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Understanding SDGs

Dario Ruggiero

Why a course on SDGs? Well, because they are not just a buzzword, they are an operational model for all those activities (business and not) who want to be leaders in the 21st century. Whether you are a humanitarian or a businessman, you need to have a good and "deep" understanding of SDGs to make the best use of them. This course includes four main parts: 1) a short introduction; 2) the main body; 3) communicating SDGs; 4) conclusions. In the short introduction, you will learn more about the story of SDGs, and the main differences between MDGs and SDGs. The main body is the biggest part of the course. It includes 1) how to cluster SDGs, and 2) Learning each SDG deeply (in all its targets). Clustering SDGs is very important to get an overall systemic view and understand how you are contributing or can contribute to them. Once you have acquired a good knowledge about the SDGs, you will learn how to "communicate" them in your activities, in your business plan and in your balance sheet. The communicational part is very important to improve what in this course we have called "external impact". You will have a much better impact on all your stakeholders. Finally, there is a conclusive lesson that summarizes all of the course. This course aims at giving you great knowledge of SDGs, without having to go through all the materials that talk about them. Having good knowledge of SDGs can make a difference. Once you have finished the course, if you have any questions, can contact me also privately. Thanks for your choice.

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What's inside

Learning objectives

  • The objectives and the structure of united nations'sdgs
  • Clustering sdgs
  • Deep knowledge of each sdg
  • Using sdgs in your own activities, and report them in your business plan and your social balance sheet/csr

Syllabus

Introduction

This lesson is a short introduction to SDGs. What are SDGs? Why and when were they created? What are MDGs, and what are the differences with SDGs? Who can use SDGs, and in which way? This lesson tries to answer all these questions.

Read more
SDG clusters

In this lesson you will learn more about how to cluster SDGs and the three main clusters of SDGs. You will start to have a wider systemic view over SDGs. It is the first step towards making good use of them in your activities

This lesson includes all the information necessary for a deep understanding of those SDGs that we have clustered as Social SDGs

This lesson includes all the information necessary for a deep understanding of those SDGs that we have clustered as economic and development SDGs

This lesson includes all the information necessary for a deep understanding of those SDGs that we have clustered as Ecological SDGs

Reporting SDGs

In this lesson we are going to understand in which way SDGs can affect your competitiveness and how you can include them in your Business Plan and communicate them in the most effective way

Making a good CSR is becoming increasingly important for both large and small companies. In this lesson we are going to understand in which way SDGs can be used to build a good, compelling CSR

Conclusions

In this lesson we make a short recup of the course

In this section you will find articles and news about the SDG
The Ocean 20 initiative and SDGs
Sustainability the point of view of companies
The world water day
Focus SDG 2
Focus SDG 3
Focus SDG 4
CSRD ESSENTIALS

Good to know

Know what's good
, what to watch for
, and possible dealbreakers
Provides a framework for integrating SDGs into business plans and CSR strategies, which is valuable for professionals seeking to enhance their organization's social impact
Explores the differences between MDGs and SDGs, which is helpful for understanding the evolution of global development goals and their implications for current practices
Teaches how to cluster SDGs for a systemic view, which is useful for identifying interconnectedness and developing comprehensive sustainability strategies
Examines how SDGs can affect competitiveness, which is relevant for businesses looking to align their operations with global sustainability agendas and gain a competitive advantage
Requires learners to understand how to report on SDGs in business plans and social balance sheets, which may require familiarity with financial reporting and sustainability frameworks
Includes articles and news about the SDGs, which may become outdated and require learners to seek more current information to supplement their understanding

Save this course

Save Understanding SDGs to your list so you can find it easily later:
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Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Understanding SDGs with these activities:
Review 'The Sustainable Development Goals Report'
Gain a comprehensive understanding of the current progress and challenges related to each SDG.
View The UNICEF-WHO-World Bank Joint Child... on Amazon
Show steps
  • Download the latest edition of the report.
  • Read the overview and key findings.
  • Focus on sections relevant to your interests.
  • Take notes on key statistics and trends.
Review 'No One Left Behind: Good Practices on SDG Indicators'
Understand how SDG progress is measured and monitored, and identify data gaps.
View Estimation of the prevalence of moderate and... on Amazon
Show steps
  • Obtain a copy of the book.
  • Review the introduction and overview.
  • Focus on indicators relevant to your interests.
  • Take notes on data sources and methodologies.
SDG Resource Compilation
Create a curated collection of resources related to the SDGs to deepen your understanding and provide a valuable reference for future use.
Browse courses on Sustainable Development Goals
Show steps
  • Identify key websites and organizations.
  • Gather relevant reports and articles.
  • Organize resources by SDG and topic.
  • Annotate each resource with a brief summary.
Three other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all six activities
Create an SDG Communication Plan
Develop a communication plan to effectively convey the importance of SDGs to a specific audience.
Browse courses on Communication Plan
Show steps
  • Define your target audience.
  • Identify key messages about the SDGs.
  • Choose appropriate communication channels.
  • Develop content for each channel.
  • Outline a plan for evaluation.
SDG Impact Assessment Project
Apply your knowledge of the SDGs by conducting an impact assessment of a local organization or project.
Browse courses on Impact Assessment
Show steps
  • Select an organization or project.
  • Identify relevant SDGs and targets.
  • Collect data on the organization's activities.
  • Analyze the impact on each SDG.
  • Write a report summarizing your findings.
Volunteer for an SDG-Related Organization
Gain practical experience by volunteering for an organization working to advance the SDGs.
Show steps
  • Identify organizations working on SDGs.
  • Contact the organization and inquire about opportunities.
  • Volunteer your time and skills.
  • Reflect on your experience and learning.

