UN DAY 2018: Students urged to take action on SDG by UN RC

Young people are being called upon to join the United Nations and other stakeholders in taking action to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Jamaica’s Vision 2030 national development plan as part of their own vision for personal and national development.

The call came from United Nations Resident Coordinator to Jamaica, Bruno Pouezat at UN Jamaica’s United Nations Day 2018 event on 24 October – dubbed Youth Action on the SDGs –  at the University of Technology.

“Every contribution counts. Go for the goals. Leave your mark,” high school students were urged by the Resident Coordinator who facilitates the joint work in Jamaica of 23 resident and non-resident UN Agencies, Funds and Programmes.

Scores of students from high schools, including members of UN Clubs which are coordinated by the UN Association of Jamaica, were told that they were needed on board the journey to achieve the dream of ending poverty, protecting the planet and securing peace and prosperity by the 2030 deadline.

Mr Pouezat said going for the goals means knowing what the goals are; knowing what the nation is doing to achieve the goals, and choosing those goals that resonate most with young people’s dreams and ambitions. He reaffirmed his faith in the energy and the abilities of young people by concluding, “in your hands, young people, the world will become a better place.”

In his message to the young participants, Minister of State in the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information the Hon. Floyd Green also issued a call for greater youth participation in reaching the SDGs.  “If we are really going to achieve those goals, our young people will have to act, both in Jamaica and across the rest of the world. Yes, we want them to continue to speak. Their voice continues to matter, but we also want them to act in their schools and in their communities. Choose a goal that is near and dear to their hearts and do something related to it. Be innovative; be creative,” he urged.

UN Day 2018 was organized in partnership with the United Nation Association of Jamaica to boost awareness of the work and mission of the UN and of the global Sustainable Development Goals. Patrons, including scores of high school students and teachers and representatives of government, civil society and the diplomatic corps had access to a digital hotspot with SDG learning resources including chat rooms, videos, selfie features and quizzes as well as displays on the SDGs.

The interactive expo featured some 30 booths including UN agencies, Planning Institute of Jamaica and Vision 2030, National Library System and UTech. An entertainment package headlined by Agent Sasco also included Wowski and the Ardenne Drummers. Jamaica Moves led a high-paced exercise routine that had most patrons on their feet. A talent competition was won by a student of Knox College.