The Sustainable Development Goals(SDGs) are hoped to be achieved by 2030. These are global goals with a universal call to action to end poverty, hunger, ensure 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& strong institutions and partnerships for the goals. This is in essence aimed to protect the planet and ensure that all beings enjoy peace and prosperity.

The 17 SDGs are a pre-requisite for development in all countries in the world and a strategy has to be found to ensure that all these goals are achieved. SDG 4, which is on ensuring quality education is a back-bone to all the other 16 SDGs. Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) offers a clear road map on the best way to achieve the 17 SDGs. ESD aims at improving access to quality education at all levels of learning and in all social contexts to transform society by reorienting education and help people develop knowledge, skills, values and attitudes needed for sustainable development.

There are 17 Sustainable Development Goals which are defined in a list of 169 SDG Targets that are to be tracked by 232 unique Indicators. Considering this directive, ESD gives the simplest solution to go about these goals since it embraces the whole-systems approach where inclusiveness and impact are critical. Individuals are encouraged to be responsible actors in solving challenges that affect them directly and indirectly. Cultural diversity and political awareness and education are areas of emphasis in ESD aiming at promoting peace through Peace education.

There is a growing international recognition of ESD as an integral element of quality life and education and a critical enabler for all the 17 SDGs. Target 4.7 of SDG 4 points out ESD, Peace education, Global Citizenship Education ( GCED) among others as a means to ensure equal access for all women and men to affordable and quality technical, vocational and tertiary education, including university by 2030.

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Dr. Tina enlightenment