On 21 April 2016, artist and social activist Forest Whitaker will participate in the High-Level Thematic Debate on achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in his capacity as UNESCO Special Envoy for Peace and Reconciliation and recently appointed SDG Advocate.
Seven months after world leaders unanimously adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the president of the General Assembly is convening this event to raise international awareness and political momentum behind the implementation of the 17 SDGs and their 169 targets. The universal scope of this inclusive 2030 Agenda–which leaves no one behind–requires innovative and groundbreaking approaches to address the economic, environmental, and social challenges facing our interconnected world. The debate will bring together global political, business, and civil society leaders in New York to focus on kick-starting the implementation of this ambitious agenda.
Seeking to discuss concrete perspectives on how to engineer sustainability-fostering solutions on the ground, Mr. Whitaker will share experiences and lessons drawn from the work he carries out through his foundation, the Whitaker Peace & Development Initiative (WPDI). In his keynote address, Mr. Whitaker will emphasize that achieving the SDGs requires the participation of ordinary citizens around the globe, and he will call on leaders to engage their fellow citizens to create a worldwide popular movement in support for the SDGs.
In the spirit of partnership expressed in the 2030 Agenda, WPDI works in close cooperation with UNESCO, civil society, and grassroots organizations to promote youth empowerment, cultural diversity, and inclusive societies. This High-Level Debate is a critical opportunity to advocate for new and more-participative approaches toward sustainable development and lasting peace.
The event will be webcast, and available for live view at the following address: http://webtv.un.org