SDG Learncast

When you look at global statistics, tracking progress on the Sustainable Development Goals can feel overwhelming. Recent regional data shows that only 19% of SDG targets in Latin America and the Caribbean are currently on track. But statistics alone don't tell the whole story. On the ground, communities and countries are finding innovative, practical ways to drive real impact.In this episode, we speak with Mareike Eberz from the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC). We take a learning journey across the region through vivid country stories: from Santiago’s quiet electric bus revolution to the Amazon’s environmental realities, small island resilience in the Caribbean, and local disaster readiness in Colombia. Along the way, we explore how peer-to-peer learning and regional collaboration are turning complex goals into tangible 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.

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.

In this episode of SDG Learncast, we are speaking with Mr. Guillaume Lafortune, Vice-President of the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) and lead author of the Europe Sustainable Development Report 2025 (ESDR). We will unpack the key findings of the latest ESDR, examining the slowdown in SDG progress across Europe and the challenges that lie ahead.Set against a backdrop of rising populism, geopolitical tensions, and climate risks, this conversation dives into urgent priorities for the new EU leadership (2024–2029). Topics include persistent inequalities, international spillovers from EU consumption, the transformation of food systems, and the role of European leadership in shaping global sustainability efforts.We also spotlight the outcomes of the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development (FFD4), hosted in Spain, and discuss how Europe can lead reforms in global financial architecture to support SDG acceleration.This episode explores how innovative financing, policy coherence, and new forms of SDG diplomacy can help Europe not only get back on track but also catalyze sustainable development globally. 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 of SDG Learncast, we will explore the often-overlooked environmental and social impacts of liquefied natural gas (LNG) infrastructure expansion. Our guest from Earth Insight will unpack how the global push for LNG, often viewed as a cleaner fossil fuel, threatens coastal and marine ecosystems—from the Gulf of California to the Verde Island Passage and beyond. We will discuss the urgent need for a shift to renewable energy and strategies for safeguarding our planet’s most vulnerable regions from the devastating effects of LNG projects. Based on the insightful report "Anything But Natural: Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Infrastructure Expansion Threats to Coastal and Marine Ecosystems," this episode will highlight significant threats LNG projects pose to coastal and marine environments and the communities that depend on them. Our speaker will also present the global investment surge in LNG infrastructure, which jeopardizes the transition to renewable energy and threatens biodiversity-rich regions. Finally, we will share some examples and case studies from the Gulf Coast of the United States, the Gulf of California in Mexico, the Verde Island Passage in the Philippines, and the Atlantic Coast of Brazil, highlighting the diverse and far-reaching impacts of LNG projects. Want to learn more about sustainable development and learning? Subscribe to SDG Learncast on podcast apps. Visit the 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/.

In this podcast episode, we will look into the transformative power of the Inner Development Goals (IDGs) and how they support achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The IDGs offer a framework for cultivating the human capabilities, qualities, and skills essential for building a sustainable, equitable, and thriving future for all. In this episode, we will explore how the IDGs complement the SDGs by focusing on the inner dimensions of change, such as self-awareness, emotional intelligence, mindfulness, and resilience. These inner qualities are critical for addressing the complex challenges of our time and for driving meaningful, systemic change towards sustainability. Our discussion with Åsa Jarskog, the Director Global Collaboration of the Inner Development Goals will cover the origins, development, and applications of the IDG framework, showcasing how it equips individuals, communities, and organizations with the inner skills needed to effectively contribute to the global sustainable development agenda. Let us unlock the synergy between inner transformation and outer action, illuminating a holistic path to achieving a sustainable future for all. Want to learn more about sustainable development and learning? Subscribe to SDG Learncast on podcast apps. Visit the 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 world faces a significant challenge in ensuring food security for its growing population amidst the threats posed by climate change. The increasing reliance on a narrow selection of cultivated crops due to industrial agriculture is causing a concerning reduction in the genetic diversity of plants. This narrowing pool poses a risk to global food security, making our food supply more vulnerable to pests, diseases, and changing climate conditions. Seed banks play a crucial role in combating this trend by preserving the genetic diversity of thousands of plant species, including traditional and 'forgotten' crops that are resilient to changing climate conditions and offer nutritional benefits. These facilities, alongside innovative agricultural practices, are vital in reintroducing a diversity of crops into modern agriculture. This diversification can lead to more resilient food systems that are capable of withstanding environmental stresses, thereby securing the nutritional needs of future generations. In this SDG Learncast episode, we're honored to have Dr. Stefan Schmitz, Executive Director of the ⁠Crop Trust⁠, as our distinguished guest. Dr. Schmitz brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in the fields of agricultural biodiversity and food security. He will discuss the growing importance of seed banks in the fight against the erosion of agricultural biodiversity and share insights into the Crop Trust's efforts to conserve crop diversity globally. This includes supporting key seed banks worldwide and coordinating projects like the Svalbard Global Seed Vault, aimed at ensuring the long-term preservation and availability of crop diversity for the benefit of everyone. Dr. Schmitz will delve into the challenges and opportunities in preserving agricultural biodiversity, the critical role of seed banks, and the transformative potential of reintroducing 'forgotten' crops into agriculture. He will also highlight the innovative strategies being employed to support the work of seed banks and the importance of global collaboration in safeguarding our agricultural heritage. Through this conversation, listeners will gain a deeper understanding of how preserving seed diversity and embracing innovative agricultural practices are essential steps toward a sustainable and food-secure future. Want to learn more about sustainable development and learning? Subscribe to SDG Learncast on podcast apps. Visit the 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/.