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SDG Action & Awareness Week 2024

SDG Action & Awareness Week is a global celebration created by the University Global Coalition (UGC)* to promote awareness of the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).  The week is also designed to inspire action among faculty, students, and staff in higher education to further the SDGs on campus and in the community. (Schedule)

The theme for the first SDG Action & Awareness Week at the University of Central Arkansas is Catalysts for Change: Campus Champions for the #GlobalGoals. To celebrate, the Center for Global Learning and Engagement invites students, faculty, and staff to participate in the events below.

*UCA officially became a UGC signatory on Feb. 15, 2024. (Read more here) 

Monday, March 4 – Friday, March 8

SDG Interactive Resource Display and Zine-Making Table

Awareness and Action Event: Torreyson Library
Sponsor: Torreyson Library
Sustainable Development Goal: All

Visit the SDG informational resource table, make zines (self-published mini magazines), answer whiteboard questions, and pick up a button. Resources will be available all week.

UN SDGs Scavenger Hunt: UCA campus
Sponsor: Center for Global Learning and Engagement, Jaedynn Nooner
Sustainable Development Goal: All

Enjoy the UN SDGs Scavenger Hunt on the UCA campus. Find the 17 SDG yard signs across campus, take a photo at each sign, and email the photos to globalgoalsweek@gmail.com. The first three people who find all the signs win a $10 gift card. Other participants will receive a free T-shirt. (Download instructions here)

Awareness: 1907 Bread Co., Christian Cafeteria, Food Court
Sponsor: Aramark
Sustainable Development Goal: All

Scan the QR code on the table tents at select UCA Dining locations to learn more about SDGs.

Monday, March 4

Catalysts for Change: Campus Champions for the #GlobalGoals

Public Keynote by Celine Kassem: McCastlain Hall 143 (Art Lecture Hall), 5 p.m.
Reception: Center for Chinese Language and Culture, McCastlain Hall, 6 p.m.
Sponsor: Center for Global Learning and Engagement, UCA Model United Nations, Rotaract Club
Sustainable Development Goal: 4, 5, 16

After 13 years of atrocities against civilians in Syria, the war and the humanitarian crisis continue to deteriorate. Celine Kassem, director of media for the Syrian Emergency Task Force, is a voice for the voiceless, creating content to reach audiences worldwide. Kassem will also discuss how students can be involved and make a difference. (Flyer)

SDG Kick-Off Table Event: Ronnie Williams Student Center Lawn, noon to 2 p.m.
Sponsor: Green Bear Coalition, Center for Global Learning and Engagement
Sustainable Development Goal: All

Learn about the SDGs, spin the SDG wheel to win a T-shirt and other prizes, and find out how you can take action on campus and in the community. Discover how to get involved with the Green Bear Coalition. (Flyer)

Tuesday, March 5

Lifesaver Lessons with the Red Cross

American Red Cross Serving Greater Arkansas Service-Learning Project:
Ronnie Williams Student Center 215, 9-11 a.m.
Sponsor: American Red Cross Serving Greater Arkansas, Center for Global Learning and Engagement, School of Communication Public Relations Techniques class
Sustainable Development Goal:  3, 4

Learn hands-only CPR, construct Home Fire Campaign kits, and write letters that will be delivered to local Veterans Affairs (VA) hospitals as part of the Red Cross Serving Armed Forces (SAF) initiative. Light refreshments will be served. (Flyer)

Party at the Polls: Donaghey Green (green space south of Twisted Taco), 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Sponsor: Bear Advocacy Group, Vote Everywhere
Sustainable Development Goal: 16
Celebrate democracy by voting for your preferred candidates in the primary, judicial general, and school board elections. Enjoy Election Day stickers, swag, snacks, and games. (Flyer)
Green Bear Gardening: Lewis Science Center Atrium, 4:30-6 p.m.
Sponsor: Green Bear Coalition
Sustainable Development Goal: 1, 2, 3, 11, 12, 14, 15
Join the Green Bear Coalition for a garden work day. (Flyer)

Wednesday, March 6

Gender Equality Table Event:  Torreyson Library (outside), 2:15-3:30 p.m.
Sponsors: Feminist Union (FemU)
Sustainable Development Goal: 5
Learn about sheroes who fought for gender equality and served as catalysts for change. The display will feature postcard portraits of 26 women who shaped America’s history — based on the New York Times bestselling book Rad American Women A-Z. (Flyer)
Water Awareness Table Event:  Torreyson Library (outside), 1:30-4:30 p.m.
Sponsors: Circle K International (CKI)
Sustainable Development Goal: 6
Learn how to purify water and how unfiltered water can impact communities (like Flint, Michigan). Help pack a filtering kit. CKI will have a filter set up with “dirty water” to show how filtering can make a change. (Flyer)

Thursday, March 7

Safe Spring Break Wellapalooza

Student Well-Being and Safety Event:  
Ronnie Williams Student Center Lawn, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Sponsors: Dean of Students, Campus Recreation and Wellness, Addiction Studies
Sustainable Development Goal: 3

This is UCA’s premier student wellness event rethought and executed with our students’ overall well-being and safety in mind. This reimagined program is collaborative and student-focused to empower student voice, choice, and agency by utilizing peer-led learning and development. Think safe spring break, meets the student wellness fair, and amplification of our social norming campaign, Bear Truth!

#GlobalGoals: Using United Nations Sustainable Development Goals in the Classroom

Faculty Panel:  Executive Dining Room, 12:15-1:30 p.m.
Sponsors: Center for Global Learning and Engagement, Center for Excellence in Teaching and Academic Leadership (CETAL)
Sustainable Development Goal: All

The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were adopted by all UN member states in 2015 as part of a call to action recognizing the interconnectedness of the grand challenges involving the 5Ps: people (such as poverty), planet, prosperity, peace, and partnership. Faculty will discuss incorporating the 17 UN SDGs into coursework to guide students in using critical-thinking skills to help solve global problems. This discussion is for faculty teaching elective, required, or UCA Core courses, and those interested in Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) or service-learning. PANELISTS | REGISTER (Flyer)

Women in China: A Century of Family Relations

Public Lecture by Jin Jiang: McCastlain Hall 143 (Art Lecture Hall), 4:30 p.m.
Reception: Fireplace Room, McCastlain Hall, 5:30 p.m.
Sponsors: Center for Global Learning and Engagement, Center for Chinese Language and Literature, School of Language and Literature
Sustainable Development Goal: 5
Jin Jiang is the Yeung Family Distinguished Visiting Professor, East Asian Studies at Johns Hopkins University. A recent reproductive crisis has brought renewed interest in the century-old “family problem” and “women’s problem.” Related issues have not only been debated in the discursive field, but also informed cross-border fields such as social policymaking and the law. Intrigued by questions such as why the state calls for increasing productivity have met with lukewarm responses, we will start with a historical overview before discussing some of the ongoing important changes in the family system and women’s roles in Chinese society. (Flyer)

Friday, March 8

International Women’s Day Table Event: Ronnie Williams Student Center, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Sponsors: Center for Global Learning and Engagement, Jaedynn Nooner
Sustainable Development Goal: 5

Write cards to female administrators, faculty, and campus staff who embody the theme of UCA’s first SDG Action & Awareness Week: Catalysts for Change: Campus Champions for the #GlobalGoals.

For more information, email globallearning@uca.edu.