UNDP and JCI delegates pictured with Mr Ahmed Kathrada
The United Nations My World initiative is a global survey that invites citizens of the planet to vote on how they would like to change the world for the better.
My World asks individuals which six out of 16 possible issues they think would make the most difference to their lives. People of all ages, genders and backgrounds are invited to vote, which will ultimately help inform world leaders as they begin drafting the next global development agenda.
The campaign was launched to local media at the Nelson Mandela Foundation on Thursday 17 July 2014.
Some 2.75-million people have already voted (see analytics here), profiling what matters most to them in their world.
“UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is committed to making the process of drafting the next global development agenda as inclusive as possible. The aim is to involve all citizens in profiling key aspirations for the future,” said Dr Agostinho Zacarias, UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident.
UNDP delegates pictured with Mr Ahmed Kathrada
Corinne Woods, Global Director of the UN Millennium Campaign, spoke about My World as a platform that drives global engagement.
“The survey aims to listen to the voices of ordinary people and brings them to a worldwide decision-making process. It is individuals that will help define priorities for the path to 2030,” she said.
What is top priority for the world’s citizens?
According to the votes captured thus far, the world’s citizens think the following four aspects are most important:
1. A good education
2. Better healthcare
3. Better job opportunities
4. An honest and responsive government.
“In South Africa, the votes indicate that what matters most is a good education and protection against crime and violence,” said Woods.
Corinne Woods profiled My World as a platform that drives global engagement
William More and Sage Martin drive the My World outreach and research programme. They have engaged with communities in over 15 countries, walking the streets and asking people what matters most to them. They table the stories they have been told on the Humans of My World Facebook page.
“We cannot lose sight of the fact that it is the power of the human individual and the human story that changes hearts and incites people to come together and fight for change,” quoted Martin.
The president of Junior Chamber International (JCI) South Africa, Linda Ben, said the survey speaks to the heart of active citizenry.
“We need to understand that in order to effect positive change, we have to empower ourselves and our communities. Lend your voice to the UN campaign and help shape the world we live in,” she said.
Luvuyo Mandela urged young people to engage with the platforms available to co-create a world they want to live in
“Gone are the days for ordinary citizens to be seen and not heard – and for the youth to be seen and not heard,” said Luvuyo Mandela. “Today we have incredible resources at hand that are asking us to help shape the world of our dreams.
“It’s time for us as young people to come together and debate about what matters most to us. It’s time for us ask how we can best make ourselves heard.”
Mandela urged young people to engage with the platforms available to co-create a world they want to live in.
To find out more about the UN My World survey, please visit www.myworld2015.org/
To cast your vote, visit www.myworld2015.org/