With the theme "New Goals. New power. New technology," the second annual Social Good Summit Mongolia was held on September 26, 2015 at IT Park in Ulaanbaatar. Interactive sessions, speakers and presentations by and for young people explored how youth in Mongolia can contribute to the achievement of the new Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) using innovation, technology and new media. More than 150 young women and men discussed and engaged with three main topics: Health; Environment; and Education and Opportunities.
To raise awareness of the newly adopted Sustainable Development Goals, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in Mongolia partnered with the Centre for Citizenship Education, IT Park, Mongolian Youth Council, UN Youth Advisory Panel and UN Volunteers in Mongolia, to host the Social Good Summit Mongolia 2015. The event featured a mix of civil society leaders, grassroots activists, IT and social media experts and opinion leaders, representatives from the government, academia, the private sector and the media.
"Here, now, today, in this room - we can make a good start for Mongolia...We are here to find solutions and ideas for how we can make Mongolia and the world a better place - for the People and the Planet," said UNDP Mongolia Deputy Resident Representative Thomas Eriksson.
The Sustainable Development Goals had a fitting launch in Mongolia as 17 young volunteers each introduced one of the 17 Goals. U. Erdenechimeg, UNFPA Mongolia National Programme Officer, Population and Development, discussed how the SDGs were developed and their importance to Mongolia. Oyungerel Tsedevdamba, a Mongolian Parliament Member, shared her experience and thoughts with the young audience on how to work towards the country's development. B. Myagmarnaran from the IT Park followed with information about how communication technology can contribute to sustainable development. Actor B. Amarsaikhan, from popular Netflix series Marco Polo, moved the audience with his vision for Mongolia in 2030.
The panel discussions involved some of Mongolia's most creative, talented, and engaged people, including: Saranchuluun Otgon, a social worker and Mongolia's first amputee blade runner and marathoner; Bayarkhuu Chinzorigt, a researcher in economics and sustainable development; Yanzmaa Jutmaan from Khovd University; Tselmuun Chinzorig, a singer and a scientist; and Ts. Shurentsetseg, the founder of the viral #HogBucketChallenge. In addition to panels and speaker sessions, the Summit featured performances by Asia's Got Talent finalists Khusugtun and Orange Sessions, musicians working to end violence against women and girls.
Social Good Summit Mongolia 2015 participants were asked how they can and will contribute to the achievement of the SDGs in Mongolia and globally. Their commitments were documented through photo messages and on SDGs boxes. All aspects of the Summit, from speeches to discussions, were webcast live so that those not present could still participate and have their voices heard.
The Social Good Summit in Mongolia is part of more than 100 local Social Good Summits organized around the world to raise awareness of the SDGs.
Adopted by all 193 UN Member States on September 25, 2015 the SDGs are 17 ambitious goals to end poverty, fight inequality and injustice and tackle climate change for everyone by 2030. UNDP Mongolia stands as a ready partner to support Mongolia and others to achieve the Goals at the national level by 2030.
The Social Good Summit was successfully wrapped up with a group discussion of the main points from each of the panel discussions and with closing remarks. Making the Goals famous, asking the most pressing questions and finding innovative solutions with the help of media and technology are the first important steps to achieving the new and ambitious development agenda. The Summit was an important start to raising awareness of the Goals and helped start the conversation about how each of us can contribute to a better Mongolia by 2030. It's up to all of us to tell everyone about these Global Goals and make them happen. See you next year for Social Good Summit Mongolia 2016!
About Social Good Summit
Each September, world leaders come together at the United Nations General Assembly to discuss global issues and ways in which to tackle them. Recognizing that the voices and ideas of concerned global citizens connected by social media and technology can be powerful forces for change, UNDP Mashable, 92nd Street Y and the United Nations Foundation first partnered in 2009 to host the Social Good Summit in New York to expand the UN conversations to include innovators, activists and entrepreneurs around the world. Now in its sixth year, the Social Good Summit continues to grow in impact and reach to unite global citizens to unlock the potential of technology to make the world a better place.
About UNDP www.mn.undp.org
UNDP partners with people at all levels of society to help build nations that can withstand crisis, and drive and sustain the kind of growth that improves the quality of life for everyone. On the ground in more than 170 countries and territories, we offer global perspective and local insight to help empower lives and build resilient nations.
About UNFPA www.mongolia.unfpa.org
UNFPA is the UN agency delivering a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person's potential is fulfilled. UNFPA Mongolia currently implements the 5th Country Programme 2012-2016, closely in line with the United Nations Development Assistance Framework for Mongolia.
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