UNITAR Holds Workshop, "Colalborative Leadership and the 2030 Agenda" 

23-26 February 2016, Geneva, Switzerland – After a successful pilot workshop in September 2015, the workshop, “Collaborative Leadership and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development,” took place 23-26 February 2016 at the Palais des Nations in Geneva.  The workshop was attended by 26 participants who represented diplomatic missions and other entities in Geneva.

Collaboration between different actors, agencies and groups is critical for the successful implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.  While the potential is high for positive collaborative relationships, the lack of such relationships also has the potential to drastically hinder the implementation processes required to achieve the sustainable development goals before 2030.

The workshop was facilitated by Ms. Sally Fegan-Wyles, former Assistant Secretary-General and former UNITAR Executive Director.   The training agenda, composed of four morning sessions, included presentations by experts on the 2030 development agenda, leadership skills, and collaboration, as well as numerous practical exercises to further hone the skillset needed for collaborative leadership. 

The workshop began with an overview of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development by Mr. Nikhil Seth, Assistant Secretary-General and UNITAR Executive Director.  It continued with an exploration of what collaboration is and is not, common barriers to collaboration, and actions for overcoming barriers that hinder effective collaboration.  Following this, the workshop drew on the expertise of Ms. Petra Lantz, former director of the UNDP Representation Office in Geneva, and focused on the development of leaderships skills, particularly those beneficial for collaboration, and introducing several skills-based exercises to identify, develop and practice relevant skills.  Throughout the agenda, participants explored the implications of collaborative leadership on the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development through sessions on the intersectionality of the Agenda and through related case studies.

Photo: Participants and speakers gather for the UNITAR workshop, "Collaborative Leadership and the 2030 Agenda"