From classrooms to boardrooms, bringing the SDGs to everyone

The relevance of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is widely known, and for NamibRe the integration of sustainability and themes around development is a widely understood business imperative. As part of the Human Resource Departments’ interventions to engage staff in education and learning, Chief Human Resources Officer, Coen Welsh invited the UN team to facilitate a session on the SDGs.

The NamibRe team were divided into small groups and were quickly taken through the rules of the game. There was excitement in the air as the time ran out and the opposing teams shouted “time!” to alert their contenders to stop. But while others could keep up with the speed of their competitors it did work against others to provide an answer in a hurry.

Errolice Tjipura, Partnerships and Development Coordination Officer for the Resident Coordinators Office and Anna Kharuchas Project and Communications Consultant from the UNIC office ended the game session facilitating a feedback session with the NamibRe team on their understanding of the SDGs, key takeaways from the game and the importance of inclusivity.

The energetic game day allowed for great laughter where working adults revealed the fervor and curiosity of their inner child. The competitive spirit was strong in the teams, but much learning took place about the 17 SDGs. The reasoning from the NamibRe team is embedded. For many games, there is only one simple objective – to win – but the Swift 30 SDG game offers something more, it encourages an understanding and ignites investment towards the achievement of the SDGs.

 NamibRe team enjoyed the game, interactively applying their knowledge and integrating the SDG agenda into the workplace. The valuable teambuilding exercise infused a greater understanding of the SDGs and realising along the way that everyone, everywhere must take action.

About the game:

Swift 30: SDG Edition was produced in collaboration with Ms. Ndeshi Fikameni and her company, Afroprintline.  This iteration follows the success of her first game, Swift 30, a game that drew its inspiration from the popular board game, 30 Seconds, but exclusively focused on Namibian topics – a game for Namibians by Namibians. Similarly, Swift 30: SDG Edition, which includes a colourful hand-sewn game board, appeals to Namibian youth with the aim to empower them to take their future into their own hands.

UN Namibia launched the game in May 2021 as a youth engagement tool.  This locally made board game brings the SDGs into the hands of the youth, to educate them on Namibia and how they can positively impact our future.