Content tagged with Sustainable Development Goals

Philip O’Brien lead the morning presentation on Working Towards a Sustainable Future. Philip began his presentation by asking participants to answer a 13 question survey with multiple choice answers. To the surprise of many of the participants, the answers were more positive and less dire than anticipated. Successes that have been achieved are a reduction in extreme poverty; undernourishment; primary school enrolment rate, the fight against HIV/AIDS, Malaria and Tuberculosis, the under 5 mortality, maternity mortality and access to sanitation and water. Aside from these successes, the gap between richer and poorer however, has grown bigger. The gaps in literacy and economics continue to grow. In the primary level, there are more girls out of school and when it come to post primary schooling, there are more boys out of school. In Sub-Saharan Africa, girls are at a higher disadvantage when it come to schooling. Philip spoke about the action plan for the future. Eradicating poverty was discussed, with some views that poverty is relative. Eradicating poverty remains a huge concept. We reviewed the 17 Sustainable Development Goals. One of the topics raised was that the youth are disillusioned about democracy and are therefore stepping away from it. In order for sustainability to be achieved, the three dimensions of the SDG’s need to meld together and be harmonised. These dimensions are social, economic and environmental. The consensus is that by fulfilling the 4th SDG, the other 16 could be achieved. The goal to ensure inclusive education, quality education and to promote lifelong learning for all is the key. Through education, poverty and mortality can be reduced. Gender Equality will result in 1.5 million less child marriages and through education, nutrition awareness could result in up to 40% less stunted growth for children. Although accountability starts with the government, we are all accountable. Our role is to hold governments accountable in education particularly. Ways to hold the government accountable is through elections, social movements and dissemination of information on education. Philip ended his presentation by urging each participant to take up their role in making a difference, with a change being a simple as picking up a piece of plastic bag and not being wasteful with food. He closed off with the statement that our Montessori voice is not heard frequently or loudly enough and we are the ones that need to change that. Lynne then added that waste of human potential is the biggest waste of all. Our children are the agents of change and we are their advocates.