While progress toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) may seem uncertain, the unifying and educational power of the SDG agenda remains undeniable. This universal framework provides a common language to foster collaboration across all levels and sectors, igniting hope and action for a better future. Here in Miami, the next generation of leaders is stepping up.
< The SDG Challenge 2024 Grand Finale | Photos by Evens St. Louis >
Alexandra Escobar is a Lynn University student pursuing a master’s degree in social innovation management. She teamed up with Martin Hernandez from Florida International University, who is working toward his master’s degree in landscape architecture and environmental and urban design, and Victor Kersting, who studies business at The Honors College at Miami Dade College. Together, their group claimed first prize at the SDG Challenge Grand Finale.
With the first-place win, the cross-academic team will be sponsored to travel to New York City to visit the United Nations Headquarters in 2025. Join The Planet also gifted the winners a unique keepsake: a bespoke Lionel Messi cleat made 100% from ocean-recovered plastics.
The winning SDG solution focused on empowering the Miami-Dade Beacon Council, the official economic development organization of Miami-Dade County, to champion SDG integration across South Florida. The centerpiece of their vision is the SDG Immersion Program, a multifaceted initiative designed to drive an engagement strategy that educates, motivates, and incentivizes local businesses, investors, and nonprofits to adopt and prioritize the Goals.
"To build an inclusive, sustainable, and innovative city, we must integrate the SDGs everywhere. The Miami-Dade Beacon Council's connections with investors and businesses are pivotal in driving accountability and progress," says Alexandra, who presented her team’s work on stage at The Netherlands Residence. "I'm so happy that I got to connect with the Miami-Dade Beacon Council and have them open to implementing some of the solutions we presented."
Photo by Evens St. Louis
Dr. Paula Hopkins, EVP of Strategic Partnerships and Funding Development at the Miami-Dade Beacon Council, led the winning team. The organization faces a significant challenge in implementing and integrating the Goals across industries. With this new program, driven by young leaders, the Beacon Council plans to establish a structured plan to champion the SDGs effectively and elevate business-led strategies in South Florida in the context of the global sustainable development agenda.
"I am incredibly proud of the Miami-Dade Beacon Council team and the brilliant students who participated in the SDG Challenge Miami 2024,” states Dr. Hopkins. “Their innovative ideas and commitment to sustainability exemplify the spirit of collaboration that drives our community forward."
The SDG Challenge is more than just a competition; it’s a six-week immersive journey to creating real-world solutions. The Challenge encourages students – and the professionals they partner with – to think critically about present-day sustainability choices. It serves as a platform to empower young innovators to collaborate with leading companies, local governments, universities, and nonprofit organizations.
< Photos by Evens St. Louis >
With guidance from mentors and industry leaders, students from Florida International University, Lynn University, and Miami Dade College showcased their creativity and expertise by developing and pitching innovative solutions aligned with the Goals. These proposals also included launching an SDG podcast for college students, designing a data-driven platform to track financial performance and SDG alignment of publicly traded companies, and scaling Future Leaders Movement, a nonprofit to inspire and equip the next generation of BIPOC changemakers.
Lisette den Breems, Consul General of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Miami, hosted the SDG Challenge Miami Grand Finale. The finals were an inspiring showcase of Miami’s brightest minds and most innovative institutions.
“The SDGs are about making the world future-proof. That is why the Kingdom of the Netherlands strongly supports the involvement of young people as agents of change to build a greener, fairer, more inclusive world for all generations, now and in the future,” says Consul General den Breems. “It was very inspiring to see the students develop innovative solutions for achieving the SDGs and to witness the commitment of companies to advance the SDG Agenda. We already look forward to the next edition!”
Claudia Akel of Social Impact Movement & Scarlett Lanzas of Accountable Impact | Photo by Evens St. Louis
The SDG Challenge Miami is powered by Accountable Impact; its founder, Scarlett Lanzas, is committed to activating networks to localize and accelerate the Goals in South Florida. Through partnerships with organizations like Verizon, Future Leaders Movement, SDGTalks.ai, Emergent Global Investments, and the Miami-Dade County Office of Resilience, Accountable Impact continues to build momentum in creating a resilient future for Miami — and beyond.
“The SDG Challenge is a testament to the power of young minds driving change, and it’s inspiring to see our South Florida SDG ecosystem thriving,” adds Scarlett. “I’m confident this experience will unlock countless opportunities for our students, paving the way for impactful careers and professional growth.”
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