Who wouldn't want to live in a world where poverty has been eradicated, the planet and all its species are protected and there is peace and prosperity for ALL citizens? That is exactly what the sustainable development goals framework aims to achieve.

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were adopted by all United Nations member states in a historic summit in September 2015. While the SDGs are not legally binding, governments are expected to take ownership and establish national frameworks for the achievement of the 17 Goals.

Global issues – such as climate change – urgently require a shift in our lifestyles and a transformation of the way we think and act. To achieve this change, we need new skills, values and attitudes that lead to more sustainable societies. Education systems must respond to this pressing need by defining relevant learning objectives and learning contents, introducing pedagogies that empower learners, and urging their institutions to include sustainability pr...

In 2015, leaders from 193 different countries agreed on 17 global goals they felt the world needed to achieve by 2030.  

This week, we look at SDG17, Partnerships for the Goals, which has as a main objective to strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development. 

As the UN states: “The Global Goals can only be met if we work together. International investments and support are needed to ensure innovative technological development, fair trade and market access, especially for developing countries. To build a better world, we need to be supportive, empathetic, inventive, passionate, and above all, cooperative. 

Supportive, empathetic, inventive, passionate…I can add “Kind” to this list, the list of adjectives that we should all strive to be within ourselves and in relation to other people and nature.  

How far are we from achieving SDG 17?

Unfortunately, indicators tell us we are not on target to achieve this goal. 

By the en...

Sustainable Development Goal 5 focuses on achieving gender equality and empowering all women and girls by promoting equal rights, opportunities, and access to resources. 

What's the Purpose of SDG 5?

The purpose of SDG 5 is to eliminate all forms of discrimination and violence against women and girls, promote their access to education, healthcare, and economic opportunities, and ensure their equal representation. This goal also aims to promote gender-sensitive policies and laws and eliminate harmful practices such as child marriage and female genital mutilation.

Access to Maternal Healthcare

One key aspect of this goal is ensuring that women have access to maternal healthcare services that meet their needs and that they are included in the decision-making process when it comes to their health. In Ireland, there has been a call to include women with Gestational Diabetes (GDM) on the Long-Term Illness (LTI) Scheme for the duration of pregnancy. Diabetes Ireland reports that each ...

Sustainable Development Goal 3 (SDG 3) aims to ensure good health and well-being at all ages. This includes a commitment to end the increase of AIDS, Tuberculosis, Malaria, and other communicable diseases by 2030. It also aims to achieve universal health coverage and provide access to safe and effective medicines and vaccines for all.


 

What would the world look like if there was more importance put on SDG 3?

If this goal was fully implemented, it would mean a world where everyone has access to quality healthcare, no matter where you live or how much money you have, you would be able to get the healthcare you need. This means more doctors, nurses, and healthcare facilities in disadvantaged areas, and more funding to support healthcare systems in developing countries.

Preventive care would be a priority rather than waiting for people to get sick, we would focus more on preventing diseases in the first place. This would mean more investment in things like vaccination programs, observ...