Olympians fuel action on SDGs, while supporting Beyond Sport Foundation
January 24, 2020
On January 16, we were honored to participate in the Eyes on the Goals: An SDG Digital Series Premiere at the United Nations headquarters in New York. Seven short films from seven uniquely influential individuals debuted, including ones from Olympic champions and social change advocates Michael Johnson and Hope Solo.
The films are meant to entertain, educate and fundraise simultaneously, with each engaging audiences around a specific Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) and highlighting the role of digital media for social good. For each video that hits 10,000 complete views (watched all the way through) on Instagram, YouTube or Facebook, a donation will be made to a foundation or charity working to achieve the SDGs -- including the Beyond Sport Foundation -- made possible with support from Live Nation and the Foundation for Global Sports Development.
The launch and social media campaign, organized by UNDP and Sustainable Partners Inc., marks the first major event in the UN’s Decade of Action to achieve the SDGs: 17 Global Goals that world leaders agreed on in 2015 as the key to solving the world’s pressing social and environmental crises - with a deadline of 2030.
Please watch and share the videos to help the Beyond Sport Foundation continue to celebrate, support, raise awareness and provide funding for organizations using sport to help make the UN SDGs a reality!
Michael Johnson, Beyond Sport Ambassador, Olympic Gold Medalist and Founder of Michael Johnson Performance, is advocating for Goal 10 – Reducing Inequalities, while Hope Solo, Olympic Gold Medalist, World Cup Champion and human rights activist, advocates for Goal 5 – Gender Equality. Funds raised will support the Beyond Sport Foundation with a portion also benefiting Michael Johnson Young Leaders and Street Soccer USA. (We thank them very much for their advocacy and support!) 
“The Sustainable Development Goals are a bold plan to end poverty, fight climate change and make sure all people everywhere benefit from peace, justice and prosperity. This will only happen if everyone gets on board. This campaign gives people a way to get involved and get active,” said UNDP’s Mila Rosenthal.
The event also included discussions on the roles of music, sports and social media in sustainable development. Beyond Sport Managing Director, Lex Chalat, spoke on sports role alongside Melanie Raffle Armenti of the Foundation for Global Sports Development, with moderation by Noella Richard of the UNDP.
“If you have two people that don't necessarily speak the same language or might come from different backgrounds or different religions getting out there on the pitch or on the court, suddenly those barriers drop away,” stated Chalat.
“However, I would say that you can't just throw a ball at two groups and expect them to just get along, there has to be purpose to it...They [Johnson and Solo] are using sport in very purposeful ways. They have methodology behind them, they have partners behind them and that's where I think sport can really shine.”
“The project doesn’t end here. The videos will now continue to gather views and donations as they are shared across the world. They have already reached a million total views in less than one day! Let’s keep entertaining, educating and raising money to achieve the Global Goals,” said Adam Met, founder of Sustainable Partners Inc., UNDP Advocate and member of the band AJR.