Advocating Together for the SDGs: How Civil Society and Business Are Joining Voices to Change Policy, Attitudes and Practices

Abstract

Civil society and increasingly businesses are using their voices and influence to drive the policies needed to achieve the SDGs The SDGs represent a complex systemic challenge. Governments must take the lead but face significant constraints: Governments must establish policies that address inequalities and protect the environment, commit resources and create frameworks for action that enables all sectors to play their part in the achievement of the SDGs. Governments though face significant challenges, including fiscal constraints, political divisions, state fragility, corruption and institutional failures. Moreover, they are often under pressure to deliver short-term results, whereas many of the complex systemic challenges being addressed through the SDGs require long-term integrated policy reforms that need to be pursued far beyond most government and electoral lifecycles.