Formation of the Barbara McDowell Social Justice Center and Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

The Barbara McDowell Foundation and the Barbara McDowell Public Interest Law Center have completed a strategic merger, establishing the Barbara McDowell Social Justice Center (BMSJC). This consolidation integrates the grantmaking capabilities of the Foundation with the impact litigation activities of the Public Interest Law Center. The primary objective of this new entity is to enhance the fight against systemic social injustices, directly contributing to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions) and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities).

Strategic Initiatives and Contribution to SDG Targets

Impact Litigation and Grantmaking

The Center’s operational model combines direct, in-house litigation with a robust grantmaking program, a strategy designed to multiply its impact on social justice. This dual approach is a direct implementation of SDG 16.3, which aims to promote the rule of law and ensure equal access to justice for all.

• Direct Litigation: The Center will initiate its own high-impact legal cases to challenge systemic injustices.
• Grantmaking: The Center will continue to fund other non-profit organizations pursuing similar litigation. To date, the Center has disbursed nearly $2 million in grants to 55 organizations across 22 states, fostering a nationwide network dedicated to strengthening judicial access for vulnerable populations.

Focus Areas: Disability Rights and Foster Care Reform

The Center has appointed George Mykulak as its new Senior Litigation Director to lead its in-house legal efforts. The initial cases will focus on disability rights and foster care reform, areas critically linked to specific SDG targets.

1. Disability Rights: This initiative directly supports SDG 10.2, which calls for the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, including persons with disabilities. By litigating for disability rights, the Center works to dismantle discriminatory practices and ensure equal opportunity.
2. Foster Care Reform: This focus area addresses the vulnerabilities of children within the foster care system, contributing to SDG 10 by reducing inequalities for a marginalized group and indirectly supporting SDG 1 (No Poverty) by tackling systemic issues that can perpetuate cycles of poverty.

Governance and Partnerships for the Goals (SDG 17)

Leadership and Governance

To enhance its strategic oversight and build strong, accountable institutions in line with SDG 16, the Center has expanded its board of directors. The new members are James Rollins, a partner at Nelson Mullins, and Charlyn Stanberry, Vice President of Government Relations at the National Association of Broadcasters. Their inclusion strengthens the Center’s governance and broadens its expertise.

Fostering Multi-Stakeholder Partnerships

The Center’s structure and operations exemplify a commitment to SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). It actively encourages and promotes effective civil society and public-private partnerships through:

• The foundational merger of its two constituent parts.
• Its grantmaking program, which creates a collaborative network of social justice organizations.
• A board of directors comprised of leaders from the legal, corporate, and public affairs sectors.

Summary of Contributions to the 2030 Agenda

The Barbara McDowell Social Justice Center is positioned to drive meaningful change by aligning its core mission with the Sustainable Development Goals. Its primary contributions include:

1. SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions): Advanced through strategic litigation and funding mechanisms that ensure greater access to justice.
2. SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities): Targeted by focusing on the rights of marginalized communities, including persons with disabilities and children in foster care.
3. SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals): Embodied in its merged structure, collaborative grantmaking, and diverse leadership, which together create a powerful coalition for social justice.

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The article highlights work that is directly connected to the following Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):

• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

  This goal is addressed through the Barbara McDowell Social Justice Center’s (BMSJC) focus on fighting “systemic social justice injustices.” Specifically, the article mentions the Center’s litigation efforts in “disability rights,” which is a core component of reducing inequalities and ensuring the inclusion of all individuals.

• SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

  This goal is central to the article’s theme. The BMSJC’s primary methods, “impact litigation” and providing grants for “high-impact social justice litigation,” directly contribute to building a more just society. The article emphasizes the Center’s role in using legal action to achieve “foster care reform” and ensure justice, which aligns with the goal of promoting the rule of law and creating effective, accountable institutions.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the activities described, the following specific targets can be identified:

1. Under SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

   • Target 10.2: “By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status.” The Center’s work on “disability rights” directly supports the inclusion of persons with disabilities.
   • Target 10.3: “Ensure equal opportunity and reduce inequalities of outcome, including by eliminating discriminatory laws, policies and practices and promoting appropriate legislation, policies and action in this regard.” The Center’s use of “impact litigation” is a direct mechanism for challenging and eliminating discriminatory practices within the legal system.

2. Under SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

   • Target 16.2: “End abuse, exploitation, trafficking and all forms of violence against and torture of children.” The Center’s initiated case focusing on “foster care reform” aims to protect vulnerable children and improve the systems designed to care for them, which is integral to this target.
   • Target 16.3: “Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all.” The entire mission of the BMSJC, which involves bringing “direct litigation” and making “grants to other nonprofits for litigating similar cases,” is fundamentally about improving access to justice for marginalized communities.
   • Target 16.B: “Promote and enforce non-discriminatory laws and policies for sustainable development.” The Center’s fight against “systemic injustice” through legal challenges is a clear effort to enforce non-discriminatory laws and policies.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Yes, the article mentions or implies several quantitative and qualitative indicators that can be used to measure progress:

• Indicator for Target 16.3: The article explicitly states that the Center has “awarded grants totaling nearly $2 million to 55 organizations.” This provides two clear indicators:
  • Total financial resources provided to support social justice litigation (e.g., nearly $2 million).
  • Number of civil society organizations supported to provide access to justice (e.g., 55 organizations).
• Indicator for Targets 10.3, 16.2, and 16.B: The article mentions the Center’s “first two initiated cases focused on disability rights and foster care reform.” This implies an indicator related to legal action:
  • Number of strategic/impact litigation cases initiated or supported to challenge discrimination and promote social justice.
• Indicator for Targets 10.2 and 10.3: The mention of “high-impact social justice litigation” and the goal to “drive meaningful, lasting change” implies a qualitative indicator:
  • Existence of successful legal actions or policy changes resulting from litigation in areas like disability rights and foster care reform.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: lawfirmnewswire.com