Career center

Learners who complete Understanding SDGs will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Sustainability Manager
A Sustainability Manager develops and implements strategies to minimize an organization's environmental impact and promote social responsibility. This role requires a deep understanding of frameworks like the Sustainable Development Goals. Taking this specific course on SDGs is strongly advantageous because the course provides a solid background in the objectives and structure of the SDGs, as well as how to cluster and deeply learn about each SDG. The course particularly helps one communicate SDGs in business plans and balance sheets, skills directly applicable to a sustainability manager role. The course provides a foundation for reporting SDGs and for understanding how to align business strategy with the goals.
See salaries and explore the career path for Sustainability Manager
Corporate Social Responsibility Specialist
A Corporate Social Responsibility Specialist is responsible for developing and implementing a company's CSR programs, making sure they are aligned with ethical practices and societal needs. This position benefits from a strong understanding of the SDGs since these goals provide a framework for impactful CSR initiatives. This course on SDGs will help a CSR Specialist understand the background of these goals, how they're clustered, and how to use them in business. The course's focus on reporting SDGs and using them to improve a company's external impact is particularly valuable for a CSR specialist. Understanding how to integrate SDGs into a CSR aligns directly with the responsibilities of this role.
See salaries and explore the career path for Corporate Social Responsibility Specialist
Impact Investment Analyst
An Impact Investment Analyst evaluates investment opportunities based on their financial returns and social or environmental impact. This role needs a solid understanding of frameworks like the Sustainable Development Goals to assess a company's contributions to global targets. This course will help the analyst grasp the overall structure of the SDGs and their targets. The course also provides a comprehensive understanding of how to use and report on SDGs in business plans. The detailed look at SDGs in terms of clusters and targets is especially useful in evaluating the social and environmental impact of potential investments.
See salaries and explore the career path for Impact Investment Analyst
Nonprofit Program Manager
A Nonprofit Program Manager is responsible for planning, executing, and overseeing programs that align with an organization's mission. This role often involves working towards goals that are directly related to the Sustainable Development Goals. This course gives program managers a strong foundation in the structure and objectives of the SDGs and the interconnections between them. The course's instruction on clustering SDGs is useful for developing a systemic perspective. The focus on reporting and communication of SDGs also informs how program managers can demonstrate impact. This course is specifically helpful for those seeking positions in the non-profit sector.
See salaries and explore the career path for Nonprofit Program Manager
ESG Analyst
An ESG Analyst researches and assesses a company's performance on environmental, social, and governance factors. This work requires a solid understanding of frameworks such as the Sustainable Development Goals, which are increasingly integrated into ESG reporting. This course on SDGs provides a strong background in the SDGs, as well as how they can be communicated and reported, which will be helpful in the role of ESG analyst. The course helps professionals understand the interconnectedness of SDGs, as well as how these goals can be included in balance sheets, which is crucial for comprehensive ESG analysis.
See salaries and explore the career path for ESG Analyst
Social Impact Consultant
A Social Impact Consultant advises organizations on how to maximize their social and environmental impact. This role requires a strong understanding of the SDGs as a framework for guiding initiatives. This course provides a comprehensive overview of the SDGs by focusing on their structure, their clustering, and their individual targets, as well as incorporating them practically into a business setting. The course will be particularly useful for a Social Impact Consultant because it teaches how to communicate the SDGs. This enables consultants to help guide the client toward greater social impact.
See salaries and explore the career path for Social Impact Consultant
Public Policy Analyst
A Public Policy Analyst researches and develops policy recommendations for government or other public sector bodies. The analyst's work can often involve matters directly connected to the Sustainable Development Goals. This course gives the policy analyst a strong foundation in the structure and objectives of the SDGs and how to cluster them. The course also covers how to use SDGs in various organizations and in the private sector and how businesses report their progress, which is a useful comparison for crafting public sector goals and policies. This course is particularly helpful for those seeking to align public policy with the SDGs.
See salaries and explore the career path for Public Policy Analyst
International Development Officer
An International Development Officer works on projects and initiatives aimed at economic and social progress of a country. This role directly engages with the Sustainable Development Goals. This course provides a strong background in the objectives and structure of the SDGs. It introduces fundamental concepts such as the relationship between the MDGs and SDGs. The course also provides a detailed understanding of how to cluster and interpret the goals and how to communicate progress using the SDGs, which are all directly relevant to the work of an international development officer.
See salaries and explore the career path for International Development Officer
Business Development Manager
A Business Development Manager seeks opportunities for growth in sales, partnerships, and market penetration. To succeed, they must often understand sustainable development goals and how they integrate with business models. This course in SDGs is advantageous for a Business Development Manager, as it teaches the manager how companies can align with these goals. The course also provides a helpful framework for communicating SDGs, which allows for external impact. It also provides lessons on how to include SDGs in business reporting and planning, which is exceptionally useful for expanding business opportunities in a sustainable way.
See salaries and explore the career path for Business Development Manager
Community Development Specialist
A Community Development Specialist works to improve the social and economic well-being of a community by organizing and supporting local initiatives. Many of these initiatives directly align with the Sustainable Development Goals. This course, which provides a background in the goals, including the ways they are clustered is useful to a Community Development Specialist. The course material on incorporating the SDGs into strategy, business plans, and social balance sheets provides a useful framework for implementing sustainable development at the community level. Thus this course may be useful to a Community Development Specialist.
See salaries and explore the career path for Community Development Specialist
Project Manager
A Project Manager plans, oversees, and ensures timely and effective completion of projects. While not always directly related, projects can often be enhanced by aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals, which provide an overarching framework for sustainability and impact. This course provides a solid background in the structure and objectives of the SDGs. It also offers insights into reporting on the SDGs and communication strategies to engage stakeholders, which is generally useful for a project manager. This course may be useful to a project manager, especially if the projects they oversee intersect with themes of social responsibility.
See salaries and explore the career path for Project Manager
Marketing Manager
A Marketing Manager develops and executes marketing strategies to promote products and services. This role can benefit from an understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals, which allow for the alignment of marketing with ethical and impactful initiatives. This course helps a marketing manager understand the structure of the SDGs and how to communicate them effectively to stakeholders. The course provides a background in the SDGs that will allow a marketing manager to identify opportunities for sustainability and corporate responsibility. Thus this course may be helpful for a marketing manager.
See salaries and explore the career path for Marketing Manager
Financial Analyst
A Financial Analyst analyzes financial data, provides insights, and creates reports. The SDGs are increasingly relevant in financial analysis, as investors and organizations incorporate environmental, social, and governance factors into their decision-making. This course provides background in goals themselves and how they can be used to enhance business plans and balance sheets. It also provides insight into external impact as a financial factor. In this way, the course may be useful to a financial analyst.
See salaries and explore the career path for Financial Analyst
Operations Manager
An Operations Manager oversees the day-to-day activities in an organization; they ensure that processes run efficiently, that resources are used effectively, and that the workplace optimizes processes. This course, while not directly related to the core functions of operations management, can be helpful. The SDGs provide a framework for aligning operational practices with broader sustainability goals, which promotes responsible resource management. The course may be useful for an operations manager to make a business more sustainable.
See salaries and explore the career path for Operations Manager
Human Resources Specialist
A Human Resources Specialist focuses on the management of employees, including recruitment, benefits, and training. An understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals might inform HR practices. For example, goals related to inclusivity and equality may influence hiring and promotion strategies. This course provides a background in the goals and how they are clustered. It may be useful for a human resources specialist who wishes to find more ways to align the business with the SDGs.
See salaries and explore the career path for Human Resources Specialist

