Localising the Sustainable Development Goals

The Royal Docks Centre for Sustainability at the University of East London (UEL) buzzed with energy as students, academics, and community members came together for a compelling interactive workshop on localising the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).  

The event, part of UEL's Sustainable Cities Festival and the Year of Science, brought together diverse interests keen to explore how grassroots initiatives and local actions can contribute to global sustainability.

The session was spearheaded by Dr Meera Tiwari, Reader in International Development Studies at the School of Education and Communities. Dr Tiwari offered an insightful review of UEL's approach to the 17 SDGs, emphasising the importance of working collectively to address pressing global issues such as poverty, climate change, and inequality.

In her opening remarks, Dr Tiwari underscored the UN's core principle of "Leave No One Behind," which calls for prioritising the dignity and advancement of the most marginalised communities. She reiterated the need for academic institutions like UEL to engage in collaborative efforts with local organisations to drive meaningful change at the grassroots level.

Dr Tiwari said afterwards, 

This was a very useful workshop. By engaging with grassroots organisations and our local communities, we can drive transformative change from the ground up, ensuring that no one is left behind in our journey toward a more sustainable and equitable world."

The interactive discussion, hosted by UEL's Sustainable Development Goal ambassadors - a team comprising the UEL Student Research Team and academic staff and including Dr Susannah Pickering Saqqa, Abigail Lennox, Suluxshiga Sanjayan, Nour Amin and Atefa Hu - focused on promoting transformative change within the London Borough of Newham.  

Attendees had the opportunity to learn about and discuss several community projects that are making a tangible difference.

One of the highlighted initiatives was the Newham Community Project, which focuses on women's health and outdoor exercise activities for children with disabilities. This project has been instrumental in promoting physical well-being and inclusivity in the community. Another key project discussed was the Wetland Enhancement Project at the Bethnal Green Nature Reserve (BGNRT), which provides ecological internships and hands-on learning experiences to underrepresented youth demographics.

Throughout the session, attendees engaged in lively discussions about how the SDGs can serve as a guiding framework for local action. The event also featured breakout sessions where participants brainstormed innovative solutions and shared best practices for sustainability at the local level.

Learn more about the SDGs

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a set of 17 interconnected global goals established by the United Nations in 2015, designed to address a wide range of challenges such as poverty, inequality, climate change, environmental degradation, peace, and justice.  

The Sustainable Development Goals lie at the heart of a number of UEL courses, including BA Sustainable Development and Social Change, MSc NGO and Development Management and SBS Apprenticeship Sustainability, Resource and Waste. If you would like to learn more, visit the course pages.  

What our students say

“As a student on the BA Sustainable Development with Social Change course I have learnt about a wide range of topics, from environmental studies to inequalities and social change. I particularly enjoyed the Space, Power, and Bodies module in my second year, which allowed me to understand the historical and political contexts behind social constructs.  

“My lecturers have provided support towards finding a placement over the summer, so I feel that I can depart from UEL as a graduate equipped with real-world work experiences.”

Atefah Huq

"Unlocking the potential of sustainable development goals, the MSc NGO and Development Management programme propelled me into a transformative journey. As an international student and a mother, it ignited my passion to tackle global challenges, enriching my perspective, empowering me to craft a future of justice, equity, and shared humanity, and preparing me to make meaningful contributions to our interconnected world.”

Luxshy Nageswaran

“Enrolling in the MSc NGO and Development Management course at UEL has been a transformative period of personal and professional growth for me. Throughout the programme, I gained the ability to bridge together groundbreaking theories with practical strategies for tackling pressing development issues. Every module was taught with passion and was thought-provoking.  

“I am genuinely grateful for the invaluable knowledge and inspiration gained through this course, which has prepared me to make meaningful contributions in the field of NGO and development management.”

Nour Amin 

Read more about our work towards the Sustainable Development Goals.