Empowering Global Citizens: UTS’s Approach to SDG Engagement

The University of Technology Sydney (UTS) has been a leader in sustainability engagement, with Global Goals Month emerging as a key initiative to raise awareness about the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Originating from a collaboration between the UTS Sustainability team and UTS BUILD, this month-long event highlights how the university integrates the SDGs into research, education, operations, and community engagement. By showcasing the real-world applications of sustainability within the university, the initiative encourages staff and students to become active global citizens.

UTS was one of the first Australian universities to sign the University Commitment to the UN SDGs in 2016, underscoring its long-standing dedication to sustainability leadership. The university recognises that higher education institutions play a crucial role in tackling global challenges, and through initiatives like Global Goals Month, UTS helps students and staff understand their role in shaping a more sustainable future.

The UTS Sustainability Strategy 2023-2027 has reinforced this commitment by embedding sustainability across education, research and university operations. The strategy aims to empower staff and students with sustainability knowledge, values, and capabilities, ensuring they graduate with the skills needed to address complex global issues. Global Goals Month aligns with these objectives by providing opportunities for education, discussion, and action.

Careful planning has been a key driver of Global Goals Month’s success. Preparations begin six months in advance, allowing the organising team to coordinate activities, identify key participants, and build engagement across the university. Given that the UTS Sustainability team operates with limited resources, the team has adopted a strategic and collaborative approach, leveraging existing partnerships and expertise across the university.

Throughout the planning process, the team focuses on maximising impact while maintaining a manageable workload. Regular meetings leading up to September help ensure clear communication, allowing the initiative to evolve and expand each year. Passion and collaboration have been central to making Global Goals Month a success, with team members bringing enthusiasm, innovation, and dedication to every aspect of the initiative.

One of the key challenges in implementing Global Goals Month has been the reliance on voluntary participation from the UTS community. As a university-wide initiative, the event depends on staff and students contributing their time, resources, and expertise. Fortunately, UTS has developed a strong network of sustainability champions—individuals who are passionate about the SDGs and willing to support the initiative each year. Their ongoing involvement has been instrumental in expanding the event’s reach and impact.

Since its inception, Global Goals Month has continued to grow. By September 2024, the initiative had been run for the third time, and engagement had increased significantly. The number of events and activities has expanded, attracting more participants from across different faculties and departments. Each year, more staff and students express interest in getting involved, and the initiative is increasingly recognised as a key part of UTS’s sustainability engagement efforts. This steady growth demonstrates how the initiative is successfully embedding sustainability awareness across the university and encouraging greater participation in the SDGs.

The success of Global Goals Month highlights the value of starting small and scaling up over time. UTS launched the initiative as a pilot program, gradually refining and expanding it each year. This approach has allowed the university to adapt and improve while keeping the event sustainable and impactful.

UTS recommends that institutions looking to develop similar initiatives focus on:

• Engage sustainability champions across different departments to increase buy-in and support.
• Regular planning meetings help ensure smooth coordination and collaboration.
• Starting with a manageable scope and expanding each year ensures the initiative remains achievable and effective.
• Recognising contributions and highlighting achievements boosts engagement and enthusiasm for future initiatives.

Global Goals Month has demonstrated how a well-planned and collaborative approach can drive meaningful engagement with sustainability. UTS remains committed to evolving and strengthening the initiative, ensuring it continues to inspire students and staff to take action on the SDGs.

For more information about this great initiative, visit UTS Global Goals Month.