Gillian Anderson has rightly said, "Be of service. Whether you make yourself available to a friend or co-worker, or you make time every month to do volunteer work, there is nothing that harvests more of a feeling of empowerment than being of service to someone in need."
There comes a time when we need a particular call. A call to remind ourselves about who we are and what we are. How can we challenge ourselves and bring out the best for the world? Over time, it has become increasingly important to save the planet, keep the resources, and try unconventional methods.
It was in the year 2015 that United Nations member states adopted the 17 Sustainable Development Goals. The SDGs in all have 169 targets that the countries are trying to achieve by the year 2030. The 2030 Agenda urges the nations to take bold and transformative steps which are needed to shift the world onto a sustainable and resilient path keeping no one left behind.
The Goals are universal, the targets are omnipresent, keeping in mind the goodwill of all nation-states. It is time to take action from all fronts, be it governments, businesses or civil society; everyone has a crucial role to play.
Sustainable Developments Goals are a plan for the whole world. So, it becomes vital to remember that Children are the torchbearers for the future, and thus it is of utmost importance that they are aware of their role and rights and can make a difference.
The Worlds Largest Lesson Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, UNICEF, in partnership with Project Everyone and UNESCO, launched World’s Largest Lesson (WLL) to teach and engage children on SDGs. It was initiated to promote the Sustainable Development Goals in children's learning to contribute towards a better world. If they are inspired, they can bring in crucial ideas and implementations for a more substantial impact. An inspired child can undoubtedly make a difference!
Let us take a quick glimpse at the 17 SDGs and the World’s Largest Lesson with Mr Hrithik Roshan:
[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CHJyIqvhXLU[/embed]
India's Commitment to The SDGs
In India, NITI Aayog has been entrusted with coordinating ‘Transforming our world: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development’.
The duty and role of NITI Aayog are not merely to periodically collect data on SDGs but to actively fructify the goals and targets not only quantitatively but also maintaining high standards of quality. The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) has initiated a parallel exercise of interaction with the ministries to evolve indicators reflecting the SDG goals and targets.
To accomplish these tasks, the draft mapping of the goals and targets as a prime step on proposed Nodal and other Ministries has been carried out in consultation with MoSPI. This journey can be accessed from the NITI Aayog site niti.gov.in.
Role of Volunteering in Sustainable Development Goals
By now, you may have got the idea that SDGs call for long-term attitude and behaviour changes. Volunteers facilitate changes in mindsets by raising awareness or campaigning those changes and inspiring others. The 2030 Agenda recognises volunteers as critical stakeholders to achieve the 17 goals. Volunteerism is a powerful tool for implementations. It helps in expanding, mobilising and engaging people under a common objective. An individual can bring in their skills and expertise to contribute to meaningful and rewarding roles.
Volunteering contributes to developing or enhancing ownership and awareness about complex challenges and pushes for collective action and attitude changes in many global issues.
Volunteering helps in building trust among diverse groups and acts as a bridge of loyalty.
Working with people towards a common goal can help eliminate societal and cultural barriers and create cohesion and bonding.
Volunteering builds preparedness and resilience with concrete community action.
Volunteering enhances knowledge and a sense of responsibility for one's community.
Volunteering is a skill-builder in various sectors and helps in improving your employability, knowledge and work experience.
Volunteering contributes economically to society. It is estimated that for every dollar spent on volunteering, financial value results in four dollars.
Read our blog on achieving your goals by developing a volunteering model - Learn, Act and Engage.
Become An Advocate For Sustainable Development Goals:
Become a Limitless Stree and take action on the SDGs today! We would be working on SDG 5 (Gender Equality) in our upcoming Limitless Stree - Women Empowerment Program. It focuses on building digital skills and knowledge, taking actions to create a positive support system, and create community engagement.
Join us to know more and work towards gender equality.