Moving Forward Together – Canada’s 2030 Agenda National Strategy was initiated in support of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set out by the United Nations are designed to eliminate poverty, protect the environment, and ensure that people live in peace and prosperity.
One of these goals (SDG 4) is to ‘Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all’
The goal aims to promote learning and knowledge sharing. This has the potential to cause a significant change in how we think and behave about one another and the environment. Furthermore, lifelong learning and information sharing about sustainable development and the SDGs can enable learners to make informed decisions and take responsible actions that promote environmental integrity, economic viability, and a just society for current and future generations, while protecting the environment.
Role of government
The roles and responsibilities of the government of Canada to meet this goal by 2030 will include:
Improving education governance in public schools in a way that encourages inclusion, transparency, and quality
Including technical and vocational training programs in local economic development plans, as well as ensuring that training is useful and relevant to job opportunities.
Encourage collaboration among schools, research institutions, and local businesses.
Ensure that high-risk and disadvantaged residents and communities have access to education and training.
Multiple objectives
In order to achieve this goal, the Canadian government has a list of objectives it seeks to achieve by 2030, this includes:
4.1By 2030, ensure that all girls and boys complete free, equitable and quality primary and secondary education leading to relevant and effective learning outcomes
4.2 By 2030, ensure that all girls and boys have access to quality early childhood development, care and preprimary education so that they are ready for primary education
4.3 By 2030, ensure equal access for all women and men to affordable and quality technical, vocational and tertiary education, including university
4.4 By 2030, substantially increase the number of youth and adults who have relevant skills, including technical and vocational skills, for employment, decent jobs and entrepreneurship
4.5 By 2030, eliminate gender disparities in education and ensure equal access to all levels of education and vocational training for the vulnerable, including persons with disabilities, indigenous peoples and children in vulnerable situations
4.6 By 2030, ensure that all youth and a substantial proportion of adults, both men and women, achieve literacy and numeracy
4.7 By 2030, ensure that all learners acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development, including, among others, through education for sustainable development and sustainable lifestyles, human rights, gender equality, promotion of a culture of peace and non-violence, global citizenship and appreciation of cultural diversity and of culture’s contribution to sustainable development
Canada’s determination to ensure inclusive and quality education for its residents is a testimony of its desire to meet the U. N’s agenda will ensure a better quality of life for everyone living in Canada including immigrants.