What is the Science-Policy Interface?
Provides the foundation for evidence-based policies, facilitates the use of science/technology as enablers in policy implementation and review, and provides a unique scientific lens into monitoring impact. Bridging gaps between science and policy is integral to identifying emerging trends, drawing links between the interconnected nature of thematic issues, and devising solutions to address challenges and barriers to progress. Living in an increasingly sociotechnical world, locally-informed and context-appropriate applications of science and technology are crucial in ensuring long-term resilience of development efforts. This has been reflected through the UN Secretary General’s Scientific Advisory Board, adoption of the Technology Facilitation Mechanism (TFM), and numerous other efforts to enhance the SPI within different UN entities and fora.
What is the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development?
The 70th session of the United Nations General Assembly was historic in ushering in a new era of sustainable development, making 2015 a year of transformative change. The UN Sustainable Development Summit saw the 193-member states adopt, celebrate, and make commitments to the “2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development”. The 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) highlighted are a revitalized commitment to build upon the progress achieved through the Millennium Development Goals to “leave no one behind” and close the gap of inequity, locally and globally by engaging everyone, everywhere. The SDGs are integrated and indivisible, balancing the three dimensions of sustainable development economic, social, and environmental) and establishing a framework for development over the next 15 years.
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What is the UN Major Group for Children & Youth?
The UN MGCY is a General Assembly mandated space for the meaningful engagement of children and youth in intergovernmental and allied processes within the UN related to sustainable development. It is a space for young people to discuss ideas, build networks, share opportunities, and work collectively towards expanding and advancing the role of children and youth in contributing to sustainable development, as well as an avenue to voice diverse opinions, perspectives, and experiences on a range of issues related to sustainable development policy.
To achieve this, it provides both online and offline platforms and avenues to foster dialogue amongst youth and other stakeholders including governments, ensures spaces for children and youth to prepare and present policy positions, conducts capacity building to participate in UN processes, hosts trainings for effective participation of young people, and coordinates logistics, formal inputs, and resources related to over a dozen UN processes.
What is the UN MGCY Youth Science-Policy Interface Platform?
Strengthening youth policy and practice in sustainable development by equipping our generation with tools to drive empirically-informed, context-specific, and fit-for-purpose change through science, technology, engineering, innovation, and data.
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Establishing collaborations and partnerships between UN MGCY and science/engineering/technology groups/platforms focusing on the follow up and implementation of the science-policy interface for sustainable development and related capacity building.
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Promote an evidence-based, data-informed approach to sustainable development policy
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Facilitating a youth science-policy dialogue at local, regional, and global levels in order to create linkages between sustainable development frameworks, identify emerging issues, and develop appropriate solutions.
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Educating and equipping youth with the tools to drive resilient sustainable development change and effective science communication for appropriate policy and societal impact.
