Innovations and Partnerships for SDGs at UN Day 2017

The UN Agencies in Lesotho signed partnership agreements with Vodacom Lesotho and Limkokwing University to promote Sustainable Development Goals, strengthen Incubation Projects and Mentorship Programs in Education, Training, Capacity Building and Skills Development for Youth, Women, and other Vulnerable Groups; Research and Internship Programs as well as to enhance data collection efforts, analysis and visualization through innovative outreach initiatives including Big & Raw Data analysis. The signing took place during the "Innovations and Partnerships for SDGs" workshop organized with media, private sector, academia partners and UN system.

"The role of science, technology and innovation is key to foster the implementation of the SDGs. The private sector has the power of innovation and ability to create many of the solutions needed to address the challenges the world is facing today", noted the UN Resident Coordinator in Lesotho Mr. Salvator Niyonzima.

In his remarks, Mr. Moroka Hoohlo, Registrar of the Limkokwing University noted that, "this is yet another milestone at which we mark one of the most esteemed occurrences in history of human development as well as expansion of education parameters. Our young people have shown how quickly they have responded to change and how rapidly they have embraced the new advancements influenced by current economic drifts. Human development cannot be left to the government or development partners only but it is a collective endeavor that needs partnerships of the nature in which we are gathered here this morning".

In the remarks by Mr. Rishaad Tayob, Vodacom Lesotho Managing Director and presentation made by Vodacom it was highlighted that important work engaging innovative ways to tackling development problems is already ongoing. Among many other initiatives, Vodacom through the Moyo Lesotho project along with local & global partners, has made life easier for women & children affected by HIV and AIDS by mobilizing healthcare even to remote areas for over 2 years.