SDG 16 - Peace, Justice, & Strong Institutions - Sustainable Development
In 2015, leaders from 193 different countries agreed on 17 global goals they felt the world needed to achieve by 2030.
The main goals of SDG 16 are to promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all, and build effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions at all levels.
It is of course that today we write this blog with a heavy heart. Just 6 years away from our target date of the 2030, this goal seems more unachievable than ever.
In 2022, over 108 million people were forcibly displaced worldwide, the war in Ukraine played a role on enhancing this number to 2.5 time higher than a decade ago. With no signs of an end to the Russian invasion, and the added conflict in Palestine and Israel, we are not only failing to improve to achieve this goal, we are actually regressing.
Wars amongst countries happen for many reasons including economic, territorial, religious, political, civil, revenge, and ideological reasons, but in 100% of cases, wars are started BY PEOPLE, by people in power or powerful positions within their own society.
The media is currently inundated with the present conflict between Palestine and Israel, you hear and read arguments from both sides, and depending on the source, both sound like “they are right”. I have seen many heated exchanges on social media, we see reports of conflicts in London, Paris, and many other parts of the world from supporters of either side.
The reality is that NOBODY IS RIGHT. The massacre of civilians, regardless of the reasons that drove people to commit those crimes, IS NEVER RIGHT.
I, often in my speeches, speak about Maslow’s Hierarchy of needs, a motivational theory in psychology comprising a five-tier model of human needs.
It explains that in order for people to realise their full potential, their basic needs have to be covered first, things like food, water, warmth…but also security and safety. Until those basics needs are covered, we have very little chances to fulfil our potential.
What chance, do the people in territories at war, have to ever realise their full potential? None I am afraid.
LEAVE NO ONE BEHIND is the central, transformative promise of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
I personally feel we have never been so far from reaching this promise.
So, what is peace? There are some definitions, but essential positive peace is defined as the attitudes, institutions and structures that create and sustain peaceful societies that live in harmony regardless of their cultural differences.
War & Peace, are opposite states of a nation or a society driven by people’ decisions, therefore, the solution lies within us and our educational systems.
In September 2022, I was lucky enough to travel to Geneva to meet the UPEACE, an institution of higher education dedicated to the study of peace. Created by UN General Assembly Resolution 35/55, the University for Peace has been training leaders for peace for the past four decades. It is a unique global academic institution with over 2,000 Alumni hailing from more than 120 nations.
If we think about PEACE as one of the founding blocks for individuals to realise their full potential, should this not be a priority in our educational curriculums?
Education is the most powerful tool we have to change mindsets, to empower people all over the world to make the right choices. Choices that take other people into consideration, choices that don’t infringe the human rights of others, choices that allow us all to live in harmony, even when we have differences of opinion, culture or habits.
How can we, as individuals and organisations, support Goal 16?
Find a charity which focuses on Goal 16 and support it. Any donation, big or small, can make a difference!
Exercise your rights to hold your elected officials accountable to freedom of information and share your opinion with your elected representatives.
Promote inclusion and respect towards people of different ethnic origins, religions, gender, sexual orientations or different opinions.
Educate for Peace and Justice
Do you believe education can transform lives and build inclusive, peaceful societies? The Educator’s Sustainability Academy equips educators with the tools to embed sustainability and social responsibility into their teaching, empowering the next generation to champion peace and justice.
Join today and make a difference in your classroom and beyond!
Thank you for reading,
The Fifty Shades Greener Team đź’š
Recent Posts
Stay connected with news and updates!
Author
Who We Are: Fifty Shades Greener
Sustainability with a side of sass!
At Fifty Shades Greener, we’re not your typical sustainability crowd. Here, green isn’t just a color; it’s a lifestyle, and we live it with a bit of cheek and a lot of heart. Our team, a quirky blend of lifelong greenies, seasoned educators, and fresh innovators, believes that every little bit helps and that education is the cornerstone of sustainable change. Born from a simple idea in a hotel’s green team meeting, we've grown into a vibrant community passionate about turning the hospitality world a shade greener. We think greenwashing is as outdated as last season's fashion and are here to ensure sustainability is as authentic as it is actionable. From the early days in Doolin to the bustling workshops of today, our journey has been about making sustainability accessible, understandable, and, dare we say, fun. We don't just throw jargon around; we break it down with practical advice and real-world actions that everyone, from hotel managers to cafe owners, can take. So, whether you’re looking to start your green journey or you're trying to make your business a beacon of sustainability, we’ve got the know-how and the can-do attitude to help you make it happen. And while we’re serious about what we do, we believe a little humor goes a long way. After all, if you can’t have a laugh while saving the planet, when can you? Join us as we continue to write our story, one green step at a time. Here’s to making sustainability not just a necessity, but a norm. Ready to add a little green to your scene? Dive in—the water’s fine, and it’s getting greener by the minute!
