March 4, 2017
New online tool for business and governments supports key training to build collaboration on SDGs
The SDG Fund advocates expanded education and capacity building for the 2030 Agenda with UNITAR partners
New York, 4 March2017
The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals Fund (SDG Fund) has announced plans to work in collaboration with the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) to facilitate a unique knowledge sharing course and deliver innovative training to address the needs of business and institutions. The online program will offer a new e-Learning tool to provide specialized training modules as part of an overall course to promote the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and help the public and private sector gain a better understanding of the United Nations and the 17 goals.
As part of this novel educational program with the SDG Fund, UNITAR will continue to strengthen its mission to disseminate and transfer knowledge to a diverse audience, as well as the diplomatic community. The online course, which will be available for 2017 calendar year, will offer coursework to provide the much needed training and curriculum to build capacity and cultivate a deeper understanding of opportunities linked to the SDGs. The SDG Fund, a UN mechanism to achieve the 2030 Agenda, is offering this course as part of its effort to increase alliances with new actors, including UN agencies, governments, universities and civil society.
The online course will be launched this month through a specialized, five-part training module designed to guide stakeholders from the public and private sector through an introductory framework on the 2030 Agenda, the 17 SDGs, and how to engage and set-up partnerships. The course will also feature interviews and presentations with UN delegates, business representatives and academics. Uniquely, the program will offer case studies and concrete examples to target specific goals. Important topics and lessons will also underline the need for gender equality and the protection of refugees and vulnerable migrants. The course is provided at no-cost for all participants.
The innovative collaboration between UNITAR and the SDG Fund responds to the objectives of both institutions to promote a greater understanding of the new development agenda and support the demand from a variety of stakeholder’s eager to learn through interactive lessons and modules that provide concrete examples, actual case studies and best practices in public-private partnerships. The course builds on the SDG Fund’s experience collaborating with private sector partners, especially working closely with the Private Sector Advisory Group.
Following the completion of the course, participants will be able to define the key reasons behind the convergence between MDGs and 17 sustainable development goals; gain greater knowledge about the goals and the 2030 Agenda; and identify main challenges in each of the goals, especially in offering the tools and resources required to delve deeper and devise partnerships and support practical implementation of the 2030 Agenda.
“We are delighted to collaborate with our partners at UNITAR who offer the principle educational and training tools to reach a generation of new audiences on the importance of the 2030 Agenda and effectively guide a range of new actors on what this means toward a sustainable future,” said Paloma Duran, Director of the Sustainable Development Goals Fund.
This course will provide a deeper understanding of why the United Nations and the business community are vital to each other to obtain the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). “We are pleased to offer the necessary foundation required to understand the 17 varied goals as well as showcase the role of business to demonstrate how multi-stakeholder partnerships can work to implement the new agenda, “said Nikhil Seth, Executive Director of UNITAR.
To learn more or register: https://www.learnatunitar.org
How to register
To sign up for the course "Business and the 2030 Agenda: Working Together Towards a Sustainable Future":
1. Create an UNITAR e-learning account here
2. After creating your account log into the e-learning platform. On the navigation menu click on the folder "Courses".
3. Click on the "2030 Agenda" section under "Courses", and select the course "Business and the 2030 Agenda: Working Together Towards a Sustainable Future".
4, Click "Enroll".
To register
About
The Sustainable Development Goals Fund (SDG-F) is a development cooperation mechanism created in 2014 by UNDP, on behalf of the UN system, with an initial contribution of the Government of Spain to support sustainable development activities through integrated and multidimensional joint programmes. It builds on the experience, knowledge, lessons learned, and best practices of the MDG experience, while expanding its activities towards sustainable development and a higher attention on public-private partnerships. Gender and women’s empowerment is a cross-cutting priority in all our areas of work. Follow us on twitter at @SDGFund
UNITAR provides training and capacity development activities to assist mainly developing countries with special attention to Least Developed Countries (LDCs), Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and other groups and communities who are most vulnerable, including those in conflict situations. The Institute covers topics in the broad areas of supporting capacity for the 2030 Agenda.An autonomous UN body since 1963, the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (www.unitar.org) is a training arm of the United Nations System, and has the mandate to enhance the effectiveness of the UN through diplomatic training, and to increase the impact of national actions through public awareness-raising, education and training of public policy officials.