August 19th is World Humanitarian Day. It is a day designated by the United Nations to advocate for the safety and security of humanitarian aid workers, and for the survival, well-being, and dignity of people affected by crises. Humanitarian aid workers may be conceptually difficult for some students to understand. It may also be hard for students to understand how they can use their voice to help bring awareness to this issue.
Teachers interested in helping students connect to the issues of concern for World Humanitarian Day may find it easier to focus on the survival, well-being, and dignity of others. These issues are the focus of The Global Goals for Sustainable Development developed by the United Nations. The Global Goals were established in 2015 to ensure the health, safety, and future of the planet and those on it. Ensuring healthy lives and well being is the focus of Goal Three.
Most world leaders have agreed to work towards the Global Goals. The aim of the goals is to end poverty, fight inequality and stop climate change with the intent to leave our world a better place by 2030. While it is a lofty set of goals, they will never come to fruition unless we all work together to attain them. The first step is making sure that everyone knows about the goals and understands the need to work towards them.
There are a number of great resources available to help teach about the Global Goals. Here are a few of them:
- https://education.microsoft.com/courses-and-resources/courses/SDG
- https://education.microsoft.com/bringtheglobalgoals
- http://worldslargestlesson.globalgoals.org/
- https://www.one.org/us/2015/09/18/teach-about-the-global-goals-with-the-worlds-largest-lesson/
- https://schools.unicefkidpower.org/blog/educational-resources/new-resources-teach-global-goals/
- https://practicalaction.org/global-goals
If you teach older students and want to try a lesson about World Humanitarian Day, you might be interested in this: http://teachrock.org/lesson/everyday-heroes-beyonce-united-nations-world-humanitarian-day/
How do you help students build awareness of the wider world and learn to use their voice in support of the common good? Share in the comments below.
One thought on “What’s the Buzz: Sustainable Development Goals”