Achieving SDGs (Speech)

Beyond Ape Gama

After yesterday’s judging process of the Sustainable Development Goal implementation of this young crowd, I have thought what to say to this group today, as I have realized you have read and research on SDGs and were in a process to draft declaration to submit to the government.

I thought what you have done yesterday is an easy task as you look at the problem as outsiders. No I really did not mean it. However I have decided to ask few questions on Economic Social and Environment Pillars

Economic Pillar

Do we use home/ school/ Public Resources with care thinking about their economic value?

When we request things do we consider your parents economic condition?

Do we consider learning a new skill so that it will be enable us to find future employment?

Do we invest on our imagination/ time to innovate/ create new things?

On the Social Pillar

Yesterday some of the delegates converted everyone to feminists

            Do we sweep the house or help our mother to prepare meals?

            If mother gets late after office can we make a simple meal?

            Do we have gender parity at home

We talked about LGBTQs

If we meet a boy who talks/ walks like a girl do we make fun?

Do we bully?

When we consider about quality education

            Are we aware on the information literacy skills? SQ3R method?

            Do we maintain school resources with care?

Equality

            How many Sinhala students can understand Tamil?

            How many of us understand the cultural and religious practices of the other communities?

            Do we treat boys/girls as toys or respect them in our love affairs?

            If we come to know about a love affair of akka/ nangi do we treat them as if they have committed a crime or guide them lovingly to focus more on studies?

Do we have domestic helpers? Are they underage?

Do we respect them or demand them to do things?

When we are faced with challenges, how do we react?

            Do we analyze them from one perspective or in a wholistic manner

            Or do we run away

We are good at talking are we good listeners too? Do we offer a shoulder to cry? Listen to a friend/ stranger when they are in distress situation?

From Environment perspective

Is it possible for us to request cardboard packs when we order food for events?

Can we say no to straws when necessary?

When we plan events do we have a garbage disposal plan?

Do we switch off unnecessary bulbs when we come out from rooms?

Do we close the tap while brushing our teeth or soaping our hands?

Generally

Do we create Social Media Posts giving messages on SDGs?

Finally, who will we elect to represent us at the Parliament?

My poem for you all

Daughter and son

Keeping SDGs in mind

As the children of Sri Lanka

Treating everyone as siblings

Let’s consider

Economic Social and Environment pillars

In the development plans

For a sustainable world

Therefore my dear sons and daughters you are today tomorrow and day after not only the future/ Let’s walk hand in hand for a sustainable future