The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The Sustainable Development Goals are a set of 17 goals that were adopted by the United Nations in 2015. The SDGs provide a framework for countries to work together to address global challenges such as poverty, hunger, climate change, and inequality.

📺 Watch the ACCIONA explanatory video on the SDGs.

📺 Watch this animation to understand the dimensions and targets of the sustainable development goals.

📺 Watch this Mist Sustainable Solution video to learn more about the SDG targets and indicators.

📖 Peer-reviewed Publication: Read the following journal article to explore progress towards achieving the SDGs.

❓ In the videos, 17 SDGs were mentioned. Can you recall them? Take this fun pop quiz to test your knowledge of the SDGs

The 17 SDGs are (Fill in the missing goals):

  1. No poverty
  2. Zero hunger
  3. Good health and well-being
  5. Gender equality
  6. Clean water and sanitation
  9. Industry, innovation, and infrastructure
  10. Reduced inequality
  11. Sustainable cities and communities
  14. Life below water
  15. Life on land
  17. Partnerships for the goals

📖 Peer-reviewed Publication: Read the following journal article about the influence of the Global South in shaping the SDG framework.

📺 Watch this video of youths from Asia sharing their reflections on how they can contribute to the SDGs, and be inspired to take action in your own community.

❓ Did any of their ideas or views spark an interest in you? Share in the padlet.

Examples of SDGs in Action

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) provide a global framework for addressing some of the world's most pressing challenges. Here, we explore compelling real-world instances that showcase the SDGs in action, translating lofty aspirations into tangible impact.

Goal 2: Zero Hunger (Zero Hunger Initiative: Transforming Nairobi’s Food Landscape)

📺 Watch this documentary to see how the Zero Hunger Initiative aims to transform the urban food systems in Nairobi, Kenya by 2050.

From the video, we learned that the initiative caters to diverse groups within the community, including people with disabilities and those engaged in community media. Following training, participants choose their specific agricultural pursuits, ranging from crop farming to livestock rearing.

  • Crop Farming: Employing innovative techniques such as vertical and exact gardening, participants yield crops in confined spaces, maximizing productivity.
  • Hydroponics: This water-based system fosters vertical farming by nourishing plants with essential nutrients. Hydroponics emerges as an efficient solution for producing food in limited spaces.
  • Poultry Farming: Addressing both meat and egg production, select groups delve into poultry farming, enhancing the availability of protein-rich sustenance.

By promoting sustainable agricultural practices, this initiative aligns with SDG 2's objective of ending hunger, improving nutrition and achieving food security.

Goal 3: Good health and wellbeing (OMOMi: Bridging the maternal health gap with digital technology)

📖 Read the National Health Watch article about OMOMi, an app using technology to help women easily access good maternal healthcare. Think about how this initiative relates to SDG 3, which aims to ensure good health and well-being for everyone.

The program officer for OMOMi, Onyedikachi Nwizu, rightly noted that “Tools like the OMOMi app can help provide the much-needed data that government and other stakeholders can work with to improve outcomes and protect women from preventable deaths”

🪞 Reflection: Considering the interconnected nature of the SDGs, what other Sustainable Development Goals might be positively impacted by digital technology initiatives like OMOMi?

Goal 7: Affordable and Clean Energy (Rwamagana Solar Energy Project)

In Rwanda, the Rwamagana Solar Energy Project stands as a remarkable instance of SDG 7, Affordable and Clean Energy, in action. This visionary initiative focuses on bringing reliable and sustainable energy to off-grid communities, significantly transforming lives. By harnessing the power of solar energy, this project not only ensures access to affordable electricity but also addresses environmental concerns, promoting the shift towards cleaner energy sources. Through innovative solar solutions, this initiative is actively contributing to Rwanda's development while aligning perfectly with the goals of SDG 7, thus demonstrating the tangible impact and potential of sustainable energy projects in creating positive change.

