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It has been a little over a week since the 67th<\/sup><\/a> United Nations \u2018We The Peoples\u2019 conference concluded at the United Nations, but I dare to say that emotions are probably still running high along with a renewed sense of hope and purpose. The conference is hosted annually by the UN Department of Public Information and the NGO\/DPI Executive committee. It serves as an opportunity to discuss ways to take the UN\u2019s people-centered mandate forward, in a\u00a0close partnership with civil society. It is done in an effort to offer a platform for non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to work more effectively with the UN to implement the 2030 Agenda<\/a> for Sustainable Development \u2013 and to communicate and advocate for its implementation. The thematic roundtables this year were:<\/p>\n Being a first-time attendee at the conference, I did not know what to expect, however, I did know that I would be surrounded for two days with people from all across the globe, that believed it was important enough to make the trek to New York to talk about how to continue (or begin) the conversation of doing better on behalf of humanity. I must also mention that the voices of the youth delegation were strong and optimistic. To have them take a seat at the actual and proverbial table was a signal to all that we should be ready to actively listen to new ideas and solutions.<\/p>\n The opening plenary session gave Conference Chair, Winnie Byanyima<\/a> (Executive Director of Oxfam International), the opportunity to elaborate on the conference\u2019s theme of multilateralism and how it is time to make sure that the United Nations fully recommits and engages with civil society and to refocus its efforts on the 2030 Agenda. Chair Byanyima reminded the attendees to stay true to the purpose of the UN and that we need a rules-based system that must include the voices of ordinary people. Ghana\u2019s Permanent Representative to the UN, Martha Pobee, reminded attendees that civil society knows what works and doesn\u2019t work on the ground and that no one country can solve the problems alone. Pobee concluded her remarks by saying that civil society can make multilateralism strong but that civil society must also speak up.<\/p>\n Other guests at the opening plenary included Ambassador Juan Camacho<\/a> of Mexico. I thought his message was an insightful one. He said that we have to be truthful in conversations we have about the impact of global issues that we are confronted with daily – especially migration. His perspective on how we need to \u2018de-mystify\u2019 migration by sharing data and evidence was educational. He briefly delved into how the rate of migration has been consistent throughout history and has the potential to create wealth and prosperity for all. The opening plenary unquestionably set the tone for the workshops and themed roundtable that were scheduled with topics that appealed to the masses. Topics ranged from \u2018Many Faiths – One Belief to Education for Global Citizenship\u2019.<\/p>\n I am always interested in the role that the private sector plays in developing solutions to world issues. I attended the roundtable discussion on \u201cPublic-Private Partnerships to Implement the SDGs\u201d. This workshop included panelists from diverse organizations that recognize the value in the United Nations, NGOs and civil society expanding and engaging in more opportunities with the private sector to expound upon the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals.<\/p>\n\n
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