Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), or the Global Goals, are a universal call to action to end poverty, protect our planet, and ensure that we all live in peace and prosperity.

These 17 Goals build on the achievements of the Millennium Development Goals; and, on the other hand, they now include new areas such as climate change, economic inequality, innovation, sustainable consumption, peace and justice; among other areas of priority. These goals are interrelated. The key to success in any goal is to tackle problems that share common aspects.

SDGs are exercised in a spirit of partnership and pragmatism, allowing for the right choices to be made today to sustainably improve life for future generations. They provide all countries with clear guidance and objectives to adopt in accordance with their priorities and the environmental challenges against the world. The Sustainable Development Goals are an overarching agenda. They reach the root causes of poverty and unites us to make positive changes for both the people and the planet. “Supporting the 2030 Agenda is UNDP's top priority,” said Helen Clark, UNDP Administrator. “Sustainable Development Goals give us a common plan and agenda to address some of the grave challenges our world is facing, such as poverty, climate change and conflict. UNDP has the experience and expertise to drive progress and support countries on their path to sustainable development.”[1]

Atılım University's Approach to Sustainable Development Goals

The United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals provide a shared blueprint for prosperity and peace on the basis of the planet and people into the current and the future for all by 2030. Atılım University carries on aligning the strategic priorities of the university to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals through the alignment with the vision and the mission of the university in coherence with the values and ethics in higher education.

Atılım University has been aligning and embedding sustainable development goals into the university’s strategies, policies, internal reports, and values. The strategic priorities of the university to the sustainable development goals have benchmarked our strategic activities to combine and consolidate with common goals. Atılım University is committed to being a leading advocate and driving force for excellence in higher education to achieve sustainable development goals.

Atılım University acknowledges and contributes that the university plays an efficient and effective role in addressing global challenges and achieving sustainable development goals through quality education, research projects, scientific conferences, nature-oriented technology, implementations for the reduction in starvation and health issues, social actions, supportive equality programs, economic supports and a wide range of prominent activities locally, regionally and internationally with other stakeholders and partners.

Atılım University aspires to increase awareness regarding sustainable development goals, expand its research and curriculum to include analyses and cooperate with authorities and institutions to fulfil the requirements of the sustainable development goals. In this regard, Atılım University dedicates the advancement of teaching as the key element of the mission and vision in terms of both research and education is a core component of the sustainable development goals and is an indispensable tool for impacting on other sustainable development goals. Atılım University commits to accessible education and research to empower students, academics and administrators with the skills and knowledge to understand and address sustainable development goals.

Atılım University creates progressing research with the leadership and capability of the university in cooperation with public engagement activities that advance to promote sustainable development goals. Atılım University understands sustainability opportunities and challenges with the practices of sustainable management approach as one of the key elements for accomplishments.

Atılım University has been adding a new proactive dimension of collaboration and engagement approach beyond campus boundaries and has focused on strengthening the sustainability of development goals to explore opportunities to further connect the university campus with the globe to create a vibrant ecosystem in higher education.