European Sustainable Development Week to promote local knowledge of 17 SDGs

European Sustainable Development Week and the SDGs

The internationally accepted definition of sustainable development comes from the 1987 Brundtland Report:

“Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs”.

European Sustainable Development Week (ESDW) honours sustainable development from the 30th of May to the 5th of June. As a result, this initiative brings together all EU Member States to promote the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at a local level. The SDGs are a collection of 17 global goals with 169 targets set to be achieved by 2030. Together, these goals cover issues such as poverty, education, climate change, and gender equality.

ESDW activities range from athletic events, to community clean-ups and educational programs. Together, these activities promote knowledge and increase national progress towards the 17 goals.

GAP Ireland promotes ESDW and sustainable development through local and national programmes. These programmes use Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) as a methodological backbone. As a result, our programmes equip students with the knowledge and skills needed to live sustainably. While all our programmes promote the SDGs, Action on Global Citizenship turns students into SDG champions.

Action on Global Citizenship to #Act4SDGs

This holistic programme trains teachers on ESD techniques that empower students to take action. Additionally, our workshops guide students through delivering SDG campaigns. This year, students developed campaigns on waste, homelessness, gender equality, and climate change. As a result, students feel empowered to create meaningful, sustainable change.

The GLAS Community Garden

To implement the SDGs, it’s important that communities also get involved. The GLAS Community Garden brings together the local Ballymun community for sustainable agriculture. At the garden, you can learn sustainable gardening and eating practices that you can easily implement at home.

For more information about GAP’s connection to the SDGs, click here.