Reading list

We've selected two books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Understanding SDGs.
Cover image
The UNICEF-WHO-World Bank Joint Child Malnutrition...
Save
This annual report provides a comprehensive overview of progress towards the SDGs. It crucial reference for understanding the current status, challenges, and opportunities related to each goal. Reviewing this report will provide a solid foundation for understanding the context and urgency of the SDGs. It is commonly used by researchers, policymakers, and practitioners working in sustainable development.
The UNICEF-WHO-World Bank Joint Child Malnutrition...
Paperback
Check
The UNICEF-WHO-World Bank Joint Child Malnutrition...
Kindle Edition
Check
Cover image
Estimation of the prevalence of moderate and severe...
Save
Provides guidance on measuring progress towards the SDGs, with a focus on ensuring that no one is left behind. It valuable resource for understanding the indicators used to track progress and for identifying data gaps. This book adds depth to the course by providing practical examples of how to measure and monitor progress towards the SDGs. It is commonly used by statisticians, policymakers, and researchers working on SDG implementation.
Estimation of the prevalence of moderate and severe...
Paperback
Check
Estimation of the prevalence of moderate and severe...
Kindle Edition
Check

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Effort
4 total hours
Via
Udemy
Instructor
Dario Ruggiero
Language
English
Good to know
Provides a framework for integrating SDGs into business plans and CSR strategies, which is valuable for professionals seeking to enhance their organization's social impact
Explores the differences between MDGs and SDGs, which is helpful for understanding the evolution of global development goals and their implications for current practices
Teaches how to cluster SDGs for a systemic view, which is useful for identifying interconnectedness and developing comprehensive sustainability strategies
Examines how SDGs can affect competitiveness, which is relevant for businesses looking to align their operations with global sustainability agendas and gain a competitive advantage
Requires learners to understand how to report on SDGs in business plans and social balance sheets, which may require familiarity with financial reporting and sustainability frameworks
Includes articles and news about the SDGs, which may become outdated and require learners to seek more current information to supplement their understanding
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