SDG Learncast

Future Ready Skills: Data Literacy & Storytelling for Sustainable Development Jul 10, 2026 00:29:32 What skills can help young people shape a more sustainable future?As we celebrate World Youth Skills Day this 15 July, we are looking at the essential, practical tools the next generation needs to make a real difference in sustainability. While progress toward global development relies heavily on tracking numbers and trends, numbers alone rarely inspire deep change or move people to action.To driv

Playgrounds, Songs, and Storytelling: Local Learning for Climate Action in Ghana Nov 13, 2025 00:37:42 How do you turn climate research into community action?In this episode, we head to Ghana to explore a vibrant, localized approach to knowledge brokering that blends traditional storytelling, local games, radio, and immersive technologies like virtual reality.Prince Ansah and Valerie Nutakor — innovators at the intersection of climate literacy, education, and cultural expression — share how they us

SDGs and Beyond: Rethinking Multilateralism for the Post-2030 Era Sep 5, 2025 00:24:00 As 2030 approaches, the Sustainable Development Goals stand at a crossroads. While some targets are within reach, others lag dangerously behind. At the same time, the global order is shifting. What happens to sustainable development in a world where trust in multilateralism is fraying, yet the need for collective action has never been greater? In this episode, we are so happy to welcome and speak

How to heal a river: What the Emscher teaches us about cities and nature Aug 27, 2025 00:14:05 In this episode, we dive into one of Europe’s most inspiring urban renewal stories: the transformation of Germany’s Emscher River. Once an open sewer running through the industrial heartland of the Ruhr, it’s now a thriving, green artery for wildlife and communities. Over 30 years and €5.5 billion, the Emschergenossenschaft and Lippeverband replaced 430 km of open wastewater channels with modern

What happens when AI becomes your startup mentor? Transforming online courses for entrepreneurs in the Global South Aug 1, 2025 00:34:55 In this episode, we dive into how artificial intelligence or AI is transforming entrepreneurship education. Our guests for this SDG Learncast are Dorina Dobra-Basca and Guillaume Lamothe from the International Trade Centre’s SME Trade Academy. They will take us inside their AI-powered pilot course which is on “Raising Funds for Your Business,” which engaged over 400 learners across 100 countries.

Europe at a Crossroads: Can the EU Lead the World to SDG Success? Jul 11, 2025 00:33:08 In this episode of SDG Learncast, we are speaking with Mr. Guillaume Lafortune, Vice-President of the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) and lead author of the Europe Sustainable Development Report 2025 (ESDR). We will unpack the key findings of the latest ESDR, examining the slowdown in SDG progress across Europe and the challenges that lie ahead.Set against a backdrop of rising

Beyond Natural: The Hidden Costs of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Expansion Oct 25, 2024 00:15:54 In this episode of SDG Learncast, we will explore the often-overlooked environmental and social impacts of liquefied natural gas (LNG) infrastructure expansion. Our guest from Earth Insight will unpack how the global push for LNG, often viewed as a cleaner fossil fuel, threatens coastal and marine ecosystems—from the Gulf of California to the Verde Island Passage and beyond. We will discuss the ur

Beyond Action: The Role of Inner Development Goals for a Sustainable Future Jun 14, 2024 00:19:08 In this podcast episode, we will look into the transformative power of the Inner Development Goals (IDGs) and how they support achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The IDGs offer a framework for cultivating the human capabilities, qualities, and skills essential for building a sustainable, equitable, and thriving future for all. In thi

Banking on Biodiversity: The Seed Savers’ Crusade Apr 29, 2024 00:23:32 The world faces a significant challenge in ensuring food security for its growing population amidst the threats posed by climate change. The increasing reliance on a narrow selection of cultivated crops due to industrial agriculture is causing a concerning reduction in the genetic diversity of plants. This narrowing pool poses a risk to global food security, making our food supply more vulnerable

What can we learn from the future? - The role of futurists in achieving sustainable development with Sohail Inayatullah of UNESCO Feb 29, 2024 00:16:00 In the face of complex development challenges, particularly in the context of Covid-19, what can we learn from the future? In this episode, SDG Learncast asks Professor Sohail Inayatullah, UNESCO Inaugural Chair for Future Studies, what can we learn from futurists and how do future studies help governments formulate and implement policies on sustainable development. As we try to build a sustainab

Global finance in transition: Reforming the global financial system for the SDGs Feb 22, 2024 00:16:06 In this episode, Guillaume Lafortune, Vice President of the Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN), discusses the critical theme of long-term financing for sustainable development and the need for reform in the global financial architecture. He highlights the challenges hindering the progress of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the estimated financing gap for the SDGs. Guill

