UN SDGs to enhance enterprise engagement (QAA 2 3 5 6 7) #FEEUK UN SDG

Objective:

Learners will explore the SDGs and make connections based on their lived experience and understanding
Group work will enable discussion and negotiation regarding priorities and actions
The SDGs will stimulate opportunity spotting and enable divergent thinking processes

Overview:

The 17 UN SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals) can be utilised to generate connections, stimulate discussion and focus thinking to specific directions/problems. The methods work well within, and across disciplines and for differing age groups and can be combined with creative activities to generate presentable outputs.

Activity:

Using the SDG ‘tile’ cards and the SDG wheel, activities can be adapted to suit the participants. Five options are given below:

Personal Values
Values-led discussion/debate. Participants collect or are given three SDG cards per group; they must decide amongst them which they value the most and what they can actually change in their daily lives – write down reasons, connections and barriers. Feedback the one most promising change to other groups. Useful as a team building activity to learn more about participants and find common values (time <30 min).
Cohesive connections
Process mapping activities. Points-based game, give participants a concept or problem related to their studies/of interest to them (discipline specific or general if mixed disciplines). Groups map SDGs onto/round this using a large sheet of paper helps; draw connectors between the SDGs and linking information. Groups then share their interpretations of the same idea; facilitators award points for cohesive connections. (time 1 hour).
SDGs pure-play
LEGO/Playdoh/coloured pens or similar - set each group a goal, or all use the same goal plus a tub of blocks/playdoh/coloured pens etc. for them to provide a metaphor for their idea; what is the game-changer solution for that SDG? Use divergent thinking; anything is possible, infinite finance. Useful as a starter activity in a longer session/day or for pre-HE/outreach(time 1-1.5h).
SDGs in context
Community, Regional, National, International contexts - how can AI and social media be utilised to promote and enhance the rate of action for achieving SDGs; digital analysis of what’s there already; speed searching resources in the session; requires access to Wi-Fi for researching examples (snip and paste information for a memory board). Similar to a context-café style activity, to present back an overview (paper/pin-board/Prezi about the most impactful initiatives (time 2h).
SDGs: sitting in their seat
Role-play for ethics, logistics, and understanding whereby participants take on different roles to consider an SDG; government, environment, educators, children, farmers/fishermen/women, energy companies, etc. In your ‘role’ you must argue a case for and against making changes to meet the SDGs (profit, jobs, cost, geography etc.). Useful for positioning participants to the mindset of a customer or stakeholder rather than on the side of their personal values and beliefs (time 1-1.5h).

Skill Development:

Participants will gain experience of divergent thinking, meaning making and collaboration. Communication skills will be practised inter and intra-group; written, visually and verbally. Participants must demonstrate a willingness to listen to and accept different viewpoints, debate values and negotiate where appropriate. Critical analysis will be demonstrated in consideration of budgets for solutions, and ethical and moral considerations will be required to answer questions raised in discussions. The ability to appreciate different perspectives and backgrounds/disciplines will enable a more diverse and equitable decision-making process. Participants should leave the sessions with a greater awareness of the SDGs and how innovation and creativity can build connections.

Resources:

Essential

Copies of the SDG tiles (available to download/print; recommend using the inverted colour icons to save printer ink, and printing to laminated paper to re-use)
Copy of the SDG ‘wheel’

Depends on the exercise

Post-its or similar sticky pads
Pens
Paper for drawing out ideas and connections
Lego/Playdoh, coloured pens or similar for pure-play
Internet access and availability to present/project

References:

Web-sites

SDG information: https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/

UN SDGs to download – use inverted colour icons to save on printer ink: https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/news/communications-material/

How to Guide