Supporting the Sustainable Development Goals: A Guide for Merit-Based Academies

The United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, or “Agenda 2030”, is a blueprint for the future well-being of the planet.  Its targets are aspirational, but the stakes are high, as our planet faces unprecedented economic, social and environmental stresses. 

Agenda 2030 is underpinned by 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), broken into 169 specific targets, whose realisation will require the best knowledge, innovation and application from all sectors.  Scientists have an essential role to play, and whilst many are already engaged in various capacities, there is a need for many more to lend their expertise to this vital effort. 

Representing some of the best scientific minds in their countries, the merit-based academies are an important source of expertise, but according to a member survey conducted this year by the InterAcademy Partnership (IAP), the global network of science, engineering and medical academies, awareness of the SDGs is limited.  IAP has published a guide to the SDGs as a resource for all merit-based academies and other interested members of the global science community.  It sets out, in a simple, succinct way, why and how they can support the SDGs nationally, regionally and globally. 

The 20-page guide is available for download from this page and can also be downloaded in a print version that folds into a booklet. To download the booklet version, click the link to the right "Supporting the Sustainable Development Goals: A Guide for Merit-Based Academies PRINT VERSION" under Other Related Resources. The print version will download free of charge. (To print into a booklet, set printer settings as: Page Sizing & Handling: fit; print on both sides of paper; flip on short edge; landscape).

View the press release here.