As 2023 comes to an end we move firmly into the second half of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) timeline. In 2015, 193 countries unanimously adopted the 17 SDGs. Following this, agendas and policies would be framed to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure prosperity for all. Some of these goals include gender equality, climate action, quality education, life on land, and responsible consumption. 2015 marked a promise to each other that we would take care of our shared community and do our part to provide a healthy and sustainable world for the future. However, now into the second half progress has been slow and hindered further by COVID-19. 

The Kawartha World Issues Centre (KWIC) has been working consistently over the past eight years to create programming that aligns with the goals made in 2015 starting with our SDG forums and reports where we 120 participants identified five local key priority action areas for Nogojiwanong/Peterborough. As 2030 approaches we are committed to continuing education on the SDGs through our in-school workshops to almost 2000 students, our gender equality projects, and our new program entitled Returning to Mother Earth. Through our programming we are working to bring these global goals to Peterborough-Nogojiwanong in a way that is local, relevant, and accessible. 

One of our flagship projects focusing on the SDGs is our Amplifying Gender Equality in Nogojiwanong | Peterborough project. This program builds on our historic work on gender equality as one of the SDGs as we engage our community through participatory action research via community conversations with a focus on the issues brought forward by our community. These conversations are now informing community workshops being offered to local organizations, classes, and groups to further advance education on SDG #5 and spark culture shifts. These workshops are a starting point for conversations around gender equality as one of the SDGs and how we can use these learnings to create a more sustainable world. 

As well as our recent work on the SDGs KWIC has been operating in the Peterborough community for nearly 35 years engaging with young changemakers and advocates focusing on environmental and social justice issues. We support emerging groups, host rallies, develop workshops, and educate local educators on social justice in the classroom. For more information go to www.kwic.info.