UN launches global initiative to spark dialogues

AMMAN — The UN on Wednesdsay launched the UN75 initiative, which aims to spark dialogues in diverse settings across the world during 2020. 

In a statement made available to The Jordan Times, the global body said that the initiative is "the largest, most inclusive conversation on the role of global cooperation in building a better future for all".

As part of the initiative, four innovative data streams will build the "first ever" repository of crowd-sourced solutions to major global challenges in a "global reality check", the statement said.

Additionally, in a global listening exercise with an emphasis on youth and groups not already engaged with the UN, the UN75 initiative aims to better understand expectations of international cooperation in light of pressing global challenges, the statement said.

The UN75 dialogues, together with a "One-minute Survey" that anyone can take, opinion polling in 50 countries and artificial intelligence sentiment analysis of traditional and social media in 70 countries, will generate "compelling" data to inform national and international policies and debate, according to the statement.

In a call for participation, UN Secretary-General António Guterres said: “No country, no community, is able to solve the complex problems of our world alone. We need to come together, not only to talk, but to listen. It is absolutely essential that you all join the conversation. We need your opinion, your strategies and your ideas for us to be able to deliver better for the people of the world that we must serve,” according to the statement.

Intended to engage constituencies across borders, sectors and generations, the UN75 team is collaborating with a wide multi-sector network, including the UN Resident Coordinators, for a diverse and global reach, and for dialogues to be convened in every country of the world, the statement said.

The views and ideas that are generated will be presented by the secretary general to world leaders and senior UN officials on September 21, 2020, at a "high-level" event to mark the 75th anniversary.

To inspire and inform the dialogues, the UN is also partnering with Vox Media’s brand studio, Vox Creative, to create a video informed by interviews with 38 people from around the world, sharing their experiences and opinions related to important global issues, to be launched January 6, 2020, the statement said. 

Those who want to be a part of the conversation can find out how to join through the website: www.un.org/UN75.