Pathfinders’ main purpose is to put SDG16+ at the heart of the Decade of Action for the SDGs. To reach this goal, the following objectives will guide our mobilization:

1. Bridging the gap by using the global conversation hosted around the UN’s 75th Anniversary to challenge partners to develop ambitious strategies and concrete proposals for accelerating implementation during the Decade of Action – clarifying the pathways that lead towards measurable results.

Our contribution to the conversation will be through:
1.1. Data to drive advocacy – exploring links between our polling and focus groups on inequality and the Pew/Edelman UN75 research.
1.2. Dialogues to Support Action – a series of events, retreats and other dialogues that we will host, co-host, or work with our partners to badge as part of UN75 in which we will feed results into the global conversation.
1.3. Platforms to support advocacy - promoting results from the dialogue and inspiring action at major events (HLPF, UNGA 75 events, Justice for All Summit, etc.). Our publications will also promote results and solutions linked to the global conversation and we will explore with the UN75 team whether they want us to produce reports on global trends [related to sdg16+] as well as policy proposals on issues raised.
2. Generating solutions and accelerating action by maximizing the number of new Acceleration Actions registered with the UN, building high-ambition coalitions prepared to stand up for transformative action, and campaigning on global asks that resonate widely.
3. Platforms for commitments and results by showcasing commitments and actions at the SDG Action Platform, SDG Action Zone, SDG Media Zone, and through a Decade of Action reception.

The outcomes we want to achieve with these goals are the following:
▪We have brought partners together around a consensus of what can be achieved in the 2020s to bridge the gap on peace, justice and inclusion, how we can accelerate action, who will lead the change, and where we are most likely to see results.
▪There are more Acceleration Actions for SDG16 than any other goal, with commitments from governments, private sector, civil society, and foundations – and with strong representation of the needs of those at risk of being left behind.
▪Most pathfinder countries have registered one or more ambitious commitment to accelerate action.
▪Financing strategies for SDG16+ have been strengthened and we have announced new financing commitments.
▪At least three transformative actions for SDG16+ are presented at the SDG Action Platform, by a Head of State who represents the collective efforts of a high-ambition coalition.
▪Strengthening cooperation and coherence among partners working at all levels and within all sectors to accelerate action for peace, justice and inclusion
▪Young people are driving a growing mobilization for SDG16+.
▪The Secretary-General highlights SDG16+ transformative actions when he formally launches the Decade of Action on 1 January 2021.
▪We have moved closer to demonstrating measurable results by the second SDG Summit in 2023.

The Pathfinders Initiative for Peaceful, Just and Inclusive Societies is a multi-stakeholder partnership that brings together 35 UN member states that are committed to SDG16+. Many of these member states lead the work of one or various Grand Challenges: Inequality and Exclusion, Justice for All, and Halving Global Violence.

▪As part of the Advisory Council, the leaders for the Grand Challenge of Inequality and Exclusion include Sweden, Indonesia, Republic of Korea, Ethiopia, Mexico, Sierra Leone, Tunisia, and Canada.
▪As for the Justice for All Grand Challenge, The Netherlands, Sierra Leone and Argentina are long-term champions and leaders.
▪The Halving Global Violence Grand Challenge is being led by Germany, The United Kingdom, Switzerland, Namibia, and the Republic of Korea.

The following UN member states, some are Pathfinders and some are not, have shown interest in becoming champions and leading in one of the Grand Challenges: Trinidad and Tobago, Dominican Republic, South Africa, Ethiopia, Jordan, Costa Rica, Liberia, Indonesia, and Uruguay.

The Pathfinders Initiative also counts on over 100 partners including international organizations, global partnerships and the private sector. These partners create normative pressure that intends to directly influence member states’ decision-making processes when it comes to implementing policies regarding justice, peace, and inequality and exclusion.

Since its creation in 2016, Pathfinders has been working to accelerate action to implement the SDG targets for peace, justice and inclusion (SDG 16+) by increasing national ambition, coherence, innovation, and reporting, so that a growing number of Pathfinder countries fulfil commitments to implement SDG16+. Pathfinders is built on the underlying principle of universality, which is the foundation of the 2030 Agenda. This principle guides our strategy pursuing to increase Pathfinder Member States from all continents in the world. Currently we have 22 member states from the Global South and 13 from the Global North. Members are also from low, middle and high-income levels.

