The Beyond Lab at UN Geneva

🌍 Rethinking Progress: Embracing Sustainable Transformation 🌱   On the 10th December 2024 the Beyond Lab held a What's Next event at the Building Bridges Week, thought leaders, economists, youth and changemakers gathered to tackle a fundamental question: What does progress really mean in today’s world? 🚀   The discussion, challenged traditional economic models and explored alternative systems that prioritize human well-being, social equity, and ecological sustainability over mere financial growth.   💡 Key takeaways from the conversation: 🔹 Beyond GDP: GDP doesn’t tell the whole story. We need new frameworks that value natural, social, and human capital. 🔹 From Extraction to Connection: Inspired by indigenous wisdom, we must shift from extractive economic models to regenerative and circular systems. 🔹 Empowering Future Generations: Young leaders must be equipped with the tools and knowledge to shape a more just and sustainable world.   As we stand at this crossroads, leaders, policymakers, and communities must collaborate to redefine progress and build systems that serve both people and the planet.   For a deeper dive into these insights, check out the full article here.🔗 https://lnkd.in/e-7MaVUY #Sustainability #EconomicTransformation #BeyondGDP #FutureGenerations #RethinkingProgress #MakeShifthappen

One thing I'm looking forward to for 2025 is being the first Innovator in Residence at The Beyond Lab at UN Geneva. Through the residency, I will work with Evgeniya Altukhova to provide insights and build initiatives for unconventional approaches to sustainability through long-term solutions. This residency builds on the shared ambitions of The Fifth Element (The Club of Rome) and the Beyond Lab to develop learning partnerships worldwide to promote equitable well-being on a healthy planet. Learn more here: https://lnkd.in/d2X9DJCV About The Fifth Element: https://lnkd.in/ddES9U66

As the year wraps up, many of us are preparing for those family holiday traditions—delicious meals, heartfelt moments, and that one inevitable question from a well-meaning relative:   "So… what is it that you do again?"   This year, we decided to make answering that question a little easier for ourselves—and hopefully for you too! We’ve put together a short recap of the year, breaking down what we actually do and what we strive for, in simple and accessible terms. 🎥✨ 👉  https://lnkd.in/ePte_Y2q    2024 has been a year of transformation for our team, marked by questionning, big shifts, and a renewed focus on how we can be the change we wish to see in the world. It’s been a journey filled with challenges, collaboration, and a lot of hope for what still can be done to make people and planet thrive.   To everyone who’s been part of this ride—thank you. 🙏   We wish you a restful holiday season and a chance to reflect on the wins, mindset shifts big and small. And of course, if you’re sitting around a table answering that question too, feel free to share this video. It might just help.   🎄☃️ Here’s to a brighter and hopefull 2025! 🌟   #YearInReview #WhatWeDo #2024Recap #Holidays #MakeShiftHappen

📢 The latest issue of the Beyond Lab' Sustainability Letter is here! We’re excited to share updates, stories, and reflections to close out the year with purpose and hope. 🌟 📩 Read it here : https://lnkd.in/dBQcuKyH And sign up here for a newsletter that helps you make the shift happen! https://lnkd.in/d8dWMRUA Let us know what you think—we’d love your feedback! #BeyondLab #Newsletter #Sustainability #Hope #MakeShiftHappen

🌍 What do we owe to the future? Tomorrow evening, we invite you to take a seat at a truly unique table of perspectives during the Building Bridges Week at the CICG - International Conference Centre Geneva. This isn't just another event; it's a rare convergence of generations united by a shared purpose: to tackle the pressing question of our duties to the future. Tatiana Valovaya and André Hoffmann will open the evening with remarks to inspire and ground us before we dive into the dialogue. From the vibrant voice of Xiye Bastida, celebrated climate activist and founder of the Re-Earth Initiative, to the sharp insights of Zemira Humphrey, a One Young World Ambassador shaping sustainability with the WBCSD – World Business Council for Sustainable Development, youth takes center stage. But the dialogue doesn’t stop there. Kenyan visionary James Mwangi will add his perspective on equity, while Elisabeth Stern, one of Switzerland’s beloved #ClimateGrannies, will weave in the wisdom of years spent championing change. Moderated by Peter Vanham of Fortune, this promises to be a dynamic conversation rich in depth and contrast. 🔗 What’s the best part? This plenary is free and open to the public. And when the conversation concludes, stay for a social cocktail—a chance to keep the dialogue alive, forge connections, and maybe even dream up new ideas for a better tomorrow. Where will you be on Tuesday night? Let it be where change begins. See you at #BuildingBridges24 #MakeShiftHappen✨

🔥 "Going beyond is knowing when it’s time to leave something behind—and fossil fuels are long overdue!" 🔥   As the climate crisis accelerates, the call for a Fossil Fuel Treaty is louder than ever. With COP29, the message should be clear: business as usual is simply no longer an option.   At the Beyond Lab, we believe that phasing out fossil fuels is not just necessary—it’s non-negotiable if we’re serious about a sustainable future. A Fossil Fuel Treaty would establish a clear, international commitment to transition from dirty energy to cleaner alternatives, aligning perfectly with our Beyond GDP vision: prioritizing well-being, fairness, and a thriving planet over economic metrics that don’t account for environmental costs.   That’s why we're also thrilled to share that Kumi Naidoo, who electrified our event on “Beyond GDP” at the Summit of the Future, has just been appointed President of the Global Initiative to Phase Out Fossil Fuels! Kumi’s leadership, sharp insights, and unwavering dedication to justice make him a powerful advocate for transforming our energy systems.   The stakes are high, but the opportunity is real. Let's use the opportunity of COP29, let’s come together and push for a treaty that holds us accountable and puts people and the planet above profit.   #MakeShiftHappen   #BeyondGDP #FossilFuelTreaty #COP29 #SustainableFuture #KumiNaidoo

