Skills, Systems & Synergies for Sustainable Development
Helping people think, talk, act and lead on Sustainable Development
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.
4SD offers the following
We would be delighted to explore how we can best support you.
Living Systems Leadership
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.
Comfort in Complexity
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).
Feeling Systems
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.
Seeing into Systems
The ability to see into multiple systems creates opportunities for leading change that is substantial and significant.
Encouraging Systems Change
The major challenges facing our world cannot be solved for everyone everywhere through discrete solutions.
Systems Leadership for Sustainable Development
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)
Commencement 2019 at CUNY SPH
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.
Inter-disciplinary science for the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development
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.
Trondheim Conferences on Biodiversity
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).
The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development: What it means for all of us
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).
News
- HIRING: SHORT-TERM CONSULTANCY WEB PROJECT MANAGER4SD is embarking on a major global initiative which requires the support of a short-term Web Project Manager to oversee the design, development and implementation of a website for international users of different capacities. The Web Project Manager will also provide technical and communications support to the 4SD team in relation to the global initiative. … Read more
- Comparing the New Zealand response to COVID-19 with Sweden: setting the record straightEn español: Declaración del Dr. David Nabarro, Comparando la respuesta de Nueva Zelanda al COVID-19 con la de Suecia: aclarando el asunto Statement by Dr David Nabarro Comparing the New Zealand response to COVID-19 with Sweden: setting the record straight GENEVA, SWITZERLAND: 1 September 2020 After an interview I had with a New Zealand journalist on 26 August … Read more
- COVID-19 Open Online Briefing: Series One SurveyShortly after the appointment of Dr David Nabarro as one of six Special Envoys of World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General on COVID-19, David and peers began to publish narratives to help navigate the complexities of the emerging pandemic. To build on these Narratives, David and the 4SD team held the first Open Online Briefing on … Read more
- 4SD COVID-READY PHOTO CHALLENGEWe want to capture as many perspectives as possible for our pandemic response communications and your community photos and videos could be featured in our next COVID-Ready reel! We are looking for: General community shots, people with face coverings, washing hands and other hygiene practices, and at home in your community. Download PDF of full … Read more
- World Economic Forum: Systems leadership can change the world – but what exactly is it?Article by Lisa Dreier, David Nabarro and Jane Nelson
- United Nations Climate Action Summit 2019: The Nature-Based Solutions for Climate Manifesto (PDF)Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) are a fundamental part of action for climate and biodiversity.
- United Nations Climate Action Summit 2019: Nature-based solutions Compendium of Contributions (PDF)Compiled by the Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) Facilitation Team with the entrustment of China and New Zealand, the co-lead countries of the nature-based solutions coalition of the 2019 UN Climate Action Summit.
- UNESCO Youth for Nature Based Solutions – Press ConferenceDr. David Nabarro, Nature Based Solution Facilitator of the Climate Action Summit; Ms. Marina Melianis, Youth leader and Co-director, Youth for Nature; Dr. Shamila Nair-Bedouelle, Assistant Director-General, UNESCO.
4SD on Twitter
🎨Young artists wanted!
@FAO is calling on children and teens from all over the world to use their creative ideas, and create a poster that illustrates their favourite food hero at work.
Send your entries by 6 November: https://bit.ly/2PciGNa
#WorldFoodDay #FoodHeroes #SDGs
The #2030Agenda and the future of our planet and its people depend on well-functioning #FoodSystems everywhere. #FoodSystemsDialogues offer the opportunity to transform food systems worldwide. Stay tuned for our upcoming @FoodDialogues in #LatinAmerica and #NorthAmerica.
The #COVID19 #pandemic is constantly evolving, with leaders facing unpredictability, imperfect information, multiple unknowns, and the need to identify responses quickly — all while recognizing the multi-dimensional nature of the crisis. Find out more: https://hbr.org/2020/09/5-principles-to-guide-adaptive-leadership?utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=hbr&utm_source=twitter
Misinformation during a crisis like #COVID19 can result in people being left uninformed, unprotected & vulnerable.
❌ Don't share rumours
✔️ Choose content verified by reliable sources
🎨: Ruth Borrows via @UN #TakeCareBeforeYouShare
