Bridging the Worlds of Business and Development

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are 17 goals launched by the United Nations and adopted by its member countries in 2015 to 'end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all' (UN.org). The global goals seek to coordinate the efforts of government, non-profits and businesses for development. Even though development is traditionally considered the purview of governments, with increasing trends in corporate and social responsibility, the SDGs can bridge the somewhat parallel worlds of business and development. As a business entity, the SDGs are relevant to your business in a number of ways. Firstly, if your business is new to corporate responsibility, the 17 goals of the SDGs can be a starting point for identifying relevant unmet social needs where you can get involved. The 17 goals symbolize some of the most important unmet needs and highlight the required actions of different actors, including where businesses can drive some of the activities in achieving the goals. Secondly, the SDGs create a platform to identify and form partnerships. The SDG ‘template’ creates a community of similar-minded actors around the goals. This makes it easier to identify areas for partnerships with other actors, to complement efforts and resources towards achieving specific developmental goals. Finally, the SDGs provide a common language to communicate the achievements in development and sustainability. In development, success is not measured by profits or sales; as such with the 17 goals and 169 targets and indicators of the SDGs, both public and private actors can leverage these targets and indicators as a common language for communication. This allows activities to be monitored, measured and communicated effectively.The SDGs are a starting point. Initiating or revising an inclusive social responsibility strategy is not simply about incorporating some activities and targets of the SDGs. These goals must ultimately be woven into and transform the total fabric and culture of your business to be truly transformative. It involves elements of strategic planning, stakeholder management and leadership. Wide Strategy has several service offerings in this regard. Visit our website to learn more.Written by Maud Martei