“Great Buys” in Education: Maximizing learning in low and middle-income countries Dec 12, 2023 00:28:28 In this episode, we are featuring Benjamin Piper, the Director of Global Education at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Ben sheds light on the groundbreaking work of the Global Education Evidence Advisory Panel (GEEAP). With an exhaustive analysis of over 13,000 academic studies, GEEAP identifies the most effective and economical educational interventions. We delved into the intriguing co

Tomorrow's Classroom: Digital Transformation through Systems Thinking Oct 31, 2023 00:16:10 In this episode of the SDG Learncast, we feature Breanne Pitt, a researcher and educator, on the concept of systems thinking and its vital role in modern education. They explore the challenges and complexities of the digital age, discuss the impact of standardized testing, and delve into practical tools like the World Economic Forum's Transformation Maps. This enlightening conversation undersc

The Fight for Our Forests and Future: The Rising Threat from Oil and Gas Exploration Sep 8, 2023 00:18:38 Tyson Miller, Director of Earth Insight unpacks the escalating threats of oil and gas expansion in the Amazon and Congo Basin regions. Drawing from the Earth Insight's reports "Congo in the Crosshairs: New Oil & Gas Expansion Threats to Forests and Communities" "Crisis Point: Oil and Gas Expansion Threats to Amazon and Congo Basin Tropical Forests and Communities" and

Can Education Wait? A Deep Dive into Learning in Crisis Zones May 23, 2023 00:31:02 In this podcast episode, we're joined by Yasmine Sherif, the Director of Education Cannot Wait (ECW), as she discussed the importance of quality education in crisis situations. As a human rights lawyer with extensive field experience, Yasmine highlights the challenges of delivering education to the 222 million children lacking access today. Yasmine highlighted ECW's holistic approach to a

Achieving Sustainable Food Systems: How can we balance biodiversity conservation and food production? Mar 29, 2023 00:25:53 In this SDG Learncast episode, we delved into the challenges of achieving sustainable food systems and the balance needed between biodiversity conservation and nutrition. Our guests, Dr. Sarah Jones and Dr. Aline Mosnier, experts in food systems and biodiversity conservation, discussed the impact of agriculture on biodiversity and how we can meet global targets by 2030. They also explore the need

Space Power: Utilizing satellites to bring electricity to the most vulnerable groups in Sub-Saharan Africa - Camila dos Santos Gonçalves and Grace Chenxin Liu of the New York Academy of Sciences Jun 23, 2022 00:21:51 According to the Sustainable Development Goals Report 2021, although 46% of sub-Saharan Africa's population now has access to electricity--up from 33% in 2010--the region is far behind the global average of 90%. 97 million people in urban areas and 471 million in rural areas are still without access to electricity.   The lack of access is caused by several factors. On the demand side, there a

Countering disinformation and promoting integrity in public information: Breaking away from echo chambers - Dr. Julian Jaursch of SNV Berlin Jun 22, 2022 00:16:28 Misinformation and disinformation are pressing public issues. There has been a rapid spread of misinformation and disinformation. Sometimes we call them fake news. This happens online and offline and it affects everyone, every day. Receiving truthful and quality information is critical as we all depend on information to make decisions.  At the personal level, we need accurate information to m

Can blockchain technology help achieve the Sustainable Development Goals? - Thy-Diep "Yip" Ta of UNIT Ventures and DLT Talents May 18, 2022 00:21:48 Blockchain technology has been leveraged in humanitarian settings by the World Food Programme to deliver cash directly to beneficiaries securely and quickly, without the need to go through a local bank. The potential of blockchain applications in protecting the environment has also been tested to eliminate illegal fishing in the tuna industry. Blockchain applications are also being considered to p

The data revolution and new technologies: how we can use them to reach the most vulnerable groups? - Emmanuel Letouzé of Data-Pop Alliance May 12, 2022 00:20:37 The data revolution is the unprecedented increase in the volume and types of data—and the subsequent demand for them—thanks to the ongoing yet uneven proliferation of new technologies. We need data to formulate sustainable development policies. But it requires that we collect accurate data and use this evidence to inform policymaking. The use of evidence derived from data in policymaking requires

