romania
World Vision Romania and the Romanian NGDO Platform organised a National Seminar to celebrate the 3rd anniversary of the adoption of Agenda 2030.
The Photovoice Album of children from World Vision Romania Consultative Councils was launched on this occasion. The Photovoice includes photos which portray children's perspective on the 17 SDGs, and their messages for other children, communities, local, regional and national authorities, so that Agenda 2030 becomes a reality. There were more than 30 participants, including from the Environment Ministry, the Department for Sustainable Development and various local and national level NGOs.
Other various public events were developed in September by the 3 associations which received sub-grants through the Make Europe Sustainable for All project.
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By Caitriona Rogerson, Irish Environmental Network
In Dublin, campaigner rallied together on the Global Day of Action, 25 September, in the city centre to highlight the Sustainable Development Goals and Ireland's efforts to implement them. The event was organised by All Together in Dignity Ireland, in conjunction with members of the DEAR project Make Europe Sustainable for All and Coalition 2030 and focused on the 'Leave No One Behind' promise.
An enormous banner reading '17 Global Goals and a Promise: To Leave No One behind' was hung from the Rosie Hacket bridge in Dublin City Centre from 7am - 7pm, and throughout the day, a team of volunteers talked to passersby about the goals. In addition, the public was invited to participate in a 'Humans of Dublin for the Global Goals' photo challenge, and the result is a photo montage of over 200 citizens holding an SDG.
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By Chantal Van den Bossche, WECF
WECF and Building Change organised the event “The Netherlands in the next gear - Adopt an SDG live” on 27 September in the Koorenhuis in The Hague.
The purpose was to answer “How can we bring the Netherlands into the next gear to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals?”. These were discussed by representatives of the youth organisations affiliated with the major Dutch political parties, and with MPs Michel Rog (CDA), Isabelle Diks (GroenLinks), Corrie van Brenk (50Plus), Anne Kuik (CDA), Chris Stoffer ( SGP), and Kirsten van den Hul (PvdA). The speakers also talked about what they had done with their SDGs in the past year and how are they going to commit to their SDGs in the near future.
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By Aranzazu Romero, ECODES
In Spain, ECODES (part of the Spanish Platform Futuro en Común) organized stunts in several town squares, including in Zaragoza. Other local NGOs including ACPP (Asociación de Cooperación por la Paz), Aragón FISC, Hermanamiento León Nicaragua and Arapaz also coordinated and took part in the actions.
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Future in Common SDG Watch Spain is pleased to announce the “Islas Encendidas” meeting that will take place in Malaga 19-20-21 October (more information here). It will be great if you could join us in Malaga. We already have more than 300 people from different social sectors, organizations and social movements. It will be an incredible opportunity to share knowledge and learn how to work together to build a sustainable and just society.
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The EEB, together with BirdLife Europe would like to invite you to an event discussing Climate Change mitigation under the new CAP.
Agriculture is not just one of the first victims of Climate Change, but also the source of 10% of the EU's greenhouse gas emissions. If we are seriously committed to halting global warming at 1.5 °C it is obvious that emissions from agriculture need to be reduced, while sinks should be increased.
The new CAP presents an opportunity to support sustainable climate mitigation measures.
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The Regional Forum on Sustainable Development for the UNECE Region will be held from 21-22 March 2019 at the International Conference Centre Geneva (CICG).
Theme 2019:
The Regional Forum will be aligned with the theme of the 2019 High-level Political Forum: "Empowering people and ensuring inclusiveness and equality"
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in focus:
SDG 4 (quality education), SDG 8 (decent work and economic growth), SDG 10 (reduced inequalities), SDG 13 (climate action), and SDG 16 (peace, justice and strong institutions).
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ANNOUNCEMENT: European Week of Regions and Cities: Delivering Sustainable Development Goals at regional and local level
October 9, 2018 from 14:30 to 16:00
In 2015, UN member states adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. This event will explore what sustainable development means at regional and local levels. These levels are where decision makers have to balance different dimensions of sustainability, participatory, social, economic and environmental and make sustainable development a reality. We will debate with leading regions and cities on the added-value of their work on sustainable development, how they translated it on the ground and where to start when you want to "localize SDGs". We will also discuss how to link these efforts with progress and support at international, EU and national level and what kind of governance we need to boost implementation.
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