Connecting Today, Creating Tomorrow

At a time where the world commemorates one year since the launch of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Sri Lanka joined the celebrations of the Social Good Summit (SGS) by hosting representatives from the private sector to start a meaningful dialogue on their role in the #2030Now agenda. The Summit, held together with the United Nations Global Compacts Network of Sri Lanka for the second year, brought together a diverse set of participants from start-up ventures to multinational companies to SMEs to well-established listed companies to deliberate around the Summit’s theme of ‘Connecting Today. Creating Tomorrow’,  During the discussion, many inspiring stories were shared by the participants on their organization’s social good experiences. Encouraging opportunities for collaboration was a highlight when the group brainstormed for ways of moving forward overcoming existing and upcoming challenges in order to play an active role within the SDG framework.

Everyone has a part to play

While the need for the private sector to value Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is well understood, we now need go one step further to adapt more comprehensive sustainability strategies which go beyond one-off CSR initiatives. The deliberations at SGS shed a light on the extensive role the private sector is beginning to play towards sustainable development, and emphasized the need and also the willingness of the private sector to shoulder a greater responsibility within the development agenda.

Creating visibility

One of the major points that came out during the discussion was that some of the really exciting and meaningful initiatives by the private sector, especially those led by relatively smaller organizations, were very much afloat under the radar. If brought to the surface and given more visibility, they have the potential of inspiring others to carry out many such initiatives. Quite a few initiatives that were shared during the Summit were news to many participants. In light of this, the Social Good Summit served as an ideal a platform to create that much-needed visibility, where organizations heard from each other, sharing best practices whilst pondering upon avenues for greater collaboration.

Leaving no one behind

One of the most satisfying conclusions from the discussions was that the Private sector has fully embraced the philosophy of ‘leaving no one behind’ which is absolutely central to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. Pockets of vulnerability however, do exist in our society which is an obstacle towards achieving equitable sustainable human development for all. It is no doubt, encouraging for the Development Sector to hear that the Private Sector is now channeling initiatives which rightly focuses on not only the immediate welfare needs of communities, but more on sustainable interventions such as providing education, support for livelihood and etc.

Why hold back half the world/country?

The organisations present were actively engaging in creating a society where there are less barriers for women and girls in Sri Lanka. Whilst acknowledging that there is a lot more work to be done to reach a gender equal and equitable workforce, there was a unanimous belief that empowering young girls can make them champions of innovation to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.

The power of synergies

The identities of organizations represented at the SGS were richly diverse: Selyn Fair Trade, Pick Me, Cargills, Millennium IT, Jetwing Hotels Ltd, MAS Holdings, Hemas, Aitken Spence, CISCO, Good Market. This meant that each one of them brought to the table their unique capabilities, best practices and limitations, and unique means of doing things. The SGS was a great place for these different actors of various sizes, shapes, and from multiple fields to come together to share their experiences, exhibiting the true power of synergies.

Rethinking Business as Usual: ‘Sustainable Business Model’

The ultimate objective of the Summit - ‘Rethinking Business As Usual!’
With every product sold and every job created Sri Lanka looks at its private sector to be a driver in moving the nation closer to the 169 targets of the Sustainable Development Goals. Sustainable business models encourage responsible consumption, production and sustainable living, to protect both people and the planet. More effective innovations and resilient infrastructure that promote the use of renewable energy, positively impacts life on land and life below the sea. Partnerships and synergies  among the private sector are what can take these inter-connected goals forward. Together, we are committed to work with the Private Sector to connect today to create a better tomorrow.

So what is your vision for 2030?