The way our member states work is by action coalition that lead by example and inspire other member states to act. An illustrative example is that of Argentina’s Access to Justice Centers. In 2008, the country’s Ministry of Justice and Human Rights established the first center in Argentina. The idea behind it was twofold. First, it would bring justice services closer to the people who need them by placing them in the heart of communities. Second, it would offer a holistic response to justice-related problems by providing other services that people experiencing justice problems might need under the same roof. To achieve this, multidisciplinary teams work closely with other agencies and justice sector actors.

Today there are 90 Access to Justice Centers in Argentina, mostly serving vulnerable populations that were previously unable to access justice. The initiative has become a model for people-centered justice, inspiring similar programs around the world. Argentina hosted a meeting with other Latin American countries which resulted in the signature of the Buenos Aires declaration. In it, countries recognized the need to take action to ensure justice for all.

Based on current trends, the effects of climate change are taking a huge toll on Earth’s physical planet, causing social, economic, and political upheaval. The ripple effects already have drastic consequences to the challenges of people from every town across the world, from families losing homes and farmland, sparks of growing violence as basic services and resources become finite, and rising divides between communities as inequality and corruption grows unabated.

Yet, as scientific evidence about the causes of climate change has grown, it remains the toughest, most intractable political issue that we, as a society, have ever faced. Global leaders remain resistant to decisive and comprehensive action on climate change. The public worldwide also remains divided and large, important parts of the political class have been indifferent.

Technological solutions alone will not build the future we want. What is needed is strong, sustained political leadership and public demand for change. Through the work of the Pathfinders, member states are directly championing SDG16+ areas of political priority, both domestically and abroad, which is inspiring collective action to build a more fair, just, and equal world. This vision is only attainable through direct action that addresses and mitigates the impact of climate change.

Over the next 10 years as part of the UN Decade of Action, the Pathfinders will work closely with member states and partners to inspire bold, innovative action that goes beyond instilling fear and offers instead a vision, hope, and grounded solutions. Together, the Pathfinders will work to advance a common agenda that tackles the intersection of climate change, violence, inequality, exclusion and injustice to support transformative action by leaders at all levels.

Leveraging and strengthening the collective political leadership of Pathfinders, countries and partners working together to bind and bolster the multilateral system on the foundations of the three Grand Challenges that Pathfinders focus on: Halving Global Violence, Tackling Inequality and Exclusion, and Achieving Justice for All. For example:
● Justice for all: Argentina, The Netherlands, Sierra Leone and the Elders launched the Justice Report which outlines areas for accelerating action at the national level to provide justice for all. These countries are continuing to work together with other partners, including member states, to implement the strategy developed recently to ensure justice for all.
● Tackling Inequality and Exclusion, which explores approaches towards not only redistributing the gains of economic growth and prosperity more equitably, but also recognizing each citizen’s stake and decision-making power in society. Since its launch in mid-2019, the Grand Challenge has brought together a potentially transformative group of governments, multilateral leaders and civil society partners, who are all committed to explore solutions based on evidence that are also politically viable in their own contexts.
● Halving Violence by 2030: a coalition of disparate violence prevention and reduction communities to mobilize/galvanize political will and drive solutions to reduce levels of violence by 50% by 2030. At present, these communities work in silos, even though different forms of violence are inter-related and reinforce each other, and much of what works to prevent violence has an impact on more than one form of violence. The five communities are: conflict & armed violence, urban & criminal violence, interpersonal violence, human rights & mass atrocities, and countering violence extremism.

Pathfinders member states and partners are working together to build a more just, fair and peaceful world free from violence where every person has a home, can stay at work or in school, and meet their daily needs. This requires a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach to deliver a world where justice services help families in crisis and institutions rebuild the bonds of trust with the communities they serve.

If serious progress is ever going to be achieved in overcoming extreme poverty and inequality, the poor must enjoy more inclusive and equal systems and service that address problems that matter most to them. This requires a global shift from a world where justice is only available to the privileged few to one that protects human rights and provides justice for all. It also requires identifying a basket of evidence-based, politically viable solutions to address structural inequalities to lift families and vulnerable communities out of extreme poverty and provide everyone opportunities to thrive and succeed.

Inequality and exclusion have long been neglected as topics, and the vagaries of international attention means they could fall down the agenda again unless credible, demonstrable change is witnessed and interest is maintained. The leadership shown by Pathfinders member states and partner organizations provides a short window of opportunity that must be seized. Pathfinders connects countries from across different regions, income levels and contexts; and links domestic action with cross-country learning and international policy issues. We support decision-makers with evidence on what policies will tackle inequality and exclusion backed by detailed opinion research on policies and narratives as well as input from the most prestigious experts in the policy areas identified. Not only do we promote inclusion and accountability, but we also incorporate it into our own research and processes to ensure the critical mass of political support to get policy proposals through.

