Sustainable Development in the 21st Century with Ban Ki-moon

Yonsei University via Coursera

Go to Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/sustainable-development-ban-ki-moon

Introduction

### Course Review: Sustainable Development in the 21st Century with Ban Ki-moon #### Overview "Sustainable Development in the 21st Century," offered by Coursera and led by Ban Ki-moon, the former Secretary-General of the United Nations, is an insightful and comprehensive course designed for anyone eager to delve into the pressing issues of sustainable development and the international community's ambitions for the planet by 2030. The course is framed around the five pivotal pillars of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development: People, Prosperity, Planet, Peace and Justice, and Partnership. By exploring these pillars, students learn that they are not standalone concepts; they are intricately connected, necessitating a holistic approach in policy-making and practical applications, relevant to both developed and developing nations. #### Syllabus Breakdown The course is structured in five modules, each addressing a unique aspect of sustainable development: 1. **2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development** - This introductory module provides a solid foundation by presenting the core concept and components of the 2030 Agenda. It covers the evolution from the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) to the broader, more inclusive Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), giving students a clear understanding of how the 17 goals relate to the five key pillars. 2. **People** - Week 2 focuses on poverty, a fundamental target of international development. Here, students analyze various definitions and measurements of poverty and inequality, examining their impacts and correlations with global health, hunger, education, and gender equality. A case study on Bahrain’s health care reforms helps illustrate practical applications. 3. **Planet** - In the third week, the course dives into the environmental aspect of sustainability. Through concepts like the Anthropocene and Planetary Boundaries, students will learn about the scientific evidence indicating human impact on the Earth, discussing global environmental challenges and the role of indigenous knowledge and technological innovations in fostering sustainability. 4. **Prosperity** - Week 4 shifts focus to economic development, exploring how to achieve sustainable economic growth. Students will assess historical trends and learn about social innovation and green jobs, framing economic prosperity as integral to the achievement of sustainability. 5. **Peace & Partnership** - This week emphasizes the significance of justice, inclusion, and strong institutions. It covers the 16th SDG, which aims to promote peaceful societies and accountable governance, highlighting the importance of global citizenship and active participation in sustainable initiatives. 6. **Youth & SDG Implementation** - The final module prioritizes the role of youth in implementing the SDGs, emphasizing the contribution of higher education in fostering sustainable practices. It challenges students to consider how they can empower and mobilize young people as catalysts for positive change. #### Final Project At the culmination of the course, students engage in a final project that encourages them to apply their newly acquired knowledge and skills in a realistic context, integrating the elements learned throughout the course. #### Recommendation **Why You Should Take This Course:** - **Expert Instruction**: The course is led by Ban Ki-moon, bringing credible insight from a global leader who has been at the forefront of international efforts for sustainable development. - **Comprehensive Curriculum**: The structured approach ensures a thorough understanding of each pillar of the 2030 Agenda, providing practical examples and case studies that promote real-world applicability. - **Global Relevance**: The course is pertinent to a wide audience, not just those in policy or non-profit sectors. Whether you are a student, professional, or simply an engaged citizen, understanding these interconnected issues is beneficial for personal and career development. - **Empowerment through Education**: By addressing the role of youth and education, the course inspires students to become active participants in the global SDG movement. In conclusion, "Sustainable Development in the 21st Century with Ban Ki-moon" is a vital course for anyone interested in understanding and contributing to sustainable development. With its clear outline, engaged instruction, and real-world focus, it is a highly recommended opportunity for learners of all backgrounds who wish to make a meaningful impact in achieving the sustainable goals by 2030.

Syllabus

2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development

In this first module, you will be introduced to the overall concept and elements of the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda. The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development has been an integral part of the global development agenda. The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) embraced the nature and characteristics of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) but produced a more comprehensive goal for all. We will breakdown the five key elements: People, Planet, Prosperity, Peace and Partnership. We will also examine each of the 17 Goals of the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda.

People

Within the SDGs, ending poverty remains a central objective of international development efforts. In Week 2, we will be looking at the concepts of poverty. The aim of this week is to examine different approaches to defining and measuring poverty and inequality and to understand the impact of global distribution of poverty. The causes and impacts of poverty such as unequal distribution of resources and power will also be discussed. Later, we will be looking at how the interrelationship between poverty and other issues, such as global health systems, hunger, gender equality and education will have an impact on the level of poverty. Furthermore, we will look into a specific case study of Bahrain’s health care reform.

Planet

In Week 3, we will have a more detailed look at the scientific evidence that human activities are influencing the Earth at the planetary level. You will be introduced to the concepts of Anthropocene and Planetary Boundaries. The biosphere (all living organisms or “biodiversity”) is arguably just as – or more – important than climate for establishing the environmental conditions we enjoy on Earth, but receives much less attention. Furthermore, we will be examining the mitigation and adaptive options, on the local and global scales, in response to reduced environmental sustainability. Additionally, we will look at the international agreements for climate change and how they seek to meet the goals of the SDGs. Using current global environmental challenges, we will discuss ways in which communities and societies have utilized indigenous knowledge, scientific evaluations, technological innovations, societal regulations and laws, environmental monitoring, and policy prescriptions in environmental management at various scales.

Prosperity

Where the last module focused on the activities within the 2030 Agenda to tackle the problems related to the Planet, this week will focus on the prosperity element of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Economic development is a key component in any development agenda. You will be analyzing the past trends of economic and political development and will be introduced to examples of how to achieve sustainable economic development. We will touch upon concepts of sustainable economic trends such as social innovation and green jobs, buildings and energy sources.

Peace & Partnership

This week we will discuss the 16th Sustainable Development Goal to “Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels.” This week will cover the concepts of justice, inclusion, peace, global governance and global citizenship and the need for strong institutions.

Youth & SDG Implementation

In this last module, we will look into the role of youth in the implementation of the SDGs. While the previous modules focused on the 5 “Ps” in the achievement of the SDGs, this module looks into the importance of tertiary education and the roles that universities play in mainstream education for sustainable development. This module also examines the empowerment and mobilizing of youth to become the enablers of the SDGs.

Final Project

Overview

The course is designed for people that want to learn about the latest development agenda the international community agreed to achieve by 2030. Structured around the five pillars of Agenda 2030 – people, prosperity, planet, peace and justice, and partnership, students will learn that these pillars are interconnected and need to be integrated in practical policy-making and operational activities for development, in both developed and developing country settings. Following an introductory module o

Skills

Reviews

A futuristic course , I enjoy a lot with knowledge and information about the future of our mother earth. Thanks to Ban-Ki-moon for his great intiative including Yonsei University.

This is one of the quality course, I have taken so far. This course has lot to offer.

Excellent Course. The information received is grounded in science but also very practical for Developing Countries like Trinidad and Tobago.

It is one of the best courses in the offing. The Course strives to provide a holistic interpretation of the SDGs. The best part of the Course is its last-week assignment.

It was very productive and useful. I got a chance to know more about sustainable development.