In 2015, all United Nations Member States adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (United Nations, 2015). At the core of the 2030 Agenda are five main themes: People, Planet, Prosperity, Peace, and Partnership. Through these five themes, 17 goals, known as the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs), were created to provide actionable steps to meet the Agenda for Sustainable Development. The UN SDGs address a wide range of social issues, such as poverty, inequality, climate change, and peace and justice (Montgomery College, n.d.).

Below are the 17 UN SDGs:

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 Inequalities
11. Sustainable Cities and Communities
12. Responsible Consumption and Production
13. Climate Action
14. Life below Water
15. Life on Land
16. Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
17. Partnerships for the Goals

The SDGs are designed to achieve and maintain social justice and a sustainable future, with attainment of each goal by the year 2030 as set by the Agenda. Each goal consists of specific targets and indicators used to track the global progress achieved. These benchmarks also guide the actions and policies developed by the Member States through the use of measurable data and outcomes.

The UN SDG Open Pedagogy Faculty Fellowship marries the guiding principles of equity, community, and sustainability from the world of open education and open pedagogy with the UN SDGs. This connection allows faculty and students the opportunity to engage with and become advocates for the UN SDGs while also creating meaningful and significant contributions to both their local and the global community through the lens of open educational practices, namely renewable assignments. Faculty Fellows will build their assignments around one or two of the UN SDGs, using the targets and indicators to help guide their student learning outcomes. This process gives students a greater sense of agency over the work they produce and imparts skills and knowledge that go beyond the classroom.

As we are all stakeholders in the future of our planet and people, this partnership and fusion of ideals hopes to empower faculty and students to create positive lasting change at home and beyond.

References:

Montgomery College. (n.d.). UN SDG pedagogy fellowship. United Nations Sustainable Development Goals Open Pedagogy Fellowship. Retrieved May 20, 2021, from https://www.montgomerycollege.edu/offices/elite/unesco/

United Nations. (2015). Transforming our world: The 2030 agenda for sustainable development. Transforming our world: The 2030 agenda for sustainable development. https://sdgs.un.org/2030agenda