UNESCO Creative Cities and the Sustainable Development Goals
By Dunedin UNESCO City of Literature | Posted:
United Nations Regional Centre of Expertise (RCE) in Dunedin: In September 2015, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development that included 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The goals signal the aim of creating a better world by 2030, by ending poverty, fighting inequality and injustice and tackling the world-wide emergency that is climate change. UNESCO Creative Cities contribute to and support the SDGs through their programmes and events with a focus on:
Education – Offering help, experience, guidance and technical support within the Sustainable Development Goal Agenda.
Natural Sciences – Recognition that the contribution of Science, Technology and Innovation plays an important role in sustainable development.
Social and Human Sciences – Advocacy for acceptable universal values and principles, such as global solidarity, inclusion, anti-discrimination, gender equality and accountability.
Culture – Recognising indigenous cultures and all cultural diversity is at the heart of social development policy making.
Communication and Information – Promotion of free speech and support for greater accessibility and information sharing with the desired outcome being to create and support sustainable communities.
Sustainable Development Goals for Ocean – Promoting a universal mandate and global convening power for ocean science and health.
In January 2020, Otago Polytechnic became a United Nations Regional Centre of Expertise (RCE) for Sustainability – becoming one of 167 RCEs globally that promote education for sustainable development. The Polytechnic spearheaded the charge after embedding the concept of sustainable practice through its curriculum and campus development over the past decade.
Supporting Otago Polytechnic in their bid was the Dunedin City Council, Otago Regional Council, Kāi Tahu, University of Otago, and many businesses and groups throughout the Otago region.
RCE-Otago will advance the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals in the region by focusing on the following themes:
- Building sustainability and social enterprise into the curriculum
- Water quality, use, efficiency and availability
- Sustainable tourism
- Low carbon lifestyles contributing to sustainable cities and towns
- Partnerships and collaboration.
Dunedin UNESCO City of Literature is proud that its kaupapa embraces the SDGs.