Educational outreach a fundamental part of advocacy
Putting people at the heart of our work is the golden rule to ensuring we include youth as effective change makers and problem solvers.
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) have a huge part to play in today’s classrooms and the United Nations Information Centre (UNIC) Windhoek's educational programmes provide a unique learning opportunity to give meaning and purpose to serious, life-affecting human issues such as poverty, inequality, economic growth, peace, and justice.
The programmes also shed light on difficulties that students may not be aware of, or even take for granted. It allows youth to make connections to theory, its application to reality and take their seat as young people by offering their voices to render support, question, engage and interact around what is happening in the world and in their country.
In order to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic and deliver global sustainability, we need an urgent rescue effort for the SDGs. Our staff led presentations for Grade 11 students at Deutsche Höhere Privatschule provide new perspectives and real-world context about the UN’s work and structures, helping students to propel towards the bigger picture mission of the SDGs.
The tone of valuing people is underscored by the Politics teacher, Ms. Petra Wojcik. The fun spirited engagement opened up a dialogue on the SDGs, with some learners offering solutions to specific targets such as poverty, climate change and inequality. Learners also revealed themselves to be abreast of current affairs, questioning the role of the SDGs and the United Nations in light of the war in Ukraine and high profile cases of corruption in Namibia.
Africa is the youngest continent in the world, having youth as a percentage of population exceeding that in other regions of the world. In the 21st century, more attention than ever before is being given to youth globally. The vibrant group of curious 11th Graders are a reminder that Namibia has so many potential solutions and opportunities that can improve the lives of young people. The exodus is that it is everyone’s responsibility to find solutions in leaving no one behind.
Written by
UN Communications
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