DT Correspondent
Harare: Strengthening collaborations and synergies between ministries and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) is essential for the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), a top government official has said.
Youth Empowerment, Development, and Vocational Training Deputy Minister Kudakwashe Mupamhanga made these remarks while officiating the Joint International Voluntary Day Commemorations 2023 and Youth Engagement on SDGs Progress in Zimbabwe program held in Harare.
During his address, the Deputy Minister emphasised the need to foster relationships between the government and volunteer organisations, as well as the private sector and civil society.
He expressed concern that the lack of cohesion among these entities makes it difficult to measure the impact of their work and gain recognition for their efforts.
“We want to foster relations between ourselves and volunteer organisations.
“The private sector and civil society at the moment are pulling their way while the government is pulling another way.
“That lack of cohesion makes it difficult for us to measure exactly the impact that we are making and makes it difficult for people to acknowledge the work we are doing,” he said.
Highlighting the importance of working together towards a shared vision, UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator Edward Kallon said each individual has a role to play in achieving the ambitious yet attainable global goals.
He pledged the UN development system’s commitment to accelerating momentum and supporting national development priorities for the benefit of all.
“Each of us has a role to play, and together we can achieve these ambitious yet attainable global goals and shape the future we desire.
“The UN development system, alongside the youth of Zimbabwe, pledges to accelerate this momentum and support national development priorities for the benefit of all,” he said.
Ms Teclah Ponde, the Country Lead of Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO), emphasized that collective action provides a platform for young people to be more involved in development activities within their local communities.
She stressed that if everyone volunteered, the world would be a better place, and volunteer groups can help localize the SDG agenda by facilitating interaction between governments and citizens for concrete and scalable actions.
“The main message focuses on collective action – if everyone volunteered, the world would be a better place.
“Volunteer groups can help to localize the SDG agenda by providing areas of interaction between Governments and people for concrete and scalable actions,” she said.
The event, hosted by VSO in collaboration with the Government, celebrated and recognized youth volunteers who are making a positive impact in the SDGs’ achievement. The theme of the event was “Accelerating Action on SDGs: If everyone did, I did.”
The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, adopted by all United Nations Member States in 2015, outlines a blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet.
The agenda consists of 17 goals that call for action from all countries to form a global partnership.
The joint commemoration and engagement program served as a platform to reinforce the importance of collaboration, collective action, and youth involvement in driving progress towards achieving the SDGs in Zimbabwe.
