Hundreds attend women’s leadership conference for future community leaders in Las Vegas – KSNV

Report on the Greater Las Vegas Annual Women’s Leadership Conference and its Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

Event Overview and Contribution to SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities)

The fourth Greater Las Vegas Annual Women’s Leadership Conference was held at the Thomas and Mack Center. The event, themed “Unstoppable,” convened key community stakeholders to invest in the region’s future leadership, directly supporting the development of inclusive, safe, and resilient communities as outlined in SDG 11.

• Objective: To inspire and share wisdom with youth, identified as the future of the community.
• Civic Engagement: The conference featured the attendance of the mayors from North Las Vegas, Henderson, and Las Vegas, demonstrating a municipal commitment to youth development and sustainable community building.
• Community Cohesion: The event included cultural performances from Del Sol Academy and Las Vegas Academy of the Arts, fostering a sense of local identity and community engagement.

Advancing SDG 5 (Gender Equality) and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities)

The conference placed significant emphasis on empowering young women, a core target of SDG 5. By drawing a diverse group of students, the event also addressed SDG 10 by promoting social inclusion and providing equitable opportunities.

1. Targeted Empowerment: The conference was explicitly designed as a women’s leadership event, aiming to dismantle barriers and promote female participation in leadership roles.
2. Inclusive Participation: Attendance included 400 students from over two dozen campuses, spanning middle school to college levels, ensuring broad access to leadership development opportunities and reducing inequalities.
3. Recognition of Female Leadership: North Las Vegas Mayor Pamela Goynes-Brown was awarded the TransformHer Woman of the Year, providing a visible and powerful role model for attendees and reinforcing the goals of SDG 5.

Fostering SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals)

The event served as a platform for non-traditional education and mentorship, aligning with SDG 4’s goal of ensuring lifelong learning opportunities. Its execution was a model of SDG 17, showcasing a multi-stakeholder partnership for sustainable development.

• Educational Impact: The conference provided a valuable learning experience outside the traditional classroom, with a keynote address delivered by News 3 anchor and reporter Marie Mortera, contributing to inclusive and equitable quality education.
• Strategic Partnerships: The successful execution of the conference relied on a partnership between city governments, multiple educational institutions, and local media, demonstrating a collaborative approach to achieving development goals.

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

1. SDG 4: Quality Education

   The article discusses an event that gathered 400 students from middle school to college to “share wisdom and inspire the youth.” This focus on providing supplementary learning, inspiration, and leadership skills outside the traditional classroom setting contributes to ensuring inclusive and equitable quality education and promoting lifelong learning opportunities.

2. SDG 5: Gender Equality

   The event is specifically the “Greater Las Vegas Annual Women’s Leadership Conference.” Its purpose is to empower and inspire students, with a clear focus on female leadership. The recognition of North Las Vegas Mayor Pamela Goynes-Brown as the “TransformHer Woman of the Year” further highlights the theme of achieving gender equality and empowering all women and girls.

3. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

   The conference involves mayors from three local cities (North Las Vegas, Henderson, and Las Vegas) engaging with youth, who are described as the “future of the community.” This direct engagement between local government and young citizens fosters inclusive and sustainable community development. Additionally, the event showcased cultural performances from local schools, contributing to the cultural fabric of the community.

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

• Target 4.7: Education for sustainable development and global citizenship

  The conference aimed to “share wisdom and inspire the youth,” which aligns with ensuring learners acquire knowledge and skills for sustainable development. By focusing on leadership and community, it promotes skills for active citizenship. The inclusion of performances from the Las Vegas Academy of the Arts also supports the “appreciation of cultural diversity and of culture’s contribution to sustainable development.”

• Target 5.5: Ensure women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership

  The article directly addresses this target by describing a “Women’s Leadership Conference.” The event’s goal of inspiring students, combined with the presence and recognition of female mayors, serves to encourage and provide role models for women’s participation and leadership in public life.

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

• Implied Indicator for Target 5.5: Number of participants in leadership development programs for women and girls.

  The article explicitly states that the conference “drew 400 students from over two dozen campuses.” This number serves as a direct measure of participation in an event designed to foster female leadership skills.

• Implied Indicator for Target 5.5: Proportion of women in local government.

  The article mentions the attendance of mayors from North Las Vegas, Henderson, and Las Vegas, and specifically names “North Las Vegas Mayor Pamela Goynes-Brown” as an award recipient. This highlights the presence of women in significant leadership positions within the local community, which is a key measure of progress for this target.

• Implied Indicator for Target 4.7: Number of youth engagement or cultural events.

  The article notes that the conference is an “Annual” event, now in its “fourth year,” indicating a sustained effort to engage youth. It also mentions “performances from Del Sol Academy and Las Vegas Academy of the Arts,” which can be counted as an initiative promoting local culture among students.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: news3lv.com