South Africa’s aspirations to achieve the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals are in good hands.
The Goalkeepers South Africa (GKSA) Network, comprising representatives committed to sharing information, exploring collaboration, and sharing stories of impact, met in June at the offices of the Gates Foundation in Johannesburg to discuss the SDGs they champion.
Through sessions facilitated by the global health advocate Dr Tlaleng Mofokeng and the team from the Policy Innovation Lab at Stellenbosch University (SU), Goalkeepers from across the country had the opportunity to reflect on their work and deepen their impact.
The South African network forms part of a worldwide Goalkeepers initiative, founded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to inspire people to achieve the 17 global goals for sustainable development. It is currently the first and only country-level initiative of its kind, setting a precedent for localized efforts in driving sustainable development.
Prof Willem Fourie, as head of the Policy Innovation Lab which co-ordinates South Africa’s Goalkeepers community, was joined by Corina du Toit, Programme Manager for the SDG/2063 Impact Hub SU and coordinator of the GKSA network, and master’s student and intern at the Policy Innovation Lab Tinashe Chikunichawa.
- The SU team contributed to the event assisting delegates with understanding how the SDGs are interlinked and their role in fast-tracking the achievement of the SDGs. Fourie and Du Toit facilitated reflection on how Goalkeepers can incorporate inner development goals – such as self-awareness, critical thinking and empathy – into their projects.
Mofokeng, a medical doctor and UN special rapporteur, shared successful advocacy strategies and provided tips and tools for effective communication, including delivering impactful presentations and writing persuasive opinion pieces.
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The group proposed to hold regular online community meetings every six weeks to foster ongoing discussions and collaborations.