GCED and the Sustainable Development Goals

What are the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)?

In September 2015, United Nations Member States gathered in New York to launch the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). These 17 global goals are a call to action to achieve a more peaceful, prosperous and sustainable future by 2030. The SDGs aim to eradicate poverty, end discrimination and protect the earth by improving economic, social and environmental outcomes for all.

How are the SDGs measured?

Each of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals is defined through 169 targets and 232 indicators. Countries around the world have agreed to work together to achieve these targets. Each year, individual countries submit a report card to the United Nations to document their progress towards achieving the SDG, targets and indicators. This informs an annual United Nations report, which provides a comprehensive picture of global progress towards achieving these goals. 

While initial data shows that there is still considerable work to be done to achieve indicator 4.7.1, global citizenship education is becoming more visible in education policy and curriculums throughout the world. Countries are exploring ways to teach global citizenship education. An increasing number of schools, teachers and young people are working collaboratively to understand and respond to global challenges within their local contexts. Global citizenship education presents an opportunity for students, teachers and educators to learn together as part of the global education community.