The Problem

The UN's Sustainable Development Goals are the roadmap 
for a sustainable and equitable economy that ends extreme poverty by 2030. But since their launch in 2015, there has been only sporadic engagement across the private sector. Corporate leadership has varied widely with no shared standards of performance or measurement of results. The goals cannot be achieved without private sector support and leadership. Those who are supportive want to bring attention to their work in a way that elevates the issues above a singular brand and cuts through the noise.

The Strategy

Handshake worked with Goal 17 Partners at the World Economic Forum in Davos to bring together the private, public and cause sectors. To foster partnerships for the SDGs across the sectors, Handshake designed and produced 4-days of programming through a series of panels, workshops, intimate dinners, and round-table conversations. The conversations came to life through digital channels to “get the message off the mountain” and engage leaders outside of the room. Participants created lasting relationships that have turned into action-oriented partnerships advancing the SDGs.

The Outcome

Partners continued their commitments to ongoing efforts to advance the SDGs, convened at the Milken Institute Global Conference, Cannes Lions, and Global Goals Week. The partners also launched an Accelerator series of workshops to create a business school for the SDGs, elevating best practice and action plans for partners to integrate the goals into business models and practices. At Davos 2019, #Goal17Solutions became a trending hashtag and broadcast coverage including CNN International with David Beasley, Executive Director, World Food Programme and David Miliband, President & CEO, International Rescue Committee.