Nampak Report 2018

7. Celebrating environmental days a. Global Action Days

310+ environmental days celebrated

WESSA, together with 67 countries around the world, celebrated the actions taken towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) during the FEE Global Action Days : a week-long showcasing of the revolutionary work carried out by members of the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE). Through the Global Action Days celebrated from 16 – 22 April 2018, we highlighted the activities of participating schools around the country, to showcase and share the positive actions they have coordinated, promoted and participated in throughout the year with a variety of projects that fall under several of the 17 SDGs . The 17 SDGs (adopted by world leaders in September 2015 at a historic UN Summit) came into force on 1 January 2016. With these new Goals that universally apply to all, countries will mobilize efforts to end poverty, fight inequalities and tackle climate change. The SDGs, also known as Global Goals, built on the progress of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and aim to go further to end all forms of poverty, ensuring that no one is left behind. These Goals are unique in that they call for action by all countries with all income-levels to promote prosperity while protecting the planet, recognizing that ending poverty must go hand-in-hand with strategies that build economic growth and addresses a range of social needs including education, health, social protection, and job opportunities, while tackling climate change and environmental protection. While the SDGs are not legally binding, governments are expected to take ownership and establish national frameworks for the achievement of the 17 Goals. Countries have the primary responsibility for follow-up and review of the progress made in implementing the Goals, which will require quality, accessible and timely data collection. Regional follow-up and review will be based on national-level analyses and contribute to follow-up and review at the global level. Here are a few of the stories posted on Facebook during this week: Eden College in Durban, South Africa, is working towards SDG no 5 'Gender Equality' through their Gender Committee. The students had an art exhibition at the KZNSA gallery during Human Rights Week featuring work on abuse. The Gender committee also collected clothes for Kerr House which is a home for abused women and children. Photos are of the exhibition and opening. They are in their 10th year of being a WESSA Eco-School. #globalactiondays #globalgoals #peoplecaringfortheearth

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