On May 21st, Kehsia and GAIALUX visited SOLINA Jongenheem a.s.b.l., a reintegration school in Bertrange, Luxembourg, to present the 11th Sustainable Development Goal (SDG). Over the course of two hours, seven students participated in a range of interactive activities designed to help them internalize this goal and encourage their engagement with sustainable development.
11th Sustainable Development Goal – Sustainable cities and communities
The 11th SDG – Sustainable cities and communities, “Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable”, is part of the broader framework of 17 Sustainable Development Goals established by the United Nations. The session began with an introduction to these goals, providing the students with a global perspective on their significance and the challenges they aim to address.
Workshop on Sustainable Development Goals, with GAIALUX
After this general overview, the focus shifted to Goal 11 specifically. The students had the opportunity to reflect on its relevance and observe its impact in their daily lives. Often perceived as distant or abstract, international goals can seem disconnected from the lives of individuals. However, through hands-on activities, the students came to understand the tangible connections between global goals and their local realities. Several of them even shared personal insights into how these issues affect them and how they might contribute to creating sustainable communities.
In the next phase of the session, the students were asked to think about the different places they go throughout the day—from the moment they wake up to when they go to sleep. This led to a discussion of common modes of transportation: most students mentioned buses for school, bikes for outings, and walking to restaurants or home. Interestingly, none of them mentioned using cars or electric scooters, reflecting the city’s early efforts toward more sustainable urban mobility.
For the final activity, the students created personal maps of their city, marking places they frequently visit and associating each location with the emotions or feelings it evokes.
The session concluded with a clear outcome: the students left with new knowledge, greater awareness, and a mission—to take pictures of the places they mentioned and bring them to the next session.
Empowering Youth Through the Sustainable Development Goals
Understanding the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is essential for empowering youth. As the future generation and drivers of change, young people play a central role in shaping a more sustainable world. Their awareness of global challenges is crucial to equip them to address these issues effectively in the years to come. These principles are at the core of Kehsia, GAIALUX, and this project, which was made possible thanks to the support of the Foundation Sommer .