SDG Learncast

What skills can help young people shape a more sustainable future?As we celebrate World Youth Skills Day this 15 July, we are looking at the essential, practical tools the next generation needs to make a real difference in sustainability. While progress toward global development relies heavily on tracking numbers and trends, numbers alone rarely inspire deep change or move people to action.To drive real progress, young professionals need to look beyond dry statistics. In this episode, we explore how data skills and storytelling can be woven together to turn complex numbers into compelling human stories, to help us challenge the unhelpful habits and assumptions that keep our world unsustainable.We speak with Dr. Rachel Bennett and Professor Arran Stibbe from the University of Gloucestershire. Rachel is a specialist in quantitative capacity-building and development data skills, and Arran is a pioneer in the field of ecological linguistics. Together, they share how combining data literacy with the power of stories can train a whole new generation of well-rounded sustainability leaders. They show us how blending these two worlds equips today's youth with a powerful skillset to both measure the problems of our world and inspire real solutions.Please subscribe to SDG Learncast. Visit UN SDG:Learn website at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.unsdglearn.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to get the latest learning offers on the 2030 Agenda and SDGs. The transcript of the podcast is available at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.unsdglearn.org/podcast/. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The opinions expressed in the SDG Learncast podcasts are solely those of the authors. They do not reflect the opinions or views of UN SDG:Learn, its Joint Secretariat, and partners.

How do you turn climate research into community action?In this episode, we head to Ghana to explore a vibrant, localized approach to knowledge brokering that blends traditional storytelling, local games, radio, and immersive technologies like virtual reality.Prince Ansah and Valerie Nutakor — innovators at the intersection of climate literacy, education, and cultural expression — share how they use music, card games, poetry, and interactive activities to turn complex science into powerful community narratives.Their work reaches across generations and geographies: from rural women composing climate-themed songs, to students learning through climate-adapted card games and activities, to policymakers experiencing community resilience through virtual reality. It’s a story about democratizing knowledge, amplifying local voices, and designing learning that meets people where they are.Please subscribe to SDG Learncast. Visit UN SDG:Learn website at ⁠⁠⁠⁠www.unsdglearn.org⁠⁠⁠⁠ to get the latest learning offers on the 2030 Agenda and SDGs. The transcript of the podcast is available at ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.unsdglearn.org/podcast/. ⁠⁠⁠⁠The opinions expressed in the SDG Learncast podcasts are solely those of the authors. They do not reflect the opinions or views of UN SDG:Learn, its Joint Secretariat, and partners.

As 2030 approaches, the Sustainable Development Goals stand at a crossroads. While some targets are within reach, others lag dangerously behind.  At the same time, the global order is shifting. What happens to sustainable development in a world where trust in multilateralism is fraying, yet the need for collective action has never been greater? In this episode, we are so happy to welcome and speak with Professor Jeffrey Sachs, the President of the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network, and also University Professor and Director of the Center for Sustainable Development at Columbia University.  Please subscribe to SDG Learncast. Visit UN SDG:Learn website at ⁠⁠⁠www.unsdglearn.org⁠⁠⁠ to get the latest learning offers on the 2030 Agenda and SDGs. The transcript of the podcast is available at ⁠⁠⁠https://www.unsdglearn.org/podcast/. ⁠⁠⁠The opinions expressed in the SDG Learncast podcasts are solely those of the authors. They do not reflect the opinions or views of UN SDG:Learn, its Joint Secretariat, and partners.

In this episode, we dive into one of Europe’s most inspiring urban renewal stories: the transformation of Germany’s Emscher River. Once an open sewer running through the industrial heartland of the Ruhr, it’s now a thriving, green artery for wildlife and communities.  Over 30 years and €5.5 billion, the Emschergenossenschaft and Lippeverband replaced 430 km of open wastewater channels with modern underground systems, restored 170 km of river, and created public spaces like the stunning Phoenix Lake. We’ll talk with Prof. Dr. Uli Paetzel, CEO of Emschergenossenschaft, about how a river went from symbol of industrial pollution to a model of ecological restoration and community pride. This is a story of engineering brilliance, political will, and deep community engagement, a blueprint for how cities can heal their waterways and themselves. Please subscribe to SDG Learncast. Visit UN SDG:Learn website at ⁠⁠www.unsdglearn.org⁠⁠ to get the latest learning offers on the 2030 Agenda and SDGs. The transcript of the podcast is available at ⁠⁠https://www.unsdglearn.org/podcast/. ⁠⁠The opinions expressed in the SDG Learncast podcasts are solely those of the authors. They do not reflect the opinions or views of UN SDG:Learn, its Joint Secretariat, and partners.

In this episode, we dive into how artificial intelligence or AI is transforming entrepreneurship education. Our guests for this SDG Learncast are Dorina Dobra-Basca and Guillaume Lamothe from the International Trade Centre’s SME Trade Academy. They will take us inside their AI-powered pilot course which is on “Raising Funds for Your Business,” which engaged over 400 learners across 100 countries. They were inspired by Benjamin Bloom’s “2-Sigma Problem,” which underscores the effectiveness of one-on-one tutoring to increase learners’ performance. With this in mind, they pilot-tested three AI personas— AI Tutor, AI Moderator, and AI Grader—to provide personalized support, boost motivation, and deepen learning.  We would like to hear their experience but also learn from them what it takes to make AI feel like a mentor, not a machine? How do we balance rigor with inclusivity, especially for learners in the Global South? And what’s next for AI in education beyond the buzz? If you're an educator, entrepreneur, or simply curious about the future of learning, stay with us for a timely look at how AI can drive inclusive and impactful education.  Please subscribe to SDG Learncast. Visit UN SDG:Learn website at ⁠⁠www.unsdglearn.org⁠⁠ to get the latest learning offers on the 2030 Agenda and SDGs. The transcript of the podcast is available at ⁠⁠https://www.unsdglearn.org/podcast/. ⁠⁠The opinions expressed in the SDG Learncast podcasts are solely those of the authors. They do not reflect the opinions or views of UN SDG:Learn, its Joint Secretariat, and partners.