Shaping a Sustainable Future

The Miami-Dade Beacon Council Wins UN Sustainable Development Goals Challenge

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Our last climate tech meetup of the year will feature the County’s efforts to expand EV infrastructure and more. Register now.

This is a moment of triumph for Miami—a defining milestone that reflects the power of collaboration, vision, and unwavering dedication to a brighter future. I am thrilled to share that The Miami-Dade Beacon Council, in partnership with local student visionaries, has proudly claimed First Place at the 2024 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Challenge.

This victory celebrates innovation and partnership, serving as a testament to Miami’s potential as a leader in sustainable economic development. Together, we’re laying the foundation for a resilient, inclusive, and prosperous Miami-Dade County.

It was a privilege to lead this effort alongside our exceptional student team: Martin Hernandez from Florida International University, Victor Kersting from Miami Dade College, and Alexandra C. Escobar from Lynn University.

Their groundbreaking proposal, the SDG Immersion Program, addresses three critical pillars: internal capacity building, external engagement, and impact measurement.

The SDG Challenge convenes members across industries, including private, public, nonprofits, academia, and the media, to recognize the goals in South Florida. This global student competition helps to mobilize the community and grow the SDG ecosystem, contributing to the region’s sustainable growth.

This initiative is not just a vision, it’s a roadmap to position Miami as a global leader in sustainable development. It reflects our determination to attract purpose-driven investments, build resilience, and foster a harmonious future where people, planet, and prosperity thrive.

The Grand Finale, hosted by the gracious Ms. Lisette den Breems, Consul General of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, at the Netherlands Residence, was an inspiring showcase of Miami’s brightest minds and most innovative institutions.

This achievement perfectly aligns with the mission of Opportunity Miami, our initiative to imagine the Miami of 2040 and help the community build it. By connecting innovation, talent, and sustainability, Opportunity Miami ensures we address today’s pressing challenges while preparing for tomorrow’s opportunities.

Through Opportunity Miami, we aim to drive innovation, foster inclusion, and lead in sustainability to ensure Miami remains a beacon of global progress. This SDG Challenge win underscores our commitment to transforming challenges into solutions that benefit us all.

As I shared with the students: “This victory represents the incredible power of collaboration. Together with our student leaders, we’re addressing Miami’s challenges and turning them into opportunities for innovation, inclusion, and sustainability. This is just the beginning of building a future where people, planet, and prosperity thrive in harmony.”

A special thank you to Scarlett Lanzas for her passionate leadership. I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to the Accountable Impact team, whose dedication to advancing sustainability was key to this success. My deepest gratitude goes to Rodrick Miller, President and CEO of the Miami-Dade Beacon Council, for his unwavering sponsorship and leadership, which made this opportunity possible.

Join Us in Shaping Miami’s Future
The SDG Challenge will continue with competitions in the Spring and Fall of 2025. We invite you to join The Beacon Council and Opportunity Miami in this effort to reimagine what’s possible for our city and build an innovative, inclusive, and sustainable future – together.

Let’s build the future, today.

EV CHARGING MEETUP

Last, please join us for our last climate tech meetup of the year — on December 9th at The Beacon Council. The focus will be on electric vehicle infrastructure expansion across Miami-Dade County. Register here.

PITCH US

If you have a company or entrepreneur to suggest or an idea to share that relates to building Miami’s future, email us at next@opportunity.miami. We invite you to subscribe to our YouTube channel and follow us on our social media channels. If you were forwarded this newsletter, you can subscribe by clicking here. And if you are new to Opportunity Miami, you can learn about our mission and work here. 

~ Dr. Hopkins