21 November 2013
Post-2015 Retreat Begins Discussion on Mobilization Strategy
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A Wilton Park retreat in Steyning, UK, facilitated initial brainstorming on influencing key political actors on sustainable development and the post-2015 development agenda.

The UN Office of the Special Adviser to the Secretary-General on Post-2015 Development Planning, the UN Foundation, the UN Millennium Campaign (UNMC), and the Overseas Development Institute collaborated to plan the retreat.

millenniun-campaign20 November 2013: A Wilton Park retreat in Steyning, UK, facilitated initial brainstorming on influencing key political actors on sustainable development and the post-2015 development agenda. The UN Office of the Special Adviser to the Secretary-General on Post-2015 Development Planning, the UN Foundation, the UN Millennium Campaign (UNMC), and the Overseas Development Institute collaborated to plan the retreat.

Participants at the retreat, which took place on 22-23 October 2013, on the theme ‘Shaping A Sustainable Development Agenda for Post-2015 (Mobilizing for Impact)’ – intended to serve as an initial brainstorming meeting – included representatives from the private sector, marketing and media, civil society campaigners, and people with sustainable development expertise. It represented an informal step toward understanding the efforts needed to inspire a movement to influence political actors, including in the areas of communications, campaigning, and advocacy.

Retreat outcomes include an increased appreciation of the need for strategic influence backed by coordinated communications and campaigns in order to get results on agreed objectives, according to UNMC. Also agreed was the need to build momentum, not only for the political process, but for implementation beyond 2015.

Next steps include: continuing conversations and brainstorming post-retreat with additional stakeholders; developing a “core group of players” to begin the communications campaign; and refining the overarching narrative regarding the new agenda, using input from key actors. [IISD RS Sources]

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