The United Nation’s sustainable development goals (SDGs), created at the UN Conference on Sustainable Development in Rio de Janeiro in 2012, act as a guide for all of us to make the World a better place. They are a set of universal goals that meet the urgent environmental, political and economic challenges facing our world.
At Next Steps we also want to impact our corner of the world and we’ve looked at the United Nation’s sustainable development goals to see where we can make a difference. The United Nations’ fourth sustainability goal is to “ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.”
We want to play our part and commit to providing quality education. Take a look through each strand of the United Nation’s sustainable goals for education below and how we think we can make an impact through our work at Next Steps Education.
United Nation’s sustainable development goal 4.5
United Nations, 2012
Eliminating all discrimination in education: By 2030, eliminate gender disparities in education and ensure equal access to all levels of education and vocational training for the vulnerable, including persons with disabilities, indigenous peoples and children in vulnerable situations.
At Next Steps, this means supporting as many students in the community as we can, providing education opportunities equal to their peers in home or community settings. Where children are in schools but at risk of exclusion or persistently absent, this means supporting them to engage with education through individual tuition or mentoring support.
United Nation’s sustainable development goal 4.4
United Nations, 2012
Increasing the number of people with relevant skills for financial success: By 2030, substantially increase the number of youth and adults who have relevant skills, including technical and vocational skills, for employment, decent jobs and entrepreneurship.
At Next Steps, this means enabling our students to develop their understanding by starting with their current knowledge and skills and by finding appropriate levels of challenge and interest to engage them in personal growth.
United Nation’s sustainable development goal 4.6
United Nations, 2012
Develop universal literacy and numeracy: By 2030, ensure that all youth and a substantial proportion of adults, both men and women, achieve literacy and numeracy.
At Next Steps, this means partnering with other organisations towards the same goals. Our work with the British Dyslexia Association, providing a local support hub, discovery sessions and professional guidance is just one of the ways we support this goal.
United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goal 4.7
United Nations, 2012
Educate for sustainable development and global citizenship: By 2030, ensure that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development, including, among others, through education for sustainable development and sustainable lifestyles, human rights, gender equality, promotion of a culture of peace and non-violence, global citizenship and appreciation of cultural diversity and of culture’s contribution to sustainable development
At Next Steps, this means creating a community culture where individuality is championed, global and cultural topics are explored and celebrated in our curriculum
United Nation’s sustainable development goal 4.8
United Nations, 2012
Build and upgrade inclusive and safe schools: Build and upgrade education facilities that are child, disability and gender sensitive and provide safe, non-violent, inclusive and effective learning environments for all.
At Next Steps, this means supporting colleagues professionally with training and development opportunities enabling them to explore, discuss and create effective and inclusive learning environments.
Read more about the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals here.
Read more about Next Steps Education