📺 Take a virtual tour of the Rwamagana Solar power plant by watching this video.

Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities (Curitiba, Brazil: A model sustainable city)

Consider the city of Curitiba in Brazil. They've pioneered a unique and efficient public transportation system that reduces traffic congestion and air pollution. By creating dedicated bus lanes and implementing a smart card payment system, they've made it convenient and eco-friendly for people to use public transport. This initiative aligns perfectly with SDG 11's vision of creating cities that are not only sustainable but also safe, inclusive, and well-planned for future generation

📺 Explore further insights from Prof. Semida Silveira as she discusses sustainable solutions to address the urban challenges faced by Curitiba in this video.

From the video, we learn that the Sustainable City Concept in Curitiba involves addressing urban mobility challenges. One of the remarkable initiatives was the testing of two electric bus models by Volvo (vo) for public transportation in Curitiba.  This effort not only aims to enhance the city's transportation system but also aligns with SDG 11's goal of promoting inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable urban environments. The initiative's dual focus on environmental and economic impacts reflects a commitment to the broader SDG 11 objective.

Goal 13: Climate Action (Kenya’s Early Warning App for Pastoralists)

In the context of SDG 13, which emphasizes Climate Action, Kenya has taken a significant step in addressing the challenges posed by extreme climate conditions. The country has implemented an innovative solution in the form of an Early Warning App. This app plays a crucial role in assisting pastoralists, providing them with timely weather alerts and early warnings directly on their phones. By utilizing technology to enhance preparedness and response to climate-related challenges, Kenya is actively contributing to the realization of SDG 13's objective of combating climate change and its impacts. This initiative not only empowers local communities to make informed decisions but also demonstrates a practical and impactful approach to achieving sustainable development goals.

📺 Take a moment to watch the video featuring Kenyan pastoralists, where they explain how the app has significantly improved their day-to-day practices. This offers a clear example of how digital technology can seamlessly integrate with traditional activities like pastoralism.

❓ Now, let's discuss: How do you think your knowledge of computer science can be utilized to support the goals of SDG 13, which focuses on addressing climate change challenges?

The Relevance of the SDGs to Social Entrepreneurship

Now that you've seen real-world examples of sustainable development goals in action, it's clear how these goals go hand in hand with entrepreneurship – especially social entrepreneurship. These goals are all about making positive changes in the world, which is at the core of what social enterprises aim to do.

📺 Watch the UNDP video on Sustainable Development Goals and your Business to learn about how SDGs are relevant to social entrepreneurship.

From the video, we learn that there are several ways in which social entrepreneurs can apply the SDGs. First, the SDGs provide a clear framework for social entrepreneurs to focus their efforts. The 17 goals cover a wide range of social and environmental issues, and social entrepreneurs can use the SDGs to identify the problems they want to address.

Second, the SDGs offer a roadmap for achieving social impact. The goals are ambitious, but they provide a clear path for progress. Social entrepreneurs can use the SDGs to develop strategies for achieving their goals and measuring their impact.

Third, the SDGs provide a platform for collaboration. Social entrepreneurs can work together to achieve the SDGs, and they can use the goals to build partnerships with governments, businesses, and other organizations.

❓ Discuss: Picture yourself as a social entrepreneur building a venture with an SDG (or SDGs) in mind. How might this approach guide your choices and achievements in the years to come? Share and comment on your peer’s response in the Padlet below.

📺 There is a symbiotic relationship between the SDGs and social entrepreneurship. Watch  Lorenzo Tosini explore how social entrepreneurs leverage innovation to address the SDGs in this video.

In the video, Lorenzo urges social entrepreneurs to align their entrepreneurial strategies to contribute to the realization of the SDGs. He also pointed out that there are emerging opportunities beckoning enterprises to develop innovative solutions for global sustainability challenges, facilitating transformative change.

🪞 Reflect: What are some emerging opportunities for social entrepreneurs to develop innovative solutions for development challenges in your country?