Sustainable Development Goals (SDG)
Why this conference was held?
In 2015 highlights of the new UN 2030 Agenda are a finalization of Milennium Development Goals (MDGs) and start-up of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It is about time for reflection of MDGs that lasted for 15 years and think about the next era.
The conference opened from the phrase “new ear should be transit from negative frame to positive frame, from Mono-approach (government) to Multi-actor approaches (government + firms + civil) and from special problem of ‘south’ countries to universal problem” by Prof. dr. Steef van de Velde and Prof. dr. Rob van Thulder (Erasmus University). Today a complexity of problem is being enhanced from conflicts and security due to the fragile states to gender equality. Some assignment, however, many problems still remain and new problem arise. For instance, CO2 emission is dramatically increasing, 4 billion ㎥ ton food waste meanwhile people are disturbing. Needles to say, climate action and sustainable communication strategy are crucial.

Contents of SDGs
This new Agenda is a plan of action for people, planet and prosperity. The 17 Sustainable Development Goals and 169 sub-goals show the scale and ambition of this new universal Agenda.
- No Poverty
- Zero Hunger
- Good Health and Well-being
- Quality Education
- Gender Equality
- Clean Water and Sanitation
- Affordable and Clean Energy
- Decent work and Economic growth
- Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
- Reduced Inequalities
- Sustainable Cities and Communities
- Responsible Consumption and Production
- Climate Action
- Life Below Water
- Life on Land
- Peace Justice and Strong Institution
- Partnerships for the Goals
What was the problem of MDGs
MDGs achieved the poverty reduction, such as, -50% poverty, over 90% primary education etc… whereas many challenges still exist. For example, too many goals led to complexity. No priority, too long terms to solve the issue, investment gap; The Netherlands also lowered its budget for developing aid and underinvestment to Civil Society Organization (CSOs).
Ms. Nisha Bakker (Unicef NL) also mentioned “Much progress has been made in reducing preventable child deaths, ensuring more people have access to safe water and nutritious food. However, in the MDGs, inequalities, protecting children from violence and combating climate change were not covered.” So she believes that SDGs should be Multi-actor approach not only from government. “Think as our problem”.
New technology is useful for SDGs?
A student from KPN SDG campaign proposed that digitization would be solved with the youth unemployment in remote area. Some speakers also emphasised that the improvement of digitization/ICT must be a help of SDGs.
Think from Multi-perspective
Mr Hans Buis (VNG International Millennium campaign) insisted “Connection among local governments must be important because we can help the section of environment conservation, power inequality, sanitation and disease in rural area from the perspective of the similar position. “ Ms. Marina Diboma (Chapter Head Africa 2.0) also recommended confidentially that co-creation with young African leaders must be indispensable from her childhood experience and the life in the Netherlands.
Co-creation
Ms. Lucia van Westerlaak (FNV policy advisor on ICR and covenants) suggested that they communicate to reach international agreement on core labour standard. Their aim is no discrimination, no child labour as well as freedom of association. Besides, he mentioned that more than 60 organization such as firms, NGOs, governments and knowledge institutions in the Netherlands decided to work together in partnerships to achieve the SDGs. 13 private sectors (bank, food, construction, oil and gas and etc) are considering to link with SDGs in related to FoA (incl social and economic growth) and LW, child labour, discrimination, fair trade and aid. Value chains and entrepreneurship are valuable because inspiring narratives stimulates consumers to change their behaviour and purchase the products that have a story behind. Consequently, unfair labour is decreased.
Mr. Hans de Jong (CEO Philips Benelux) aspires to contribute to SDGs in the part of health, energy and sustainability of production, using Multi-actor approaches with foundation such as UNICEF to generate a co-creation with “south countries”. Additionally, he promised to drive sustainable/meaningful innovation by considering both the social needs and the ecological footprint.
Mr. Ronald Wormgoor (Socio-Economic Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs); “Key of the new way is aid, tax, knowledge, trade/investment and partnership. Moreover, dimension of SDGs is policy coherence, implementation at national level, development cooperation, and transdisciplinarity for SDGs agenda.” To achieve the win-win situation, the circular economy and communication strategy should be considered. “Everyone is possible to plan for the future, have the right to play and negotiate the agenda. This is our universal goal.”
