Circles of 17 circle the world
With the Earth Charter as the ethical foundation and the Global Goals for Sustainable Development as the ‘to do list’ of the world, WE ALL have a license to operate. The Circles of 17 accelerate engagement in society at all levels.
Everybody can play a role in creating a better world. We believe we can achieve Agenda 2030 and the 17 Global Goals for Sustainable Development. No one should be left behind. We, as Global Goals Accelerator, intend to contribute to the movement that empowers people to care for Earth and one another, our communities and families. To accelerate and realise the 17 SDG’s.
With the Circles of 17 we aim at connecting people from all walks of life, to make impact visible, to learn and multiply best practices. That is why we welcome Circles of 17 to start in communities, neighbourhouds, businesses and other places, all over the world.
With collective wisdom and action power we can make a difference. That is why we want to enable action through an open source connecting and knowledge platform, tools and shared experiences supporting Circles of 17.
We need to bring Agenda 2030 to all levels of society. Circles of 17 will facilitate multistakeholder engagement. Circles of 17 can be local, organisational or community based. In Circles of 17, individuals come together as goal keepers. Together they can identify common challenges and define what they can do to accelerate the implementation of all the goals. Each member (or group of members) of the circle is assigned to ‘adopt’ one of the goals and promote its realisation while the whole group takes on the responsibility to connect the 17 SDG’s with future generations in mind and thus ensure impact will be amplified within an interconnected framework. We are inspired by the holistic Earth Charter document which serves as our ethical framework, it is widely considered and endorsed as declaration of interdependence.
Who are we?
In the spring of 2016 the Global Goals Accelerator initiative started in The Netherlands, with the aim to accelerate awareness and implementation of the Global Goals for Sustainable Development. We are a multistakeholder network of networks, foundations and enterpreneurs. We organised dynamic marathon sessions in The Netherlands with 9 meetings in 6 weeks and facilitated conferences and meetings in partnership with others. At the end of each meeting participants expressed their wish to stay connected in order to increase and direct their impact but also for mutual motivation and inspiration. That is how the idea of Circles of 17 was born. The Global Goals Accelerator has a strong connection with the Earth Charter Initiative.
The Circles of 17 will work within the vision of the Earth Charter. Its worldwide network will help to start Circles of 17 all over the world. We hope our initiative will be of support to other international networks as well.
The Circles of 17 will start as a project of the Global Goals Accelerator and will be legally placed within the Amsterdam based Iona foundation.
Vision
Our vision is that it is possible to achieve the 17 SDG’s in 2030. In order to do so we need strong SDG-communities to accelerate the implementation at all levels of society worldwide. Since the 17 goals are strongly interconnected, we will work both on specific goals ánd on the underlying system changes that are necessary to realise the goals. System changes are needed at all levels of society, in policies and throughout value chains.
Aims
We have encountered many people with a strong will to connect to the Global Goals for Sustainable Development (SDGs). However, due to its complexity with hundreds of subgoals and indicators this is not always easy. Circles of 17 will create more understanding and focus and thus more impact. It will connect all this energy and build strongholds of people who want to push their ambitions further.
We aim at establishing the concept of The Circle of 17 at local, national and global levels. In schools, enterprises and municipalities. We intend to work on 2 levels in 2017;
We see the role of Circles of 17 in the following ways;
How to start a Circle of 17
Everybody can start a Circle of 17. Each Circle is asked to add a specific chapter-name to the name Circle of 17: Circle of 17 <chaptername> .The founder or founders of a new Circle can register their chapter through the support platform (to be constructed). They will receive approval for their suggested name and can start inviting members. 17 is a good number but goals can be shared or individual members can adopt several goals in the beginning.
At the start of each Circle, the Earth Charter can be endorsed, as the common decleration of interdependence and interconnection. This brings the ethical foundation to the practical implementation of the SDGs on the table.
Initiators of a new Circle invite their own participants and define their own scope. We recommend to set up a mixed group with different backgrounds and expertise, so that each member can add a new dimension to the group. Extensive knowledge of the SDGs is not necessary but willingness and sympathy with the goals as a whole or a specific goal to become an informed Goal Keeper.
What will the Circles of 17 do?
We see the Circles of 17 as future councils and action groups that accelerate the SDGs in their community (which can be a business, local government, school, NGO, etc. Each circle can define its own agenda. We suggest:
On the support platform we will provide hands-on tools to support the circles. The first ideas are;
Research
We will use action based research to ensure a solid foundation and find the right strongholds to start a circle.
