UN75 – A Global Town Hall for an Uncertain Future
“If you spend much time on social media, it may seem like the world is plagued by seemingly intractable divides. But deep down, most of us really want the same thing—a healthy planet where people get along, have enough, and work together to build a better world. Even if we disagree on how to get there, we all want to believe that a peaceful, prosperous future is possible.”
Client: United Nations, United Nations Foundation
Challenge
In 2020, as the world grappled with COVID-19 and an array of interconnected challenges, the United Nations faced a crucial juncture. To ensure it remained relevant and responsive in this turbulent landscape, the UN sought to understand the hopes, fears, and aspirations of people around the globe.
UN75 Initiative
To mark its 75th anniversary, the UN launched UN75, an ambitious global conversation designed to listen to the people it serves. Twelvenets, a strategic partner, played a key role in supporting this initiative.
Our Approach
- Global Survey Development: Collaborated with the UN to develop a comprehensive survey capturing public opinion on critical issues like pandemic recovery, climate change, and international cooperation.
- Dialogue Facilitation: Supported the creation of materials to guide over 3,000 dialogues in 120 countries, fostering discussions across diverse communities.
- Data Analysis and Insights: Assisted with analyzing data from various sources, including surveys, media monitoring, and academic research, to paint a holistic picture of global sentiment.
UN75’s Global Consultation
- Over 1.3 million respondents: A global survey garnered over 1.3 million responses, offering insights into public priorities for building a better future.
- 3,000+ dialogues: Over 3,000 facilitated dialogues, both virtual and in-person, sparked conversations and fostered understanding across diverse communities.
- In-depth research: Data analysis included polling 50,000 people across 50 countries, media monitoring in 70 countries, and mapping academic research in six UN languages.
Results
- The UN75 initiative culminated in a series of reports:
- Shaping our Future Together – UN75 January 2021 report
- UN75 and Our Common Agenda
- The future we want, the UN we need – UN75 September 2020 report
- Resolved to combine our efforts – UN75 April 2020 report
- These reports, informed by the global consultation, provided valuable insights for policymakers and world leaders.
Conclusion
UN75 stands as the UN’s most extensive global consultation effort to date. By listening to the voices of over a million people, the initiative provided a critical snapshot of global opinion during a time of significant change. The insights gleaned from UN75 will play a vital role in shaping a more inclusive and prosperous future for all.
Media
Press Coverage
- How can we harness technology to create a more sustainable and equitable world?
- In 75 years, the UN has made big leaps in improving global health — but we still have a lot to do
- 75 Years of Global Progress with the United Nations
- We held a Q & A about building a better world. The answers will boost your faith in humanity.
