Education as the strategic means of implementation for Sustainable Development Goals: Lessons from Water and Health Literacy

Education is expected to play a critical role in Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) implementation. While much of attentions on the SDGs discussion tend of focus on the content of goals, the fundamental question remains as... [ view full abstract ]

Education is expected to play a critical role in Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) implementation. While much of attentions on the SDGs discussion tend of focus on the content of goals, the fundamental question remains as how to deliver these goals. Education has been one of the core components of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), and it continues to play a critical role in its SDGs. Against this background, this paper aims to highlight ‘literacies’ as a critical means of implementation to deliver effective SDGs. To do so, it firstly draws lessons from education goals in MDGs to clarify both factors that lead to the success and failure. Then, it focuses on two important areas, water and health, and demonstrates the importance of ‘water literacy’ and ‘health literacy’ as means of implementation. This paper therefore particularly highlights following two points. First, for the effective health-related SDGs implementation, it is essential to empower all people by access to information and education, especially at the community level, in order to help prevent negative spiral patterns affecting sequential generations. Second, it is essential that government representatives and other stakeholders acquire an accurate understanding of water-related issues and that systems be established for implementing concrete measures, in order to create opportunities for people to gain the knowledge and skills they need so that they can respond effectively to water-related sustainability challenges.