The UBC Office of Regional and International Community Engagement (ORICE), in partnership with the BC Council For International Cooperation (BCCIC), hosted the SDG Praxis Institute program during the summer of 2020.
The focus of the institute was to critically engage with UN global goals and examine the transformational potential, and shortcomings, of such a large scale framework. The Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), often framed as the nexus for theory and practice, were analyzed in relation to the early and uncertain times of COVID 19 in the summer of 2020 and emerging plans for recovery. “Shock, System Change and Agency” was a seven-week program designed to develop a deeper and critical analysis of the SDGs during global crises, such as the pandemic, and consider application of innovative solutions for policy that could advance the global goals and a COVID 19 sensitive recovery in Canada. At the end of the seven-week program, students presented their research and analysis to the senior federal government officials responsible for advising on SDG implementation across portfolios
Two years later – after the peak of the pandemic, we followed up with a few of the participants and the impact that this program has on their current endeavours. Alexandra Wenzel, Don Shafer, and Michael Songiso reflect on their experiences and impacts post-SDG Praxis Institute.
“.. I came to realize that the SDGs speak to us differently, and we should address them according to the challenges that are faced by a certain region.”Michael SongisoPast SDG Praxis Institute Participant
Reflections
Q: Two years have passed since the end of the program, in what ways are you currently engaged with the SDGs?
Wenzel: “As a volunteer policy analyst with the British Columbia Council for International Cooperation, I am engaged with advancing SDG 13: Climate Action and SDG17: Partnerships for the Goals. I am also an Ambassador for the Global Pact for the Environment which seeks to enshrine fundamental rights such as the human right to the environment [SDG 13, SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions]…However, in my work [as an ambassador] I see the interlinkages between all of the SDGs.”
Shafer: “My research explores how people talk about climate change and its interconnectedness with settler colonialism, white supremacy, and other intersecting social justice issues.”
Songiso: “We [at VIDEA] work on climate change related projects, so I would say SDG 13 [Climate Action] there is a lot of interconnection with other SDGs but the most important one [for Songiso] is SDG 13.”
Q: How did the SDG program shape your engagement with sustainable global development to date?
Shafer: “I no longer believe that our governments are going to save us or address these systemic issues. That more local action and engagement is required to achieve the change we need.”
Songiso: “Being in the Global South , I came to realize that the SDGs speak to us differently, and we should address them according to the challenges that are faced by a certain region. For example, Homelessness is not a big issue here because we have Shanty townships where people can stay but it is a challenge in the Global North.”
Wenzel: “The SDG program increased my engagement with the SDGs. In crafting key recommendations to Canada’s SDG Unit, I saw the different ways to apply the SDGs within Canada.”
Q: What is one main takeaway from the program that still resonates for you?
Songiso: “Intersectionality is one of the key takeaways and transformational change. I also learnt and experienced unconscious bias even with the team I was working with. This taught me that for us to achieve our SDGs goals, we need to minimize inequality and prejudice towards people different from us.”
Wenzel: “The ideas of praxis and reflexivity, to not only apply theory to practice but also continuously reevaluate one’s practice and implement changes.”
Shafer: “Social Justice and transformative change is not always easy. Social Justice is about benefiting the whole community locally and globally. The SDG’s provide a roadmap to help reach our goals and a reminder of how little our politicians are doing to achieve them.”
Want to learn more about the SDGs and its implementation? In July 2022, the UN released its annual report on the Sustainable Development Goals. The report outlines the progress and implementation of these goals and the continuing implications of multiple global crises.
Interested in working with peers on topics that intersect with the SDGs? At ORICE, we offer programs and initiatives that engage students beyond the classroom to think critically about the global issues taking place within our communities. Check out our current research projects and programs and subscribe to our newsletter to stay updated with all the latest ORICE news and events. All UBC Vancouver students are welcome to apply.
The British Columbia Council for International Cooperation (BCCIC) is a coalition of organizations that engage in global cooperation, social justice and environmental sustainability. Find opportunities to join the network and to learn more about global cooperation by subscribing to BCCIC’s monthly newsletter.
We would like to thank Alexandra, Don and Michael for sharing their reflections with us and wish them well in their careers.
About the Participants
Alexandra Wenzel is a Master’s student at the Geneva Graduate Institute where she focuses on the role of youth at international climate change negotiations. Recently, she attended COP26 as a Youth Delegate with the British Columbia Council for International Cooperation. As an Ambassador for the Global Pact for the Environment, she is passionate about the human right to a healthy environment!
Alexandra Wenzel is a Master’s student at the Geneva Graduate Institute where she focuses on the role of youth at international climate change negotiations. Recently, she attended COP26 as a Youth Delegate with the British Columbia Council for International Cooperation. As an Ambassador for the Global Pact for the Environment, she is passionate about the human right to a healthy environment!
Michael Songiso is an MBA student at the University of Zambia and works with VIDEA on climate change, antiracism, and decolonization projects. His passions include: poverty eradication, climate change mitigation, social justice, education, and Equality.
