New UNSDG Module
For those who are unfamiliar with the acronym, the UNSDG stands for the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. It is a set of guidelines to be adopted by all UN members states for us to progress globally in a responsible fashion. It recognises that to end poverty and other deprivations, different institutions have to work hand-in-hand to tackle other problems at the same time, such as health, education and inequalities - all while tackling climate change and protecting the natural environment.
17 UNSDG Goals
The 17 goals are as followed:
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. Partnership for the goals
Each of the 17 goals are then further split into sub-goals. More information on them can be found on the SDG website.
Here at Ecofieldtrips, we too, have been working to adopt the UNSDG in our programmes and activities as best as we can. We aim for all students that have been through our programmes to have a better understanding of the SDG. We recognise that many of our students, having come from developed nations and comfortable families, may fail to appreciate the importance of some of these goals. Through our programme, we would like the students to also understand that they have a responsibility and should do their part, no matter how small the action may seem.
Being a company that focuses on environmental education and community service, it is not difficult to align with the SDG. On top of attaching the relevant SDG to existing activities, we have also been developing a sustainability module that can be added on to our trips. This module includes 3 levels for students of different age groups, from 8-year old to university level. Each level increases in difficulty and complexity and ensures progressive learning for our students, who may come back on another programme with us on another school year.
Most of our trips cover a wide range of these SDG. However, should the need arise, we can also alter the activities to focus on one or more of the goals. Over the Covid-19 pandemic, we have also adapted to the inability to gather in groups outdoors and developed some online tools. This allows us to still be able to teach the SDG to students in a fun and interactive way, some examples include debates and climate change games.
As a company, we have also looked into our processes and that of our partners to try and minimize our carbon footprint. In the near future, more active steps would be taken for us and our partners to be even greener. This provides a good example for our students, and also creates more opportunities for learning for them.
Adeline Ang – EFT Biologist
