The Global Goals

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are goals that we aim to achieve as a world by 2030. As the youth, our part to play is critical, as we are vital stakeholders in actualizing these goals for us and our world. It is so easy to get lost in the enormity of these goals when you look at the world currently, as we all recover from the effects brought by the coronavirus pandemic.

Each one of us has a role to play in actualizing these goals with just eight years to 2030, the year deemed fit to check progress and achieve these goals. We can't say we have fully committed to these goals, but this should not stop us from working towards them. If we want to make significant strides in achieving these goals, we must pull our socks. Who will pull up their socks if it's not us as the youth? If not us, then who? If not now, then when?

We have 17 goals in total, and each goal has its targets used to check the milestones in their achievement. These goals cover a range of interests and fields, and each of us has something we can do about these goals. For those passionate about the basic human needs and necessities, Goal 1- No Poverty, Goal 2- Zero Hunger, and Goal 3- Good Health and Well-Being can make promising avenues to venture in. For those passionate about Sustainable use of resources, Goal 6 – Clean Water and Sanitation, Goal 7- Affordable and Clean Energy, and Goal 12 - Responsible Consumption and Production can make good options for doing your 'small little thing' in making this world a better place. For those whose interests are intrigued by social and economic development, Goal 8 - Decent Work and Economic Growth, Goal 9 – Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure, and goal 11- Sustainable Cities and Communities can make incredible goals to pursue.

For those who are environmentalists and love taking care of our home and habitat, Goal 13 - Climate Action, Goal 14 - Life below Water, and Goal 15 - Life on Land are worthy pursuits. Goal 4 - Quality Education, Goal 5 – Gender Equality, and Goal 10 - Reduced Inequalities can be exciting goals for those interested in the universal values we hold as a world and human decency. For those that love leadership and governance, Goal 16 - Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions can be a great goal to pursue. In addition, we all have to work together to achieve all these goals. Goal 17- Partnerships for the Goals come into the picture; united we stand, divided we fall. As the youth, we have no reason not to work towards these goals as they pique and cater to all our interests.

Intentionality is a crucial factor in achieving these goals. We can sit down and discuss these goals all day, but it is in the action that we get results. During youth month, we will learn more about the SDGs and be informed and educated. After that, what next? Will we wait for the next youth month and learn more, or will we act on what we know and have learned? With all that this world has to offer, with all the things that seem interesting and all the distractions, it is so easy to get lost in it all and realize way late that we are old and frail and haven't played a part in making this world a better place. To overcome this, we need to choose our 'little thing' that will make a change, no matter how small. That change compounded over time will change the world. Your little thing could be informing your circle and friends on your social media platforms about the SDGs. It could be choosing to throw your litter in the designated trashcans or making informed decisions as a consumer by buying from companies working towards the SDGs.

"Sometimes it falls upon a generation to be great; you can be that great generation. Let your greatness blossom." - Nelson Mandela

We can choose to be that generation. We can choose to be the change we want to see for a better world, continent, or country. There has never been a better time than now.