In August 2023, our CEO Dearbháil Lawless was elected as Co-Chair of the Sustainable Development Goals Coalition 2030 Steering Group, together with Johnny Sheehan from The Wheel.
AONTAS have also been appointed as an SDG Champion by Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, Eamon Ryan TD. This means we are making the Sustainable Development Goals a priority.
Adult learning is a fundamental tool for creating social change, we are an NGO focussed on equality and social-justice, which are core ideals of the SDGs. This includes Goal 4 – “ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all” – and Goal 11 – “make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable.”
The role of an SDG Champion is to act as an advocate and promoter of the SDGs and provide examples of good practice of how an organisation integrate them into their work and activities.
Dearbháil is leading the way on this in her role as co-chair of Coalition 2023.
What is the SDGs Coalition 2030?
Coalition 2030 is an alliance of 70 civil society organisations working together across the international development, environmental, anti-poverty, and trade union sectors to ensure Ireland keeps its promise, made in 2015, to deliver the SDGs by 2030.
To achieve this, the SDGs need to become the overarching framework for policy-making in Ireland, at all levels of Government. This requires all Government departments to be aligned and invested, and for this to be underpinned by strong political leadership.
According to Dearbháil, “as members of Coalition 2030, we call on the Irish Government to deliver:
- SDG implementation resting with the Department of An Taoiseach
- the creation of timely and participatory national plans that communicate to the public how the Government intends to achieve the SDGs (National Implementation Plans)
- National Implementation Plans that are fully resourced in terms of finance and staff
- a well-considered process for ensuring the voices of those furthest behind in society are meaningfully considered in the development of national plans (via National Stakeholder Forums on the SDGs)
- annual progress reports on Government delivery all 17 Goals to both houses of the Oireachtas
- a fit-for-purpose public communications plan on the SDGs to showcase Ireland’s progress to date, intended actions, and how the public can get involved.”
Learn more about Coalition 2030’s progress so far.
Dearbháil has been a leading voice in this work over the past year, particularly in relation to issues of equality and poverty, and how these relate to the SDGs. She supported the development of the “Furthest Behind First, or Falling Behind Further?” report and launch and has given radio interviews discussing these issues.
Speaking about her appointment as co-chair, Dearbháil said: “I felt that my personal involvement would be a way to act on this priority on behalf of AONTAS, and I might also encourage others as a leader within the sector.”
AONTAS Championing SDGs
This September, we are holding a webinar on “Activating the SDGs in the Adult and Community Education Sector in Ireland.”
We will hear from experts from the Development sector on their experiences and knowledge, and share examples of how adult and community education groups are already acting on the SDGs. This webinar is open to all working and learning in the adult and community education sector and to all AONTAS members.
For more information, contact Leo at lgilmartin@aontas.com
