Nozipho Rutsate
GWERU: In a move meant to chase up with the fast-approaching Sustainable Development Goals Youth (SDG) deadline, Gweru youths have joined forces to make sure the SDGs set goals are attained before 2030.
Under a program coordinated by SDG Advocate, Takudzwa Semhembere, the youths have launched a weekly program, Championing Sustainability, a platform that will see youths program advocacy issues and also follow up on issues meant to see those goals set under the SDGs are attained.
Semhembere however lamented how some parts of the community are still unaware of SDGs amid proximity to achievements deadline.
“We have gathered people from various places within Gweru as a way to kick-start the program. It is sad however how the community seems to be unaware of the set global goals so to curb such and record success, we will be running this program,” said Samhembere.
“Communities actually have a role to play towards attaining set goals and because of that realization, we are engaging youths from different facets of the society to help spread and implement the SDG gospel,” he added.
Samhembere also highlighted that adoption, domestication and full implementation of the SDGs is a process that requires to be contextualized at local levels for communities to relate to it.
Youth organizations present at the initial meeting also agreed to Semhembere’s idea that the SDg gospel can be spread and implemented faster if youths work together each representing a unique thematic area.
“Our country is an agro-based economy and therefore climate change is influencing this sector and our livelihoods as well. If at all we wish to eradicate poverty which is SDG1, issues of climate action should be addressed and our society should be sensitized on climate change issues,” said Tendai Maregere of Save Our Environment Trust.
A disability activist, Nyasha Mahwende spoke of the need for disability-friendly environments and inclusion of people with disabilities in promoting successful implementation of the goals.
With the assistance of Gweru American Spaces, Gweru youths will meet weekly to discuss set advocacy goals and follow ups on attaining the Global Goals at the community level.
The Sustainable Development Goals are a collection of 17 interlinked global goals designed to be a “blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all”. The SDGs were set up in 2015 by the United Nations General Assembly and are intended to be achieved by the year 2030.
