As recent current progress around the world in achieving the SDG goals is frequently insufficient, we argue in this presentation that it is timely to establish a learning system to distribute knowledge about implementing SDGs on a world-wide basis through networking based on a digital communication system.

1. Using Digital Communication to
Improve Sustainable Development
Goal (SDG) Delivery
by David Fellows (Director PFMConnect) and Glyn Evans
An examination of ways in which digital communication can be used to form an alliance between
academics, government administrators, political elites and the general public to confront the
challenge of the SDG agenda.

2. Presentation outline
• The SDG Issues
• The SDG Challenges
• A learning System
• Learning System Features:
– at national level
– across neighbouring countries
– at international level
– supporting technology
• Examples From Around The World
• Conclusions
• About us

3. The SDG Issues
The United Nations has identified 17 SDGs for improvement in the quality of
life across the world, including:
• Eliminating poverty, hunger and inequality
• Providing good health and education
• Securing clean drinking water and sanitation
• Providing affordable and clean energy
• Providing decent work and good infrastructure, recycling materials and
delivering economic growth
• Protecting the environment
• Developing sound institutions, peace and justice
(https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/sustainable-development-
goals/ provides further details)

4. The SDG Challenges
The United Nation’s SDGs present an array of complex social, engineering,
medical, scientific and managerial challenges for member states
These challenges require a huge commitment effort and extensive
collaboration between politicians, administrators, academics, communities
and the media
We suggest that this could be more successfully achieved with better use of
digital communication

5. A learning System
A report by ESCAP makes it clear just how difficult it is going to be to make a
real difference (see: https://www.unescap.org/publications/asia- and-pacific-
sdg-progress-report-2019)
In our view the greatest challenge is the need to create a learning system that
is powerful enough to sustain the necessary levels of collaboration develop,
helping to:
• Share innovative ideas
• Share working practices
• Share supporting technology
• Share results
• Engage with communities to gather ideas and gain acceptance of the
challenges ahead

6. Learning System Features: at
national level
 Provide feedback on progress made at local level within the
country
 Request the public to identify key factors to be taken into
account when designing SDG initiatives
 Seek feedback on the regulations required to support SDG
initiatives
 Engage in shared learning (perhaps amongst scattered
populations) between ordinary people who are trying to cope
with SDG challenges on limited resources

7. Learning System Features: across
neighbouring countries
 Undertake shared research programmes
 Share experiences of adapting recognised approaches to particular
circumstances
 Improve monitoring techniques
 Share monitoring and advisory services
 Encourage the development of problem-solving support networks
 Undertake peer reviews of projects and governance arrangements

8. Learning System Features: at
international level
• Build worldwide expertise to address fundamental
scientific, engineering, economic, social and
implimentation challenges
 Identify and promote successful strategies and initiatives
 Recognise issues for which effective solutions remain
elusive
 Create networks capable of addressing significant and
urgent challenges
 Develop modeling tools to help design solutions

9. Learning System features:
supporting technology (1)
• Websites including chat rooms, website messaging, on-
line data monitoring and online questionnaires
 Video-conferencing for expert dialogue and advisory
sessions
 Cloud-stored databases and shared document
development
 Email for public interactions( newsletters), dispatch of
documents, technical & administrative correspondence
and technical update circulars

10. Learning System Features:
supporting technology (2)
 Learning management systems to support training
programmes that develop skills and expertise
 Application software to assist the gathering of
performance data including the collection of data
from satellite, remote sensors and administrative
sources (ESCAP Report Part III)
 Text messaging and social media for public dialogue
 Massive open online courses to raise general
awareness

11. Examples From Around The World
• UNICEF reports that in Vietnam 40% of children in rural areas used the
internet for educational purposes, rising to 62% in urban areas (see also:
UNESCO report on Digital Communication used for Education in Africa
https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000231867)
• A community of practice has already been established in Canada for green
climate purposes (see:
https://www.ccadaptation.ca/en/landing)
• Social media has been used by PFMConnect for the past three years to
raise public awareness on public financial management and governance
topics reaching significant numbers of people in more than 50 countries

12. Conclusions
• This is not an approach requiring heavy oversight and regulation.
We seek change to the way programmes and projects are
developed by increasing collaboration at all levels using digital
technology.
• Major development agencies have the power to drive a more
collaborative approach at expert and community level – they could
make them a requirement development programmes.
• These proposals could help the Green Climate Fund participants
share expertise, ideas and innovation.
• Isn’t it time for change?

13. About Us
David Fellows is a specialist in public financial management and digital
government reform and is a director of PFMConnect. He is a recipient of the
Swedish Prize for Democratic Digital Service Delivery. Glyn Evans is the Vice
President of the Major Cities of Europe IT Users Group and former CIO of
various major cities.
PFMConnect is a consultancy specialising in the provision of public financial
management services
The article on which this is based can be found at: http://blog-
pfmconnect.com/using-digital-technology-to-improve-sustainable-
development-goal-sdg-delivery/