3 things to look out for at the 2017 Concordia Annual Summit

3 things to look out for at the 2017 Concordia Annual Summit

When it comes to the biggest challenges facing the world today, a coordinated global approach is the only way to achieve lasting, long-term solutions. Launched in January 2016, the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are designed to deliver exactly that. Our 2017 Concordia Annual Summit brings together over 2,000 thought leaders, influencers and decision makers from across the public, private and nonprofit space to advance the SDGs and drive positive social change. Learn about the three key things to watch out for at this leading nonpartisan global affairs forum, held on September 18^th and 19^th at the Grand Hyatt, New York.

In 2016, the United Nations launched the SDGs to guide international progress towards creating effective solutions to today’s most pressing issues. As the global community unites to confront challenges from the mounting refugee crisis to crumbling infrastructure and climate change, there is a clear need for actors across the public, private, and nonprofit sectors to collaborate in order to advance the SDGs and achieve tangible positive social impact.

At Concordia, we believe pressing global issues cannot be solved by one actor alone. They must be solved through partnership. We view the partnership model as a holistic approach to finding sustainable solutions to the SDGs as it pairs the knowledge and expertise of the public and nonprofit sectors, while leveraging resources from the private sector. As a Global Goals Week partner, Concordia provides a platform for marginalized populations, socially-minded innovators, and entrepreneurs who are creating meaningful solutions for a more prosperous and sustainable future.

Look out for the following three things at the 2017 Concordia Annual Summit:

• 1. Innovative programming

At Concordia, we strive to ensure that each participant has a seat at the table to contribute to action-oriented programming. Our program structure is a critical component of our approach to inspiring individuals from any sector to be catalysts for positive social impact.

Our Annual Summit will utilize strategic dialogues and plenary sessions as unique, innovative tools to engage a diverse community of international leaders and foster cross-sector collaboration. Strategic dialogues are curated, interactive discussions among 20-30 select individuals across sectors, with the aim of producing deliverables such as policy recommendations, and repositories of best practices. Plenary sessions feature topic-driven panel discussions, interviews, and keynote remarks to provide attendees with valuable insight and inspire potential partnering opportunities.

We believe it is crucial that, in addition to a collaborative structure, our Summit program reflects the major issues impacting the U.S. and the global community at large, including the migration and refugee crisis, security in the Asian-Pacific region, investment in sustainable infrastructure, and the evolution of domestic food policy, among many others. Featured sessions in development include:

Beyond the Glass Ceiling: Women’s Leadership and Economic Empowerment as Key Drivers of Global Development

• Transatlantic Relations: Anchor of the Free World Order
• Shortage & Scarcity: Humanitarian Crisis in Venezuela

• 2. The Global Mayors Summit

In partnership with the New York City Mayor’s Office and the Columbia University Global Policy Initiative, Concordia will co-host the Global Mayors Summit on Migration & Refugee Policy. At this inaugural event, over 50 global mayors representing cities large and small will convene to delve deep into discussions on the international migration and refugee crisis.

The Global Mayors Summit will include a learning exchange, involving discussions about how cities can overcome obstacles in implementing policies that promote migrant and refugee integration, rights protections, and empowerment. The Global Mayors Summit program underlines how, in pursuit of social cohesion, cities can reshape national narratives on migration and social inclusion, demonstrating the power of inclusive pluralism.

We believe that governments in all corners of the world have a responsibility to work towards common objectives for a better future. As in other areas of international policy making, cities are increasingly collaborating across national borders—sharing ideas, forming coalitions, and challenging their national governments to adopt policies that are proving effective at the local level. The Global Mayors Summit presents a unique opportunity for municipal leaders to unite and share input on the U.N. Global Compact on migration negotiations and priorities for action.

• 3. Awards: Concordia Leadership & P3 Impact

The Summit’s compelling dialogues and interactive sessions will also seek to feature and honor exemplary leadership and cross-sector collaboration in action.

The Concordia Leadership Award recognizes global leaders within the public, private, and nonprofit sectors who inspire others through their ability to turn vision into impact. Recipients of the award reflect a commitment to positive social and economic change while promoting effective public-private collaboration to create a more prosperous and sustainable future.

In addition to raising awareness of cross-sector collaboration, the P3 Impact Award recognizes and honors leading public-private partnerships that are improving communities around the world in impactful ways. Created in collaboration with the US Department of State Secretary’s Office of Global Partnerships and the University of Virginia Darden School of Business Institute for Business in Society, the award helps to identify leading practices, deliver practical learning, and generate a database of information relevant to partnering.

In honoring leaders who translate ideas into action, these awards inspire other innovative thinkers to take similar steps and make significant strides towards building partnerships for social impact and advancing the SDGs.

Held on September 18^th and 19^th at the Grand Hyatt, New York, the 2017 Concordia Annual Summit is the only nonpartisan forum taking place alongside the U.N. General Assembly. As the world turns its attention to New York, join us as we work to foster dialogue, fuel collaboration and leverage the power of partnerships in creating a more prosperous and sustainable future.