The Department for Sustainable Development in partnership with UNICEF in Romania highlights the importance of building a sustainable future by also engaging children and young people

The Department for Sustainable Development, in partnership with UNICEF in Romania, organized the video conference “Together for sustainable development – We are the next generation”. During the event, the Minister of Education and Research, Monica Anisie, State Counselor, Head of the Department for Sustainable Development of the Government László Borbély, and the UNICEF Representative in Romania, Pieter Bult, engaged in the video call with representatives of the Children’s Board.

“The very essence of a sustainable development is to constantly think about future generations, what we want to leave them as a legacy. I believe that, in fact, we all embrace the principles of sustainability, because we all want to leave our children and grandchildren a clean environment and a fair society. An essential step in this direction is to implement the Sustainable Development Strategy. In the approach we have started, we need the creativity and initiative of the young generation, so we are permanently open to dialogue and partnerships,” said László Borbély during the event.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has revealed economic and systemic vulnerabilities. Now, more than ever, we must build a world in which no one is left out, and this serious situation in which we find ourselves is an opportunity to re-imagine the world and the countries in which we live. Re-imagining begins with children. Children in Romania and around the world need their rights to be ensured: the right to health, quality education and a clean planet. The children of the present are the adults who will rule the world of tomorrow, and their ability to protect the future for all of us depends on what we do to protect their rights today and how we empower them, “said Pieter Bult, representative UNICEF in Romania.

The event also disclosed the findings following a survey conducted on the U-Report platform addressed to children and young people on Sustainable Development Goals were presented, to which over 3000 responses were registered. The organizers also challenged the participants to an interactive game after which they tested their knowledge of sustainable development.

“Knowing the Sustainable Development Goals should be done through schools, according to the answers of 45% of U-Reporters. On the other hand, 28% want a constant presentation of them in media and social media, and 20% believe that the partnerships of the Department for Sustainable Development with groups and organizations of children are effective for improving knowledge, “said Silvia, member of Children’s Board.

With the support of the Ministry of Education and Research, through the network of school inspectorates, students from pre-university education from all over the country were invited to watch the live broadcast.

“Education for sustainable development means an education FOR sustainable development, not an education ABOUT sustainable development. The presence of the preposition “for” highlights the fact that modern education, in the 21st century, has as its mission the achievement of sustainable development, using education as a strategy to achieve sustainability. I am confident that if the school manages to transform itself to respond according to your needs, you too will know how to bring balance to society! ”, said Monica Anisie, Minister of Education and Research.

The coordinator of the Department for Sustainable Development announced that several initiatives for students are being prepared and that the launch of an online platform to encourage direct communication with those interested in sustainability is also being considered.

About the Department for Sustainable Development

In 2015, as part of the UN summit in New York, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development was adopted. Through this document, the UN provided a universal agenda with clear and quantifiable objectives. The 2030 Agenda includes a set of 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and an action plan for the next 15 years, to eradicate extreme poverty, combat inequality, injustice and protect the planet by 2030.

In order to implement the European provisions and those in the UN documents on sustainable development, the Department for Sustainable Development was established in Romania, by Government Decision no. 313/2017. The department operates within the Romanian Government, subordinated to the Prime Minister, and it is coordinated by State Counselor László Borbély.