Bridget Williams

This article summarises Bridget Williams' keynote from the 2023 Step up to the World | Tū Māia ki te Ao forum.

What are the SDGs?

“The Sustainable Development Goals are the blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all. They address the global challenges we face, including those related to poverty, inequality, climate change, environmental degradation, peace and justice. The 17 Goals are all interconnected, and in order to leave no one behind, it is important that we achieve them all by 2030.” 

The history of the SDGs

Bridget outlined some of the historical events leading up to the SDGs. 

• 1972: The UN Conference on the Human Environment was held. This was the first conference of its kind to recognise that the economy and the environment were on a collision course. 

• 1992: The UN Framework Convention on Climate Change was adopted at the Rio Earth Summit.

• 1997: The Kyoto Protocol was established.

• 2015, September: Agenda 2030, “an action plan for people, planet and prosperity”, was developed and with it the SDGs. 

• 2015, December: The Paris Agreement was written. This and the Kyoto Protocol build on the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. 

• 2000: The Millennium Development Goals were established, a forerunner to the SDGs. These are generally acknowledged as one of the most successful anti -poverty movements in history.

Agenda 2030

Behind the SDGs is the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, also known as. Agenda 2030. The SDGs are the roadmap to help us get there. Bridget outlined three key elements related to Agenda 2030:

1. The 5 Ps - people, planet, prosperity, partnerships and peace. Bridget felt these were a great place to start and challenged the audience on how they were working towards sustainability in these areas.

2. SDG 1: No Poverty, is the first priority. Though the goals are all important and need to be actioned together, Agenda 2030 states, “eradicating poverty in all its forms and dimensions, including extreme poverty, is the greatest global challenge and an indispensable requirement for sustainable development”.

3. Leave no-one behind.

Blueprint for a sustainable world

Bridget noted that the SDGs are currently being referred to as the world's to-do list and that there's a real question mark around whether we are going to get there by the 2030 deadline. She shared some of the progress that has been made (see the Aotearoa New Zealand dashboard below). Bridget noted that in June 2023 we had an SDG review which was undertaken by the Sustainable Development Solutions Network and Aotearoa moved from #26 to #27 on the SDG global rank. We have six major challenges: Responsible Consumption, Climate Action, Life on Land, Life Below Water, Partnerships for the Goals and Zero Hunger.

SDG 3: Health and Wellbeing

Many shared how COVID-19 reconnected them to health and talked about how whānau connection is central to their well-being and happiness. Through lockdowns people reconnected with their passions and hobbies and slowed down. Some attendees had continued these changes after lockdowns ended.

SDG 4: Quality Education

The themes that came up when discussing SDG 4 were ideas around how applied knowledge is power, opening opportunities for all, and being students of life all through life. Many shared the importance of growth, knowledge and learning and how naturally their mahi led them to this forum focused on global citizenship and education. Some participants indicated that they would like to be SDG educators or educate for sustainable learning. Some shared how they would be taking the framework back to their schools, universities and organisations to put language to the sustainable impact they want to make.

SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

The themes that came up for this goal were similar to SDG 4 but it was about the vocation of work and how we can harness our unique strengths and knowledge and forge our own empowering career paths. Some attendees shared how they were working with organisations to give students the skills needed to not only get them work ready but champion students to follow their passion and form work around this passion. Many who selected this goal loved the mahi they do day to day.

SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

When asking attendees why this goal was selected, many explained it was the connection to community and culture. One of the biggest criticisms of the SDGs is its very Westernised framework that lacks indigenous perspective and voice. SDG 11 is the only goal that specifically speaks to this under target 11.4, which highlights the need of“protection and safeguarding of natural and cultural heritage.” Therefore, it makes sense that SDG 11 was a high priority for attendees with the connection of honouring the principles of e Tiriti o Waitangi (this is also connected to SDG 17: Mahi Tahi - Partnerships for the Goals and weaving the Treaty through all SDGs).

SDG 12: Responsible Growth and Production

The themes that came up for SDG 12 were around tangible action. Many connected with this goal as it would come up regularly through the daily choices they make with purchasing products, food waste, supply chain and embedding tangible sustainable practices. Participants explained how this is a privilege goal - not everyone is in a position to make a more sustainable choice. A great example is the dilemma of the water bottle: plastic water bottles have negative impacts on our planet yet people need clean, fresh water to survive.

SDG Goal 17: Partnership for the Goals

SDG 17 was often chosen for two reasons: some attendees couldn’t decide what SDG was most important to them or they chose the goal recognising it will take authentic collaboration to achieve the SDGs.

There were some students and teachers who shared that choosing just one SDG was impossible due to how connected they all were and how the linear application of the SDGs do not serve the message of this interconnection. During this korero, the students expressed how the SDGs needed a netted, 3D format, and even a digital directory of what existing charities and organisations are working on certain goals.

Source: SDG Impact Report (2023) by Bead and Proceed Ltd.

(c) 2024

Photos of Bridget Williams (c) Centres of Asia-Pacific Excellence