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SDGs CONFERENCE 2024

25 September 2024, Tuesday | 10:00am – 4:00am EST | New York

630Second - Grand Ballroom | 630 Second Ave New York, NY 10016

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PANEL 1

Summit of the Future: Revitalizing the Pact for the Future

10:00am – 10:30am EST

Since its launch in 2014, the annual signature event of the Journalists and Writers Foundation has gathered more than 171 distinguished UN diplomats, heads of state, civil society leaders, and human rights activists from around the world. This significant conference has generated vital discussions on the advancement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) while tackling pressing issues related to peace and security. Over the course of three days, the event features additional activities and diplomatic exchanges that promote global collaboration among a range of development stakeholders, enabling civil society organizations to exchange successful strategies in an open environment.

At this crucial juncture, it is vital for leaders in civil society, human rights defenders, journalists, and intellectuals from diverse backgrounds to enhance their cooperation in order to bolster the United Nations’ progressive initiatives amidst substantial global changes. The SDGs Conference 2024 will host renowned experts and prominent speakers from various sectors to discuss three key themes: (1) The Summit of the Future: Revitalizing the Pact for the Future, (2) Ensuring Information Integrity on Digital Platforms and in Mainstream Media, and (3) Promoting Inclusive Global Governance.

25 September 2024, Wednesday 

10:30am – 12:00pm

PANEL 1: Summit of the Future: Revitalizing the Pact for the Future

Bringing renowned experts and high-level speakers from various disciplines, the first panel addresses the following topics:

  • UN 2.0: Amplifying Reforms in Multilateral Diplomacy and Strengthening the UN System
  • Reflections from the Nairobi Civil Society Conference: Unmuting the Civil Society
  • Leveraging Innovation and Emerging Technologies for Sustainable Development: Opportunities, Challenges and Regulations
  • Building Trust in Youth-Led Organizations and Increasing Investment in Youth Empowerment Initiatives

KEYNOTE
The Role of Education in Achieving the Pact for the Future

 H.E. Dr. Hajo Sani, OON

Ambassador,

Permanent Delegation of Nigeria to UNESCO

Nigeria

 Dr. Hajo Sani is an Educationist and Policy Analyst with extensive experience in teaching and public administration. She holds degrees in Education, Guidance and Counseling, and Public Administration. Dr. Sani served as a school principal for twelve years and as Minister of Women Affairs from 1997 to 1998, where she defended Nigeria’s CEDAW reports at the UN. She authored influential books on women’s issues, including “Women and National Development: The Way Forward” (2001), and founded the NGO Women and National Development (WAND).

Her other notable works include “First Ladyship and Empowerment Programmes in Nigeria” (2010) and “Women and Leadership” (2012). She has been active in various committees, including the UN Women Civil Society Advisory Group (CSAG), and received the Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON) in 2006. Dr. Sani worked with the Society for Family Health (SFH) and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and was appointed Senior Special Assistant to the President on Women Affairs in 2015. In 2021, she became Nigeria’s Ambassador and Permanent Delegate to UNESCO in Paris.

MODERATOR

 Jesselina Rana

 UN Advisor, CIVICUS

 USA – NEPAL 

Jesselina Rana serves as the United Nations Advisor at CIVICUS New York Hub, where she spearheads research and analysis in international law and policy, advocates for civil society participation, and advises on global trends concerning civic space issues from a multilateral and global governance perspective. By engaging closely with member states, UN personnel, and Civil Society Organizations, Ms. Rana actively collaborates with civil society partners in New York and beyond to drive transformative changes in civic space and civil society engagement at the international level. Jesselina Rana holds a master’s degree in law from Harvard Law School.

PANELIST 1
UN 2.0: Amplifying Reforms in Multilateral Diplomacy and Strengthening the UN System

Adj. Prof. Morten Kjaerum

Affiliated Professor, Raoul Wallenberg Institute of Human Rights and Humanitarian Law 

Denmark

Prof. Morten Kjaerum served as Director of the Raoul Wallenberg Institute of Human Rights and Humanitarian Law in Sweden from 2015 to February 2024. Prior to this, he was the first Director of the EU Agency for Fundamental Rights in Vienna from 2008 to 2015. Formerly, Prof. Kjaerum was Executive Director at the Danish Institute for Human Rights. He has written extensively on human rights, lectured globally, and held numerous roles, including serving on the UN Committee on Elimination of Racial Discrimination from 2002 to 2008. He chaired the European Council for Refugees and Exiles from 2015 to 2023 and was appointed by the UN Secretary-General to the UN Voluntary Fund for Technical Cooperation and the Voluntary Fund for Financial and Technical Assistance in 2017, serving as chair for three years.

PANELIST 2
Reflections from the Nairobi Civil Society Conference: Unmuting the Civil Society

 Nudhara Yusuf

Executive Coordinator, Global Governance, Justice & Security, Stimson Center

USA

Nudhara Yusuf is a Research Associate at the Global Governance, Justice & Security Program and Executive Coordinator of the Global Governance Innovation Network at Stimson. She previously worked with UNDP’s SDG Integration Team and Regional Bureau for Asia Pacific, as well as with the World Federation of UN Associations and the British Shadow Secretary of State for Justice. Ms. Yusuf is the Founder and Trustee of several grassroots NGOs in India and the UK, focusing on governance, globalization, emerging technologies, and youth engagement in multilateral institutions. She is Co-Chair of the 2024 UN Civil Society Conference and a fellow at the the Geneva Centre for Security Policy. Nudhara Yusuf has also been a fellow with UN University’s Center for Policy Research and an honorary advisor to the NGO Committee on Sustainable Development-NY.

PANELIST 3
Best Practices of BacharLorai: A Social Impact Agency led by Young-Professionals

 Anil Wasif

Co-Founder

BacharLorai 

Canada

Anil Wasif is a policy researcher and practitioner with extensive experience in government and non-profit sectors.  He is Co-founder, Trustee & Director of Strategy of BacharLorai, a non-profit focused on empowering Bangladeshis worldwide. He is also a Research Manager at Infrastructure Ontario. Mr. Wasif was formerly Senior Economist at the Office of the Budget, Ministry of Finance and Senior Policy Advisor to the Associate Deputy Minister, ServiceOntario. Mr. Wasif serves on the Advisory Board for the Max Bell School of Public Policy at McGill and the Governing Board at the University of Toronto Mississauga. He is also a Senior Fellow at Bangladeshi Canadian Community Services. He holds a master’s in public policy from McGill University and a bachelor’s in economics and political science from the University of Toronto.