17 Global Goals

“Building a better future for everyone” is, in simple terms, why Outlook Expeditions exists.The company was born out of a desire to help young people in the UK develop core skills, character and resilience, whilst also contributing to worthwhile causes in the developing world.

It’s also one of the reasons I joined the industry over 12 years ago and what still motivates me today in my role as Managing Director.

I’ve always felt however, that ‘building a better future’ as a pledge or a desire isn’t enough to bring about real change. It can be a catch-all term used too frequently and without real purpose behind it.

What’s needed to solve the world’s big problems – poverty, hunger, climate change, to name a few – are clear action plans and a commitment to work together as a global community.

This is where the “17 Global Goals for Sustainable Development” come in…

What are the 17 Global Goals?

• A global ‘to-do’ list to make the planet a better place by 2030.
• The main aims (and they’re big ones) are to end extreme poverty, fight inequality and tackle climate change.
• A truly global collaboration, developed by all 193 UN Member States, NGOs and ordinary people working together.
• An action plan for how to change the world, how to pay for it and how to bring everyone on board.
• Taking it one step further, the ‘World’s Largest Lesson’ introduces the Goals to children and young people everywhere, uniting them in action.

How they impact our work:

We use the Global Goals in a number of ways in our work as an expedition provider to schools and young people:

• Our expedition programmes are packed with opportunities for our students to gain knowledge and insight into global issues and how they can help to tackle them.
• We select projects based on how they help to contribute to solving the world’s big issues, and acknowledge the links between the things we do and how they impact the bigger picture - both positively and negatively.
• We select in country providers based on their credentials but also on where our money goes. We want it all to go towards building better futures for those living in the countries we visit.
• We embed the goals into our company strategy and values which promotes a kind, caring and outward facing work force.

HOW WE'RE DOING OUR BIT

Global Citizenship

Much of our contribution to the achievement of the goals comes from our work with overseas Global Citizenship initiatives. Every year we send hundreds of young people and leaders out to developing countries to work on projects that help with many of the 17 Goals.

Here is just a tiny selection of the scores of projects we work across the globe:

Turtle Trax Project (Costa Rica) helps monitor and protect sea turtles around the coastline of Nicoya Peninsula.

Spiti Ecosphere Project (India Himalaya) builds greenhouses to help communities grow food to eat and sell.

Marine Conservation (Borneo) - combines scuba diving with important marine conservation.

IN-COUNTRY PROVIDERS

Our expeditions help to contribute to the economic stability and growth of the countries and communities we visit. By using local services, we’re helping to provide decent work opportunities and enabling communities to develop their own sustainable income streams.

We use a whole range of companies and individuals on the ground to help us deliver the planned itineraries for our participants. From trekking guides and activity providers to family homestays and other community-based accommodation – we make sure that we use local services whereby the money we pay goes straight into the pockets of the local people and not an international corporation or middle man.

LEARNING OUTCOMES FOR STUDENTS

Another important contribution to the achievement of the goals is spreading the word and educating others on how they can help.

Our expedition programmes are designed for students to gain:

• Useful and practical skills to take with them into their futures
• An awareness and understanding of global issues
• A feeling of responsibility and a desire to work together to build a better future for everyone

Equipping young people with this knowledge and these tools can have a hugely positive impact on our ability to solve the world’s biggest issues, not only in the short term but in a future proof, sustainable way.

Every year, I see first-hand how our students grow as a result of the expedition experience. It makes me immensely proud but also excited to see what they will go on to achieve in the future.

GET INVOLVED

The 17 Global Goals for Sustainable Development website includes more information, targets and action plans for each of the goals. with an overview of each of the goals and more in-depth targets and action plans for each.

The World’s Largest Lesson website is an amazing source of information and ideas for action for both schools and students.

One of our current favourite goal related campaigns is BE FEARLESS AND KIND designed to inspire kids to have the compassion, empathy and courage to stand up to others, include everyone, and make a difference in their community.