Reflections on United Nations SDGs:
n.17 Partnerships to achieve the goals

The Australian Catholic University has realized this insight through an article written by Jen Azordegan, Manager of Community-Engaged Learning, and a video by Isabella Taffa, Bachelor of Nursing student, and Durga Sharma, Bachelor of Biomedical Science student

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development was adopted by all United Nations Member States in 2015 with the goal of providing a path for peace and prosperity for people and the planet, now and into the future. The core of the Agenda is represented by the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which represent an urgent call for action by all countries – developed and developing – in a global partnership to adopt strategies that aim to end poverty and other deprivations, improve health and education, reduce inequality, and spur economic growth. The Strategic Alliance of Catholic Research Universities is collecting insights from SACRU experts and students on the SDGs. This contribution is by the Australian Catholic University on SDG n17: Partnerships to achieve the goals.

Fostering Global Partnerships for the Greater Good

Written by Jen Azordegan, Manager – Community-Engaged Learning, ACU Engagement, ACU

Partnerships are an essential approach to SDG impact, as highlighted by Goal 17. They affirm the fundamental interconnectedness in our global and local communities and are key to understanding – and collaboratively addressing – the root causes of complex problems in society.

In this spirit of fraternity, partnership, and collaboration, Australian Catholic University (ACU) hosted the 2024 Conference of the Association of Southeast and East Asian Catholic Colleges and Universities (ASEACCU). The event brought together over 200 academic leaders, faculty, and students from more than 40 institutions throughout the region to foster international collaboration and discuss topics such as community engagement, sustainable development, and climate change.

Amongst the many meaningful cross-cultural and institutional exchanges of the event was a keynote panel focused on service-learning. Best-practice service-learning is grounded in reciprocal partnerships, honours subsidiarity, and results in transformation for both students and community. The panel promoted exchange between leaders and students regarding these aims, with representatives from four universities outlining how they engage in community partnerships as part of their service-learning programs. Students shared their personal stories of service-learning impact whilst leaders discussed the institutional structure needed to support community partnerships and community-embedded learning experiences. The session also highlighted the role of international networks (e.g., SACRU, ASEACCU, Uniservitate, etc.) in helping like-minded universities to systematically collaborate and exchange practices in relation to community engagement.

For ACU, the ASEACCU event combined our commitment to forming international collaborations to address global challenges with our dedication to embedding high-quality service-learning across our undergraduate curriculum. ACU partners with over eighty community and nonprofit organisations annually to work across multiple SDGs through its service-learning program; a program aimed at ultimately forming community-minded graduates able to engage critically with social issues and work with community in ways that recognise the dignity of the human person and progress the common good.