As mentioned earlier, the Pathfinders Initiative works on three Grand Challenges, one of which is Halving Global Violence by 2030. Its main goal is to bring together a coalition of disparate violence prevention and reduction communities (see question 5.d.) to galvanize political will and drive solutions to reduce levels of violence by 50% by 2030.

Pathfinders aims at achieving the Grand Challenge main goal by (1) getting UN member states and sub-National level leaders and mayors to act, (2) providing member states with tested evidence-based strategies and frameworks, (3) encouraging cross regional collaboration and exchange, and (4) advocating and mobilizing to drive resources.

As of now, five member states and 16 mayors from cities all over the world are committed to halving violence by 2030. Pathfinder member states include Germany, The United Kingdom, Switzerland, Namibia, and the Republic of Korea. Addressing the Grand Challenge of Inequality and Exclusion is key to reduce political instability and the likelihood of conflict. If these challenges are not addressed, the global wave of protests which roiled various countries all over the world, rooted in grievances stemming from political exclusion and economic inequality, is set to reach a new peak.

For instance, Pathfinder member states Ethiopia and Tunisia, which have undergone democratic transitions after emerging from decades of autocratic rule, need to demonstrate they are addressing citizens’ demands if they are to sustain and consolidate democratic rule and social cohesion. These governments have claimed having a relatively short window of political opportunity domestically in which to build confidence, and the role of Pathfinders is to seek this unique opportunity to deliver measurable change that has a true impact in citizens’ lives.

Website (https://www.sdg16.plus)
This is Pathfinders Initiative for Peaceful, Just and Inclusive Societies website, where you can find more information about what we do.

Roadmap (https://530cfd94-d934-468b-a1c7-c67a84734064.filesusr.com/ugd/6c192f_0349710665254122b0a00066c31fa8d2.pdf)
First launched at the 72nd Session of the UN General Assembly, and updated in 2019, the roadmap provides a shared vision for how to deliver the 2030 Agenda targets for peaceful, just and inclusive societies (SDG16+).

Decade of Action – SDG16+ (Attached in PDF)
Following the SDG Summit, this challenge paper explores next steps for accelerating the implementation of the SDG16+ targets by drawing on consultations with partners and on a series of thought pieces published after the SDG Summit.

Inequality Challenge Paper (https://cic.nyu.edu/sites/default/files/pathfinders-inequality-challenge-paper-updated-october.pdf)
The challenge paper does not replicate the many good analyses available from partners on contemporary trends in inequality and exclusion. The comparative advantage of this initiative comes through its strong links with government partners and its determined focus on solutions. This paper was produced through a broad consultative process with governments and civil society partners.

Justice for All Strategy (https://bf889554-6857-4cfe-8d55-8770007b8841.filesusr.com/ugd/6c192f_f49ce91ae7d642848e100a1ba68b6373.pdf)
The shared strategy for 2020-2023 aims to guide action to accelerate implementation of the SDG targets for justice for all. It has been developed with partners and provides a shared vision and direction that is inspired by the justice-related goals and targets of the 2030 agenda and the Justice for All report. It is a living document and will be further discussed and developed.

Justice for All report (https://bf889554-6857-4cfe-8d55-8770007b8841.filesusr.com/ugd/90b3d6_746fc8e4f9404abeb994928d3fe85c9e.pdf)
This report is the result of a collective effort by the world’s justice partners to chart a path towards equal access to justice for all. Through the Task Force on Justice, we have worked together to gather data on the scale of the justice gap and the evidence needed to underpin implementation. We are committed to supporting accelerated action in all countries and to demonstrating measurable progress as, in 2020, we enter a new decade for the delivery of the Sustainable Development Goals.

Justice for All report - highlights and policy recommendations (https://bf889554-6857-4cfe-8d55-8770007b8841.filesusr.com/ugd/90b3d6_7cc00af558bf46a88fb262e6a467f819.pdf)
This is the summary of the Justice for All report. It includes highlights and recommendations from the previous report.

Peace in Our Cities Campaign (https://530cfd94-d934-468b-a1c7-c67a84734064.filesusr.com/ugd/6c192f_d253a126f58542cb8f0091b32535637e.pdf)
This is the pledge that participating cities and partners make to halving violence by 2030. It includes the list of all the partners that are part of the campaign.

Decade of Action SDG16+ 19Dec19.pdf