Activists encouraged to apply for UN SDG Action Awards

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https://news.un.org/en/story/2023/04/1136117

More about the Awards: https://sdgactionawards.org/

The 2023 UN SDG Action Awards will be presented in Rome, Italy, in July, and the deadline for applications

and nominations has been extended to 7 May. 

We’re thrilled to announce that winners and finalists will be unveiled at

an inspiring and creative UN SDG Action Awards Ceremony taking place on 24 July in Rome,

Italy during the official opening day of the 2023 UN Food Systems Stocktaking Moment,

which will be hosted by the Government of Italy at the premises of the Food and Agricultural

Organization of the United Nations (FAO) with the collaboration of the

Rome UN Based-agencies, the UN Food Systems Coordination Hub and the wider UN system.

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“We are calling on all activists, mobilizers, and changemakers to submit their application today for a

chance to become an awards finalist and to join us in Rome for a celebration of their global sustainability

actions and

ongoing efforts in confronting global challenges and holding decision-makers to account,” said

Marina Ponti, Global Director of the UN SDG Action Campaign

Flipping the script 

Ms. Ponti noted that 2022 was a seminal year for the Campaign, an initiative launched by the

UN Secretary-General to galvanize people everywhere around the 17 SDGs, which include ending

extreme poverty, reducing

inequalities, and combatting climate change by 2030. 

“We defied all expectations and mobilized nearly 150 million people around the world to take action for

the Sustainable Development Goals,” she said. 

“Now, we want to acknowledge and celebrate those very same people who made a difference on the

ground flipping the script on the climate crisis, gender inequality, and food insecurity and laying the

foundations for a more

sustainable and equitable future for all.”  

Making a mark 

Last year’s awards ceremony was held in Bonn, Germany, receiving over 3,000 applications from

150 countries. 

This year’s event will be held on 24 July in Rome on the margins of the

 UN Food Systems Stocktaking Moment, where countries will review progress towards transforming food

systems worldwide. 

Past winners include Hamzat B. Lawal, Founder of the Nigeria-based anti-corruption organisation Follow

the Money, which works to influence social change and disrupt the status quo by setting up social

accountability models tracking government spending and international aid, exposing corruption, and

revealing to the public how effective local social development projects are. 

 

© UN SDG Action Campaign/Benjamin Westhoff

 

Hamzat B. Lawal, Founder of the Nigeria-based anti-corruption organisation Follow the Money,

addresses the 2022 UN SDG Action Awards.

“Winning a UN SDG Action Award has been a life changing moment for the initiative and team,”

Mr. Lawal said. “Not only has it empowered us to strengthen our internal governance structure, but

most importantly the Award has enhanced our credibility in holding governments to account and fostering

transparency.” 

Since winning in 2019, Follow the Money has grown its presence across Africa, expanding from four

countries to a total of nine while also attracting interest from the Americas and Asia.  

Other finalists have also continued to leave their mark on local and global communities, including

Srishti Bakshi, a marketer-turned-women’s-rights-activist, who embarked on a pilgrimage of 3,800

kilometres through 12 Indian states to put a spotlight on the root causes of violence against women. 

 

 

Position: Co -Founder of ENGAGE,a new social venture for the promotion of volunteerism and service and Ideator of Sharing4Good

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