Schools from throughout the city and shire have gathered at the Sustainable Development Goals Conference in Aberdeen to discuss and promote the United Nations 17 Global Goals for Sustainable Development.
The first in what is hoped to be a series of collaborative events between schools in the area helped the eco minded pupils to share their thoughts on what the community can to do support the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. This pupil led conference was opened by Dennis Overton OBE, CEO of Aquascot who talked about the relevance of the Sustainable Development Goals in Business. Professor Pete Higgins, University of Edinburgh and Director of UN Centre for Education for Sustainable Development for Scotland closed the conference saying “The key to change is actions at an individual level as well as collaboration.”
Oliver Richardson, P4 at Robert Gordon’s College said: “We were split into groups and each group chose a goal to focus on. My group were interested in Climate Action and raising awareness of the impact that using fossil fuels has on flooding around the world.”
Each of the schools reviewed the global goals and presented on their chosen area at the conference held in The Craig Centre for Performing Arts at Robert Gordon’s College. The participating groups finished by highlighting their Call for Actions which they will progress further post event.
Madison Murray, P5 at Robert Gordon’s College added: “I really enjoyed seeing all the schools present their ideas for helping improve the world by 2030. There were lots of actions discussed to show how we can help to shape a better place.”
The conference attracted pupils from Fishermoss Primary School, Hazlehead Primary School, Kemnay Academy, Kittybrewster Primary School, Robert Gordon’s College Junior School, Seaton Park Primary School, St Joseph's RC Primary School and St Margaret's Junior School to join forces to discuss the goals and promote their suggested call for actions.
The United Nations 17 goals for Sustainable Development are available for viewing here.