EDITORIALS & ARTICLES

The Global Perspective on Sustainable Development

In 2015, the United Nations introduced the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as a universal agenda to promote a more equitable and sustainable world. This collection of 17 goals, supported by 169 specific targets, represents a collaborative effort by all 193 member nations of the UN to address key challenges like poverty, environmental degradation, and inequality by 2030.

Interconnected Nature of the SDGs

  • Holistic Approach
    • Understands interconnectedness of socio-economic and environmental issues.
    • Aims to balance economic growthsocial well-being, and environmental conservation.
    • Targets include eradicating hunger, poverty, AIDS, and gender-based discrimination.
  • Accountability Mechanisms
    • Voluntary National Review (VNR) submitted to UN’s High Level Political Forum (HLPF).
    • Voluntary Local Reviews (VLRs) for local implementation.

Barriers to Progress

  • Global Setbacks
    • COVID-19 pandemic.
    • Growing threats from climate change.
    • Geopolitical tensions, e.g., Russia-Ukraine conflict.
    • Sluggish global economy.
  • Impacted Regions
    • Profound setbacks in Least Developed Countries.
    • Countries like India facing challenges in SDG achievement.

The Pivotal Role of Education in SDGs

  • Education-centric SDG
    • Goal 4 emphasizes quality education.
    • India''s National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 aligns with SDGs.
    • Highlights the transformation needed in higher education.
  • Value of Higher Education
    • OECD study: Those with tertiary education have better employment prospects and higher salaries.
    • Addresses challenges like poverty (SDG1)hunger (SDG2)health issues (SDG3)gender equality (SDG5)economic growth (SDG8), and reduced inequalities (SDG10).

Revamping Higher Education for the SDGs

  • Strengthening Educational Approaches
    • Enhanced integration between research and teaching.
    • Emphasis on multidisciplinary approaches.
    • Produce solutions for clean energy (SDG7), sustainable cities (SDG11), climate action (SDG13).
  • Partnerships and New Educational Forms
    • Collaborate with private sector for innovation (SDG9).
    • Incorporate Value-Based Education.

A Strategic Roadmap for the Future

  • Unified Response
    • Attaining SDGs demands urgent, unified response.
    • NEP 2020 provides a framework.
    • More aggressive measures, like ranking universities based on SDG achievements, are essential.
  • Universities’ Extended Role
    • Engage in local community development.
    • Endorse sustainable practices: community health, waste reduction, and resource management.






POSTED ON 14-10-2023 BY ADMIN
Next previous