About the Global Goals
The UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are 17 Global Goals to transform our world. Adopted by all United Nations members in 2015, the goals are a call for action by all countries – poor, rich and middle-income – to promote prosperity while protecting the planet.
They recognize that ending poverty must go hand-in-hand with strategies that build economic growth and address a range of social needs including education, health, social protection, and job opportunities, while tackling climate change and environmental protection.
At SVA, we try to connect all of our volunteering to the UN SDGs. This helps us understand that we’re not alone, there’s a global network of volunteers trying to make things better, and that every action we take is connected to that effort. We keep track of how our volunteers contribute towards the goals through the hours they log.
The Global Goals
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End poverty in all its forms everywhere
By fostering a sense of empathy, compassion, and social responsibility, individuals can play an active role in contributing to the goal of eliminating poverty! Here’s a few ways you can connect to this goal:
• Volunteer your time to community service organisations that address poverty-related issues. These could include, City Mission, Woven Earth, Special Friends Sports Trust, Everybody Eats, Kiwi Harvest or KidsCan.
• Assemble emergency food kits and hygiene packs. Distribute these kits to homeless individuals or families in need.
• Organise a donation event where community or school members can donate used clothing items or sports equipment - then donate them to those in need!
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End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture
More than 600 million people in the world are projected to face hunger in 2023! Here’s a few ways you can play an active role in reducing this number and create a better world:
• Participate in or support community garden projects that grow fresh produce for those in need.
• Check out the Aotearoa Food Rescue Alliance website to see where your local community food hubs are, get in touch with them and see how you can help!
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Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages
Everybody wants to see a healthier and happier world. Here’s a few ways you can contribute to this goal:
• Advocate for mental health awareness by organising events, discussions, or providing resources to promote mental well-being among peers.
• Encourage physical activity by organising sports events, dance classes, or fitness challenges to promote an active and healthy lifestyle!
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Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all
Promoting the fantastic goal of providing inclusive and equitable quality education for all is something we can all do. Here are a few ways you can contribute:
• Establish peer tutoring programs within your school where older students’ mentor and tutor younger peers. This fosters a sense of community and collaboration among students!
• Volunteer at a local after-school program.
• Organise a book club where students can come together to discuss books. This not only enhances reading skills but also encourages communication and new friendships!
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Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls
Striving for equal rights, opportunities, and representation for all genders is so important. Here are few impactful ways you can help:
• Promoting fairness and respect for all genders, challenge stereotypes, and support initiatives that empower all individuals!
• Be an advocate for equal opportunities in education, sports, leadership roles and other aspects of life.
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Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all
Water is an amazing resource that contributes to the health of people, wildlife and the environment. Here are a few ways you contribute to keeping Aotearoa’s water clean and beautiful.
• Volunteer your time to environmental organisations that address water-related issues. These could include, Our Seas Our Future, Sustainable Coastlines, Choose Clean Water, Coastguard New Zealand and Forest and Bird are all great organisations dedicated to protecting Aotearoa’s water resources.
• Organise or participate in community clean-up events near fresh water sources, for example get a group together and clean up your local river!
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Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all
Energy efficiency improvement must more than double its pace by 2030 to achieve this goal! Here are a few ways you can contribute to making this happen!
• Practice energy-saving habits at home, such as turning off lights and electronics when not in use!
• Advocate for energy conservation in your schools and communities!
• Develop educational initiatives that raise awareness about the importance of sustainable energy practices and the benefits of clean energy sources.
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Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all
Through inclusivity, support and education there are many ways we can contribute to a more economically sustainable future. Here are a few ways you can connect to this goal:
• Raise awareness about the importance of decent work, equal opportunities, and sustainable economic practice in your schools and communities!
• Simplicity is a nonprofit, sustainable fund manager that has donated over 7.5 million dollars to charities in Aotearoa - including SVA! Check out their educational classes on being smart with money here.
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Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialisation and foster innovation
This is all about sustainable development and enhancing the overall well-being of communities worldwide. Here are a few ways you can contribute to this goal!
• Volunteer for projects that involve cleaning up and maintaining public spaces, contributing to sustainable urban development.
• Research the recycling guidelines and facilities available in your local area. Understand what materials can be recycled and how the recycling process works. Then, develop an action plan outlining your goals, target areas, and the steps needed to encourage recycling initiatives at your school!
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Reduce inequality within and among countries
Covid-19 has triggered the largest increase in between-country inequality in three decades. Here’s a few ways you can reduce this inequality.
• Promote inclusivity and diversity in your everyday interactions by being respectful of people from different backgrounds, cultures, and abilities. Be kind and stand up against discrimination!
• Organise a fundraising event like a mufti day or bake sale to support organisations working to reduce inequality. These could include local shelters, food banks, or community centres.
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Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable
Here’s a few ways you can contribute to making your community a better place!
• Walk, bike, or use public transportation instead of relying on cars to reduce greenhouse gas emissions! Turn this into a volunteering initiative by encouraging people in your community and school to do the same!
• Organise or participate in clean-up activities in local parks or neighbourhoods to help keep your community clean and healthy.
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Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns
Here a few ways you can contribute to lowering Aotearoa, New Zealand’s carbon footprint:
• Reduce, Reuse, Recycle! Encourage practising the 3Rs at home and school to minimise waste generation and conserve resources. Turn this into a volunteering initiative by encouraging those around you to do the same!
• Advocate for a compost bin at home or school to recycle food scraps and organic materials!
• Share information about the environmental impact of consumption habits and the benefits of sustainable living with friends, family, and classmate.
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Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts
The world needs to reduce Greenhouse Gas emissions by 43% by 2030to reduce the effects of climate change! Here’s a few ways you can help:
• Participate in tree planting events or start a tree planting initiative to increase green spaces and absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
• Share information about climate change and its impacts with your school and community - encourage people to take action to reduce their carbon footprint!
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Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas, and marine resources for sustainable development
Preserve the blue, protect the earth. Here are a few ways you can contribute to the planet’s largest ecosystem.
• Organise or participate in beach clean-ups to remove litter and plastic waste from coastlines, which can harm marine life and ecosystems!
• Volunteer your time to environmental organisations that address water-related issues. These could include, Our Seas Our Future, Sustainable Coastlines, Choose Clean Water, Coastguard New Zealand and Forest and Bird are all great organisations dedicated to protecting Aotearoa’s water resources.
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Protect, restore, and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss
The world is currently facing the largest species extinction event since the dinosaur age. Here are a few ways you can contribute to improving humanity’s relationship with nature:
• Start a garden at home or in school to grow native plants and create habitats for local wildlife!
• Volunteer your time to environmental organisations that address conservation-related issues. These could include, DOC, Keep New Zealand Beautiful, For the Love of Bees, and Forest and Bird.
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Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels
Youth are underrepresented in the global political space, however, your voice is powerful and you can make a change! Here are a few ways you can contribute to this goal:
• Learn about human rights principles and advocate for the rights of all individuals! Turn this into a volunteering initiative by sharing this information in your school and community!
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Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalise the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development
Let’s work together to achieve the best possible outcome by 2030! Here’s how you can promote the UN SDG’s:
• Educate yourself and others about the importance of Sustainable Development Goals! Do this by organising awareness campaigns, school presentations, or social media posts.
• Stay informed by following @TheGlobalGoals on social media!