HLPF 2019 Debrief & Exchange on SDGs Summit Ms. Mojisola Florence Akinsanya Women for Peace & Gender Equality Initiative Nigeria.

HLPF First Week-Thematic Reviews Main Highlights – Guiding Questions What are the key lessons from past years- in reporting and content? Is HLPF a learning space for VNRs? Two or three learning points from their own personal experience of attending HLPF- Is HLPF worth it? Which of the sessions/events/ side events of HLPF 2019 do you find useful in your work? Will you attend again or encourage other organizations to attend next HLPF? Why or why not?

What are the key lessons from past years- in reporting and content? REPORTTING CONTENT Inclusivity, More time and space for interaction, Better use of regional institutions and spaces, lack of adequate country ownership lack of follow-up, after presentations at HLPF. Data accuracy -collection, and disaggregation lack of meaningful stakeholder involvement

Is HLPF a learning space for VNRs? Yes it offers a critical space for peer-learning. sharing valuable first-hand experience Like: integrating the SDGs into national plans, Multi-stakeholder partnership mobilizing resources, building capacities, engaging stakeholders Data revolution

Two or three learning points from my own personal experience of attending HLPF SDG 4 (quality education). A presentation on the progress made revealed a “global learning crisis”, with a low proficiency rate amongst school children in reading and mathematics despite increased enrollment rates, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa. Solutions proposed by speakers included not only reforms of the education sector, but a transformation of mindsets to make educational systems more inclusive; integration of the vision of SDGs, including global citizenship and sustainability, in curricula; and “dramatically” improving working conditions for teachers.

Two or three learning points from my own personal experience of attending HLPF- 2. Portugal, echoed the idea that the SDGs provide cities with a common language and vision, one that is unprecedently “consensual and participative. Cascais’s (Portugal) approach of training every government worker on the SDGs, with the curriculum tailored to their respective fields (social work, waste collection, etc.). Those workers will then help determine the expertise needed, develop indicators and localize monitoring

Is HLPF worth it? HLPF in ECOSOC has become a major event in the annual cycle of global meetings. However, it is a discussion forum and not a place to reach policy decisions, although it could be an occasion to build political momentum around specific international policies, an opportunity not grasped thus far. Rather, it is most interesting for the multitude of discussions that take place around the plenary that are sponsored by governments, international institutions and civil society, where organizers want either to show off something new or important or raise critical debates. That in itself makes the HLPF worthwhile.

Which of the sessions/events/ side events of HLPF 2019 do you find useful in your work? The event titled, ‘Local Action for Global Commitments,’ took place from 16-17 July 2019 I work at the sub-national level and tis will be good for my work. It was a good learning process for me to see municipal authorities (Local Government) coming forward with voluntary reviews that complement their national government’s official voluntary review of SDG implementation. Local “VLR” reports put the spotlight at the local level, which is “where the bulk of SDG implementation is happening.”

Will you attend again or encourage other organizations to attend next HLPF? Why or why not? Definitely I will attend again because each year I gain more deeper knowledge that strengthen me to engage actively at the sub- national level. I have been attending HLPF since inception with my personal savings and for the past 2 years I make sure I pull a woman from other organisation alongside me to attend.