Devyn's Educational Thoughts

This week, we explored the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals. The seventeen goals, created by over 178 countries at the 1992 Earth Summit, began as a way to improve human lives and the health and resources of our planet. (UN) Over the week, the course we completed showed us not only why the Global Goals were created, but ways that the UN, educators, and people around the world are trying to make it happen. 

Human rights and health, environmental health and sustainable living, as well as economic growth and innovations, are all examples of some of the Global Goals. There is at least one goal that can resonate with everyone. 

Our course through the Microsoft Educator Community showed many ways the Global Goals are being used in educational settings, and the various ways teachers can incorporate them into their lessons and programs inside and outside the classroom. The UN has created Project Paks, with over 30 lessons that help incorporate Global Goals, comic books relating to the Goals, as well as educational videos and community projects. 

In this current political and social climate, these goals are more important than ever. People should be accepted no matter who they are, and everyone should be entitled to food, water, and education no matter what socioeconomic status they have. The United Nations is trying to make that happen.

Results of the Goals in a report in 2019 have shown that while some of the goals are working well and are more or less on track, unfortunately, some are still struggling. The full results report can be found HERE.

The Second Goal, Zero Hunger, for example, has had an increase in hungry people across the world. 
From 784 million in 2015 to 821 million in 2017. 

But the Third Goal, Ensure Healthy Lives and Promote Well Being for All at All Ages, has had a lot of success. 
9.8 million under 5-year-old deaths in 2000, VS only 5.4 million deaths in 2017. That is a HUGE decrease!

The United Nations Youth Summit is an annual platform for young leaders to meet, discuss, and put into action solutions to help with the Global Goals and Climate Action. Some more information about the Youth Summit can be found HERE.

While most of the Global Goals currently have varied results, we have to be able to look at the larger picture. The much needed and right changes that the UN wants to make will take time and a lot of collaborative effort from countries and people all across the world. 

Big changes start with small steps. Reducing carbon footprints and environmental impacts are some small ways the everyday person can help contribute to just a couple of the Global Goals. There is still so much more work to do! I am very happy to now have knowledge about the Global Goals and I am excited to be able to incorporate as much as I can into my future classroom!