Creating a positive future with Artificial Intelligence - Jeanne Lim of BeingAI May 6, 2022 00:21:26 Artificial intelligence (AI) has helped the world estimate real-time precipitation worldwide since 2005. AI is also being used to inform emergency planning, track typhoons, and manage and prevent floods, droughts, and storms. But AI's use is not only for disaster responses and prevention.  In a 2020 study, a group of researchers found that artificial intelligence can enable the accomplishmen

How can we use science, technology, and innovation (STI) to achieve a sustainable future - Amb. Sergiy Kyslytsya and Amb. Kennedy Godfrey Gastorn of the STI Forum May 3, 2022 00:23:43 Science and technology intricately mesh together with society. You cannot see one without the other. However, transformational changes in science and technology do not always advance sustainable development and reduce inequality. More people have access to smartphones than clean water or clean sanitation in some countries. Artificial intelligence and blockchain technologies are growing, but so has

Is knowledge brokering the missing link between science and changing behaviours for sustainable development and climate action? Patrick van Weerelt of UNSSC Aug 22, 2021 00:22:13 Transferring science and research into policy and practice is a complex process, but failing to do so results in inequities and wasted resources. Finding appropriate mechanisms for the transfer of science and research into policies, programmes, and practice has become a major driver in finding approaches and solutions to achieving sustainable development. There has been a major push in the uptake

Dealing with climate emergency and disaster risks: How can we make climate and risk knowledge accessible to those who need them the most? Loretta Hieber Girardet of UNDRR Aug 22, 2021 00:23:13 There is a tangible gap between the current climate science on the one hand and policymaking and practice on the other hand. There is also an evident need for user-driven and decision-driven co-produced knowledge on climate change and disaster risks. Science-stakeholder collaboration is becoming an increasingly common way to address mismatches between the knowledge needs of stakeholders and the re

Goal-based development: Do they actually work? - Revisiting the UN goal-setting as a policy tool with Professor Jeffrey Sachs of SDSN Aug 22, 2021 00:27:24 Goals are an essential part of any action agenda. Together with setting targets, indicators, and timetables, goals can help measure progress, keep different actors and stakeholders on track, and allow for the assessment of achievement of any action agenda. However, conceptual questions need to be asked about whether they really work, what kind of incentives they create, when they are most effectiv

Understanding the skills gap and the sustainability gap - and what employers can do about it with Robert Marinkovich and Akustina Morni of the IOE Jul 16, 2021 00:21:00 In a pre-Covid survey, conducted by the International Organization of Employers (IOE) together with the International Labour Organization (ILO), of about 500 companies in all regions, it found that companies across the board felt the challenge of hiring and retaining skilled workers--it's getting more difficult to find people with the rights and new graduates are not prepared for the current jobs.

Is there a future for Micro-, Small-, and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs) in Developing Countries after Covid-19? - Lessons from the SME Competitiveness Outlook 2021 with Raphaël Dard of ITC Jul 16, 2021 00:22:10 The International Trade Centre conducted a survey on Covid-19 impact among businesses in 136 countries and the survey has shown that 60% of micro and 57% of small businesses were strongly affected by the pandemic, compared with 43% of large firms. One of the factors that contributed to surviving the crisis was the resilience of businesses. For example, during COVID-19, only 16% of resilient compan

The 99% of Businesses: How can we make SMEs in high-income countries more sustainable? Willem Overbosch of Ubiquity University Jul 16, 2021 00:21:35 Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are key players and national economies around the world. For example, in the OECD area, they represent 99% of all businesses, generating about 60% of employment and between 50% and 60% of value-added. Therefore, SMEs play a major role in delivering growth that is more inclusive and whose benefits are shared more broadly. Are SMEs in high-income countries aware o

The Changing Role of Learning for the Future of Work – Closing the skills gap with Sheila Jagannathan of the World Bank Apr 1, 2021 00:28:30 According to McKinsey, 45% of the jobs today will be lost in the next 20 years, mostly low-skilled jobs, while the World Economic Forum reports that our skills have a shelf life of 4.5 years. With the World Bank's twin goal of ending poverty and boosting shared prosperity, how does the Bank uses learning and knowledge exchange to address extreme poverty, lift the bottom 40% of the population, and

How to Hack Hackathons? - Using collective brainpower to solve food insecurity with Cristina Petracchi of the Food and Agriculture Organization Mar 1, 2021 00:17:13 How can we use learning in addressing complex global challenges such as food insecurity?  In this episode, SDG Learncast asks Cristina Petracchi, Leader of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) eLearning Academy on how the FAO supports countries in addressing the issues of food insecurity, food losses, and food waste. Cristina shares how FAO launched a 24-hour global hackathon and use c

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