Driving Change: Local Communities & the UN SDGs Conference
On October 24, 2024, Rotary in London hosted the Driving Change: Local Communities & the UN SDGs conference at City Hall, London, bringing together thought leaders from diverse fields to explore how local communities can contribute to achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The conference, hosted by Unmesh Desai, GLA Member for City & East, featured speakers from academia, business, social enterprise, and global health, who shared insights on impactful initiatives in areas like youth empowerment, social entrepreneurship, education, grassroots movements, and global health.
Notable speakers included Dan Feist from Essex Cricket, who discussed the transformative role of sports in youth empowerment; Amy Brereton of Enactus UK, who highlighted student-led social enterprises; and Jerry During, CEO of Money A+E, who spoke about social enterprise as a tool for economic inclusion. Janine Edwards and Olivia Baker White, Trustees of the Small International Development Charities Network, shared how grassroots movements mobilise communities to achieve global goals, while Jimmy Innes, CEO of Lepra UK, discussed the importance of inclusivity in global health efforts.
The conference concluded with reflections from Robert Morris, Immediate Past Chair of Rotary GB&I, who summarised the day’s discussions and highlighted Rotary’s commitment to empowering communities in support of the SDGs.
The event underscored that while the SDGs are global in scope, they rely on the collective efforts of local communities to drive progress. Attendees left with a renewed commitment to implementing community-led projects and forming collaborations to advance sustainable development, setting the stage for further Rotary initiatives aimed at creating lasting impact.
