The eight-day journey of the UN70 Belarus Express for Sustainable Development Goals train was a shared dream of the United Nations and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Belarus that aimed to celebrate the 70th Anniversary of the United Nations and to promote the 17 SDGs adopted by the UN General Assembly in September 2015.
From 23-30 October 2015, the UN70 Express attracted thousands of visitors and offered a rich programme of activities to bring the UN and the SDGs to the people in each of its city stops: Minsk, Hrodna, Baranovičy, Brest, Homiel, Mahilioŭ, and Viciebsk. On-board and on-site events included guided tours, lectures, workshops, debates, movie screenings, concerts, dance performances, talk shows, flash mobs, culinary fests and activities for children and adults. Each Oblast (Region) Executive Committee Chairman along the way signed a Declaration of Commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals.
The passengers included representatives of 19 UN agencies, the Belarusian government, parliament, embassies, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), businesses, governors, students, journalists, celebrities, people living with HIV, refugees and people with disabilities. The UN70 Express served as a platform-on-wheels for rich dialogue on real life challenges that ordinary Belarusians face.
“Everyone’s voice is important. Everyone’s dream must be celebrated. Everyone’s fears must be addressed. Everyone’s vulnerability must be recognized. Everyone’s potential contribution must be counted,” said Sanaka Samarasinha, UN Resident Coordinator in Belarus.
In this video, the UN Information Centre in Belarus tried to capture the spirit of that historic journey.