Why the Sustainable Development Goals matter
“This is a critical time to accelerate partnerships to address the world's biggest challenges,” says Annemarie Hou, acting Executive Director of the United Nations Office for Partnerships.
For many, the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) continue to offer the most nuanced blueprint for real reform across every area of human impact on the planet. In Lenzing’s responsible production of wood-based cellulosic fibre, for example, the company uses the SDGs as a framework. This April, the Conscious Fashion Campaign, founded by social entrepreneur Kerry Brannigan, launches the second edition of its month-long virtual educational event, Discover the SDGs. designed to advance knowledge and strengthen engagement from the global fashion industry to further support the Decade of Action.
Developed in collaboration with the United Nations Office for Partnerships, this edition features on-demand discussions with industry leaders, United Nations officials and advocates. Running from April 1 - 30, 2021, speakers include Kering, Lenzing, Allbirds, PVH, Vogue Business, CFDA, the British Fashion Council, Messe Frankfurt, Collina Strada and the Swarovski Foundation. An online exhibit features a wide range of SDG informational tools.
“This is a critical time to accelerate partnerships to address the world's biggest challenges – from eliminating poverty, hunger and inequalities to reversing climate change and unsustainable consumption and production practices,” says Annemarie Hou, acting Executive Director of the United Nations Office for Partnerships. “The fashion industry is an important ally for the United Nations in this Decade of Action to deliver the SDGs by 2030.”
The virtual event serves as a catalyst for a new era of fashion; exploring the intersection of the SDGs including climate action, gender equality, industry innovation, digitisation, life of land and responsible production and consumption with the industry.
Further speakers including Gabriela Hearst, Marsha Cooke, Senior Vice President Impact, Vice Media Group; Emily Chan, Sustainability Editor, Vogue Global Network; Sara Maino, Deputy Editor-in-Chief, Vogue Italia & Head of Vogue Talents will mix thoughts with United Nations representatives from the Fashion Industry Charter for Climate Action, United Nations Secretary-General’s Youth Advisory on Climate Change, United Nations Capital Development Fund, UN Trust Fund to End Violence against Women, United Nations Economic Commission for Europe/Food and Agriculture Organization and United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs.
In her role as the Director of Global Business Development at Lenzing, Tricia Carey explains the importance of sustainability within the fashion industry: “As we close out a tumultuous 2020, we have optimism for a new year with a path to recover better together. Discover the SDG’s by the Conscious Fashion Campaign provides the fashion industry with the tools to make educated choices with regards to both the environment and society.”
Given its global reach, the fashion industry is uniquely positioned to increase collaboration and engagement around the SDGs. With the pervasiveness of the COVID-19 pandemic, the industry has seen unparalleled disruption to its operations and supply chains. As the fashion sector revises and adapts, this is the time to ensure that this disruption can serve as the catalyst for a new sustainable era for all stakeholders involved.
The role of partnerships is more crucial than ever in order to recover from the pandemic and to advance the Sustainable Development Goals. Murtaza Ahmed, Owner and Managing Director of Artistic Milliners emphasizes this; “At Artistic Milliners, we believe any one entity alone cannot rely on fragmented work to achieve global impact. Therefore, we are leveraging the power of SDGs as the most comprehensive framework of collective action to bring about real impact. Our efforts have led to our recognition by the United Nations Global Compact as the Global Pioneer of SDG 5: Gender Equality. We want to share our best practices with our peers and partners and the Conscious Fashion Campaign provides the perfect platform to inspire the global fashion industry to action.”
Discover the SDGs, convened by the Conscious Fashion Campaign in collaboration with the United Nations Office for Partnerships, December 1 - 30, 2020 | www.discoverthesdgs.com
