Delivering Change: The Role of Lawyers in Achieving the SDGs

‘Delivering Change: The Role of Lawyers in Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals’ will bring together Pro Bono Managers from leading global law firms to discuss the relevance and value of the SDGs to the legal sector, specifically how the SDGs have shaped the direction of their firms’ pro bono work. The event will offer the opportunity for legal and development sector stakeholders to examine ways that the law and lawyers can most effectively contribute to the achievement of the SDGs.

Agenda

17.30-18.00 Registration

18.00-18.25 Welcome and introductions

18.25-18.50 Address from keynote speaker

18.50-20.00 Panel discussion and audience questions

20.00-21.00 Networking drinks

Description

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), are a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure that all people enjoy peace and prosperity.

The 17 interdependent goals, which are broken down into 169 targets, involve the entire world, developed and developing countries alike, and depend on the commitment of national governments, international agencies, NGOs and the private sector.

While global efforts towards achieving the goals by 2030 have begun across areas as diverse as education and health, to climate change and gender equality, the role of the law in achieving the SDGs is often overlooked. Active participation from the international legal community is critical to the realisation of the SDGs.

Robust legal systems provide an essential pillar for success across all aspects of the SDGs by:

• safeguarding human rights
• upholding the rule of law
• ensuring access to justice
• promoting equality and non-discrimination
• furthering economic growth

This event marks the launch of A4ID’s Legal Guide to the Sustainable Development Goals, which provides key insights on the legal challenges and opportunities related to implementing the SDGs, as well as clear examples of the action that law firms and lawyers can take to achieve the goals. Developed in collaboration with A4ID’s Legal and Development Partners, the Guide is split into 17 chapters. Each chapter addresses a different SDG, providing an overview of the relevant regional, national and international legal frameworks that highlight how the law can be applied to drive progress towards the SDGs.

The legal community are already improving access to justice and helping to further sustainable development through pro bono legal assistance. However, the SDGs mark an opportunity for law firms to make a tangible contribution to positive social and environmental change by providing a global framework for lawyers to engage in sustainable development and increase access to justice for individuals and communities everywhere.