During a one-day meeting in Los Angeles on January 9, 2017, a group of non-profit and philanthropic organizations convened at the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation to discuss how best to accelerate action on domestic application of the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the United States. Attendees included representatives of philanthropy, national non-profits, academic institutions, and think tanks, all of whom are already working on domestic implementation of the SDGs within the US.
Throughout the conversation, a number of key themes emerged as attendees discussed how best to collaborate in order to increase awareness of and engagement around the SDGs by a variety of sectors. This summary highlights key themes discussed by the group, as well as suggested next steps and a list of meeting attendees.
Although the conversation was realistic with a strong sense of urgency, it was not entirely negative, especially given the critical role of civil society, including philanthropy, in leading work around the SDGs in both the short, medium, and long term. The discussion also highlighted how results of the 2016 presidential election make a strong case for an ambitious framework like the SDGs to bridge divides, address the concerns of groups that feel “unheard” and ignored within growing American inequality, and inspire a collective movement to perhaps “make America great again.”
Within the current context of American politics and given current national and local challenges, the SDGs provide a non-partisan framework for moving the country towards ambitious targets that aim to leave no one behind by 2030. Alongside a strategy for national implementation, the discussion often returned to the critical role and opportunity for cities and potentially states to lead on the SDGs, especially during the next four years. Overall, it’s clear that a strategy is needed to engage at multiple levels and with myriad partners – including cities, states, and when possible, federal agencies and national political leaders.