The Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development as an International Policy and Results Framework for the Environment and Sustainable Development (SDEM 506)

Course Description:

This Unit is focused on the study of the results framework and universal nature of the Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development as an holistic development agenda that emphasizes the global drive for policy coherence and interdisciplinarity in international, national and local approach to development practice. The Modules consider the strengths and weaknesses of the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with their 169 targets  and over 284 performance indicators, their interlinkage and initial impact assessments with selected case studies. Components of the SDGs, such as poverty reduction, environmental management, urban planning, climate action, land use, health, quality education, economic and industrial development, energy, industry, innovation and infrastructure, gender equality and issues as sustainable cities as an introduction to the influence of increasing urbanization and the policy responses both in terms of social, environmental, economic, health and planning approach, with cognizance to the intertwining nature and local and urban governance and leadership challenge, will be examined in their international, national and local political-economic contexts of the Five Ps (5Ps – People, Planet, Prosperity, Peace and Partnership).

The intertwining of Peace, Justice, Human Rights, Gender Equality and building strong institutions, introducing the challenges around equality, equity and fairness to all as well as the peace component of the Agenda 2030, are brought into consideration with emphasis on SDGs 16 on “achieving peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development; providing access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels.

While re-emphasizing the results framework of the Agenda2030 for Sustainable Development, the unit also considers the linkage of the framework to development effectiveness and Results-Based Management in international development and the positive evolution useful for progressive policies for a more impactful implementation of the SDGs within the year 2030 deadlines. It stresses the universal approach as a means of closing the gap between developing and developed countries and the perceived improvements to Internationally-Agreed Development Goals (IADGs) – including the Agenda 201 and the millennium Development Goals (MDGs)- which gave the Agenda 2030 an assurance of results.

Leadership and Partnership for the Goals as contained in SDG 17, which are the aspects that deal with international to local coordination of the SDGs as well as the issue of financing and leadership challenge also form an integral part of the unit. With link to Module 9, more emphasis will be laid on building partnership and strong international, national and local Institutions.  It also stressed on the challenge of governance, democracy, political and corporate leadership in the implementation of the SDGs as well as reforms and adaptive management to meet the multisectoral requirements of the SDGs. The Module will dig deeper into the business approach to Sustainable Development and how Government cooperates with the private sector, the civil society and other stakeholders, under the SDGs dispensation.