In 2015 at a UN Sustainable Development Summit, world leaders adopted 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The UN describes the SDGs as follows: “The SDGs, also known as Global Goals, build on the success of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and aim to go further to end all forms of poverty. The new Goals are unique in that they call for action by all countries, poor, rich and middle-income to promote prosperity while protecting the planet. They recognize that ending poverty must go hand-in-hand with strategies that build economic growth and addresses a range of social needs including education, health, social protection, and job opportunities, while tackling climate change and environmental protection” (source: United Nations Sustainable Development Agenda). You can explore each of the SDGs by clicking here.

The Sustainable Development Goals are a fundamental part of the NHSMUN conference. The topics addressed within NHSMUN’s 28 committees are carefully curated to reflect the most accurate and relevant issues facing the United Nations today, all of which are associated with one or more of the SDGs. NHSMUN delegates research and debate the very same issues that their real-world counterparts in the United Nations address. There is no doubt that many NHSMUN students will go on to develop careers in diplomacy, government, or other fields in which they will contribute to the achievement of the SDGs and the betterment of the world. Today’s youth is our future, and the world is counting on this next generation of leaders!

To build further awareness of the SDGs, we are hosting a Spring SDG Video Contest for NHSMUN 2019! Students who wish to enter the contest should create a video of no more than 5 minutes to answer the following prompt: “How does your school or community make a difference with one or more of the SDGs?”.

We encourage delegates to think creatively about the many ways in which the SDGs can shape all of our lives. Highlight something that other members of your community might not know!

Winners will receive a $1000 scholarship, to be used toward NHSMUN 2019 conference fees. Submissions are due by June 1st to info@imuna.org.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us. Thank you for your interest in our Spring SDG Video Contest for NHSMUN 2019!