The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) , also referred to as Global Goals, are a set of 17 interconnected universal goals adopted by the member nations of the United Nations on 25 September 2015. They were intended to call on all nations to take steps to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure that all people enjoy peace and prosperity over the next 15 years.
The SDGs build on the success of the Millenium Development Goals,(MDGs) which were a set of 8 goals also established by the member nations of the United Nations to respond to the widespread public concern about poverty, hunger, insufficient schooling, gender equality and environmental degradation. Packaged as a set of 8 goals with time bound, measurable targets, they. served as a way of building global awareness, political accountability and improved ways of measuring progress and feedback from the population. The SDGs add new areas such as climate change, economic inequality, innovation, sustainable consumption, peace and justice. The 17 goals (as presented in the diagram below prepared by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP))are as follows:
Each of these goals consists of targets which should be achieved by each participating country by the year 2030. They are important because when achieved, we can enjoy a world in which the world’s population and institutions work together to the best of their abilities to prevent environmental calamities, stark economic differences, violation of human rights, as well as below-par education and healthcare so that everyone can enjoy a better life. In the words of the United Nations Development Programme “achieving the SDGs requires the partnership of governments, private sector, civil society and citizens alike to make sure we leave a better planet for future generations.”
Young leaders as members of civil society can do your bit.
So we look forward to receiving your proposals.
