17 Goals and a United Front

In 2015, the UN General Assembly decided to meet to set the 17 Sustainable Developmental Goals that shall be achieved by the end of 2030. These goals are on the basis of a new holistic point of view that the assembly is adopting in order to “leave no one behind”.

The purpose of these goals revolve around both Environmental, Political, and Humanitarian advancement for sustaining a promising future. Furthermore, it gives the upcoming generation an outlet to advocate on the topics they care about the most and finally rise together upon common ground to revolutionize a new path.

It is crucial that we all participate into making these goals a reality for our own good and those who will look up to us later on. The 17 SDG’s are not just words on a paper, yet, a much needed guiding light to what we need. As teenagers we have a tendency to dwell too long in the present instead of looking at both the past and the future at once. We can learn from our pasts to move forward into the future. Though, both systems are binary; when we neglect one over the other, our visions for what is upcoming collapses. Even though the United Nations have proposed these goals, it is important that we keep in mind that the past has the upper-hand in this case. The way to pursue these goals is to look at why we were not able to accomplish them earlier and look at the amends we may make to our approach. All factors are interdependent when addressing our future.

Now, you may be thinking: How can we make such a difference on goals that look at people as a whole? Well, the smallest action can have the most impactful effect. At our school right now, INTERPOL (A club allowing student’s to have a voice on matters that they are passionate about) will work towards promoting these goals with the student body along with the community on a larger scale. Personally, anything can aid us in achieving these goals ten years from now when we care about how we try to do it. As the next generation we must have courage, tenacity, and above all solidarity. Every step we take, every decision we make from here on out, can determine our denouement or our beginning.

The 17 Sustainable Developmental Goals are as follows:

1. No Poverty
2. Zero Hunger
3. Good Health and Well-being
4. Quality Education
5. Gender Equality
6. Clean Water and Sanitation
7. Affordable and Clean Energy
8. Decent Work and Economic Growth
9. Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
10. Reduced Inequality
11.  Sustainable Cities and Communities
12. Responsible Consumption and Production
13. Climate Action
14. Life Below Water
15. Life on Land
16. Peace and Justice Strong Institutions
17. Partnerships to Achieve the Goal

By acting towards at least one of these SDG’s, you are already fulfilling Goal #17 of the UN’s partnerships to try to educate the youth about these goals. Even something as simple as discussing it with friends and family can bring us one step closer to creating a more habitable, pleasant area to live in. We all have a purpose. Now it is time that we take this calling to heart and realize that we CAN do better.

Here is the United Nations site in which you can find more sources and information on this topic!

https://www.un.org/development/desa/disabilities/envision2030.html