Introduction

The purpose of this course is to introduce and provide students a foundational understanding of the key concepts of sustainable development and sustainability. This course will introduce the 2030 Agenda and the sustainable development goals (SDGs), their history, development, purpose, and implementation. Students will learn about each individual SDG, the rationale and examples of actionable solutions that can be implemented at the individual, community, national, and international level. Students will be given the opportunity to harness the transformational impacts of the SDGs by participating in a variety of learning experiences and exchanges. Collaborating with an active student base, representing a diversity of geographies and perspectives, students will engage with a global SDG community of practice and explore ways to increase social impact and environmental justice.

In this 34-minute video: Urgent Solutions for Urgent Times, the United Nations tells the story of the world as it is, as it was, and as it could be. Marking five years since the adoption of the Sustainable Development Goals, this thought-provoking short film focuses on the solutions and action we need to tackle the SDGs including poverty, inequality, injustice, and climate change.

This project is made possible with funding by the Government of Ontario and through eCampusOntario’s support of the Virtual Learning Strategy (VLS) and Central Virtual Learning Platform (CVLP). To learn more about VLS and CVLP visit: https://vls.ecampusontario.ca