What did you do for advancing the Sustainable Development Goals on #GivingTuesday?
Here at the UN, staff donated enough winter clothes to fill six hampers during the “Coats for Cups” clothing drive, taking part in our Be the Change initiative where we encourage staff to ‘walk the talk’ to achieve the SDGs; in particular supporting progress on SDG Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production.
Those who donated to the clothing drive received a Be the Change-branded mug in return, to reuse in UN cafeterias in an effort to reduce waste at work.
The donated clothes were taken to New York Cares, an organization that has been meeting the needs of the poor for 30 years. The organization works hand-in-hand with a wide variety of Community Partners across New York City to make sure donated clothes are distributed to people in need as quickly as possible.
Also joining the initiative was UNIC Rio, which organized a charity event to mark the day. Staff donated items such as clothes, kitchen tools and accessories, blankets and books.
See? It’s easy to take action. You can be the change and make a bigger impact!
Donating time, money and efforts can strengthen all of the Sustainable Development Goals.
Whether you aim to live more sustainably by using less wasteful materials or chose to identify with broader goals to support gender equality, help alleviate hunger, support clean water efforts or offset carbon footprints for a healthier planet.
Every small action you take multiplies if we all do it. Post your actions on social media using hashtag #BeTheChangeUN and see what other people around the world are doing.
What is the “Be the Change Initiative”?
The Be the Change Initiative provides an opportunity for all of us to better “walk the talk” when it comes to the SDGs. This Initiative guides and encourages us to live more sustainable at work and at home by changing our consumption patterns, using active transport such as cycling, and buying local foods. Everyone is welcome to participate. Every little step helps – inform your family, your friends and your community about simple actions they can take in their daily lives.
Why Tuesday, 27 November?
Celebrated each year on the first Tuesday after the US Thanksgiving holiday, #GivingTuesday is an NGO-created global day of giving fueled by the power of social media and collaboration.
The day has grown from its beginnings as a grassroots American event to a global day of volunteerism and charitable donations.
The idea is that charities, businesses, families and students come together for one common purpose – to give!
You and me, let’s make a difference together!
Stay tuned. We have more plans to continue to encourage everyone to live more sustainably in 2019.
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