Embracing Collective Optimism: What We Need to Fulfill Our Commitments

Before the UN assemblee meeting, I had the privilege of joining a panel on Sustainable Development Goal 16 (SDG 16), organized by the United Nations Association of Greater Boston in collaboration with The Policy School at Northeastern University . The panelists highlighted the critical importance of SDG 16, which promotes peaceful and inclusive societies, provides access to justice for all, and builds effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions at all levels.

Often referred to as the cornerstone of the SDGs, SDG 16 underpins the achievement of all other goals. Without peace, justice, and strong institutions, progress in health, education, and economic development can be severely hindered. Evidence shows that countries with strong institutions and low levels of violence and corruption tend to have higher levels of economic growth and human development.

Participating in this panel underscored the interconnectedness of all SDGs and the pivotal role of SDG 16. To describe what it will take to reach SDGs, I highlighted the need for collective optimism. Thereafter, I received a follow-up email from one of the participants, asking me to describe what I meant by "collective optimism" and how to get there.

This optimism is not just a hopeful outlook but a result of a structured pathway that should guide our efforts. The following are the five steps to reach this collective optimism.

The Pathway to Collective Optimism

1. Intentional Sense of Humility: It takes humility to acknowledge and respect the voices and opinions of others.
2. Empathy: Intentional humility should lead to empathy. Stepping into others’ shoes and experiencing their needs with non-judgmental acceptance allows us to build a shared perception and coalition for change.
3. Coalition Building: Building a coalition is essential for making a meaningful difference. As the African proverb goes, “It takes a village to raise a child.” Similarly, it takes a coalition of like-minded individuals, institutions, and nations to alleviate suffering and drive change.
4. Genuine Action: Genuine action is the culmination of the previous steps. For actions to be sustainable, they must be rooted in humility, empathy, shared perception, and coalition building. Without these foundations, actions can appear hypocritical and fail to create a lasting impact.

Putting the Cart Before the Horse

While SDGs and other global commitments are noble aspirations, the lack of a clear pathway to genuine action often feels like placing the cart before the horse. Building coalitions without genuine action can be seen as hypocrisy, instructing the world to do what we are not practicing ourselves. Sustainable action must be based on shared perception and empathy, which, in turn, stem from intentional humility.

Philanthropy and Collective Optimism

In a world with increasing demands for funding and support, collective optimism can redefine the essence of philanthropy. Individuals, foundations, and other entities can reach new levels of altruism, essential for transforming communities and alleviating suffering. A report from Collective Giving Research Group highlighted that collective giving has increased significantly. Such growth in philanthropic action reflects a collective optimism that fuels greater civic engagement, fosters improved social well-being, and bridges political divides.

While collective optimism is a golden aspiration, it requires a clear pathway to guide efforts and drive individual and global commitments. Without a clear pathway, our efforts to deliver on our commitments may fail. Collective optimism applies not only to SDGs but also to various domains, from peace and reconciliation to global health and humanitarian response.

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