8 billion people offer 8 billion opportunities
We must empower individuals to think innovatively, minister writes
partners to create and deliver an interactive visitor journey around the SDGs that aims to not only engage millions of visitors with the agenda, but most importantly, to inspire and empower them to take their own action towards human development.
It represents 25 million opportunities to take positive action.
Youth must be at the heart of our efforts to achieve the SDGs. Youth make up almost two-thirds of the Middle East population and we expect 2.5 million students to visit Expo 2020. We cannot leave any one of them behind.
‘A key part’
During a visit to the Expo 2020 site in December, His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, implored the UAE’s young people to take hold of the opportunities available at Expo 2020 to help shape the future — their future. Shaikh Mohammad said: “The youth should play a key part in this mega event and get opportunities to observe, learn and contribute creative ideas so that they can develop innovative solutions for creating a better future for our region and the world.”
Expo 2020’s Opportunity Pavilion (one of three Thematic Pavilions) will be a dedicated home for the SDGs throughout the six months of Expo, using interactive journeys, workshops and gaming components to enhance awareness of these crucial objectives and how everyone can be involved in achieving them. Achieving the SDGs requires us to think innovatively. We cannot advance the lives of all if we continue on our current path. Expo 2020 will showcase successful and impactful solutions to the world’s biggest challenges, both through the Expo 2020 Global Best Practice Programme, ‘Small Steps, Big Leaps’, and its global social impact programme, Expo Live.
Expo Live is already having a valuable impact globally through its support of 70 Global Innovators in 43 countries, plus 28 university student teams in the UAE. The $100 million (Dh367.8 million) programme backs projects that offer creative solutions to pressing challenges that impact people’s lives or help preserve the planet — or both — but would not reach their full potential without its support.
We are four years into the agenda; we have 11 years to go and there’s a lot left to do.
Our future is in our hands. The SDGs are shared goals and will lead to shared success. Do not underestimate your individual contribution; do not delay your action.
■ Reem Al Hashemi is also the DirectorGeneral, Expo 2020 Dubai and Chairwoman of the National Committee on Sustainable Development Goals.
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