2024 has not provided the progress we need to close gaps globally for girls. But 2025 can be different. Today's guest is Susanne Legena, CEO of Plan International Australia, and someone who enjoys – and is particularly good at – taking a ‘big picture’ strategic focus on issues, and finding hope in despair.In this conversation, Susanne outlines some of the critical challenges facing girls and women globally: notably conflict, climate change and hunger. She shares some of the highs and lows for girls internationally in 2024, and what we can all do to see more progress on issues like education, ending child marriage, and ensuring access to healthcare and safety for girls.Susanne’s role sees her travelling extensively and meeting with her counterparts globally while also regularly commenting on gender equity issues, as well as the continuous stream of research and stories that Plan International releases, especially on how girls are faring across our region. We are entering 2025. The halfway mark of the twenties in what has long been considered the 'critical decade'. As Susanne outlines, we have five years until 2030, the year recorded as a key global target for many things, including sustainable development goals and emissions reduction targets. So how much can we get done in five years? More than we think.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.