25 September, New York: One Young World – the global forum for young leaders that counts Megan Markle, Justin Trudeau and Emma Watson as Counsellors – today announces the launch of Lead2030, a new initiative to drive progress on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Supported by some of the world’s most prestigious brands, Lead2030 will find, fund and accelerate the most impactful youth-led solutions that are moving the needle on the SDGs.
The 17 Sustainable Development Goals – or Global Goals – were agreed upon by 193 countries in 2015. From ending poverty to protecting the oceans, these goals represent an ambitious to-do list to create a sustainable future by 2030.
Yet with an estimated annual investment gap of $2.5 trillion in developing countries alone, achieving the Global Goals requires meaningful contribution from the private sector. United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres recently stated that “funding gaps for SDG investments are vast and urgent. We must unlock the large levels of financing necessary to implement the 2030 Agenda.”
Each Lead2030 Challenge Partner [see below] has committed to funding and mentoring a youth-led initiative, business or movement that is making a tangible impact on a selected Sustainable Development Goal.
The young leaders who will receive this transformative support for their work will be selected following a global search that launches this October at the One Young World Summit 2018 in The Hague, The Netherlands.
Lead2030’s inaugural Challenge Partners include:
- Goals 2 & 6: Reckitt Benckiser. Zero Hunger & Clean Water & Sanitation
- Goal 3: AstraZeneca. Good Health & Well-being
- Goal 4: Deloitte. Quality Education
- Goal 4: Credit Suisse. Quality Education
- Goal 9: Standard Chartered. Industry, Innovation & Infrastructure
- Goal 10: Bristol-Myers Squibb. Reduced Inequalities
- Goal 11: BP. Sustainable Cities & Communities
- Goal 12: Mondi Group. Responsible Consumption & Production
- Goal 17: KPMG. Partnerships For The Goals
Additional mentorship will be provided to selected challenge winners by Porter Novelli in conjunction with the challenge partners.
Kate Robertson, co-founder of One Young World, said:
“Since 2010, One Young World Ambassadors have positively impacted the lives of more than 17.5 million people. They are a testament to the progress young people can achieve when they have a platform to lead to from. Lead2030 will enable this community and young leaders like them to achieve even greater results.
The Global Goals will not be achieved without ambitious and meaningful contributions from leaders across every sector of society. With 380 million jobs predicted to be created by achieving the SDGs, and $12 trillion unlocked in market opportunities, the business case for accelerating progress on the Global Goals is clear. The world leading organisations that have committed to join Lead2030 are not just doing the right thing, they’re doing the smart thing for their business.”
Visit www.lead2030.com to register your interest in the challenges and to find out more about the initiative.