Make an Impact
DEVELOP IDENTITY
Introduction
In this lesson, you will analyze your community and identify the problems you observe. Then, you will explore the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, which world leaders have identified as essential for creating a better future for everyone. You'll examine these goals to see which ones align with the needs of your community. This lesson may inspire you to develop a passion for improving the world and pursuing a career in service that you may not have considered before.
WHICH SOCIAL CAUSES ARE IMPORTANT TO YOU?
START WITH YOURSELF
Identify causes in your community you would like to improve or change.
DEVELOP IDENTITY
THINK ABOUT CHANGING THE WORLD FOR THE BETTER
Make a list of five things that you feel needs to change.
When you look around your neighborhood, school, or community what types of things do you see that need to be improved?
HOW DO YOUR CAUSES ALIGN WITH THE U.N. SUSTAINABLE GOALS?
LOOK BEYOND YOURSELF
Connect the U.N. Sustainable Goals to changes you would like to see in your community.
DEVELOP IDENTITY
THINK ABOUT THE U.N. SUSTAINABLE GOALS
The Sustainable Development Goals are a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet and improve the lives and prospects of everyone, everywhere. The 17 Goals were adopted by all UN Member States in 2015, as part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development which set out a 15-year plan to achieve the Goals.
What are the U.N. Sustainable Goals?
Click on the images to learn more!
THINK ABOUT THE U.N. SUSTAINABLE GOALS
What are the U.N. Sustainable Goals?
9. Industry, Innovation, & Infrastructure
10. Reduced Inequalities
11. Sustainable Cities and Communities
12. Responsible Consumption & Production
13. Climate Action
14. Life Below Water
15. Life On Land
16. Peace, Justice, & Strong Institutions
17. Partnerships For The Goals
THINK ABOUT THE U.N. SUSTAINABLE GOALS
Analyze your list of desired changes and connect each one to the relevant U.N. Sustainable Development Goal.
For example, if you identified ocean pollution as an issue you'd like to address, you would connect it to Goal 14: Life Below Water.
How do my causes align to the U.N. Sustainable Goals?
Form a team of 3 or 4 students who share similar causes. For instance, if you all identified Goal 2: Zero Hunger as a priority, you would join forces to work toward that goal.
Once your team is formed, sit together and clearly identify your shared cause.
THINK ABOUT THE U.N. SUSTAINABLE GOALS
Who are the allies helping me make a positive impact on the world?
HOW CLOSE ARE WE TO ACHIEVING THESE GOALS GLOBALLY, AND HOW CAN WE HELP AT THE LOCAL LEVEL?
MAKE CONNECTIONS
Research more about the U.N. Sustainable goals projects to support the needs of your community.
DEVELOP IDENTITY
CONNECT U.N. SUSTAINABLE GOALS TO MY COMMUNITY
With your team visit the U.N. Sustainable Goals website and learn more about your specific goal.
Use the graphic organizer to record what you discover about this important issue.
U.N. Sustainable Goals website
WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED ABOUT MAKING AN IMPACT?
REFLECT AND UPDATE YOUR THINKING
I can use what I have learned about the U.N. Sustainable Goals to think about how I can improve the world by thinking globally and acting locally.
DEVELOP IDENTITY
REFLECT ON MAKING AN IMPACT