In 2015 the world agreed on an agenda of unprecedented ambition for the development of humanity and preservation of our planet. Central to this was a pledge to tackle poverty, inequality and exclusion. This was expressed, in particular, as a commitment by all 193 countries to “leave no one behind” and to try to “reach the furthest behind first”.
Even if the rate of implementation of the 2030 Agenda is seriously off-track, the global solidarity and determination which gave rise to it ten years ago remain largely intact. The world may today be a more insecure place but our promise to “leave no one behind” has lost none of its power or relevance. We will only truly ‘transform our world’ if we tackle seriously the needs of the poorest and most marginalised communities. And if this is seen as a top priority for Governments and societies everywhere.
In Ireland, community groups have a critical role to play in getting this message across and in expanding public understanding of what “leaving no one behind” should mean. ATD Ireland has made an invaluable contribution with its Leave No One Behind Conversations series and the local dialogues, creativity and initiative which underpin this. While not a top performer in its implementation of the Agenda more widely, Ireland has shown strong commitment to the “leaving no one behind” objective, ranking seventh in Europe recently under this heading. This, I believe, owes something to the advocacy of ATD and others on this issue. I salute this vital work and congratulate ATD on its latest publication.
– David Donoghue Co-Facilitator of the UN negotiations on the SDGs and the 2030 Agenda
Thank you to David for his generous contribution and long term advocacy on the Leave No One Behind Promise.
Find the Leave No One Behind Series 4 project here.
