At a high-level summit of the United Nations (United Nations, UN) from 25 to 27 September 2015, the “Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development” was adopted under the title “Transformation of our world: the Agenda 2030 for sustainable development”. All 193 member states of the United Nations undertake to work towards the implementation of the 2030 Agenda with its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at national, regional and international level by 2030.
Contribution of the goals of ROTARY to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations
Peace and Conflict Resolution aligns with SDGs Goals 16 and 17:
For example, in partnership with seven universities in six countries, Rotary Peace Centers educate about 100 Rotary Peace Fellows each year, preparing them to act as leaders and catalysts for peace and conflict resolution.
Disease prevention and treatment aligns SDGs Goals 3 and 17:
For example, Rotary is a partner in the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI), along with the World Health Organization, UNICEF, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Since the GPEI was launched in 1988, the number of polio cases has dropped by 99.9 percent, and 16 million people are walking today who would otherwise have been paralyzed.
Water and Sanitation aligns with SDGs 6:
Many Rotary clubs are caring out projects provide clean water, upgrade toilet facilities, and offer hygiene education.
Child and Maternal Health aligns with SDGs 3:
Many Rotary projects help improve health by providing or rebuilding essential medical equipment for maternity hospital, by supporting family planning and training.
Basic Education and Literacy aligns with SDGs 4, 5, 8, 10 and 17
Rotary members improve the capacity of communities to support basic education and literacy, reduce gender disparity in education, and increase adult literacy. Club projects often support education for all children and literacy for children and adults.
Economic and Community Development aligns with SDGs 1,2,8 and 17
Rotary clubs carry out service projects that enhance economic and community development and create opportunities for decent and productive work for young and old. We also help local entrepreneurs and community leaders, particularly women, in impoverished communities.
A central pillar of both the SDGs and Rotary’s own humanitarian objectives is recognition of the critical importance of developing mutually beneficial partnerships between governments, civil society organizations, like Rotary, and the business community.
And the best example of a partnership that has made a lasting positive impact on communities around the world has been the Rotary led effort to eradicate polio.
I believe that the more closely we align our work with the work of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, the better we will be able to leverage that work, and the more we will be able to achieve.