Signal briefs

As we look ahead to building forward better from the COVID-19 pandemic, reducing future liabilities, and getting the Sustainable Development Goals back on track, we must recognize that we are operating in a context of shared vulnerabilities, with risks and interests that require new models of societal and transnational innovations—unpacked here, for example.

What does inclusive and sustainable development look like in a post-COVID world? To answer this, we must consider how development challenges manifest “on the ground” at the level of local communities. What emerging risks and opportunities can we detect? What mainstream development pathway alternatives can we identify?

“Every point of view is a view from a point.”

These prototype Signal Briefs represent a sense-making by volunteer “signal scanners” of trends and observations across themes as diverse as home and well-being, work and the economy, cities and place, marginalization of communities, and possible futures. Think of these briefs as insight pieces, conversation starters, or prompts for further inquiry.

Due to movement restrictions, we have drawn on evidence available digitally, including news articles, podcasts, videos, blogs, and publicly available social media posts. For more information or to provide feedback, get in touch with us here. This series was contributed by UN Online Volunteers.

Disclaimer: These signal briefs are for information purposes only and do not necessarily represent the views of UNDP Malaysia, nor endorsement of entities mentioned in the briefs.