Leadership for the SDGs

Leadership for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Harnessing the UN SDGs framework as a tool for advancing global and local action on sustainable development.

MSDI provided input to help the United Nations shape the SDGs back in 2013, and has since developed significant expertise and reputation as a regional and global leader in mobilising SDG implementation.

This includes as host of SDSN Australia, New Zealand and Pacific, the regional hub of the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN), a global network of universities and knowledge institutions committed to the achievement of the SDGs.

What are the SDGs?

The 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), agreed to by all world governments in 2015, are a powerful global framework for a more sustainable, prosperous, inclusive and peaceful future for all by 2030. Now, more than half way through to 2030, only 16% of the targets globally are on track to be achieved by 2030, and action on the SDGs is more urgent than ever. Click to find out more.

Our approach

We draw on MSDI’s expertise in sustainable development research, education and policy, as well as extensive networks and partnerships, to deepen, strengthen and amplify action on the SDGs.

Our approach encompasses three key elements:

  • Research and thought leadership

    We undertake agenda-setting research and provide big picture thinking on what role the SDGs can play in accelerating sustainable development transformations.

  • Supporting action for the SDGs

    We develop tools, resources and guides, and build capacity, to support SDG policy and action by different levels of society and different societal actors.

  • Convening and network building

    We bring together stakeholders from academia, government, private sector and civil society to share expertise and amplify advocacy on the SDGs.

Areas of focus and recent initiatives

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Global Sustainable Development Report 2023

MSDI’s Shirin Malekpour was the only Australian appointed by the UN Secretary-General to be part of the 15-strong Group of Independent Scientists writing the 2023 report.

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Pathways and entry points for SDG implementation

Our Research team has been undertaking agenda-setting research on mechanisms for accelerating progress on the SDGs.

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Social Systems Evidence for the SDGs

We’ve partnered with McMaster University in Canada to create the world’s most comprehensive repository of policy research evidence to how to achieve the SDGs.

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Transforming Australia

MSDI’s Transforming Australia reports comprehensively track Australia's progress on SDG targets and indicators.

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Youth SDG Index Report

A youth-led report that is the first in the world to use the SDGs framework to measure young people’s progress towards sustainable development.

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Pacific VLR handbook

This guide supports local authorities and others in the Pacific to prepare for measuring their local progress on sustainable development using the SDGs.

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Pacific Urban Forum

MSDI co-hosted the 6th Pacific Urban Forum (PUF), in Suva, Fiji, September 2023 - the premier event for urban practitioners, thinkers, leaders, and advocates towards sustainable urban development in the Pacific.

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City of Melbourne VLR

MSDI was instrumental in supporting Melbourne to become the first city in Australia to conduct a Voluntary Local Review (VLR) on SDG progress.

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Capturing regional SDG priorities

This project engaged with stakeholders across Australia and the Pacific to capture the challenges and opportunities presented by the SDGs as input into the Global Sustainable Development Report 2023.

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Global guides for universities on the SDGs

MSDI was the lead author of globally eminent SDSN guides, ‘Getting Started with the SDGs in Universities’, and ‘Accelerating Education for the SDGs in Universities’.

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Accelerating SDG Practice

An ongoing forum series co-led by SDSN AusNZPac to help higher education institutions in the region accelerate and scale up their action on the SDGs.

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Monash University's engagement with the SDGs

MSDI works closely with colleagues across Monash to support Monash’s SDG Progress Reports, submissions to the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings, and other SDG-related reporting.

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Behaviour change for the Sustainable Development MOOC

BehaviourWorks Australia’s free online course on the SDG Academy’s edX platform showcases how behavioural insights can contribute to achieving the SDGs.

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PhD cohort

Graduate students in MSDI’s SDGs PhD cohort are exploring how different societal actors adopt the SDGs to create change.

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Promoting the SDGs through education

MSDI’s transformative educational programs, like Green Steps and the transdisciplinary Master of Environment and Sustainability teach students how to apply the SDG framework.

Resources

Our team

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