United Nations launches 75th anniversary dialogues

UN Secretary-General Call to Participate in the World Biggest Global Conversation (Long Version)

What could possibly become the biggest global conversation on the world’s future. 

On New Year’s Day, the world saw the launch of the UN75 initiative – which the UN is proposing to be the ‘largest, most inclusive conversation on the role of global cooperation in building a better future for all.’ This new initiative will see the UN stimulate dialogues throughout the globe in move to bring more people together under the common cause of shaping our collective future; together, through dialogue. 

According to the press release, four ‘innovative data streams will build the first ever repository of crowd-sourced solutions to major global challenges.’ These dialogues will be formally organized by the UN75 initiative physically and online, but moreover can be organized by any person who desires to make a change. Along with a ’One-minute Survey’ , the results of these conversations will generate what they hope to be compelling data can be used to inform everything from international policies to community conversations. 

In his international call for participation, the Secretary-General said: ‘No country, no community, is able to solve the complex problems of our world alone. We need to come together, not only to talk, but to listen. It is absolutely essential that you all join the conversation. We need your opinion, your strategies and your ideas for us to be able to deliver better for the people of the world that we must serve.’ 

Intended to engage groups of people across geography and generations, this initiative is seeking to create a diverse and global conversation on the most pressing issues of our time, which affect us all. Issues such as the climate crisis, inequality, new forms of conflict and violence, and the rapid changes in demography and digital technologies are topics already being raised and UN75 has developed Issue Briefs to help guide and inform conversations. 

Initiatives of Change has long supported people and communities on their journey towards transformational change, which we believe is seeded by quiet reflection. We know that dialogues, listening and learning from one another, is key to bringing about the change needed in this world. It is exciting to see other institutions recognize the value of conversation and the inclusion of all voices. 

With renewed energy, we invite you to give us your thoughts and feelings on the topics that you feel are the challenges to creating a more just, peaceful and sustainable world. What would you like to see Initiatives of Change participate in, related to the global conversation? What actions will you be taking as an individual? We encourage you to visit the xChange to post your comments and get the discussion started, today!

To be a part of the UN75 conversation - physically or online – you can visit their website and be sure to check out their Discussion Toolkit. We look forward to listening and learning more as the year unfolds.