How do the SDGs differ from MDGs

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) are both

goals set by the United Nations to address global development challenges, but they approach their goals

from different angles.

The MDGs, established in 2000, aimed to achieve specific targets such as reducing poverty, hunger,

and disease, as well as increasing access to education and gender equality by 2015. There were

orginally eight goals and 18 targets.

The SDGs were implimented in 2015 as the next phase, there are 17 goals and 169 targets and were

designed to build upon what was already addressed by MDGs with the aim of tackling a broader range

of issues, including poverty, hunger, health, education, and gender equality, while adding on even more

dangerous events such as climate change, economic inequality, and peace and justice.

TheSDGs have been proven to be more in depth than the MDGs. TheSDG acknowledges that

development challenges are closely related and that addressing one issue can help fix other issues. For

example if poverty and hunger are reduced, general well being and health will increase, as well as the

ability to seek out higher forms of education.

The SDGs also prioritize sustainable development, which is defined as “development that meets the

needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.”

The SDGs understand that economic growth and future development must be sustainable in order to

truly make a lasting difference with future generations.

Finally, the SDGs are more ambitious and have longer timelines than the MDGs. The SDGs have

targets to be achieved by 2030, while the MDGs had a 2015 deadline. The extended time allows for

more comprehensive and sustained efforts to address development challenges.

Each address global development challenges, but possess their own unique characteristics. The SDGs

are more comprehensive, inclusive, and focused on marginalized populations on a longer timeline.

They also have a focus on sustainability something that is crucial when targeting long term change.

Both frameworks are important, but the SDGs aim for a more long-term and sustainable approach to

development hence why they replaced MDGS.

How the pandemic affected education.

The COVID-19 pandemic affected education, and it was not just about the shift to remote learning. I

can attest to the fact that the pandemic had a huge effect on my mental health and well-being.

One of the biggest challenges for me was the lack of social interaction. As an extrovert I found it hard

to focus and stay motivated while sitting in front of a screen all day without friends to talk to while I

worked. It was a completely new and isolating experience. I missed sitting at the lunch table talking

about a random football game or playing Uno. I missed football practice and the weight room. I

remember feeling like I was in a constant state of procrastination. I was watching my grades fall for the

first time in my life and didn’t know how to fix them or who to go to for help.
Additionally the pandemic took a huge toll on the mental health of those around me. I watched the

isolation and stress cause some of my friends to spiral into depression, a growing anxiety caused when

their loved ones inevitably caught COVID causing them immense guilt because they went to the

movies or hung out with friends. There was a severe lack of emotional or physical support in place.

Nobody knew how to handle it.

Another change I noticed was how prevalent inequality in the education system had become. I saw my

friends in low-income households with broken webcams and slow internet struggle to keep up and even

docked points for not having their cameras on. It was hard to watch the gap widen between the classes.

The pandemic also affected the ability of teachers to control their classrooms. They had to quickly

adapt to new teaching methods and technologies, often with little support or training. This led to

increased stress and burnout among teachers. Often pushing them over the edge, sometimes taking it

out of their pupils.

Finally, I cannot imagine how hard at-home learning was for people in a broken home, whether it be

the lack of a school-supplied lunch or an abusive parent. For some, the school was their safe space, and

that was taken away.

In conclusion, the pandemic has affected education in ways we couldn’t have imagined. It’s not just

about the shift to remote learning, it’s about the mental health and well-being of students and the

inequalities in the education system. It’s a reminder that education is not just about academic

achievement, it’s also about the holistic well-being of the students and the safe atmosphere it creates.
How might we define “Quality Education,” which is goal 4 of the SDGs?

Since the idea of quality education is complex and multifaceted, no single definition can adequately

convey it. But inclusiveness and equity are key components of quality education, giving everyone the

chance to realize their full potential regardless of background or circumstances.

"Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all,"

reads Goal 4 of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This objective acknowledges the

significance of providing education that is open to all people and that encourages the development of a

broad range of skills and knowledge that are crucial for success in the contemporary world.

Being adapted to the needs of each individual student is a crucial component of high-quality education.

In other words, it responds to the particular strengths and weaknesses of every student and gives them

opportunities to learn in the ways that work best for them.

For instance, while some students might benefit from visual aids, others might do better in a hands-on,

experiential learning setting.

The ability of quality education to prepare students for the future is another crucial factor.

Thus, it gives students the knowledge and abilities they require to excel in their chosen careers and to

be contributing, engaged citizens.

This includes both crucial abilities like critical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity as well as

more conventional academic skills like reading, writing, and math.

Additionally, inclusiveness and equity are necessary for quality education.

This calls for accessibility for all students, regardless of their circumstances or background.
To do this, it is necessary to address problems like poverty, prejudice, and limited access to educational

resources.

Furthermore, it implies that instruction must be culturally sensitive, valuing the diversity of students

and their communities.

In conclusion, a key objective for sustainable development is high-quality education.

It must be inclusive, equitable, and customized for each student, putting them on the path to the future.

According to UNESCO, "Education is a human right with enormous transformative power.

The pillars of freedom, democracy, and long-term human development rest on its base.

We must collaborate to ensure that everyone has access to the education they require to realize their full

potential because quality education is the cornerstone of sustainable development.

A brief summary of the UNDP

The United Nations Development Programme is an organization created to support countries in

achieving the SDGs. They work with partners to create solutions to developmental problems by

providing financial and technical assistance. They also provide policy and governmental advice when

needed in an attempt to build resilience to future crises.

Works Cited

United Nations Development Programme. (2022). Sustainable Development Goals.

Sustainable Development Goals; United Nations. https://www.undp.org/sustainable-

development-goals

“Goal 4: Ensure Inclusive and Equitable Quality Education and Promote Lifelong Learning

Opportunities for All — SDG Indicators.” Unstats.un.org,

unstats.un.org/sdgs/report/2017/goal-04/.
United Nations. “The 17 Sustainable Development Goals.” United Nations, 2015,

sdgs.un.org/goals.

World Health Organization. “Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).” World Health

Organization, World Health Organization: WHO, 2018,

www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/millennium-development-goals-(mdgs).