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Gearing up for SDGs

25 October 2023

The United Nations in Georgia and the Georgia-American University open an SDG space

On October 25, 2023, a ribbon-cutting ceremony was held at the Georgia-American University to celebrate the opening of its new Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) space.

The space, a vibrant hub dedicated to the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), is set to become a beacon of inspiration and action for the university community. It is designed to be a flexible space to host education and research activities to inspire action and engage students in the achievement of the SDGs.

The atmosphere was electric as students, faculty members, and distinguished guests gathered around the centerpiece of the room, a captivating mural depicting the 17 SDGs in a colorful and dynamic display.

"It's an exciting experience to open the SDG Space at the Georgian American University,” said Marekhi Gvaramadze, co-founder of Kant’s Academy and consultant at Georgian American University, a civil society organization that has been managing the project. "It will help young people to learn about the SDGs and find ways to get involved. I believe that SDGs will be becoming an integral part of our endeavors."

After the ribbon-cutting ceremony, guests were invited to the panel discussion about the SDGs and the role of education (SDG-4) in achieving the Global Goals. The room buzzed with ideas, as prominent representatives of the Georgian-American University (GAU), Iv. Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University, Ilia State University, Caucasus University, and the University of Georgia brainstormed ways to incorporate the SDGs into university research projects, volunteer activities, and campus initiatives. The UN Resident Coordinator, Dr. Sabine Machl in her opening remarks spoke about the importance of the SDGs, highlighting the role of universities in achieving these Global Goals.

The Georgian-American University's SDG space is one of the six multifunctional spaces launched across Tbilisi and other Georgian regions since 2022 to provide hands-on opportunities for students and encourage efforts toward a sustainable future.