United Nations SDG Action Campaign

Explore the artworks and actions shaping a more equal world

Curated by the UN SDG Action Campaign at the 24th Triennale Milano International Exhibition

From exclusion to inclusion. From climate risk to climate action. From conflict to cooperation. From fear to hope. Together, we choose hope. Together, we act.

We live in a world of parallel realities – where inequalities of income, gender, race, age, and geography divide and destabilize societies. But inequality is not inevitable. And it is not irreversible.

This immersive digital exhibition invites you to explore these divides through the eyes of renowned Turkish artist Uğur Gallenkuş, whose split-image collages lay bare the contrasts — from climate injustice to gender-based violence, forced displacement to social exclusion.

Artworks are paired with the stories from UN SDG Action Awards changemakers transforming hope into action – from ending child marriage, protecting forests, and dismantling systems of exclusion.

This journey of awareness and inspiration culminates in a powerful call to action. Join the global community through the UN’s ACTNOW campaign — and take small, meaningful steps toward a more sustainable and equal future.

Artwork Selection

Deepening inequalities — within and across countries — destabilize societies, weaken communities, and erode trust.

These disparities stem from income, gender, age, ethnicity, location, and more.

Through his signature split-image collages, artist Uğur Gallenkuş invites us to reflect on these realities — contrasting worlds of privilege and injustice, peace and conflict, inclusion and exclusion.

I am a Woman

When women are treated equally, they can reach their full potential, driving economic growth and uplifting communities.

Yet today, one in three women and girls suffer physical or sexual violence, undermining their health and societies as a whole.

Equality is not a privilege, it’s a human right. And it’s time we made it real.

Listen to Paola Andrade and
her story of hope in action.

Listen to Srishti Bakshi and her story of hope in action

Listen to Oluwaseun Ayodeji Oluwabiyi and her story of hope in action

Children Are Children First – Seesaw

Every child deserves the chance to grow up in peace, to play, learn and dream. This vision would foster a generation of innovators, leaders, and changemakers.

Yet today, over 473 million children, more than one in six, live in areas affected by conflict. It’s time to act and give them the future they deserve.

Listen to Payzee Mahmod and her story of hope in action.

Listen to Bassel Al Madani and his story of hope in action.

Copyright information & title:
A Syrian boy sits on the barrel of a destroyed tank. Syria, 2015. 

Photo: Yasin Akgül 

Catwalk 

Everyone should have the opportunity to thrive.

Yet today, over 122 million individuals are forcibly displaced worldwide due to human rights violations, conflicts and climate change.

Together, we can create a world where everyone can reach their full potential.

Listen to Hamzat Lawal and his story of hope in action.

Listen to Nery Santaella and her story of hope in action.

Copyright information & title:
Hundreds of Aracanese people crossing Bangladesh’s border as they flee from Buthidaung in Myanmar upon crossing the Naf River in Bangladesh. On September 10, 2017. 

Editorial Photo: K.M. Asad
Fashion Photo: Natalie McCreesh 

Last Tree Standing 

Protecting and restoring forests is one of the most powerful solutions we have to combat climate change, support biodiversity, improve air quality and sustain livelihoods.

Yet over the past 20 years, the loss of trees has resulted in an average of 8.1 billion tons of CO2 emissions annually, contributing significantly to global warming.

Let’s act now before it’s too late.

Listen to Felix Finkbeiner and his story of hope in action.

Listen to Foluke Michael and her story of hope in action

What a Wonderful World

A cleaner, healthier future is within reach.

Yet today, nine out of ten people breathe polluted air, which causes an estimated seven million premature deaths every year and threatens economies, food security and the environment.

We all share the same sky: what we do now decides what we will breathe tomorrow.

Listen to Billie Dumaliang and her story of hope in action.

Listen to Nzambi Matee and her story of hope in action.

Winter Break is Over

Education is more than a classroom: it’s a lifeline.

Yet today, nearly half of all refugee children, 52 million, are out of school, denied their basic human right to learn and grow.

Winter break may be over for some, but for too many the school bell never rings. Let’s change that: a world where every child goes to school is a world worth fighting for.

Listen to Martina Caironi and her story of hope in action.

Listen to Martina Fuga and her story of hope in action.

Listen to Suvarna Raj and her story of hope in action.

Copyright information & title:
The harsh conditions in Kanyaruchinya refugee camp in Goma, North Kivu in the Democratic Republic of Congo. On October 20, 2012.  

Photo: Marco Gualazzini 

Featured Artist:

Uğur Gallenkuş

Uğur Gallenkuş is a renowned digital artist based in Istanbul, celebrated for his compelling collages that explore the stark global divide between privilege and oppression. His work weaves together themes of misery and joy, wealth and poverty, love and despair, offering a raw and unflinching perspective on the complexities of human experience. Through his art, Gallenkuş seeks to foster understanding and empathy by confronting viewers with the contrasts and inequalities of our world.

His art has been featured in prestigious platforms and has been exhibited globally. The artist’s Parallel Universes book series explores critical global issues.

In the Press

Le società umane che minacciano la Terra

Il Sole 24 ORE

Nazioni Unite, mostra in Triennale: "L’arte ha il potere di cambiare. Disuguaglianze, la chiave di volta

Il Giorno

Paparazzi, Rai Media

Une campagne choc contre les inégalités

Beaux Arts Magazine

Interview with iO Donna

iO Donna

“Realtà Parallele”, le Nazioni Unite per la prima volta alla Triennale di Milano

SkyTG24

Inequalities, specchio del presente: la Triennale di Milano apre gli occhi del mondo

Esquire

Uğur Gallenkuş. Realtà parallele

Arte.it

‘Realtà Parallele’: l’arte di Uğur Gallenkuş scuote la Triennale di Milano

MSN

Where there is hope, there is power — and action.

Across the world, changemakers are turning hope into action — from ending child marriage and violence against women to tackling exclusion and land degradation.

Explore the stories of UN SDG Action Awards changemakers featured in HOPE IN ACTION — and discover how bold, local action is shaping a more equal world.

Changemakers Soundbites Playlist

15 Videos

Felix Finkbeiner | Parallel Realities | #SDGAwards | #TriennaleMilano #24thInternationalExhibition