🌍 From Dialogue to Action: COP29 and the Next Chapter in Climate Resilience 🌍   As the dust will settle on another pivotal #COP29, we at the Beyond Lab reflect not only on the commitments made but on the powerful, unspoken challenge that lies ahead: translating promises into action.   COP29 has been a space for forging bold ambitions, but the climate conversation is now moving into critical territory—one where innovation and action are indispensable. 🌱💡 In line with this, the Beyond Lab continues to explore and advocate for fringe solutions that push the boundaries of sustainable development, integrating interdisciplinary approaches and deep collaborative frameworks across sectors.   Here’s what we’re diving into post-COP29: 🔹 Radical Resilience: How do we create systems resilient to the swift changes in climate and global patterns? 🔹 Beyond Carbon: How can we address ecological impact holistically, from biodiversity to human made systems such as the economy? 🔹 Inclusive Sustainability: How can we elevate voices from underrepresented populations such as minorities or future generations on the climate agenda?   The road forward calls for more than policy; it demands active engagement, collaboration, and disruptive thinking. We’re excited to keep pushing these limits with our partners and community. 🌍   Join the conversation and stay connected as we share our latest insights, projects, and opportunities for collaboration that extend beyond COP29 and into a more sustainable future.   #MakeShiftHappen   #BeyondLab #Sustainability #ClimateAction #Resilience #FutureOfOurPlanet #COP29

🌍✨ What if imagination was at the heart of our solutions? ✨🌍 Have you ever wondered how tapping into your creativity could transform the way we address challenges within the multilateral system? Join us at the Beyond Lab and United Nations Global Pulse as we launch the “Department of the Possible” Workshop Series, starting with Imagination as Essential Work on 11 November!

At the United Nations Summit for the Future's Action Weekend last month, youth voices took center stage, with significant contributions from The Beyond Lab at UN Geneva. The Beyond Lab played a pivotal role in promoting youth engagement through its Youth Moving Beyond GDP initiative. The initiative attracted 630 essay submissions from young people from more than 50 countries with 10 winning essays featured in a special publication where youth shared their perspectives on values and principles for a framework beyond GDP. At the Summit, the Beyond Lab engaged in two related side events, one of which was a virtual event in partnership with UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and Rethinking Economics International, amplifying youth voices on this critical issue. The second side event was organized by the Lab’s civil society partner, the International Institute for Sustainable Development. Davide Fanciulli, on behalf of the Lab, discussed the outcomes of its collaboration with UNCTAD and Rethinking Economics on the Youth Moving Beyond GDP initiative, which aims to integrate youth perspectives into the broader agendas and commitments of member states, particularly in relation to Action 53 of the Pact for the Future. In addition to these events, Maria Alejandra Perez Rodriguez, one of the essay competition participants, delivered an impactful speech on the official opening day of the Action Days, stressing the need to properly value care work as part of the economy, urging for investment in quality care services. By building direct channels connecting youth, world leaders, and international actors during the Summit, The Beyond Lab at UN Geneva reinforced the importance of intergenerational dialogue and youth-led action to drive transformative change for the future. Learn more about the Lab ➡️ https://lnkd.in/g_8RGPcJ #OurCommonFuture #Youth #FlashbackFriday

"Hope is the only thing stronger than fear." Our esteemed colleague, Amani Bathily, recently spoke on Swiss Radio about The Beyond Lab’s work on hope. French speakers can listen to the interview here 👉 https://lnkd.in/eUCcJEFf When asked about hope, here is what she had to share: "A little over a year ago, a colleague introduced me to the idea of 'hope' as a discipline. At the time, I was a bit skeptical, even thinking that hope might be a luxury for those of us in comfortable settings, seeking to nurture an empty optimism in the face of today’s crises. But my curiosity got the best of me, leading me to dive deeper—through books, podcasts, research. And what I found was that the concept of hope is far richer. It can be seen in philosophies like Ubuntu, which was a powerful force for reconciliation in South Africa after apartheid, reaffirming our shared humanity. So when the chance came to work on this theme at UN Geneva, it felt like the right path. But what is hope today, and what role does it play in my work? We often speak of 'times of crisis.' But let’s be honest: that’s a diplomatic way of describing a period of profound upheaval where the destruction of life and familiar structures accelerates alarmingly. It’s a time marked by grief, trauma, and deep uncertainty. While our capacity to survive is remarkable, the real challenge isn’t just to survive—it’s to truly live. Far from a sudden apocalypse, the danger is that we might quietly witness the erosion of our shared humanity. And that’s where hope steps in: it’s the radical awareness that our generation, even through a screen, bears witness to major shifts and deep fractures. If we learn to navigate these turbulent times, to reconnect with our humanity and what enlivens us (not merely keeps us alive), then we can pass on to future generations the tools to rebuild a world they can call their own. It took me a while to realize that in the face of economic inequalities, climate crises, and the lingering effects of racism and postcolonial inequalities, solutions don’t lie in despair or fear. These feelings are natural steps, but what follows is just as important. That’s where creativity, dreaming, poetry, and joy reside… To offer future generations a fairer world, we must be able to imagine one that is more beautiful and more just than the one we know today."