Flying the flag for sustainable development goals: Sustainability courses show how we can all play a part

People building a jigsaw puzzle with colourful pieces symbolising the Sustainable Development Goals.

It has been exactly 10 years since the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals were established. Sustainability courses are just one way the University is promoting the goals, offering University community members the chance to learn about their own role in supporting sustainability.

The University will celebrate the anniversary of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) on 25 September by participating in a global flag campaign. The SDG flag will be raised on all four University campuses to symbolise our commitment to supporting the UN goals. The goals serve as a framework for the University’s sustainability and responsibility efforts, providing the basis, for example, for the sustainability and responsibility plan 2025–2028.

While many are familiar with the Sustainable Development Goals, they may struggle to see their relevance or the wider role of sustainability and responsibility for their own work or studies. The University has addressed this challenge, notably by developing associated courses for students and staff alike. The courses encourage participants to engage with the themes of sustainability and responsibility and provide at least a basic understanding of relevant key issues. They also help participants understand their own role in the sustainability transition, as contributors to a more sustainable, fair and equitable future.

We encourage all University community members to explore the courses offered. Staff are also urged to review the course content in teams and work communities. For example, the Sustainability Starts with Us course includes support material that can be used for discussing the course content within work communities.

Examples of sustainability studies

For staff

For students

The multidisciplinary Sustainability course (3 cr) is open to all students.
Students can also complete a micro-credential in sustainability offered through the Una Europa collaboration; see the Una Europa website.
The University of Helsinki–coordinated Climate University network offers several online courses open to all.
We participate in the Sustainability Studies Network, through which students can find courses on environmental, sustainability and responsibility themes that are not available at their home institution.

More information

The SDG Flag Day is part of a global campaign organised each year on the anniversary of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. This year’s anniversary will be celebrated on 25 September.

By raising the SDG flag, we can demonstrate our commitment to the SDGs.

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