The SDGs

Background

In September 2015, all 193 Member States of the United Nations adopted a plan for achieving a better future for all – laying out a path over the next 15 years to end extreme poverty, fight inequality and injustice, and protect our planet. At the heart of “Agenda 2030” are 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and 169 related targets that address the most important economic, social, environmental and governance challenges of our time. The SDGs clearly define the world we want – applying to all nations and leaving no one behind.

We are all in agreement on where the world needs to go. The new global goals result from a process that has been more inclusive than ever, with governments involving business, civil society, higher education and citizens from the outset. The Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME), an initiative by the United Nations Global Compact, is a collaborative, collegial learning community that thrives on sharing good practices to inspire and champion responsible management education, research and thought leadership globally.

Successful implementation of the SDGs will require all players to champion this agenda; the role of higher education is critical to this.

Why They Matter

The SDGs are relevant for business and management schools. Higher Education Institutions have the ability to influence students with responsible and sustainable business practices. This influence shapes tomorrow’s business leaders and society.

How to Take Part

Individual Level: PRME signatories

  • Align curricula and research to the SDG commitments and agenda
  • Insert new content, learning methods and transformative approaches (i.e., experiential and interdisciplinary learning and new skills into the curricula)
  • Seek more applied research around the SDGs that can create solutions to help businesses be more effective and sustainable
  • Engage with students to commit to and act in support of the SDGs
  • Act as leaders of public opinion, advisers, suppliers of knowledge and solutions and mediators among businesses,
    government and civil society in support of the SDGs (contributing, for example, with the SDGs National Plans)
  • Contribute through your PRME Chapter to scale-up efforts in your region and identify the local priorities towards building global sustainability


Collective Level: PRME Chapters and Global Compact Local Networks

  • Connect and collaborate with the PRME Chapter and Global Compact Local Network within your region
  • Use the Local Global integrated strategic direction process from a bottom up approach to identify local priorities that can contribute to the advancement of the SDGs. This methodology is based on Architecture for a Better World and provides strategic direction to the local-global relationship between the Global Compact Office and Global Compact Local Networks. The process increases the potential impact of PRME Chapters and Global Compact Local Networks, offering an integrated local-global framework and agenda for transformative action in support of the SDGs. Find more information here.
  • Share your good practices, learn from peers and contribute to the many projects developed around the SDGs
  • Join PRME Working Groups and the thought leadership PRME Champions group
  • Host events and webinars to raise awareness
  • Conduct training meetings to help PRME signatories and other stakeholders understand how they can contribute to the SDGs
  • Define local priorities based on the SDGs
  • Participate in national government action plans in your country

For more information on the SDGs and PRME, see our SDG Brochure:

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