"World Café" in Minsk Unites Generations to Achieve the Sustainable Development Goals
Belarusian State Pedagogical University named after Maxim Tank has become the center of dialogue between generations
On September 5, 2024, the Belarusian State Pedagogical University named after Maxim Tank became the center of a dialogue between generations aimed at defining a vision for a common future during the event "Sustainable Future," organized in the format of a "World Café."
This initiative was led by the Office of the UN Resident Coordinator in the Republic of Belarus, with support from UNICEF and the UN Country Team (IOM, UNDP, UNHCR, UNFPA), as well as the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Belarus.
The event attracted a diverse range of participants, including Youth Ambassadors of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), representatives of the Youth Parliament, volunteers, senior citizens, and UN experts, all of whom have an active role in society.
In his opening remarks, Rasul Baghirov, UN Resident Coordinator in Belarus, emphasized the importance of pluralism and dialogue: “Each of you brings your own experience, knowledge, and ideas. This diversity provides an opportunity to challenge established stereotypes and find innovative solutions, as well as to assess how similar our aspirations are.” He particularly highlighted the significance of “unity in diversity” as a foundation for fruitful cooperation.
During the event, participants learned about the upcoming Summit of the Future (September 22-23, 2024) and the Pact for the Future, which served as a starting point for discussions. Participants were divided into five thematic groups, each discussing one of the key topics of the Pact:
- Sustainable Development and Financing for Development
- International Peace and Security
- Science, Technology, Innovation, and Digital Cooperation
- Youth and Future Generations
- Transformation of Global Governance
Rustam Haydarov, UNICEF Representative in Belarus, addressed the young participants, stating, “Today, representatives of the 'silver age' are also present here. Even if they are not as well-versed in modern technologies as young people, they can still share life experiences and become mentors. Therefore, the presence of representatives from different generations in the discussion process allows us to receive balanced proposals based on lessons learned from the past while also demonstrating unconventional views on future challenges.”
The groups discussed not only their vision for the future but also specific strategies to achieve it, identifying potential drivers of change. The event marked an important stage in preparation for the upcoming Sustainable Development Council meeting (September 10, 2024), which will be held under the auspices of the National Coordinator for Achieving the SDGs. The Council will serve as a platform for discussing the country’s long-term development priorities and preparing for participation in the Summit of the Future .
The outcomes of these productive discussions will be compiled into a synthesis report prepared by the UN Country Team in collaboration with the SDG Youth Ambassadors. This report will form the basis for future initiatives, including the development of a new UN Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework for 2026-2030.
The Sustainable Future event exemplified cross-organizational and intergenerational collaboration, promoting greater youth engagement in decision-making processes.
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