Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
In 2015, all United Nations Member States adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, including its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The SDGs set out global commitments to be achieved by 2030. They address areas including poverty, health, education, equality, climate change, peace and justice.
Goals, Targets and Indicators
The SDGs consist of:
- 17 Goals setting out broad objectives;
- 169 Targets defining more specific commitments under those goals; and
- Indicators used to measure progress towards the targets.
The indicators are accompanied by metadata defining what is measured and how it should be measured.
The SDGs and Inclusive Education
Education is addressed primarily through Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4):
Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.
Inclusion is therefore part of the goal itself.
Several of its targets and indicators are particularly relevant to persons with disabilities. They address equal access to education, disparities based on disability, disability-sensitive educational facilities, and inclusive learning environments.
These provisions are examined in more detail in SDG 4 - Quality Education.