Education for the SDGs in the wider community

University of Galway has a vibrant global alumni community and many of our alumni continue to engage with the University through various initiatives designed to foster a sense of community, collaboration, and lifelong learning. One such initiative is the University of Galway’s flagship Alumni Magazine - Cois Coiribe.  Cois Coiribe celebrates the achievements of our graduates while at the same time highlights the University of Galway’s ongoing work to address key global challenges and progress the UN SDGs. From highlighting our health innovations and research in climate action, to the action we are taking at local and global levels to tackle critical issues including poverty, hunger, inequalities, and environmental sustainability. Our 2023 Cois Coiribe Winter edition is dedicated to the SDGs, for example. Cois Coiribe aims to keep our alumni informed, inspired and engaged, in shaping a more sustainable future. 

University of Galway hosts sustainability related awareness weeks, to educate and engage, students, staff and communities, on sustainability issues.

For example, University of Galway Nelson Mandela Anti-Racism Week is designed to promote racial equality and actively engages and educates various segments of the University and wider communityin, cluding alumni, local residences and displaced people. For example, Wear Red Day campaign is delivered in collaboration with the Immigrant Council of Ireland and is an opportunity for our communities to send out a strong message that we as communities’ welcome diversity, celebrate it, and take a stand against racism in all forms. Tight Spaces is a youth-led workshop exploring the Direct Provision system.  Connecting Communities, a workshop hosted by Galway Communities Against Racism & Discrimination; a network of organisations working in Galway to take collective action and build a community response that celebrates diversity in solidarity with the people of Galway.               

The events delivered during Nelson Mandela anti-racism weeks in both 2023 and 2024 are designed to be deliberative and interactive, facilitating discussion, learning and engagement on a wide range of issues relevant to race, ethnicity, displacement and anti-racism. Full programme at this link.

The University of Galway’s SDG Week educates, raises awareness, and actively engages both the university and local communities in driving progress toward the SDGs. Our SDG Week belongs to everyone and is open to all.  SDG Week 2023 included for example, a community recycling day, and a series of workshops, talks and activities ranging from a seed sowing and collection event to a student-led environmental summit and guided walks along our biodiversity and SDG Trails.