The Statistics Division of the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) published a flipping book showcasing the faces and stories behind the global and regional aggregates representing progress on the SDGs. The publication highlights the interlinked and interrelated nature of the Goals and illustrates how “intervention in one or some areas can have positive or negative impacts on other areas.”

Therefore, the book argues, it is “important that we exploit synergies and minimize trade-offs for effective implementation of the SDGs.”

Titled, ‘Bringing Data to Life: SDG Human Impact Stories from Across the Globe,’ the publication collates summaries of individual and community initiatives, interventions, and partnerships that help “translate the SDG aspirations into action.” It highlights “real-life stories of people who are struggling to get out of poverty, battling the effects of climate change in their daily lives, and dealing with the impacts of COVID-19” who need to be put first in supporting action on the ground.

The book features two stories per Goal, acknowledging that impacts can span multiple SDGs. For example, a chili farming initiative in Bhutan’s villages, used to illustrate contributions to SDG 2 (zero hunger), also supports SDG 1 (no poverty) as it provides farmers with a source of stable income.

A campaign against female genital mutilation (FGM) in The Gambia, led by a network of ex-circumcisers who have abandoned the practice, promotes gender equality (SDG 5) and women’s good health and well-being (SDG 3).

A community leader in Malawi shares his knowledge of food nutrition and construction of energy-saving stoves with the households he supports, contributing not only to SDGs 7 (affordable and clean energy), 2, and 3, but – by reducing pressure on neighboring woodlots – also to SDG 15 (life on land), among other Goals.

Developed with inputs from the UN Information Centres (UNICs) and other UN agencies and organizations, the flipping book is a companion product to DESA’s flagship Sustainable Development Goals Report 2022. The SDGs Report relies on data and estimates in the Global SDG Indicators Database, which contains global, regional, and country data and metadata on the official SDG indicators. [Publication: Bringing Data to Life: SDG Human Impact Stories from Across the Globe] [Virtual Flipping Book] [DESA News Story]