Summit of the Future cranks up
After two "action days" -- during which presumably all the deals get done -- the UN Summit of the Future will remind the world once again of the successes of the SDG program. While it sounds high minded, the actual proceedings in person could be a snooze. If some are broadcast live, we're just the nerds to have it in the background while we toil away at our desks.
The Logo - besides a cyan that's borderline obnoxious, the pipeline seems to go dirty-clean-dirty-eject into the sea or something. What's that all about? Do the windmill and the buildings clean it? And what about that biplane that looks like a satellite? Or is it the other way around? And of course the sun in the center, I bet children will be drawing that one like the SDGs. Yeesch. We're all so literal-minded these days but then logos in general seem to be distancing themselves from more abstract images...playing with fire, there, one supposes.
what about it?
Firstly, as long as there is good butt-in-chair billable work, stuff like that in the background - kind of like C-span for sustainability nerds - might not be terrible. UNESCO's Delhi broadcast earlier this summer was eyebrow-raising.
Secondly, it's a kind of a milestone when reports get published, so the Sustainable Development Guide people have to defend the program and have shared a Success Stories. What's so great about that? Ingenuity comes from watching what's going on all over, not just here. Technology - you never know where you'll see something creative.
Thirdly, I like the UN not because it's bloated, needlessly bureaucratic and hierarchical, but because its result isn't hurting. The result of so many other transnational/global enterprises seem to be hurting more than helping. Could the UN do its job as good as Exxon does its job? Well, if given Exxon's annual budget... the argument goes on and on. In the meantime it isn't actively contributing to war, famine, or oppression. At least not compared to some other...institutions...
You can read it here, feel free to share your observations with rtreep@richardreep.org.
In the meantime, if anything interesting happens, I'll let you know.
Simultaneous to the Summit of the Future, the Global Africa Business Initiative will hold "Unstoppable Africa: The Solution for a Global Future." Taking place in New York as well, GABI's agenda includes some interesting topics including:
Unlocking Inclusive Growth through Trade
Africa: The Solution for Clean Energy
Sport: And the Winner Is… Africa!
African Creativity for the World
The last topic looks kinda interesting, and apparently will feature a special film showcase titled “Bold Stories” dedicated to celebrating the transformative power of African women filmmakers in the entertainment industry.
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