The Sustainable Development Games
- This event is for adolescent students;
- Schools are to form teams consisting of 6 students accompanied by two coaches;
- Accommodation arranged with host families; preference for pairing students with hosts from different countries;
- Coaches responsible for arranging their own accommodation and daily commute (recommendations provided);
- Cultural market where students can showcase their country and culture;
- Encouragement for students to finance their trip through fundraising and organizing activities to gain financial literacy.
The UN’s Sustainable Development Goals have been a part of our organization’s mission since its inception, with goals of good health, quality education, equality, peace and partnership, running through all of our events and activities.
Our event, The Sustainable Development Games, aligns directly with the SDGs both in terms of understanding and making a tangible impact. In these games, we aim to bring together young people from diverse backgrounds worldwide, uniting them in a shared mission to raise awareness and gain practical experience related to selected SDGs.
Each event will be hosted in a different country, with the host having the opportunity to choose the specific SDG focus. This approach ensures a dynamic and varied experience, offering participants a range of sports, activities, and hands-on work opportunities related to the chosen goals. Participants will have the chance to immerse themselves in the challenges associated with these goals, exploring and discussing potential solutions collaboratively.
As with all our endeavors, the Sustainable Development Games will not be framed as a competition but rather as a collaborative platform for learning, skill development, and active engagement with global issues. Participants will have the opportunity to expand their knowledge, develop new skills, and cultivate a sense of responsibility as they work together towards common goals.
Similar to the Global Montessori Games (GMG), one of the hallmarks of the Sustainable Development Games will be the immersive experience provided through homestays with host families. This aspect enables participants to not only engage in sports and educational activities but also to deeply immerse themselves in the local culture, customs, and way of life. This reciprocal exchange fosters meaningful connections and friendships that transcend borders, enriching participants’ understanding of diverse cultures and perspectives.
“Education should include the two forms of work, manual and intellectual, and thus make it understood by practical experience that these two kinds complete each other and are equally essential to a civilized existence.”
Dr. Maria Montessori
Furthermore, the organization of Sustainable Development Games events will rely on collaborative efforts involving student committees from host schools. These committees will play a crucial role in matching participants with host families and organizing various aspects of the event, ensuring its success and effectiveness. This hands-on involvement provides students with valuable leadership and organizational skills, reinforcing the principles of cooperation and community engagement central to our mission.
In summary, the Sustainable Development Games harnesses the power of sports, cultural exchange, and international collaboration to address pressing global challenges. Through these games, we aim to inspire and empower young people to become proactive agents of positive change in their communities and beyond.
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Check out this video of the Sustainable Development Games 2023 in Cozumel, Mexico: