Sustainable Development Goals Week – Ways to get involved
March 1, 2024
Part of what makes Georgian Canada’s first and only Ashoka U changemaker college is our commitment to creating positive change in the communities we serve and producing graduates with innovative skills and a creative mindset. Social change starts with making a difference on all seven of our campus communities, including supporting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs).
March 4 to 8 is recognized as SDG Week Canada with the goal of promoting the 17 UN SDGs and inspiring students, employees, alumni and our communities to take action. Georgian has already participated in several initiatives since signing the UN SDG Accord in 2021.
Explore how Georgian is making an impact
- Georgian College Students’ Association signs UN SDG Accord in 2023
- Culinary programs cook up ways to reduce carbon footprint
Throughout SDG Week and the entire month of March, we’re hosting several events and activities at our campuses and virtually.
March 4
Sustainably Speaking – An SDG Podcast
In celebration of SDG Week, Hospitality, Tourism and Recreation will be launching Sustainably Speaking: An SDG Podcast. The show is dedicated to highlighting the significance of promoting positive change globally by working towards the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. Listen to uplifting stories from organizations and individuals who are making progress achieving these goals. Through these stories, HTR hopes to motivate others to embrace this challenge as well and encourage everyone to come along with us on this journey to effect change and forge a brighter future for our planet.
- The full 10-episode season launches on March 4.
- Available wherever listeners get their podcasts.
March 6
Gender-based discrimination Lunch and Learn
This training aims to provide participants with a comprehensive understanding of gender-based discrimination, its manifestations, impacts, and strategies for addressing it, becoming effective agents of change in promoting gender equality and creating inclusive environments. Hosted by the Centre for EDI&B.
- Open to employees only.
- Virtual session from noon to 1 p.m.
March 7
Take a spice, plant a spice
Come celebrate and help kick off SDG month with us! Barrie GCSA will be hosting “take a spice, plant a spice” where you can grab a spice and plant your own spice that you can grow! *While supplies last.
- Open to all students.
- GCSA table, second floor of C building, Barrie Campus, across from Subway.
- 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
March 13
Why the SDGs matter to you and your students
This 45-minute lunch and learn is designed to offer you a new perspective as to why and how the UN SDGs might be relevant to you. Ideal for any postsecondary student or employee who holds a basic understanding of the SDGs and is seeking to understand how these massive global issues might be relatable to you, your colleagues and the students you support.
- Open to students and employees.
- Virtual session from noon to 12:45 p.m.
March 18
Orillia GCSA birdhouse unveiling
Come join the Orillia GCSA (Georgian College Students’ Association) as we unveil the first two birdhouses on our campus. As we reflect on SDG month, we’re proud to contribute to goal number 15, Life on Land. Our executive team, in coordination with the Muskoka Campus, worked hard to explore which type of birdhouses were best suited for our location. We landed on two designs, one for robins and mourning doves and a second for chickadees and wrens. Alan VanClieaf, Muskoka Campus Academic Technician, designed the birdhouses using VCarve, a milling and engraving software that allows you to produce 2D patterns to be cut on the CNC machine. We’ll showcase the two bird houses, speak to what these mean to the GCSA and enjoy some time connecting outside.
- Outside, behind the campus; meet at the Labyrinth.
- 3 to 4 p.m.
- Open to anyone to join.
March 19
EmPOWERing Georgian – Our energy initiatives
Ever wondered about our solar panels or EV chargers? What about ways Georgian is reducing our carbon footprint? Join Ron Sky, Engineering and Environmental Technologies faculty and Mahboubeh Zamani, Energy Management Specialist to learn about energy initiatives and management practices at Georgian College.
- Open to students and employees.
- Virtual session from noon to 1p.m.
March 20
Understanding neurodivergence workshop
Around 15 to 20 per cent of our population recognizes themselves as neurodivergent. Embracing the concept of neurodiversity enables us to appreciate the distinct strengths of each individual. Join us in enhancing your understanding of neurodivergence and contribute to the creation of a more empathetic community where everyone is valued and included. Hosted by the Centre for EDI&B.
- Open to employees only.
- Virtual session from 2 to 3 p.m.
- Register through the employee EDI&B SharePoint page.
March 21
Good health and well-being in the workplace
Join us for a discussion on health and well-being in the workplace. Focus will be placed on burnout, what it is, and why addressing it is crucial to advance SDG number three.
- Open to students and employees.
- Virtual session from noon to 1 p.m.
March 26
World Cafe with GCSA and #ChangeTheNow
- Open to students and employees.
- Orillia Campus, student lounge from noon to 2 p.m.
March 27
GCSA food market
Your GCSA is bringing some grocery essentials (eggs, bread, milk, and more) to campus and offering them to you at a discounted price.
- Open to students.
- Barrie Campus, second floor of C building from 1 to 3 p.m.
March 28
#ChangeTheNow in the classroom and as an EL/work-integrated learning opportunity
Are you an Educator looking to bring the UN SDGs into your work with students? Do you want to increase your own changemaking capacity and inspire others? Are you interested in new ways of thinking and doing, while making the world a better place?
#ChangeTheNow (#CTN), is supported by the Social Innovation team at Georgian College. This includes coaching interested educators, faculty, youth facilitators and leaders on how to use creative innovation frameworks such as human-centred design thinking, systems thinking and compelling conversations to respond to the calls to action under the United Nation’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals. Learn how #CTN can take you and your students through an Experiential Learning (EL) journey, that can vary from from a one-hour workshop, to a group project or full work-integrated learning (WIL) semester.
- Open to staff and faculty.
- Virtual session from 1 to 2 p.m.
All month long
SDG interactive wall
During the Month of March, come visit us at H204 to learn about what Business and Management is doing to contribute to the UN Sustainable Development Goals and tell us how YOU are making an impact.
- Open to students and employees.
- Barrie Campus, outside H204.
- There will be weekly prize package draws which will include a GDR/Bun on the Run gift card (courtesy of Hospitality, Tourism and Recreation) and an SDG pin.
