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From MDGs to SDGs: A Journey Toward Global Sustainability

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Learning pathway summary

This course explores the evolution from the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and examines how global efforts to address poverty, inequality, climate change, and environmental degradation have developed over time. Participants will learn about the origins, structure, and ambitions of these global frameworks and reflect on their role in shaping global approaches to sustainable development.

The course also invites participants to consider key tensions within sustainable development, including the balance between economic growth and environmental protection, as well as the political realities that influence global development efforts. By exploring these perspectives, learners will develop a broader understanding of how global development goals have evolved and how they relate to complex sustainability issues.

Learning is organised into five modules, each combining short readings, interactive activities, and self-check quizzes. These activities are designed to help participants understand the key ideas, consolidate their knowledge, and reflect on real-world sustainability challenges.

Photo credit: Alexander Schimmeck, Unsplash.

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Learning outcomes

By the end of this course, learners will be able to:

distinguish between the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs);
explain how global development priorities have evolved over time;
understand the key principles of the SDGs, including their universal scope and interconnected nature;
interpret how these frameworks relate to real-world policies and decision-making;