A milestone year for the Thai SDG micro-primer: Empowering youth for sustainable action

As we mark the first anniversary of the Thai SDG Micro-Primer, we reflect on a year of impactful progress, with over 6,800 learners engaged since its launch in October 2023. Developed by the United Nations System Staff College (UNSSC) in collaboration with the UN in Thailand, this initiative has empowered young people to take an active role in shaping a sustainable future. It underscores the power of learning, collaboration, and youth engagement in advancing the 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The power of youth-led learning

At the heart of the Thai SDG Micro-Primer is a belief that today’s youth are the catalysts of change. From its inception, the SDG Micro-Primer was developed with the active involvement of Thai students and young professionals, ensuring that the content resonates with their peers. The inclusion of youth voices in the narrative—featuring a Thai university student as the narrator and a young Thai actress, Toey Jarinporn, in promotional videos—highlights a commitment to youth empowerment and the role of education in advancing the SDGs.

 

Building momentum across universities mobilizing youth and academia
In collaboration with the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research, and Innovation (MHESI) and other partners, the UN Country Team in Thailand led workshops, introducing the SDG Micro-Primer to universities and youth organizations from across the nation. This broad engagement reflects our commitment to embedding sustainable development learning into everyday academic and community life, showcasing the impact of education as a transformative tool.

 

Reaching universities nationwide
Our efforts extended beyond Bangkok to universities such as Mae Fah Luang University in the North and Thaksin University in the South. These collaborations focus on supporting local sustainability goals while fostering a culture of SDG literacy within academic settings.

 

Youth-centric events
Events like "Young People: The Future of Sustainability," co-hosted with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs during the visit of Assistant Secretary-General for Youth Affairs, Dr. Felipe Paullier, brought together youth representatives, university Model UN clubs, and young leaders for impactful discussions on sustainability. These gatherings provided a platform for young voices to be heard and amplified, contributing significantly to national conversations on sustainability. This also led to the establishment of a network of model UN clubs across 7 universities from around the country which have been an active platform to further promote the SDG Micro-Primer among other things.

 

Innovation in engagement
A key component of the success of the SDG Micro-Primer has been the integration of digital tools to engage youth. Through internships, young national personnel brought fresh perspectives to UN Thailand’s communications and advocacy efforts. One notable success was the creation of an Instagram filter aligned with the Micro-Primer’s themes, which achieved significant engagement during Thailand’s Sustainability Expo 2023. Over 5,000 people interacted with the “What SDGs Hero Are You?” filter, demonstrating how digital innovation can effectively engage youth in sustainability conversations.

 

Global and regional collaboration
The Thai SDG Micro-Primer’s impact has extended beyond national borders. It was presented at international platforms such as the Times Higher Education’s Global Sustainable Development Congress and the curriculum of the Association of Pacific Rim Universities. These partnerships highlight the SDG Micro-Primer's global relevance and adaptability, proving that it can serve as a model for sustainable development learning across diverse regions.

As we look to the future, discussions are ongoing with the Sustainable University Network (SUN) of Thailand to institutionalize the SDG Micro-Primer across universities nationwide. This collaboration promises to deepen the educational impact and further integrate sustainable practices into higher education.

 

Looking ahead: Empowering the next generation of SDG leaders
The Thai SDG Micro-Primer is more than an educational resource—it’s a platform for youth to take ownership of sustainable development. It inspires action, fosters leadership, and equips young people with the tools they need to drive meaningful change. As UNSSC and UN in Thailand continue to lead in shaping educational innovations within the UN system and across a network of universities in Thailand, the SDG Micro-Primer serves as a model of how collaborative learning can pave the way for a sustainable global future.

As we commemorate this milestone, we reaffirm our commitment to continuous learning, collaboration, and action. The journey of the Thai SDG Micro-Primer has shown that when we empower youth through learning, using engaging and innovative tools, we are investing in a sustainable future for all led by our future leaders. Together, through youth engagement, we will continue to advance the SDGs and inspire the next generation of leaders.

The UN in Thailand will be participating in the Sustainability Expo 2024 at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center in Bangkok from 27 September to 6 October 2024. If you're interested in learning more about our efforts to engage youth in sustainable development or our partnerships with universities and youth organizations focused on the SDGs in Thailand, feel free to reach out to us at RCO-TH@un.org.

-----------------------

Written by Paulyn Duman and Marisa Panyachiva