The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a collection of 17 global goals set by the United Nations. The broad goals are interrelated though each has its own targets to achieve. The total number of targets is 169. The SDGs cover a broad range of social and economic development issues. These include poverty, hunger, health, education, climate change, gender equality, water, sanitation, energy, environment and social justice. The Caribbean American Heritage Foundation of Texas supports these 17 global goals.
Four of the Sustainable Development Goals are directly aligned with our initiatives. They are listed below:
Food Security, Nutritious Meals and Renewed Emphasis on Agriculture
It is time to rethink how we grow, share and consume our food. If done right, agriculture, forestry and fisheries can provide nutritious food for all and generate decent incomes, while supporting people centered rural development and protecting the environment. Right now, our soils, freshwater, oceans, forests and biodiversity are being rapidly degraded. The food and agriculture sector offers key solutions for development, and is central for hunger and poverty eradication.Our Caribbean School Feeding and Nutrition Program aligns with the United Nations' Zero Hunger Sustainable Goal.
Ensure inclusive and quality education for all and promote lifelong learning
Obtaining a quality education is the foundation to improving people's lives and sustainable development. Major progress has been made towards increasing access to education at all levels and increasing enrolment rates in schools particularly for women and girls. Basic literacy skills have improved tremendously, yet bolder efforts are needed to make even greater strides for achieving universal education goals. For example, the world has achieved equality in primary education between girls and boys, but few countries have achieved that target at all levels of education.Our Annual Back-To-School - School Supplies Program and our Caribbean Libraries Initiative aligns with the United Nations' Quality Education Sustainable Goal.
Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all
Access to affordable, reliable and sustainable energy is crucial to achieving many of the Sustainable Development Goals – from poverty eradication via advancements in health, education, water supply and industrialization to mitigating climate change. Energy access, however, varies widely across countries and the current rate of progress falls short of what will be required to achieve the Goal. Redoubled efforts will be needed, particularly for countries with large energy access deficits and high energy consumption.
Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts
Climate change presents the single biggest threat to development, and its widespread, unprecedented effects disproportionately burden the poorest and the most vulnerable. Goal 13 calls for urgent action not only to combat climate change and its impacts, but also to build resilience in responding to climate-related hazards and natural disasters.
Promote justice, peaceful and inclusive societies
The Sustainable Development Goals is dedicated to the promotion of peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, the provision of access to justice for all, and building effective, accountable institutions at all levels.Our Social Justice and Sustainable Development aligns with The United Nations' Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions Sustainable Goal.