Leave No One Behind Series 6

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, adopted by all UN member states, is a “shared blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet, now and into the future”.  Leave No One Behind is the central promise embedded within the SDG’s.  “It represents the unequivocal commitment of all UN Member States to eradicate poverty in all its forms, end discrimination and exclusion, and reduce the inequalities and vulnerabilities that leave people behind and undermine the potential of individuals and of humanity as a whole”.  

4 years until the deadline of the 2030 Agenda, few of the targets set out in the 17 Sustainable Development Goals have been achieved.  Poverty and inequality persist, with many people and communities not seeing the benefits of economic growth or other deemed indicators of progress.  However, there is hope for creating a renewed, collective agreement for how our societies should function.   

In light of the Roadmap for Eradicating Poverty Beyond Growth, our Leave No One Behind Series 6 workshop series focuses on creating a society based on fairness and equality.   It will focus on how to build a society where everyone is heard, is recognised for what they bring to the table, and can be part of the decision-making process.  The Hidden Dimensions of Poverty research, referenced by the Roadmap, highlights key dimensions including: disempowering structures, systems and policies, financial insecurity, financial exclusion and debt, damaged health and wellbeing, stigma, blame and judgement, lack of control over choices, unrecognised struggles, skills and contributions.  This project focuses on gaining recognition for the knowledge and wisdom of those who are usually excluded from decision-making as a result of these injustices.   

This project has a goal of making sure that everyone, and in particular the most excluded, realise they have a voice and important insights to share in creating a world where no is left behind.  

Through a creative workshop (using techniques such as photolanguage and living dictionary) we will discuss; 

• What would a fair world look like? 

• Who/ what do we feel has the most power or influence over our lives and the choices we can make?  

• Thinking about times where you felt that had a voice and could make a contribution in your community …, and times when you didn’t, what made you feel either way? 

• What can any of us do to gain a stronger voice in our community and in the world at large?