This week, between 26 and 28 February, SOLIDAR hosted its first Sustainability Academy in Brussels.
Among others, the Academy offered the opportunity to 15 national SOLIDAR members, coming from 9 European countries, to come together and exchange on their national approaches and practices in advocacy and awareness raising actions related to the implementation and follow up of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (SD).
During the Academy, particular attention has been paid to the interlinked nature of the SDGs and its implications in policy making terms. Indeed, one of the main, and more progressive, features of the 2030 Agenda for SD are
The recognition that social and environmental policies have the same importance than economic policies and, for this reason, economic decisions need to be balanced by taking into account their (direct and indirect) impact on the social and environmental goals.
The understanding that each goal is not isolated but connected to the others. For example, SDG 3 (good health and well-being) can only be achieved if also the health of the planet is taken care of, if policies tackle poverty (which is a structural factor influencing health), and if Governments keep their engagement to fight against climate change which is more and more becoming a key determinant of health.
SOLIDAR and its members are committed to supporting the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for SD. Based on their expertise, in Europe and worldwide, we will pay special attention to SDG4 (Education for all); SDG 5 (Gender equality); SDG8 (Decent Work); SDG10 (fighting inequality); and SDG 16 (Promoting peace). The next Sustainability Academy will take place in the Italian city of Palermo.