Concordia’s keynote sessions were a series of town hall-style conversations with the world’s top leaders and luminaries around how to leverage this moment of global transition to “build forward”, instead of building back, toward a brighter, more equitable future.
Monday, September 21, 2020
Programming Block I
With the 2020 U.S. presidential election right around the corner and civic movements confronting police brutality and racial equity gaining momentum in the midst of a global pandemic, this year’s election is sure to be historic. Against this unprecedented backdrop, it is of utmost importance that cross-sector leadership come together to discuss what is at stake and how the world will be affected by the outcome of November’s election.
Monday, September 21, 2020
Programming Block II
The Concordia Action Alliance Forum engages thought leaders around how to best create partnerships addressing ongoing disaster and pandemic preparedness, response, and resiliency. This critical mass of thought leaders are creating a blueprint for recovery through meaningful partnerships and innovation, and was the flagship forum for private sector coordination and collaboration during UNGA week.
Tuesday, September 22, 2020
Programming Block I
With the global economy on a roller coaster ride due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this programming block addressed the ways in which the world will have to adapt to new realities, evaluating the role of cross-sector partnerships to help level the international economic playing field. Concordia also continued its Innovative Financing Coalition discussions, leveraging its platform towards its goal of facilitating partnerships in the blended finance space.
Tuesday, September 22, 2020
Programming Block II
Amid ongoing civil rights protests around the killing of George Floyd and countless other black lives, a public spotlight has been shone on racial injustice and inequality. Concordia gathered thought leaders to discuss how unity can be established and human rights advanced in the U.S. and on a global scale, making space for tough conversations that can appear uncomfortable to some, to address core issues such as systemic racism, implicit biases, gender inequality, and what we can all be doing to lead the way to a more just and equal world.
Wednesday, September 23, 2020
Programming Block I
For centuries, spectators have gathered to cheer on their favorite sports teams from Roman gladiators to Manchester United; these events have become drivers of economic and social growth, and provide a key platform for cross-sector partnerships to engage youth and the wider population in a positive and transformational manner. Concordia convened important stakeholders from the sports industry to discuss how sports are agents of change, as well as the shifting nature of both professional and collegiate sports in the aftermath of COVID-19.
Wednesday, September 23, 2020
Programming Block II
The COVID-19 pandemic has greatly underscored the importance of technology and connectivity in today’s world. Concordia continued to foster conversations around the future of technology and the world’s digital transformation, leveraging its network to inspire innovative solutions to deploy technology for growth, success, and inclusivity.
Thursday, September 24, 2020
Programming Block I
Every day in every country around the globe, there are people who go to bed hungry and entire communities struggling to produce enough food for their people; COVID-19 is adding an additional layer of complication that will exacerbate food insecurity for years to come amid regional economic shutdowns. Concordia explored the impact of climate change on food accessibility, the role of technology in improving accessibility of produce, the political implications of food deserts, and the challenges facing the next generation of farmers.
Thursday, September 24, 2020
Programming Block II
In 2020 the world experienced huge environmental shifts in just a few weeks of economic shutdown—grounded aircraft fleets, empty Los Angeles freeways, and the Himalayas visible from 200 kilometers away are just a handful of examples. How can cross-sector partnerships combat ongoing environmental challenges created by economic growth and swelling global populations? What shifts in human behavior can we realistically expect in a post-COVID world, and how will that change our resource consumption?
On the evening of Thursday, September 24, our 10th Anniversary Celebration provided a digital extravaganza to celebrate 10 years of Concordia. It marked the official launch of the Concordia Action Alliance, as well as announcing the recipients of this year’s Leadership Award, among much more.