Navigating Iberian Synergy for SDGs: Rediness Assessment

Online Workshop, World Wide

OBJECTIVE

The central goal of this initiative is to evaluate and enhance the readiness of the Iberian economies — Portugal and Spain — to achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through systemic change. By fostering collaboration among diverse stakeholders across sectors, the initiative seeks to identify mutual challenges, devise innovative solutions, and emphasize the necessity of robust preparation for effectively executing transformative actions.

In essence, the Iberian initiative spearheaded by ASyIm addresses the pressing need for collaborative readiness toward SDGs. By kindling cross-sector dialogues, providing expert guidance, and advocating collaboration, the initiative aims to unlock synergies, reinforce readiness, and drive sustainable development throughout Portugal and Spain.

The debate stands as a pivotal juncture, signifying the culmination of rigorous discussions and the crystallization of solutions born from the intersectoral debates. This initiative facilitates a dialogue between influential policy makers, leaders, and stakeholders. Its focus lies on showcasing the potential of co-creating solutions and the significance of partnerships in actualizing systemic change actions, aligning with the broader objectives of Agenda 2030.

THE PROBLEM

The Iberian economies are confronted with a constellation of challenges that render the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) an intricate endeavor. The multifaceted nature of these challenges demands a unified response, necessitating collaborative efforts across sectors and engagement at various levels — local, regional, national, and international.

The conventional approach of tackling isolated issues in silos has proven insufficient to address the complex, interwoven web of societal problems. The disconnect between sectors, coupled with limited coordination among stakeholders, hampers the effectiveness of individual initiatives. This fragmented approach fails to account for the cascading impact of one sector’s actions on another, leading to unintended consequences and diluting the potential for transformative change.

Moreover, the SDGs themselves are deeply interconnected, with progress in one goal often contingent upon advancements in others. The absence of a holistic perspective inhibits the realization of synergies between different goals, perpetuating the cycle of uncoordinated efforts and inadequate outcomes.

While both Portugal and Spain have taken steps towards SDG implementation, a crucial gap persists in terms of systemic change readiness. This gap emerges from a lack of shared understanding across sectors and regions, insufficient collaborative capital, and the absence of a comprehensive strategy that accounts for the complexity of the challenges at hand.

Thus, the underlying problem lies in the need to shift from isolated, sector-specific endeavors to a cohesive, systemic change approach that considers the intricate web of challenges, interdependencies between goals, and the diverse actors involved. The Iberian economies must transition from disjointed efforts to a collective, informed, and coordinated response to effectively address the urgent societal problems outlined by the SDGs.

EXPECTED RESULTS

The initiative aims to foster several outcomes:

1. Shared Understanding and Collaborative Capital: Through comprehensive discussions with experts representing various SDGs, sectors, and action levels, the initiative delves into the social, political, and economic capital already existing in both nations to facilitate the adoption of a systemic change approach. This understanding forms the basis for fostering collaborative capital and unleashing innovative solutions.

2. Acceleration of Agenda 2030 through Systems Change: By identifying existing resources and acknowledging the gaps required to expedite the achievement of Agenda 2030, the initiative aims to lay the groundwork for an accelerated systemic change approach. This approach is instrumental in addressing urgent societal challenges and fostering accountability on a broader scale.

3. Common Understandings and Bridges: The initiative aims to initiate a process of aligning perspectives among various social agents. By creating a foundation of common understandings and bridges between sectors, countries, and actors, the initiative promotes a collective journey toward Iberian convergence, a pivotal step in achieving sustainable development.

OUR CONTRIBUTION

The ASyIm's multifaceted role proves indispensable in the initiative's success. ASyIm takes on the role of advocates, championing the cause of sustainable development and highlighting the importance of cross-sector collaboration. We disseminate the initiative's objectives, fostering widespread awareness and motivating active participation.

Serving as experts, ASyIm lends our in-depth knowledge and insights, guiding participants in comprehending the intricacies of systemic change. This expertise shapes conversations, ensuring that discussions are informed by evidence-based solutions and best practices.

ASyIm acts as conveners, orchestrating a platform where representatives from diverse sectors can engage in dialogue. This platform facilitates the exchange of diverse viewpoints, inspiring collaborative efforts, and steering the development of strategies for sustainable progress.

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