How It Works
In the 17 Rooms flagship process, each “Room” is led virtually by 2 co-leads who serve as idea owners. These “big ideas” aim to propel practical actions or mechanisms that can make a material difference to some aspect of the 17 SDGs by 2030.
An additional 6-8 participants are selected as Room members. Using a convenings design from The Rockefeller Foundation, the Rooms meet 1-3 times to shape, debate, and deliver recommendations for how to advance the Room’s big idea. The design principles focus on conversations, not presentations, and emphasize that all Rooms should take a next step, even if it’s not the perfect step.
Rooms deliver a public memo detailing the idea and recommendations for action to advance it. Additionally, Rooms are offered the opportunity to publish a corresponding op-ed to connect with a global audience.
The platform also includes an in-person convening in New York City in September alongside the United Nations General Assembly. This gathering serves as an opportunity to rally around ideas, surface new ideas, and advance the extensive network of current, former, and future 17 Rooms members.
Taking Action Locally
Learn MoreThe 17 Rooms methodology has also been developed into a toolkit for use by communities seeking to implement local actions to advance the SDGs. Learn more about this effort, called 17 Rooms-X, and where it has been tested.
2024 Room Memos
No Poverty
Discover how Room 1 proposed a national strategy using perinatal cash transfers to eliminate deep infant poverty in the U.S. by 2030, focusing on bipartisan support and sustainable funding.
Explore MoreZero Hunger
Learn how Room 2, in collaboration with the School Meals Coalition, proposed a financing solution to expand school meals to 100-150 million more children by 2030.
Explore MorePartnerships for the Goals
Room 17 developed an “impact hub” strategy for global maternal health by 2030 — learn more in their Project Syndicate op-ed and summary memo.
Explore MoreFeatured Content
- In 2024, the 17 Rooms flagship pivoted its approach to focus on bold, high-impact ideas for advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030, refining its convening techniques, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, and elevating insights through op-eds, culminating in a series of innovative proposals tackling issues from infant poverty to AI-driven conservation.
- This platform highlights some of the “big ideas” from the 17 Rooms project in the Room co-leads’ own words.
- 17 Rooms co-chairs John W. McArthur of the Brookings Institution and The Rockefeller Foundation's Zia Khan share lessons about how ideas can drive positive change.
