An Important Pillar for the Success of Sustainable Development Goal_ SDGs Awareness Generation

1. An Important Pillar for the Success of Sustainable Development Goal: SDGs Awareness Generation SDGs or Sustainable Development Goals are 17 development goals with 169 targets that, in September 2015, the world leaders agreed to achieve by 2030. SDGs aim to promote a safer, more prosperous, and cleaner world for all. One hundred and ninety-three countries of the world have signed the 2030 goals agenda and reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring social inclusion, sustained and inclusive economic growth, and environmental protection. The agenda of SDG 2030 is universal and transformative. It is not just a checklist but also a holistic approach that helps understand and tackle problems. The goals make us think creatively and ask the right questions so that we can understand bottlenecks in SDGs' success and the interdependencies of objectives to reach the root of the problem. The success of SDGs depends on many factors, and the goals are formed under the assumption that everyone around the world is aware of these goals. The knowledge about SDG is needed to have willing participants who could contribute to attaining these goals and targets. Here we will explore the significance of SDGs awareness generation about SDGs and what methods are being applied to achieve them.

2. What is SDG Awareness Generation? To localize SDGs at district and regional levels, the first step is advocacy and raising awareness about the goals. ● Through raising awareness, the aim is to communicate and educate local office bearers on the significance of the new SDG 2030 agenda and also apprise them of how their decision plays a critical role in achieving the SDGs. ● India is home to nearly 1/6th of the entire humanity; hence the success of India in fulfilling SDG goals is vital. With the "whole of society" approach, the government of India has engaged local and sub-national governments, local communities, civil society organizations, the private sector, and people in vulnerable conditions. ● SDG has multiple stakeholders, and raising awareness will stimulate these stakeholders to contribute their energy and ideas on sustainable issues. ● For awareness generation, countries would: ○ Mobilize communities ○ Have interactive sessions between civil society organizations and the government on SDGs and their targets ○ Work on capacity building for government MDAs and community stakeholders ○ Use media platforms like print or electronic media, banners, publications, t-shirts, flyers, brochures, etc. ● Promotional materials (manuals) are being made, and social network platforms are getting created to raise SDG awareness. The manuals would also have graphic works of illiterate or semi-literate communities. SDG Awareness Generation Methods and Tools Young people are the drivers of SDGs' mission and development efforts. If children and youth are given the right tools and information, they can play an essential part in monitoring SDGs, holding leaders to account, and sparking action within their communities. For this reason, UNICEF works toward engaging and educating young people on how the goals matter in their everyday lives. In this endeavor, there are three flagship initiatives: ● The World Largest Lessons - This program is delivered in partnership with UNICEF and Project Everyone to introduce SDGs to youth and children across the globe. The aim is to unite them all in action. There are a set of free lessons translated into various languages along with animations and activities for every classroom. Educators can use this platform to teach students and also identify actions that young people and children can take to realize SDGs in their communities. ● Comics United Nations - Comic United Nations, along with world-famous storytellers and comic book artists, brings SDGs to life. This initiative has been co-founded by PCI Media Impact, UNICEF, and Reading with Pictures, and the comic library has reached a count of 20 books and is still counting. This partnership hosts Superhero comic contests where they guide the youth to think creatively about how superpowers can help meet SDGs. Children and young people submit their superhero ideas on different areas of sustainable goals to get a chance to publish their own comic books. ● SDG Activate Talk Series - The aim of Youth Activate Talks is to bring young change-makers to the stage to showcase their work to the decision-makers on how

3. the youth and children support the goals and inspire them into action. UNICEF organizes moderated discussions using the arts, activism, innovation and invention where young speakers welcome their leaders and peers to join hands in supporting SDGs. Other Tools For SDG Awareness There are several other tools either designed by UNICEF or the Local2030 platform that help generate SDG awareness and localize the SDGs. ● SDGs in Action App - This mobile app highlights the SDGs to-do list to end poverty, tackle climate change, and reduce inequalities. This application is brought to us by the GSMA (which represents the interests of worldwide mobile operators, it has more than 750 mobile operators as its members) and Project everyone (a global non-profit campaign which spreads SDGs messages.) ● What Local Governments Need to Know App - General public can use this app to discover how each of the 17 sustainable development goals is linked directly with the daily work of regional and local governments. The app has an interactive format which lets you get actively involved with the salient work done by the regional and local governments in achieving SDGs. ● UNODC Global eLearning Program - UNODC eLearning modules are available offline, online, and on mobile platforms. It has more than 430 modules in English as well as eighteen other languages. This eLearning program raises awareness about human rights, AIDS, HIV, anti-corruption, and cryptocurrencies. It also has a “public area” within its modules which is available to everyone. ● SULITEST - SULITEST is an initiative of UN Partnerships for the SDGs and a tangible implementation of the Higher Education Sustainability Initiative (HESI.) Sulitest can be described as a movement that aims to expand sustainability skills, knowledge, and mindset that motivates people to make informed decisions and be deeply committed to building a sustainable future. It also offers online tools to improve understanding of the 17 SDGs and raise awareness about the SDG 2030 agenda. The best tool in Sulitest is called "Test", which has a set of 30 international multiple-choice questions (called the "international core module"). These questions are randomly selected from a database which is approved by experts. The "test" tool was initially deployed in the academic world, and already above 135,000 students belonging to 68 countries have taken versions of this test. The tools in Sultitest allow individuals to test their own literacy on sustainability goals. SDGs Success is Linked Tightly With SDG Awareness Generation The 2030 SDG agenda can not become a reality without spreading awareness at local levels and to schools and youth. Many online platforms have been launched to keep all stakeholders and the general public aware of the agenda and progress of SDG goals.