THINC30 2020: The UN Sustainable Development Goals in the New Now: Relevance and Recovery

Four years ago, when Covestro held its first THINC30 summit, it felt like we had time.

Time to gather the Pittsburgh community together to begin the work of advancing the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals throughout our region. Time to roll up our sleeves, to forge connections and collaborate to do the hard work of creating the kind of just, equitable society we want to live in.

One that is sustainable and inclusive — open to everyone.

Now, given everything we’ve gone through this year, it feels quite different. Time, now, is of the essence.

The trifecta of global pandemic, racial justice reckoning and economic uncertainty, coupled with the climate crisis, have made the Global Goals not only more relevant than ever, but also more urgent.

Think about it. Ending poverty and hunger, eliminating inequality, reversing climate change, improving health outcomes, ensuring quality education and economic opportunity for all. These UN SDGs are the very goals catapulted to the top of the public agenda this year.

For me, the pandemic has been less about exposing social, environmental and economic disparities — unfortunately, they’ve been around a long time — and more about making them an imperative.

So, this year’s THINC30 will look a little a different. How could it not? First, we’ll be hosting the summit virtually, like most events this year. Next, we’ll be holding it over three days, mornings, in fact, on October 15th, 20th and 22nd. Each day will be devoted to one of the three pillars of sustainability with the themes, “Social Resilience,” “Environmental Justice” and “Economic Empowerment,” respectively.

The sessions will feature national, regional and local experts on topics ranging from “Preventative Health Strategies in Low Income Communities,” and “Managing the Local Food Chain,” to “Environmental Justice” and “Collaborating for Climate Change,” to “Investing in Female and Minority Founders and Entrepreneurs” and “Building an Inclusive Innovation Ecosystem.”

There are so many questions to be answered. Like how can we achieve quality education for all students when those in marginalized communities don’t have the tools necessary for remote learning during a pandemic? Or, how can cities, neighborhoods, organizations and businesses step up their sustainable practices to drive environmental justice? And, as we plan our economic recovery, how do we ensure everyone has a fair shot to participate and prosper?

It shouldn’t come as a surprise that the 2020 THINC30 summit has been planned through the lens of this very historic year. The myriad issues we’re facing can certainly feel overwhelming. I confess, they do to me. But the Sustainable Development Goals have given us a framework from which to work — a way to tackle them head on.

If 2020 has taught me anything, it is that everything is a process. Achieving equity and sustainability don’t happen overnight. But sometimes events like these of the past year have a way of putting a foot on the accelerator for change.

And, that, is a good thing.

We hope you will join us. To register: www.covestro.us/thinc30-summit.