The UN Intergenerational Dialogues

Posted on Aug 23, 2017 12:00 AM by Close The Gap

Since 2012, Close the Gap has been a member of the United Nations Department of Public Information (DPI), a UN department established 70 years ago to promote global awareness and understanding of the work of the United Nations.

Close the Gap has developed a partnership with Fordham University located in New York, USA. Every academic year, a student from the University has the opportunity to become the UN Youth Representative of Close the Gap, as part of their master degree. Students will attend conferences at the UN, informing Close the Gap regarding ICT4D and the Sustainable Development Goals. This academic year, we have the pleasure to welcome Oruada Oruada, originally from Nigeria.

On August 1st, Oruada attended his first conference at the UN HQ in New York; The Intergenerational Dialogues on the SDGs. The purpose of this conference was to gather global citizens to find new focus and patterns on achieving the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.

The conference was divided into 'dialogues’ to address different topics and SDGs. Oruada attended Dialogues 1 "Breaking the Intergenerational Cycle of Poverty" (addresses SDG 1, 2, 3, 4, 4, 5, 16). The panel of speakers of this dialogue included a former UNDPI Youth Representative of Close the Gap, Patricia Talisse. The discussion was about the role of individuals, families, communities, governments; social determinants, conflict prevention and resolution.

Oruada also attended an interesting Dialogue on Intergenerational Innovation that addressed SDG 7, 9, 11, & 12, where the panel of speakers discussed innovation energy revolution/renewables, global citizenship, and ways of integrating younger and older generations to innovate collectibly.

The dialogues concluded with the understanding that the SDGs can only be achieved by 2030 if:

  • Young people take responsibility for these goals and ensure their achievement by 2030.
  • Global citizens build bridges between generations; the senior population should work with the young population, and vice-versa.
  • Youth is engaged and participates to the best of their abilities.
  • Maximizing personal capability by supporting young people to bring their innovation to life: supporting/encouraging young people to explore their dreams/hopes and bring their ideas into existence.
  • Access to technology is global and inclusive.
  • Intergenerational innovation is encouraged amongst youngsters and seniors

The SDGs are embedded in Close the Gap’s mission; access to ICT is fundamental in achieving several of the SDGs. Please click here to read our full sustainability report on ICT4Development and the SDGs.

"Once you set a goal, you must put every effort to achieve it." - Maher Nasser