The Easter Charity Event 2021, one of the main activities of the eTwinning project "From European Volunteering to Global Solidarity"

 

Focus on Europe: How could European citizens and nations work together to reach the Sustainable Development Goals?

“Focus on Europe”, an eTwinning partnership initiated in October 2020 between school communities located in Estonia, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Poland, Romania and Slovenia, aimed at exploring the critical and creative potential of European generations, enhance awareness and solidarity and promote democratic citizenship towards the common 2030 Agenda of Sustainable Development Goals.

As you probably know, at the historic United Nations General Assembly Summit held in September 2015, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development was adopted by 193 member states. The 17  Sustainable Development Goals developed through an unprecedented consultative process were meant to embody a bold, universal agreement to end poverty and all its effects and contribute to the building of an equal, just and secure world, both for the people and our planet.

The 5 Romanian students involved in this European partnership used the project TwinSpace Forum to share their ideas on how to transform our world and reach 5 out of the 17 goals:

Sustainable Development Goal 1: No poverty

Even though this goal sounds idealistic, I believe it is possible to eradicate poverty and make sure that the standard of living for all the citizens of any member state of EU is decent and acceptable. In this regard, each government should do a better job in taking care of its own people, the most vulnerable members of the society: the disable,  the sick, the old and so on. There should be better social protection programmes and  better medical care to meet the needs of these people who were not necessarily born „poor” but who didn’t have access to education maybe and  didn’t make the best decisions in life. As well as this, I think the most fortunate members of any society or community should try to give something back, to provide help and support to the less fortunate ones, to donate, to create job opportunities for those who need them the most, to facilitate medical treatment to those who can’t afford it. We should all remember that we are human beings and, in a human and humane society, the strong take care of the weak. (Roxana P., Romania)

Sustainable Development Goal 3: Good health and well-being

To my mind, people’s health is influenced by their well-being, by their state of mind. This is why I believe we should do our best to get rid of the public enemy no. 1 which is stress. There are lots of stress-related diseases and harmful effects on personal relationships, work environments, even in education. Children are affected by stress when they are very young because they have too much homework and little free time, because their parents put a lot of pressure on them to get only good grades etc.

So the solution I suggest to this problem is: take care of the younger generations first and they will take care of the future! The healthier and happier today’s children, the healthier and safer tomorrow’s  world. (Daiana A., Romania)

Sustainable Development Goal 4: Quality education

As far as I am concerned, quality education is possible only if there are equal opportunities for all and if compulsory education (at least) is free. Remote learning can’t provide quality and equity because of the unreliable connection and lack of computers and laptops for lots of students, but incorporating online lessons and resources at school,   in the traditional classrooms, can be a solution to improve the students’ key competences.

I believe that quality education means that students get the same chances, no matter where they are born and schools follow the same standards, no matter where they are located. Quality education is also about European values, such as democracy, solidarity, tolerance etc. and about preparing the youth for a future without violence, abuse, discrimination etc. (Bianca Z., Romania) 

Sustainable Development Goal 10: Reduced inequalities

I think that by reducing inequalities, there will be a better world for everybody. The worst kind of inequality in Romania is between the rich and the poor. Poor children have little or no access to education, they are forced to leave school early, they will face unemployment when they become adults and the cycle repeats itself...

To reduce inequalities, there should be better policies and better treatments for the invisible people, the people whose voices are not heard, those whose basic needs are not seen, who are forced to live in darkness and dire conditions, with no electricity or running water, in the 21st century. There are children who have never tasted chocolate, while other people are throwing food away. (Ștefania S., Romania)

Sustainable Development Goal 16: Peace, justice and strong institutions

The European Union is the most successful peace project in history and I am really grateful for the protection that the EU has offered me and my country. I hope it continues to be a peace-protector and peace-provider to many other millions of citizens. As for justice and strong institutions, it is my view that there should be the same laws everywhere inside the EU. Romania has a different legal system and the institutions are not very strong. We need to have very good professionals, people with the right education, training and experience, people with integrity, as leaders of these institutions, not politically appointed ones. Only then will we be able to speak about strong institutions. (Lucia P., Romania)