Discover the most innovative ways to inspire Action for the Sustainable Development Goals. Meet the key SDG change-makers, activists and leaders. Experience the transformation taking place for people and the planet

A UN Festival designed BY and FOR the SDG Action Community

Five year into the agenda, 2020 will be a key critical for accelerating progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals. 2020 is also the kick start of the Decade of Action announced by the UN Secretary-General and marks the UN’s 75th anniversary. The 2020 edition of the SDG Global Festival of Action will be a milestone to raise the visibility and impact of these global initiatives, with great focus on local and innovative actions and solutions that can lead to transformative change toward the SDGs.The SDG Global Festival of Action is a ground-breaking event designed by and for the international SDG action community and powered by the UN SDG Action Campaign with the support of the German Federal Government and partners to bring together SDGs activists, artists, innovators and leaders from the different sectors to connect and find new ways to inspire individuals and organizations to take action for people and the planet.

The 2020 Festival will feature a range of session, workshop and meeting formats each positioned to further understanding and awareness, build practical skills and networks and be inspired by SDG Leaders. The Festival also nurtures the growing SDG Action Community by making available a global platform to launch new campaigns, host network meetings and scout new initiatives and changemakers working towards the achievements of the Goals.

THE BIG PICTURE

High-level plenaries unite leaders from the United Nations, national and local government officials, progressive thinkers, activists and well known change-makers to discuss the political landscape, the importance of collaboration, how local solutions lead to global transformation, and how to harness the power of the ‘SDG Generation’ for the Decade of Action.

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Build Knowledge

Each year the Festival offers content focused on deepening participants’ knowledge of the SDGs. Hear key lessons from experts, take a deeper look into policies related to climate action, gender equality and fighting inequalities, and become inspired by revolutionary ideas and actions changing the landscape of sustainable development.

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Ideate and up-skill

The Festival is only as powerful as the achievements made by participants after they return home. These Festival experiences take a hands-on approach to enhancing participants’ skills to advance the SDGs. If you learn by doing and want to expand your ideas on how to achieve the SDGs—these sessions are for you.

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Connect and Meet

The Festival unites the global SDG community, and when we are together, ideas grow, collaborations begin and change is triggered. This year, we’re leveraging this unique energy. Along with the popular demo spaces, we are hosting facilitated networking sessions and offering networks and alliances to hold private strategy meetings, all with the intention to expand our impact.

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Broadcast and Disseminate

You’re doing great work to advance the SDGs and we want to share your story! Live streamed throughout the Festival, the SDG Live Studio is host to strategic launches, TED-style talks focused on SDG Action and interviews with influential experts. Media partners and content creators utilize the Media Zone to tell the highest quality stories coming out of the Festival about the SDG community.

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Experience and Explore

The Exhibition Zone is where to find the most interactive and immersive experiences. Here you can explore hands-on experiences related to transforming local action into global impact. Featuring art showcases, live performances and demonstrations, installations, Virtual and Augmented Reaility Journeys, this dedicated space will provide a feast for the eyes, the ears and the mind to delve into the Decade of Action!

Celebrate

This festival is no different than others when it comes to celebrations! After full days of sessions, experiences and media moments, connect with old and new festival friends for two evenings of connections and cultural experiences unlike other events where we celebrate what brought us all together—a passion for achieving the SDGs.

MEET GREAT CHANGE-MAKERS

This flagship annual event brings together leaders from governments, local authorities, international organizations, civil society, media, foundations, youth, the creative sector and the private sector who are transforming their areas and driving change towards the Sustainable Development Goals.

Meet Some of our previous Speakers: