THESUSTAINABLEDEVELOPMENTGOALS,CLIMATE&THEFUTUREOFEUROPE

Milan,May31st2018

Levers for a Leap Forward towards a NewSocialContract‘Europeans’ActionPlan2018-2020.

IntroductionTheMay 31st Conference on“SDGs, climate and the future of Europe”,hosted by UniCredit inMilan, sent three clear signals to Europeans. First, it tookplace in themoment thenew ItalianGovernmentwas formed.As observedbyBrunoColmant,we can see that the impact of socialdegradation on populations has faster political consequences than ecological degradation. Thisputs theEuropeanprojectas imaginedso far ingreatdanger, inparticular theEuro.Ouractionplan is focused on how to accelerate the transition and prepare a ‘leap forward’ to transformEurope,todeterminetheleversofactionandhowtoimplementthemthroughoutthecoming18months,periodduringwhichtheEuropeanCommissionwillnotintroduceanynewlegislation.The second signal coming from theMilan Conference has been the astonishingmobilisation inItaly around the 2030 Agenda as an alternative political plan to transform Europe. It is a veryencouraging sign, which should reverberate in Europe because of the strong participation oforganisationsfromallovertheEU.Becauseofthis,theactionplanisintroducedbyamappingofthepotential ‘eco-system’ofplayerscollaboratingas-one-brainandcommittedtomobilizetheirresourcesduringthe2018-2020periodsoastoactivatetheleverstoacceleratethetransition.The third signal has been the full endorsement by the First Vice-President of the EuropeanCommission, Frans Timmermans, of the five priorities proposed by the Europe Ambition 2030group,integratedbythesuggestionsoftheCEOoftheAdeccoGroupandoftheEESC,representedbyitsPresidentandtheChairofitsSustainableDevelopmentObservatory.ThisLeversforaLeapForward action plan is entirely oriented to leverage tools able to contribute to a successfulimplementationofthesefivepriorities.Another good news coming from theMilan Conference is the announcement by the RomanianGovernmentthatitwillconveneaconferenceontheSDGswiththeMinistersofForeignAffairsoftheEUandleadersoftheSDGspartnersonApril9th2019inoccasionoftheRomanianrotatingpresidencyoftheEU.Thisconferencewilllaunchan‘enhancedpartnership’withthecountriesoftheBalkans,theEasternPartnershipandCentralAsiasoastodemonstrateasuccessfulshiftfrommultilateralism to polylateralism. The action plan contains a series of enhanced partnershipinitiatives starting with a meeting this autumn on the themes of Migration, employment andwater.

Finally, this action plan hopes to contribute to societal innovations by empowering Europeanyouth.Forthisreason,duringtheMay30thsideeventhostedbyEurizonanddevelopedbytheYouth group Visegrad4Sustainability with the representative of the Responsible Finance &InvestmentFoundation,ayouthblockchain initiativewasexplored. Thiswasdone inviewofapartnership agreement that will be presented at the conference “People and Planet, InclusiveFinanceforSocialInclusion”,thatwilltakeplaceonSeptember20-21st2018,hostedbytheBankoftheArgentineNationinBuenosAiresintheframeworkoftheG20,whichwillhaveH.E.CardinalPeterTurksonaskeynotespeaker.EnricoGiovanniniDirectoroftheItalianAllianceforSustainableDevelopmentEuropeAmbition2030Group

SummaryFaced with a worrying geopolitical, social and environmental context, where efforts are directed atpreventingsocialdegradationandstrengtheningourresiliencebeforeacceleratedecologicaldegradation,weneeda'leapforward',an'evolutionaryleap'.Wehaveanagendaunanimouslyadoptedattheglobal level:the2030Agenda,TransformingOurWorld.WehavemultipledocumentsfromtheIMF,theOECD,theUnitedNationsandcentralbanksonclimateandsustainable development goals, but they are scarcely implemented. We have the support of moralauthorities,asevidencedbyPopeFrancis’EncyclicalLaudatoSi'.InEurope,wehave‘thehappiestcountriesintheworld’,withFinlandrankingfirst,accordingtotheUnitedNations.However,welackpoliticalwillandaEuropeanstrategycommensuratewiththechallengesofleadingEuropetoacceleratethetransitionandmakeasuccessofitstransformation.TheMilanConferenceofMay31,2018on SDGs, the climateand the futureof Europemarkeda turningpoint. Itproposedanewnarrative toTransformOurEurope,avisionofEurope in2030thatwouldhavesucceeded in implementing the commitments undertaken in 2015. This summary takes the form of aresponse to thecitizenconsultationon the futureofEurope,on the themeWewant tobeproudof theUnion.FiveprioritiesforaEuropeanstrategyhavebeenproposedandhavereceivedthesupportoftheFirstVice-PresidentoftheCommission,F.Timmermans.

• Buildinganewsocialcontractbyimplementingthegoalsofzeropoverty(SDG1),zerohunger(SDG2),reducedunemployment,reducinginequalities(SDG10),decentwork(SDG8),qualityeducation(SDG4).

• Returningtoaframeworksetbyglobalborderstoprotecthumanityandensuringasafeandsecurespaceintermsofclimatechange,biodiversityandnaturalresourcemanagement.

• MakinginclusiveandsustainablefinancealevertotransformEuropeandtheplanet.• Ensuringthefullandeffectiveparticipationofwomenandequalaccesstoleadershipatalllevelsof

decision-makinginpolitical,economicandpubliclifeandensuringequalopportunities(SDG5).• Promoting the rule of law and enforcing non-discriminatory laws, protecting fundamental

freedoms, ensuring good governance in terms of accountability, transparency, inclusiveness,

participationandrepresentationatalllevels,empowermenttointensifytheimplementationoftheSDGs(SDG16).

Forthe implementationof theabove, it isnecessaryforEuropeanstoorganizethemselves 'as-one-brain'and activate 'levers' to trigger a 'leap forward'.5 levers were put forward alongwith the actions to betaken.

• TransformtheEuropeanUnion,includingthemethodofelectingthePresidentoftheCommission.• ChangethewayinwhichCEOsandboardmembersoperate.• Empowermentdemocracy.• SustainableandInclusiveFinancePartnershipAgreementandYouthinActionInitiative.• Asfrom2019,developenhancedpartnershipswiththirdcountriesandtheirstakeholders.

EUConsultationontheFutureofEuropeContrarytotheprovisionsoftheEUTreaty,duringthelastyearssustainabledevelopmenthasnotbeenattheheartofEuropeanpoliciesinsuchawaythatthe2015unanimously-adoptedUNSDGswould be fully implemented and the transition accelerated. Sustainable development is notmentioned in the questionnaire circulated by the Commission in view of the 2018 citizensconsultation on the future of Europe. Because of this, we hereby submit the Europe Ambition2030 partners’ response to the first question of the Commission’s questionnaire. Every partnerwhowillparticipateinoneoftheMemberstateconsultationsisinvitedtopresentit.

WhatdecisionstakenatEuropeanUnionlevelwouldmakeyouprouderofbelongingtotheUnion?(5000charactersmaximum)

TheEuropeanUnioniscalledtoconfrontaseriesofcrucialproblemsconcerningoursocietiesandhavingtodo with serious social inequalities and environmental imbalances. Notwithstanding the many positiveresultsachievedinitshistory,itistimeto‘transformEurope’followingtheindicationsofthe2030Agenda.Thismust be a fundamental transformation, implyingmore and not less integration and concerning thefutureofallofus,whichmustbecomethecommonobjectiveofMemberStatesoftheEUInstitutions.We want to be proud of the Union having embraced, through the 2030 Agenda, its role vis-à-vis itsinhabitantsaswellasitsroleasresponsiblegloballeaderworkingfortheentirehumanity.Europecanandmust be the world leader of sustainable development, bringing together economic development, socialequality and environmental respect, relaunching “the European dream” of peace and well-being thatguidedtheEuropeanUnionforsomanyyears.TherisksforthefutureoftheEuropeanUnioncanbesolvedwith a strong political leadership based on the 2030 Agenda that aims to achieve the SustainableDevelopmentGoals.

AsNaomiKleinstated,«weknowthatthegapthatseparatesusfromourgoalsissodizzyingandthatthetimethatisleftissoshortthatsmallstepswouldnotbeenough.Inthefaceofdangerwehavechosento

cometogetherandmakeanevolutionaryleap»,inspiredbyEinstein’svisionaccordingtowhich«wecannotsolveourproblemswiththesamethinkingthatweusedwhenwehadthemcreated».Therefore:We want to be proud of a paradigm shift based on a mindset change that is deeply rooted inmainstreamingculturalchanges:(i)recognisingthatourinterdependenceswillleadtodevelopanewformof leadership that canmake the best of these interdependences, organizing ourselvesas-one-brain, (ii)recognizing the feminine aptitudes of compassion, collaboration, empathy and creativity, present inwomen andmen, as ‘the operating system of twenty-first century progress’, (iii) thanks to the youngergenerations’desiretochangeanddeterminationininfluencingeldergenerationsabouttheimportanceofinvolvingyouth,wewillhaveputinplaceadvanceddecision-makingmechanisms.

WewanttobeproudofhavingprotectedandenhancedEuropeanvalues,securedcoherencebetweenEUactions and values as established in the EU Treaty, the Charter of Fundamental Rights and the UNagreementsandTreaties.

Wewanttobeproudofhavingleveragedthedigitalrevolution,thesustainablefinancerevolutionandthesocietalrevolutiontotransformcitizensin‘cooperators’ofhumanityandoftheplanet.BuildingontheUnitedNationsTransformingOurWorldAgendaandtheCharterofFundamentalRightsoftheEU,wewant tobeproudofhaving setourselves five implementationprioritieswhichhavesystemicproperties(dominoeffect)andwhichwillhavetransformedourEuropeby2030:• Build a new social contract by implementing the goals of no poverty (SDG1), zero hunger (SDG 2),

reduced unemployment, reducing inequalities (SDG10), decent work (SDG 8), quality education(SDG4).

• Returntoaframeworksetbyplanetaryboundariestoprotecthumanityandensureasecurespaceintermsofclimatechange,biodiversityandnaturalresourcemanagement.

• MakeinclusiveandsustainablefinancealeverfortransformingEuropeandtheplanet.• Ensurewomen'sfullandeffectiveparticipationandequalaccesstoleadershipatalllevelsofdecision-

makinginpolitical,economicandpubliclifeandensureequalopportunities(SDG5).• Promotetheruleoflawandenforcenon-discriminatorylaws,protectfundamentalfreedoms,secure

good governance, accountability and transparency, as well as inclusive, participatory andrepresentativedecision-makingatall levelsandempowermenttoscaleuptheimplementationoftheSDGs(SDG16).

Tomeetthese5priorities:WewanttobeproudofthewaythePresidentoftheEuropeanCommissionwillhavebeenelectedin2019andtheCommissionservicesrestructuredin2020inlinewiththeSDGs.TotransformourEuropewemustchangeitspoliciesandgroundthemonanewunderstandingandnewformsofaction.ThisiswhyweareproposingachangeoftheeligibilitycriteriaforthepresidentsoftheEuropeaninstitutions,whowillneedtosubscribetoandacceleratetheenactmentoftheUN’s2030Agenda.WewanttobeproudofhavingscaledupanddisseminatedsuccessfulpositiveexamplesofEUCountrieswith excellent results in the key variables ofwell-being (income, life expectancy, employment, freedom,

trust,qualityoftheenvironmentetc.)andchampionsofsustainabledevelopmentdemonstratingthat‘theworldoftomorrowisalreadyhere’.Wewanttobeproudofhavingbeenabletoaccelerateandstrengthenthesechanges,alsowiththeobjectiveofincreasingthecompetitivepositionofourContinentintheglobalarenaoftechnologiesforsustainabledevelopment.Weknowthatwemustgettowherewehaveneverbeenbefore.OnanewEarth.Weknowthatthiswillbepossible only through partnerships among state and non-state actors, men and women, differentgenerations.WewanttobeproudofEuropehavingdeveloped‘enhancedpartnerships’amongstateandnon-stateactors,toconfrontthreatssuchasclimatechange,thebiodiversitycrisisandsocial inequalitiesinsideandoutsideEurope.

TowardsaNewSocialContractanditsActionPlan2018-2020The2030Agenda 'TransformingOurWorld' isan invitationto 'TransformOurEurope'andmakeEuropeans the champions of the 'leap forward of humanity' that is necessary to face thechallengesof the21stcentury. Wewillonly succeed inbuildingapoliticalmodelbasedon thepost-1940-45warperiodspiritofsolidarityifwearereadytosupportthedevelopmentofanewparadigm based on the European acquis and social welfaremodel, which includes climate andenvironmentalstability,economicandfiscalsocialresponsibility,equalityandequity.Weneedtoleavethe‘policyofsmallsteps’behindus.AsNaomiKleinnoted,thegapthatseparatesusfromourobjectives issodizzyingandthetimetoactsoshort, that far-reachingstepstoaddressandmitigate the risksare requirednow:weneed towork together tobringabout “anevolutionaryleap”.WeembracedEinstein’svisionthat“wecannotsolveourproblemswiththesamethinkingweusedwhenwecreated them”and identified initiativeswhichcouldcontribute toa ‘leap forward’.Allinterestedpartiesofthisactionplan2018-2020areexpectedtocommitthemselvesto‘change’,‘innovation’and‘co-creation’,knowingthat“behindalltransformationisachangeintheculturalparadigmandbusinessmodel”. Soeach stakeholder that is ready tomobilise in supportof thisaction plan to accelerate change should empower herself/himself and work in a value chainperspective. All should be ready to change, recognising our interdependences lead to thedevelopmentofanewformofleadershipthatcanmakethebestoftheseinterdependences,andwhere compassion, collaboration, empathy and creativity, present inwomenandmen, are ‘theoperatingsystemoftwenty-firstcenturyprogress’.Welookattheworldasitisin2018andthetransformationsthataretakingplacewithcoldbloodanddetermination.Weareall committed tobuildingacreativeand resilient society ‘leavingnoone behind’ and collaborating ‘as-one-brain’ to ‘unleash and embrace the full potential of allindividuals (…),to improvethewelfare,happiness,andsecurityofall—employingtransformativetechnologies to do so at scale’, to harness the potential of human and civic capital, key tosustainabledevelopment,inclusiveeconomicgrowth,wellbeingandsocietalstability.We intend to prepare the EU and its citizens to be resilient and innovative, as well as to bepartnersinachievingtheoutcomesofthe2030Agendaglobally,withavisionbasedoncommongoods, solidarity and the richness of our interdependencies. As 'the Council emphasizes thatsustainabledevelopmentisattheheartofEuropeanvaluesandisanoverridingobjectiveoftheEUasdefinedintheTreaties1",thisactionplandoesnotincludeTreatychangesbutisbasedonthefollowingobservations:1ConseilAffairesGénérales,2017.

Thecompositeindicatorsthatmeasurethesustainabilityofthe28MemberStatesshowthatoverthecourseofthepastfewyears(2012-2015)signsofclear improvementarerelatedtotheSDGrelatingonhealth(Goal3),education(Goal4),genderequality(Goal5),cleanenergy(goal7),work(Goal8), innovation, industry and infrastructure (Goal9) sustainable cities and communities(Goal11),responsibleconsumption(Goal12)andactionsagainstclimatechange(Goal13).Ontheotherhand,therehasbeenasignificantworseninginthefieldsofequality(Goal10),lifeonearth(Goal15) and peace, justice and strong institutions (Goal16). Finally, there have not beensignificant variations for the Goals related to poverty (Goal1), hunger and food (Goal2) andpartnershipsfortheGoals(Goal17)2.

The levers for a leap forward towards a new social contract have been selected for their highsystemicpotentialalongthe‘valuechain’andaccrosstherangeofchallengesthatlieaheadofus.Somearehighlypolitical,butinatimeinwhichtheEUis“frozen”bythe2019EUParliamentandCommission election/nomination, EU Member States and in particular the EU rotatingpresidenciesshouldmakethedifference.Someleverswillhopefullyhavea‘disruptive’impact.Tobeabletoachievethis,strongsegmentsofsocietysuchaswomenandyouthareexpectedtoplayakeyroletomakethis2018-2020actionplanasuccess.Creatingasociallyjust,rule-of-lawandhuman-rightsbasedsocietyimpliesgenderequalityandequalopportunitiesforwomeninthepolitical,economicandsocialdomains.Youngpeoplearerecognisedhereasequalpartners, leaders intheirownright,actingaskeyagentsofchange for development. This action plan embraces youth in an intergenerational governancestructure.These levers will mobilize citizens and organizations as well as the potential of the digitalrevolution,therevolutionof“financeforsustainability”andtheethicalrevolutiontoscaleupandacceleratethetransitionintermsofequityandequalityofopportunities.

OnMay31st2018,inMilan,welaunchedaEuropean-as-one-brainoperationsothatnetworks,partnerships,initiativescontributingtotheimplementationoftheSDGsandclimateagreementworktogethertorespondtotheneedtomakea'leap'towardsa‘newsocialcontract’.

Europeans-as-one-brain will start as a European eco-system of organizations and processesfocusedonthefiveprioritiesabove.Afirstlistofpartnersofthis‘eco-systemofEuropeans-as-one-brain’ispresentedhere.

The interested partnerswillmeet in September 2018 to agree on how to activate the leverslistedmakinguseoffour"assets":knowledgecapital,civiccapital,financialcapitalandnaturalcapital.

2ASviSReport2018.

Whenhumanbeingsdevelopculturethroughnewagreementsornewformsoforganization,theresult is a corresponding development for human consciousness through the network effect ofculturaltransmission.Inaninstitutionalcontextwhereachangeoftreatieswouldrequirealotoftime,andwhilewewerefacingemergencies,thisactionplanintendstomobilizetomeetthefiveprioritiesinanewwaywithfivemainleversforaleapforward:

• TransformtheEuropeanUnion.• ChangetheCEOsandCompanyBoardMembers’modusoperandi.• EmpowermentDemocracy.• SustainableandInclusiveFinancePartnershipAgreement• DevelopenhancedpartnershipswithThirdCountriesandtheirStakeholders

The5LeversforaleapforwardtowardsanewsocialcontractGovernancechangesinsupporttothefivepriorities

In order to accelerate the transition with a focus on the five priorities proposed by EuropeAmbition2030,aseriesofgovernancechangesareneeded.Theseconcernallsectorsandwillactas‘leversforaleapforward’thankstotheirsystemicimpact.

Thiswillbepossiblebecausepoliticalparties,boardsofdirectors,shareholderassembliesmight

be taken over by citizenmovements using the digital revolution tools to impact trust and riskratingagencies forwhichriskmanagementhasprofoundlyevolvedwithmajorrepercussionsontheinterestratesoftheloansneededbyStates,Regions,CitiesandEnterprises.

Thisactionplandoesnot intendtoaddressthe‘content’ofeachofthefivepriorities,but limitsitselftoaddressinggovernance-relatedissueswhichcouldhaveasystemicimpact.1. TransformtheEuropeanUnion

ChangetheCommissionPresidentelectionmodusoperandiWith the the results of the Italian elections of March 2018, the assessment of the JunckerPresidencyinmindandthe2019Europeanelectionsinthespotlightwecan’trisklosingfiveyears.By2019,alargecoalitionshouldchangethewaythePresidentsoftheEuropeanInstitutionsareelected/nominated: committing to accelerate the implementation of the SDGs and Climateagreementsneedstobecomeaconditiosinequanontobeelectedornominated.

In2019,allthecandidatestothepresidencyofoneoftheEUinstitutionsshouldbeinvitedtosignatwo-pointdeclaration:

Considering sustainable development is at the heart of European values and is an overridingobjectiveoftheEUasdefinedintheTreaties3

Icommitmyself,asPresidentofaEuropeaninstitution,tohelpacceleratetheimplementationofthecommitmentsmadeintheframeworkoftheUnitedNationsagreementssignedin2015ontheSDGsandclimate.

Iundertaketovoteonlyforacandidatewhohassignedthisdeclaration.

ThesameshouldhappenforPrimeMinisters,PresidentsofRegionsandMayors.

3ConseilAffairesGénérales,2017.

ChangetheOrganizationchartoftheEuropeanCommissionanditsServicesTheportfolioofthe2020-2025Commissioncollegemembersaswellastheorganizationchartofthe Commission Directorates should be aligned to the 2030 Agenda. Candidates to theCommission Presidency should present their proposals in advance with respect to Europeanelections.

EUBudget2020-2027managementTheCommissionreflectionpaperlooksatchallengesandputsthekeyelementsfordiscussionon

the table, structuring themaround the five scenariosof theWhitePaper.Themissing scenario:thebudgetalignedtotheSDGstargets.TheEuropeanParliamentresolutionontheMFFrequestsan‘alignment’oftheEUBudgetontheSDGs.

The EU MFF should be aligned to the SDGs and serve to accelerate the transition. FundingshouldbeallocatedonthebasisofanSDGimpactanalysis.Anempowermentmechanismusingtoolsofthedigitalrevolutionshouldbeinplacetomonitortheimplementationandfightagainstcorruption(blockchain).

PublicDeficit

Apermanent citizenobservatoryon thebudget and thedebt at EUandMember State levelsshouldbeestablished.

ItwouldallowEuropeancitizenstoappropriatethequestionsofpublicbudgetanddebt,andthe

choicestobemade,atEuropeanandnationallevels,becausetheyaredeterminantsindecisionsto allocate budgetary resources to both contain the debt and achieve the SustainableDevelopmentGoals.

EUtradepolicyintheframeworkofthe2030Agenda,withafocusonhealth-relatedissues

All new trade agreements should be based on a new governance scheme and support theimplementationofSDG3to“Ensurehealthylivesandpromotewell-beingforallatallages”,inordertoeffectivelyimplementtheSDGs,andtoensureahighlevelofhealthprotectioninallEUpolicies(TFEUarticle168).

Consolidatethenewsocialcontract

TheCharterofFundamentalRightsandthePillarofSocialRightsshouldberevisedtogetherinthe

lightoftheSDGtargets.Thisshouldleadtothedesignofthenewsocialcontract.

MoreambitiousSDGtargetsforEurope,debatedbytheEUSDGplatform,shouldbeestablishedduringaspecialEuropeanCouncilin2020.MoreambitioustargetsthantheUN2015agreementrelated to education (SDG4), poverty (SDG1), good health and well-being (SDG3), inequities(SDG10)4,foodsystemsandnutritiousfoodforall(SDG2),environmentandresourceefficiency(SDGs13,14,15).

2.ChangetheCEOsandCompanyBoardMembers’modusoperandi

Havingestablishedstrongsustainabilitycommitments,companieswiththerightboardgovernance

systems, includingformalboardmandates for sustainability,boardexpertiseon sustainability,andexecutivecompensationlinkedtosustainabilityarebetterpositionedtodeliversustainabilityperformance5. There is no doubt that company commitment from the top is a key driver forchange.Ithasbeenrepeatedlydemonstrated.

LeadingCEOs

Weneedcompaniesthathavedemonstratedsuccessfulintegrationofsustainabilityasacorepartoftheirbusinesspractice,withcommitmentatalllevelsofthecorporationstartingwiththeCEOandtheBoard,interaliatoensuringgenderbalance;thathavedemonstratedtheircommitmenttoinnovationtoprovideground-breakingsolutionsintheirindustry/servicetocriticalenvironmentalandsocialchallenges;andthathaveinvestedingloballeadershiptotransformmarketconditionssoastoaccelerateprogresstowardasustainablefuture.

CEO commitment to contribute to the implementation of the SDGs should become a

requirement.Boardmembers’portfolioshouldbestructuredinaccordance.

Goodcorporatecitizenship.Changebusinessmodelsnow

The development of loyal relationships with customers, employees, shareholders and otherstakeholders is becoming one of themost important determinants of commercial viability andbusinesssuccess.Increasingshareholdervaluewillbebetterachievedifacompanycultivatesthesupportofallthosewhomayinfluenceitsperformance.

4Oùvalemonde?(Whereistheworldgoing?)PascalLamyandNicoleGuesotto.EdO.Jacob2017.5CERES.https://www.greenbiz.com/article/sustainability-governance-integrated-governance

Companies should have a workable management system for auditing and transformingstakeholder relationships6as well as introducing a new accounting system in line with thepriorities1–newsocialcontractand2-safeoperatingspaceforhumanity7.

Performance indicators will be the subject of a conference in 2019 organized by the Finnish

PresidencyoftheEU.

Corporatesshouldadoptmoreambitiousscience-drivensustainabilitytargets,asmartbusinessstrategyaswellasgoodstewardship.

Theoutcomesof risk assessment in thepublic interestwill guide actors in theeconomyand infinance(steeringprocessesandcontentof“ESG”,including“paymentsforeco-systemservices”ofwhichcarbonpricingasthemajorexample).

With the help of the digital revolution, with new forms of partnership and transparency,performanceindicatorsoftheeconomicandfinancialsystemaswellastheirmanagementandmanagementbodiesshouldbereconfigurated.

Requestratingagenciestodomore(Goal10)

Requestratingagenciestoaddanewindicatortotheirratingcriteria.ItshouldcontributetoSDG

10:toreduceinequality,policiesshouldbeuniversalinprinciple.

RatingswillincludethelinkbetweensustainabledevelopmentperformanceandthefeeandpaystructureofFinancialinstitutionsandCompanymanagersandexecutives.

Decentworkforall(Goal8)

Tocreateasocietythatisfitforthefuture,workisthebestintegratorandsocietiesshouldmovebeyond thestale structures of the 20th century to facilitate social innovation. This includesenablingdiverseformsofworkandreformingsocialprotectionsystemstoprotectallworkers.

Intoomanyplaces,havingajobdoesnotguaranteetheabilitytoescapefrompoverty.Thisslowandunevenprogressrequiresustorethinkandretooloureconomicandsocialpoliciesincludingequalpayforequalwork,aimedateradicatingpoverty.

6The Stakeholder Corporation – A Blueprint forMaximizing StakeholderValue by David.Wheeler (Author),Maria.Sillanpaa(Contributor)7EnvironmentProfit&Loss(EPL)promotedbytheConservationPrivateInvestmentCoalition(CPIC).

Acontinued lackofdecentworkopportunities, insufficient investmentsandunder-consumptionleadtoanerosionofthebasicsocialcontractunderlyingdemocraticsocieties:thatallmustshareinprogress. Thecreationofquality jobswill remainamajor challenge foralmostall economieswellbeyond2015.

Sustainableeconomicgrowthwillrequiresocietiestocreatetheconditionsthatallowpeopletohave quality jobs that stimulate the economy while not harming the environment. Jobopportunities and decent working conditions are also required for the whole working agepopulation.

Decentworkandnopoorworkersareobjectivesembracedby somecompanies. TheywillbeamongsttheSDG8championsto leadchange.Skillsneedtomove intothefocusofbusiness.Incorporating skillsprogrammesshouldbean investment,nota cost. Leadingcompanies thataremembersoftheEuropeans-as-one-brainwillbeexpectedtohavesuchastrategyinplace.3.EmpowermentDemocracy

Citizen-cooperatorofplanetandhumanity

Anewwaytomakepoliticsistosupportthechampionsofaneweconomyandanewsocialcontract,conceivingindividualsasCitizen-cooperatorsofplanetandhumanity.Tothinkofpoliticsasbeingattheserviceoflocalinitiatives,inordertoallowthemtoflourishbyremovingtheconstraintsthatcouldweighonthem.Inthiscontext,localtransitionexperimentsmustbeaidedindialogueand"citizensintransition"mustbehelpedtoreachacriticalmassinordertocreateasystemicchangeover8.Thetransitionmustbeorganizedonthebasisofanin-betweenthatwouldbreakthetraditionaloppositionbetweenthetop-downandthebottom-up,betweencentralizedanddecentralizedmanagement.Thisisthedefinitionofthe‘empowermentdemocracy’,composedoftop-downinitiativesrelatedtoaccesstoinformation,accesstojustice,transparency,whistlersprotection,assessmentoffundamentalrightsbreachandbottom-upinitiativesempoweringcitizensasvoters(especiallytheyoungandwomen),purchasers,retailinvestorsusingtoolsasblogs,massiveinvest-divest,boycottcampaigns,CompaniesAGMvotesetc.

Saidinitiativesshouldsupportthe"citizen-cooperator"ofhumanityandtheplanet,usethedigital

revolution linking platforms, blockchains, partnerships, universities and youth movements andcontributing to a virtuous circle accelerating the implementation of SDGs and fighting againstcorruption.

Besidesempowering,ensuring thatall Stakeholdersengage is key. Engagement is thenecessary

counterparttoEmpowerment,ensuringimpact.

8OlivierDeSchutter.

EmpowermentDemocracy should contribute to the implementationof SDG16dedicated to thepromotionofpeacefulandinclusivesocietiesforsustainabledevelopment,theprovisionofaccesstojusticeforall,andbuildingeffective,accountableinstitutionsatalllevels.

In the context of developments in society globally driven by the digital society andmore inparticularknowledgesystems,partnersoftheMilanMay31stconferenceagreetocontributetoa Europeans-as-one-brain endeavour using the digital revolution to develop a virtuous circlebasedoncommitmentsmonitoringsystemandpeertopeerdialogue.Theframeworkoutlinedhere isdesigned tostrengthenaccountability, followuponcommitments,enablesolutions toscaleupandstrengthenavirtuouscircletoachievingajusttransitiontosustainability.

Mobilisethepoweroftheconnectedcrowd(Goal4)Wewill contribute to a quest for transparency and inclusiveness on the implementationof theSDGs.Wewillactivatethepoweroftheconnectedcrowdandputhumanityandempathybackoncenterstage.Wewillbringtrustthroughtransparencyandhonesty,wewillhighlightempathyandvalue positive emotions that generate a strong bond of trust. The proof will be validated bycustomers,users,citizens.TheSDGswillbeanincentiveforconstantimprovement.Inthedigitalworld,theconnectedcrowddecides.Throughitsinteractions,theconnectedcrowdcan becomeour ally.Wewill collectively and collaboratively use the new tools of the digitalrevolution to connect, share and collaborate, monitor progress and develop peer to peerdialogue.TheMemberStateand/orRegionalLevelThenewSocialContractwillrequireamindsetshiftinasmuchgradularityaspossible,takingintoconsiderationthespecificitiesofeachEUMemberState.

TheCircularEconomycouldbringsignificanteconomic,environmentalandsocialbenefitstotheEuropeanUnion,itsMemberStatesanditsproductivefabric.ItcontributestotheimplementationoftheSustainableDevelopmentGoals.Theconceptof‘commitments’intheframeworkof‘sharedresponsibilities’iskey.

Inordertodeliver,inaccordancewiththesegoals,resourceefficiency,jobcreation,low-carbonprosperity,ahealthyenvironment,cleanproductionandsustainableconsumption,itisnecessarytotakeaholisticapproachbyworkingacrossanumberofpolicyareas.

FailuretoaddresseveryaspectoftheissuebydevelopingpartialsolutionswillpreventtheEUfromenjoyingtheoverarchingbenefitsthecirculareconomycanprovide.

ThesameistrueforotherEUpolicies.Thereisaneedforintegratedmulti-stakeholdervaluechainstrategyaddressingtheSDGsandPlanetaryBoundariesasResourceEfficiency&Circulareconomy,Climate&Energytransition,Bio-Economy&SustainableAgriculture,LifeStyle&Behavior.

National platforms on SDG implementation need to be scaled up and festivals of initiativesshouldbepromoted.

Thelocallevel(Goal13)ThemainparadoxinimplementingtheSDGsisthatmostinitiativeshavetobecarriedoutatlocal

level.Yet,locallevelactorsmaylackknowledgeontheissueormoney,contrarilytohigherlevels.The opinion of the Covenant of Mayors is that local multi-stakeholder platforms have to becreatedandsupported.Themainissueistofindawaytomobilizecivilsocietyandtocreateanintermediatelevelwhichcanactasabridgebetweenlocalandgovernmentallevels.Furthermore,anotherflawofthecurrentframeworkisthatitmostlyfocusesontheenvironmentalaspectandnotonthesocialone.YetthesocialaspectiswhatisneededtomakeaframeworkforthefutureofEuropeacceptableforcitizens.

Launch or consolidatemulti-stakeholder platforms to implement the 2015UN agreements atthelevelsofMemberStates,RegionsandCities.TheCovenantofMayorsisdeterminedtobecometheleaderintheimplementationoftheSDGsatlocallevel.

4.InclusiveandSustainableFinancePartnershipAgreementSustainable finance. In Europe, themomentum is very strong and European institutions areliterally competing forwhowill be the first to innovateand lead theway: theCommission, theParliament, the Central Banks or the ECB. However, the ‘inclusive finance’ component and thedesignofa‘multi-stakeholderfinancialbusinessmodel’arenotintheprioritylist.

Inclusivefinance.ItisatG20levelthattheGlobalPartnershipforFinancialInclusion(GPFI)hasbeenestablishedasaninclusiveplatformforallG20countries,interestednon-G20countriesandrelevantstakeholderstocarryforwardworkonfinancialinclusion,includingtheimplementationoftheG20FinancialInclusionActionPlan,endorsedattheG20SummitinSeoul(seewebsite).

We need a "sharing and co-operating knowledge system" for a multi-stakeholder continuousknowledgedevelopmentacrossthe‘broadfinance’stakeholders focusedontheimplementationoftheSDGsandClimateAgreement.

Engage yourself and your organization in a movement towards an inclusive and sustainablefinancialbusinessmodel.JointhePartnershipAgreementonInclusiveandSustainableFinance,tobesignedinBuenosAireson21September2018inviewoftheG20.

The multi-stakeholder partnership agreement Inclusive and Sustainable Finance aims to move

towardsa‘stakeholderfinancialmodel’andaddressan‘inclusiveandsustainablefinance&care’agendacontributingtotheimplementationofthe2030Agenda,TransformingOurWorldanditsSustainableDevelopmentGoals.

Thispartnershipagreement represents thewill tobuildaconsortiumofsustainable, responsible

and impact financial institutions working with a network of technology companies, NGOs andinternationalorganizationstobuildanecosystemtoapplyblockchaintotheneedsoftheindustryforthebenefitofhumankindinlinewithPrinciple8(TrackDigitalFinancialInclusionProgress)oftheG20High-LevelPrinciplesforDigitalFinancialInclusion.

For signatory governments and international organizations, it will provide a wealth of data to

understandwhat is beingdoneandwhere there is commonground, thatmaybe concealedbylanguagebarriersacrossdifferentcountries,culturesandfinancialsectors.

Forsignatoryorganizationsworkingtoconnectdifferentstakeholdersaroundsharedinterests,an

understandingofwhatisbeingdonewillhelpguidetheprocessofcreatingmeaning, identifyingsharedvaluesandpracticesandensuringrelevance.

For signatory financial institutions, their benefit is a way tomore accurately and authentically

framewhattheyaredoingwithinasystemthatprovesvalidationof theirprocessusingrecordscreatedandmaintainedontheblockchain(e.g.goalsandprocesses)withimpactdatacapturedatamuchmoregranularlevelthatcanbestoredprivatelybutwithoutlosingauditability,verifiabilityorastructurethatimprovesexpostevaluation.

InclusiveFinance.Youthattheforefront.In this strategy, youthwil be the key ‘disruptive’ elementneeded tomainstream the SDGsandtransformEurope.AttheMilaneventsinMay,thelaunchayouthinitiativecalledBlockchainforSustainable and Inclusive Finance was decided. The initiative aims to empower youth toaccelerate the shift towardsa stakeholder financialmodel, addressan inclusiveand sustainablefinanceandcareagendaaswellascontributetotheimplementationoftheUN2030AgendaonSustainableDevelopment.Theaimistobringtogethertechnologycompanies,NGOs,youthorganisationsandInternationalOrganisationsto:-Trackdigitalfinancialinclusionprogress-Useblockchaintechnologytocreatetransparencyandaccountabilityinthefinancialsector-Fightcorruption-TransformthefinancialsectorwiththehelpoftheSDGs.

5. Moving frommultilateralism to polylateralism. Develop enhancedpartnerships with

ThirdCountriesandtheirStakeholders(Goals16&17)FollowingtheMilanMay31stconference,aseriesofinitiativeswillbeheldbetween2018-2022aswe wish to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the first report of the Club of Rome and theStockholm Conference of 1972 by presenting the achivements of the proposed ‘enhancedpartnership’.

Tentativeagendaand2018-2022calendar

November2018-aworkshopon‘Water-Jobs-Migration’, intheframeworkoftheUnionfortheMediterranean Task Force supported by SIDA and the FrenchMinistry of Ecological Transition(tbc), hosted by GWP-MED and EPE.Migration and jobs should be seen in a triple context: insupport of local needs in countries of origin,wherewater scarcity is among the key drivers; insupport of countries hostingmigrants and refugees - oftenwater stressed, while they have toprovide access to safe water and sanitation to migration camps; in support to talents. Whilemigrationcanbea loss for thecountriesoforigin, itcanalsobeanopportunity fornew labourforceinthetransitanddestinationcountries,offeringopportunitiesforworkersandcompanies.Theabilityofbusinessestoaccessthebesttalentsisonlypossibleinanenvironmentwithasfewbordersandrestrictionsaspossible.

April9th,2019-SDG17. EU-EasternPartnership-Balkans-CentralAsia.AconferenceofMinistersof Foreign Affairs and partnership leaders in Bucharest, in the framework of the Romanian EUPresidency during the first half of 2019. The topic will be ‘SDG 17: Revitalize the globalpartnerships for sustainable development,’ and the meeting will involve participants from theEuropean Union, Western Balkans, Eastern Partnership, Central Asia, different United Nationsagencies and stakeholders fromcivil society. Inpreparationof themeeting, theGovernmentofRomaniawillorganiseapreparatoryseminarinNovember2018.Secondhalfof2019,Post-Cotonou.Apost-CotonouenhancedpartnershipprojectbuiltupontheCouncil recognition of the changing global context and the importance of integrating the nextagreementwith the2030Agenda, theParisAgreementonclimatechangeandtheAddisAbabaActionAgendaonfinancingfordevelopment.Secondhalfof2019,EU-China.AnenhancedEurope-ChinapartnershiponthethemeoftheSDGsandthecivilizationofinterdependence.2020.Migration. While the UN negotiates the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and RegularMigration,theEUwouldhostaEuropeanconventionon‘migration,achanceforEurope’,themesuggestedbyUNSecretaryGeneralA.Guterres.

2020.Oceans-With theeconomicandsocialactorsof the territoriesof theplanetarymaritimeareasunderEuropean jurisdiction,a reinforcedpartnershipwouldbesigned in2020as the firstsatellite conference, organized with the support of the European Space Agency and bringingtogetherthepopulationsofalltheterritoriesconcernedtosignastrategicactionplanforeachofthemaritimezones.Amonitoringsystemtoaccompanytheimplementationoftheplanstoinformthepopulationsconcernedabouttheachievementofoutcomesovertime.2021.TheEUhostsaEUSustainableDevelopmentweekbasedonalargeconsultationon‘planetboundaries,asourceofdisruptiveinnovations’2022.SDG17,GlobalSummitofPartnerships,hostedbytheEUtocelebratethefirst1972reportoftheClubofRome‘LimitstoGrowth?’,theUNConferenceonEnvironmentandDevelopmentinStockholmandthefollowingUNconferencesof1992Rio,2002Johannesburg,2012Rio.