A New Deal for Road Safety: youth leading the charge

We have some very exciting news! Our SDG Champion for Climate Action, Soumita Chakraborty, is joining the Global Alliance of NGOs for Road Safety, the Road Safety Partnership Collaboration, and the Johns Hopkins University in a session called A New Deal for Road Safety. The event is happening live in Germany this coming 18 May 1t 4:30 PM CEST. Live updates will be shared from the official Twitter account of the Alliance so be sure to connect with them as soon as you can.

The side event on Implementing the Global Plan - 2nd Decade of Action for Road Safety - Capacity building, monitoring and research, and the roles of non-state actors will have different speakers and representatives exchange ideas on the shortcomings of governments in the implementation of the Global Plan with the Safe Systems Approach. The panelists will also talk about non-state actors’ roles in helping meet the road safety targets under the Global Goals.

Photo from iRAP - International Road Assessment Programme

In her intervention, Soumita will talk about the Youth Coalition and how we, as an organization, promote road safety through meaningful youth engagement. She will elaborate on how programs like the Local Actions can accelerate the implementation of the Global Plan for road Safety. 

She will also explain how our SDG Champions are raising awareness of the connection of other SDGs with road safety and sustainable mobility. One of their most notable initiatives is the development of Policy Briefs that elaborate on the data around the global goals and how it links to road safety. The Briefs will serve as an advocacy tool for young people that will help them emphasize the relationship road safety has with the Global Goals and how it would influence the wider SDG agenda.

So far, we’ve published two Policy Briefs, specifically on SDG 4: Quality Education and SDG 5: Gender Equality.

Road safety has been receiving increased global attention through the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the United Nations General Assembly adoption of Resolution 74/299, and the Stockholm Declaration for Road Safety. Non-state actors are recognized in these declarations and the event led by the Alliance elaborates on their roles and how they can synergize and accelerate the process. 

A New Deal for Road Safety is being organized by the Alliance, YOURS - Youth for Road Safety, Michelin, and TotalEnergies Foundation. It will feature panel discussions where with representatives from the corporate, youth, academic, and non-governmental organization sectors.