56 actions in support of SDGs took place in Belarus
On September 25, the world has joined the efforts in support of the Sustainable Development Goals within #ACT4SDGs movement. Belarus has joined the movement with 56 registered activities across the country held both on September 25 and over a longer period. 18 of them are registered in Minsk, the rest — in the regions of the country.
Polotsk participated quite actively – 9 events in support of SDGs, organized by the Sports and Tourism Department of the Polotsk Regional Executive Committee, took place in town. The main focus is on the Goal # 3 (Good health and well-being) and Goal # 11 (Sustainable cities and towns). In support of these goals, competitions in table tennis, basketball, boxing, football and rowing, a cycling marathon and master classes on the basics of active tourism and the history of the region were held.
The Goal #3 was also supported in Slutsk with three activities in support of a healthy lifestyle and mental health. Slonim has supported the Goal #3 with actions on promoting the ideas of vegetarianism as a way to preserve health and ecology.
In Minsk, in support of the Goals, a team of UNDP and UN agencies in Belarus staff members took part in the Minsk Half Marathon. “Dobra” non-profit organization organized SOCIAL WEEKEND HACKATHON — a competition for social entrepreneurs with a prize fund of $ 5 000 for the implementation of socially oriented projects.
Another hackathon — this time for children — was organized by the association “Education for Sustainable Development” on the basis of BSPU named after Maxim Tank. With the help of communications professionals, children came up with ways to convey the ideas of SDGs using social advertising. On the initiative of the Minsk City Committee of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection on September 22, Minsk had participated in A day without a car. Round tables, forums of young scientists and competitions on the SDGs were held in schools and universities.
In Grodno, in support of #ACT4SDGs movement, excursions for schoolchildren and meetings with students took place. Grodno Scientific and Technical Library announced the creation of a “library for sustainable development”, and Grodno Vegetable Factory dedicated its activities in the field of solar energy to the Goal #7 — Low Cost and Clean Energy.
#ACT4SDGs movement attracted over 1 million participants in 1234 cities in 142 countries. Around the world, 1,643 organizers with private individuals and business, institutions and academia among them joined the action.