Funding
Becoming part of Circles of 17, using the support platform and starting a circle should be free of cost. At the same time, participation is on a voluntary bases. Additional services will be offered by the founding organisation Global Goals Accelerator, on request. Depending on the request and the available capacity, (paid) services can be provided. Global Goals Accelerator, as the initiator and facilitator, can support Circles to find funding, for example:
We started; Circle of 17 <Originator>
In july 2017 the first Circle of 17 is launched in Amsterdam. This first circle will be functioning as pilot to develop the concept of Circles of 17. During the UN High Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development in July in New York the idea is pitched and received very well.
Initiative
Circles of 17 is an initiative of Global Goals Accelerator which was founded in 2016 and is managed by Alide Roerink (Earth Charter) and Veronique Swinkels (Duurzaamheids dialoog, BBK/Door Vriendschap Sterker). The idea of Circles of 17 is co-created with the Global Goals Accelerator advisory board which include Giuseppe van der Helm (Imengine, Cooperative Leren voor Morgen), Evert Jan van Hasselt (Huis der Nederlanden / Business21), Margreet van der Pijl (BEE Collective), Ignaz Anderson (director Iona Stichting, Earth Charter Friends), Nickel van der Vorm (Nivoz), Natascha Kooiman (Smaackmakers), Elske van Gent (New World Campus), Jan van der West (Huis der Nederlanden).
Contact
Contact: Alide Roerink and Veronique Swinkels
Email: [email protected]
Email:[email protected]
Website: www.circlesof17.com
Twitter: @sdgaccelerator
With the Earth Charter as the ethical foundation and the Global Goals for Sustainable Development as the ‘to do list’ of the world, WE ALL have a license to operate. The Circles of 17 accelerate engagement in society at all levels.
Everybody can play a role in creating a better world. We believe we can achieve Agenda 2030 and the 17 Global Goals for Sustainable Development. No one should be left behind. We, as Global Goals Accelerator, intend to contribute to the movement that empowers people to care for Earth and one another, our communities and families. To accelerate and realise the 17 SDG’s.
With the Circles of 17 we aim at connecting people from all walks of life, to make impact visible, to learn and multiply best practices. That is why we welcome Circles of 17 to start in communities, neighbourhouds, businesses and other places, all over the world.
With collective wisdom and action power we can make a difference. That is why we want to enable action through an open source connecting and knowledge platform, tools and shared experiences supporting Circles of 17.
We need to bring Agenda 2030 to all levels of society. Circles of 17 will facilitate multistakeholder engagement. Circles of 17 can be local, organisational or community based. In Circles of 17, individuals come together as goal keepers. Together they can identify common challenges and define what they can do to accelerate the implementation of all the goals. Each member (or group of members) of the circle is assigned to ‘adopt’ one of the goals and promote its realisation while the whole group takes on the responsibility to connect the 17 SDG’s with future generations in mind and thus ensure impact will be amplified within an interconnected framework. We are inspired by the holistic Earth Charter document which serves as our ethical framework, it is widely considered and endorsed as declaration of interdependence.
Who are we?
In the spring of 2016 the Global Goals Accelerator initiative started in The Netherlands, with the aim to accelerate awareness and implementation of the Global Goals for Sustainable Development. We are a multistakeholder network of networks, foundations and enterpreneurs. We organised dynamic marathon sessions in The Netherlands with 9 meetings in 6 weeks and facilitated conferences and meetings in partnership with others. At the end of each meeting participants expressed their wish to stay connected in order to increase and direct their impact but also for mutual motivation and inspiration. That is how the idea of Circles of 17 was born. The Global Goals Accelerator has a strong connection with the Earth Charter Initiative.
The Circles of 17 will work within the vision of the Earth Charter. Its worldwide network will help to start Circles of 17 all over the world. We hope our initiative will be of support to other international networks as well.
The Circles of 17 will start as a project of the Global Goals Accelerator and will be legally placed within the Amsterdam based Iona foundation.
Vision
Our vision is that it is possible to achieve the 17 SDG’s in 2030. In order to do so we need strong SDG-communities to accelerate the implementation at all levels of society worldwide. Since the 17 goals are strongly interconnected, we will work both on specific goals ánd on the underlying system changes that are necessary to realise the goals. System changes are needed at all levels of society, in policies and throughout value chains.
Aims
We have encountered many people with a strong will to connect to the Global Goals for Sustainable Development (SDGs). However, due to its complexity with hundreds of subgoals and indicators this is not always easy. Circles of 17 will create more understanding and focus and thus more impact. It will connect all this energy and build strongholds of people who want to push their ambitions further.
