The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development was agreed by world leaders in September 2015. The Agenda offers a clear vision for the future for the world’s people, for the places where they live and for the planet.
4SD helps people working on sustainable development to have strategic influence within challenging situations. 4SD equips them with the skills they need to make a lasting difference. 4SD accompanies them as they nurture their skills in their professional practice.
4SD encourages Living Systems Leadership. This enables more effective engagement across sectors and among multiple stakeholders.
4SD fosters integrated people-centred action in ways that are inclusive, always connecting more stakeholders and offering the promise of generative futures for all.
4SD is also involved in applied interdisciplinary learning within universities and staff colleges internationally.
We would be delighted to explore how we can best support you.
At 4SD, we explore what systems leadership means, what working with living systems really looks like and how that plays out for real when you have a central role within loosely-organised human systems that are trying to address complex issues.
One step at a time with the direction in mind! Find out more about the characteristics of #systems #leadership
During a 4SD Webinar on Comfort in Complexity, participants explored how working in this way can be valuable and what it really feels like. This process was captured in a Learning Review (PDF).
All human systems are #LivingSystems; when we engage with them, we recognise how generative they are. Ideas & capacities grow, sometimes slowly, sometimes rapidly, sometimes predictably, often not.
The ability to see into multiple systems creates opportunities for leading change that is substantial and significant.
Taking action on complex challenges such as the implementation of the 2030 Agenda requires a departure from traditional top-down, hierarchical and linear approaches. through systems change. A report, co-authored by Lisa Dreier, David Nabarro and Jane Nelson suggests using innovative and adaptive approaches to engage broad networks of diverse stakeholders.
Download the Executive Summary (PDF)
Download the full report (PDF)
On 4 June 2019, during Commencement 2019, David Nabarro, Strategic Director of 4SD, received an Honorary Doctorate from The City University of New York Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy.
During his keynote address (starting in minute 36), Dr Nabarro spoke about his motivation to become an International Civil Servant and the lessons he learned throughout his career.
Commencement 2019Gepostet von CUNY Graduate School of Public Health & Health Policy am Dienstag, 4. Juni 2019
At the launch of the Montpellier Advanced Knowledge Institute on Transitions (MAK’IT) on 7 March 2019, David Nabarro and Louise Fresco, President of Wageningen University & Research, spoke on how to work across disciplines to shift systems so they work better for people and the planet.
On 2 July 2019, David Nabarro, Strategic Director of 4SD spoke about Securing environmentally safe and socially just spaces for living with nature (speech starts at 6h 22m).
On 20 November 2018, David Nabarro, Strategic Director of 4SD and Professor of Global Health at Imperial College, London, held the 2018 Annual Lecture of the Institute of Global Health Innovation (IGHI).
The #2030Agenda is the world's plan to end poverty, protect the planet & ensure that all people👫worldwide 🌍 enjoy peace & prosperity. Unless we put people at the centre of the discussion, we will fail in achieving the #SDGs. Find out more about @4SD_info https://4sd.info
We live in a complex, interconnected global system. #SystemsThinking offers a way of seeing a reality that recognises the interrelatedness of things. This is crucial to deliver on the ambitious #2030Agenda. Find out how this relates to our work @4SD_info: https://4sd.info
The GLOBAL FESTIVAL OF ACTION is back, calling key #SDGs changemakers to share new ways to inspire action for the goals under the #SDGActionFest 2020 theme: Transforming Local Action to Global Impact. Apply by 10 January to be a part of it: http://bit.ly/SDGActionFest via @SDGaction
Katie Goldman @Local2030 session #COP25: " Los Angeles’ Green New Deal sets aggressive goals for the city’s sustainable future, tackles climate emergency with accelerated targets and sets L.A. on course to be carbon neutral by 2050" #ClimateAction #SDGs