September University of Galway host first Sustainable Development Goals Week

University of Galway is next week hosting its first SDG Week to increase awareness, engagement and action to help achieve the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Organised by the University’s staff and students, SDG Week will run from September 18 to 23, as part of the wider European Sustainable Development Week, which this year, will be held from September 18 to October 8.

The inaugural SDG Week has been organised on the back of national and international recognition of the progress being made in the University in line with the UN Sustainable Development Goals including being ranked 34^th in the world and number one university in Ireland by the THE Impact Rankings for its efforts in progressing the SDGs. The University was also ranked 5th in the world for its progress on SDG 12: Sustainable Consumption and Production. Earlier this year, the Government of Ireland designated University of Galway as a national SDG Champion.

Events next week include a mix of student and staff-led events, from seminars to seed sowing, an environmental summit, poster presentations, workshops, a quiz night, a guided walk and a community recycling day.

As part of SDG week, the University are also launching a new SDG Trail for the campus to showcase, share and promote efforts made to develop the campus as a living lab for best practice in embedding the SDGs. By walking the trail, participants can learn about the 17 SDGs and gain insights into the scale and breadth of projects and initiatives taking place across the University that are progressing the SDGs. The SDG Trail demonstrates that action is needed at local, national and international level to achieve the SDGs. 

SDG Week is an opportunity for the university to act as an advocate and promoter of the SDGs, to raise awareness internally among the community of over 20,000 students and staff, and to demonstrate by example that everyone can contribute to the UN SDGs.

University of Galway's Sustainability Officer Michelle O’Dowd Lohan said: “At University of Galway, we are critically aware of the leading role that universities can play in the achievement of the SDGs and our vision is to be a leader in the transition to a sustainable future. SDG Week is an opportunity to raise awareness of the SDGs and share our learnings and experiences with others so we can all make a difference by integrating them into our work and daily activities. The week belongs to everyone and is open to all, including students, staff and community partners.”

For more information on the range of events happening throughout the week visit www.universityofgalway.ie/sdgweek.

For more information on the SDG Trail visit www.universityofgalway.ie/sdgtrail.

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