We aim at establishing the concept of The Circle of 17 at local, national and global levels. In schools, enterprises and municipalities. We intend to work on 2 levels in 2017;
- Starting and strengthening specific Circles of 17 (7 in the Netherlands and 7 across borders).
- Building a support-platform for people and organisations to start their own Circle of 17 (as soon as this platform is ready, you will find it here).
We see the role of Circles of 17 in the following ways;
- To unite people that want to work together, learn from each other, have a constructive dialogue and see how they can best cooperate to accelerate the SDGs on a local, national or global level. The Circles can consist of all sorts of combinations of citizens, youngsters, activists and professionals. Diversity is key.
- The Circles can take the role of an advisory board of citizens/employee/student council to represent the SDG’s in policymaking.
- To unite people within for example a business, a school, a university, a municipality, a government, a CSO, who act as promotor of specific goals and who advocate overall measures to accelerate all goals.
- To learn from other Circles around the world and tune in to one interconnected SDG-Community.
How to start a Circle of 17
Everybody can start a Circle of 17. Each Circle is asked to add a specific chapter-name to the name Circle of 17: Circle of 17 <chaptername> .The founder or founders of a new Circle can register their chapter through the support platform (to be constructed). They will receive approval for their suggested name and can start inviting members. 17 is a good number but goals can be shared or individual members can adopt several goals in the beginning.
At the start of each Circle, the Earth Charter can be endorsed, as the common decleration of interdependence and interconnection. This brings the ethical foundation to the practical implementation of the SDGs on the table.
Initiators of a new Circle invite their own participants and define their own scope. We recommend to set up a mixed group with different backgrounds and expertise, so that each member can add a new dimension to the group. Extensive knowledge of the SDGs is not necessary but willingness and sympathy with the goals as a whole or a specific goal to become an informed Goal Keeper.
What will the Circles of 17 do?
We see the Circles of 17 as future councils and action groups that accelerate the SDGs in their community (which can be a business, local government, school, NGO, etc. Each circle can define its own agenda. We suggest:
- To have at least 4 meetings a year (f.e. at the start of a new season with specific themes)
- To start each meeting with an update of each specific goal and focus on interconnectedness
- Share knowledge, examples and events with the support platform
- Generate and share actions
- Communicate to their own community and stakeholders
- Connect to a local or national partner that monitors and reports impact on the national level
On the support platform we will provide hands-on tools to support the circles. The first ideas are;
- Starter kit with the draft invitation and declaration of interdependence
- Instruction for moderation and topics for discussion (see the list of interconnectedness at the end of this document)
- Communication toolkit with logo’s, formats and social media posts
- Information on the SDG’s and policy developments
- Calendar
- List and contact-information of Circles
- Links to country information and impact assessment
Research
We will use action based research to ensure a solid foundation and find the right strongholds to start a circle.
Funding
Becoming part of Circles of 17, using the support platform and starting a circle should be free of cost. At the same time, participation is on a voluntary bases. Additional services will be offered by the founding organisation Global Goals Accelerator, on request. Depending on the request and the available capacity, (paid) services can be provided. Global Goals Accelerator, as the initiator and facilitator, can support Circles to find funding, for example:
- Funding through local, national and global government organisations and foundations and NGO’s
- Consultancy and organisational fees from all sorts of organisations who need support to start their own circle.
- Crowd-funding
We started; Circle of 17 <Originator>
In july 2017 the first Circle of 17 is launched in Amsterdam. This first circle will be functioning as pilot to develop the concept of Circles of 17. During the UN High Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development in July in New York the idea is pitched and received very well.
Initiative
Circles of 17 is an initiative of Global Goals Accelerator which was founded in 2016 and is managed by Alide Roerink (Earth Charter) and Veronique Swinkels (Duurzaamheids dialoog, BBK/Door Vriendschap Sterker). The idea of Circles of 17 is co-created with the Global Goals Accelerator advisory board which include Giuseppe van der Helm (Imengine, Cooperative Leren voor Morgen), Evert Jan van Hasselt (Huis der Nederlanden / Business21), Margreet van der Pijl (BEE Collective), Ignaz Anderson (director Iona Stichting, Earth Charter Friends), Nickel van der Vorm (Nivoz), Natascha Kooiman (Smaackmakers), Elske van Gent (New World Campus), Jan van der West (Huis der Nederlanden).
Contact
Contact: Alide Roerink and Veronique Swinkels
Email: [email protected]
Email:[email protected]
Website: www.circlesof17.com
Twitter: @sdgaccelerator
