Empowering students for a sustainable future
In today's rapidly changing world, it is more crucial now than ever for students to grasp the signiĸcance of global issues and their role in shaping a sustainable future. The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGS) serve as a blueprint for addressing the most pressing challenges facing humanity and integrating them into education is not just beneĸcial, it is important for fostering informed, responsible, and proactive global citizens.
The SDG Action Summit held its sixth city-wide event at Alabang Town Center in Muntinlupa City on May 6, 2024, calling for action to be the change for the people and the planet. More than 10 panels, 60 speakers, and 20 exhibitors were present during the event.
The summit was graced by Muntinlupa City Mayor Ruffy Biazon; Joel Ryan Tugade, PCCI chairperson, SDG Committee; and student representatives. They discussed the solidarity of SDGS across the public and private sectors, and civil society.
The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, adopted by all United Nations Member States in 2015, outlines a common plan for promoting peace and prosperity for people and the planet, both now and in the future.
At its core are the 17 SDGS, which represent a pressing call to action for all countries to work together in a global partnership that includes: no poverty; zero hunger; good health and well-being; 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; and partnerships for the goals.
“Sustainability is deĸned as meeting the needs of today without compromising the needs of tomorrow,” shared Mayor Biazon. “For us in the present generation, we must be mindful that what we do will not endanger the resources that future generations will need for their own development, for their own needs.”
In the opening panel of the event, Brian Poe, author of the "A Sustainable Future" book; Dino Calderon of WWF Philippines; Toni Bongapat and Ivo Villapando from the International School for Better Beginnings; and Ilan Enverga, UN SDG4 HLSC leader, discussed why education for sustainable development is essential to teach in schools.
“If you talk to anybody in sustainability now, they're saying, we don't have time anymore to dilly-dally or to wait. We must have a solution now because the next generation can't wait any longer," answered Poe when asked if they could imagine a world where SDGS weren't taught in schools. "What would the world look like without sustainability being taught in schools? Just look back a 100 years, if you want that kind of world, then stop teaching sustainability."