By Alyson Lundstrom
What Are The United Nations SDGs And How Will They Guide Our Future
Ted Turner is an American film producer, media mogul, business magnate, and philanthropist that founded the United Nations.
In 1997, Turner announced his historic pledge of $1 billion to found the United Nations Foundation, a global platform with no geopolitical borders, built to acknowledge the shared goals and values between nations to find ways to cooperate and launch coordinated action for the better good of mankind and the environment.
“The UN does what no country can do alone…In an interconnected world, we all have a stake in ensuring human dignity for every person. “
-Ted Turner
The foundation's main objective is to create a more prosperous, peaceful, and just world through its nonpartisan nonprofit structure. The UNF initially identified four core foundations: women and population, children’s health, the environment and peace, and security.
How The United Nations Is Creating a Playbook For A Better Future
Fast forward to 2015, when 193 countries came together at the United Nations to discuss climate change, global health, gender equality, human rights, data and technology, peace, and humanitarian responses. They agreed to adopt and commit to a long-term, comprehensive strategy to tackle these challenges related to global sustainable development. The result was the mutually agreed upon Sustainable Development Goals(SDGs). These consisted of 17 goals to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all, with defined targets to hit by 2030.
The seventeen communal goals between 193 UN Member States are as follows.
No Poverty
Zero Hunger
Good Health and Wellbeing
Quality Education
Gender Equality
Clean Water and Sanitation
Affordable and Clean Energy
Decent Work and Economic Growth
Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
Reduced Inequalities
Sustainable Cities and Communities
Responsible Consumption and Production
Climate Action
Life Below Water
Life On Land
Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
Partnership For The Goals
Each of these seventeen goals has targets that are adapted for the most modern to newly developing countries. They create an actionable pathway with global support for solutions for a better world future.
How Can You Take Action
The universality of the UN SDGs enables anyone to take part, from government and corporate levels all the way down to the average citizen. To support the work of the SDGs, you can choose one that you want to support and donate via United Nations campaigns. Although money is impactful, you can also donate gently used clothes, furniture, tech, or time to organizations.
Lastly, you can spread the word and participate in and encourage grassroots movements as no person’s efforts are too small to make a difference.
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