Guidelines on how to hold a quest on Sustainable Development Goals

Quest is an interactive, adventurous game in which participants have to solve tasks in order to proceed to the final and win a prize.

Rationale:Sustainable Development Goals are a global vision of humanity, which were adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on 25 September 2015. Global Goals are aimed to provide integration on economic growth, social justice and rational use of natural resources. Young people are active drivers of change in local communities. They play an important role in engaging people at the grassroots level and communicating Sustainable Development Goals to a wider society. Thus, communicating SDGs to young people is an investment in the future of the country.

Description/FormatSustainable Development Goals quest is a game which consists of 17 steps. Every step is devoted to each Sustainable Development Goal. In order to explain the complexity of each goal in a simple and interactive way as well as call every participant to action, participants have to either solve some tasks or suggest solutions to global challenges. After solving the task related to each goal participants receive a point from volunteer(s), who mark(s) it in the building of sustainable development (route list). At the end of the quest, children have to build their own house of sustainable development (complete all the cases in the house).

AimRaise awareness of Sustainable Development Goals of youth in an interesting and engaging manner.

Plan of the quest1. Some days before, ask your English teacher to provide some lessons on vocabulary related to this quest

(for example, how to pass job interview, agricultural products, etc). Make sure that children chosen have a sufficient English level, if not, try to choose a group with higher proficiency or provide extra lessons for kids before.

2. Divide a class in 2/3 teams (8-10 children in a team). Ideally, if there are two volunteers in school so each of them can facilitate each of the teams. If not, just ask an English teacher for a help. Make sure that each team has a facilitator who will guide participants through the game. Choose a location (outdoor, classroom or gym). When you are ready to start, fix the time of the beginning.

3. The teams have to pass each of the 17 stations, one by one, completing a task and getting a point for a respective goal. In cases of some problems with understanding, volunteers are asked to help children by explaining them complicated terminology. If the problem persists, an English teacher should help with the translation. Use cards with goals provided for visual memorization.

4. Volunteer should introduce each goal (station) by presenting some basic information (described in the guidelines later), initiating a quick discussion with children, then describe a task and guide children in completing it. Again, your help might be required sometimes, so don’t hesitate to help children when you judge it necessary, as the main goal of this quest is to learn something new.

5. After solving all 17 tasks, children should get 17 points related to each goal. Volunteer can fix the time of the end of the quest.

5. Compare the results of all the teams which participated. The winner is the one, who passed the Quest the most quickly and have all the point collected. Prepare some prizes for the winners (you can discuss it with an English teacher in schools).

Name of the goal

Instructions Materials

Information Before you start the quest, provide some basic information about Sustainable Development goals and Declaration of the Human rights.

Information:The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) is an important document in the history of human rights. Written by representatives from all regions of the world, the Declaration was proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in Paris on 10th of December 1948 as a common standard of achievements for all peoples and all nations. It sets out, for the first time, fundamental human rights to be universally protected and it has been translated into over 500 languages.

The Declaration consists of 30 articles affirming an individual's rights. The Declaration was the first step in the process of formulating the International Bill of Human Rights, which was completed in 1966, and came into force in 1976, after a sufficient number of countries had ratified them.

Based on this Declaration, in 2015 17 sustainable development goals were set by United Nation, which need to be realized till 2030. The goals are broad and somewhat interdependent, yet each has a separate list of targets to achieve. Achieving all 169 targets would signal accomplishing all 17 goals. The SDGs cover social and economic development issues including poverty, hunger, health, education, climate change, gender equality, water, sanitation, energy, urbanization, environment and social justice.

After this information set, team can start the quest.

Poverty is a big problem in today’s world and Ukraine is not an exception. According to the UN, anyone leaving on 1.25 US dollars or below per day is leaving in extreme poverty. In 2014, almost 1 billion people across the globe is living below the poverty line. This number is really terrifying, so we have to think of the methods how to decrease it.

TASK:Let’s now try to define which countries are living below the poverty line and need our help. From the list of the countries, choose the countries who, in your opinion, are suffering from the poverty.

If a team answered at least 7 counties out of 10 correctly, give them a point.

Paper, pen, list of the countries, answers

Hunger, I think that there is no need to explain you why it is an important problem. It is time to rethink how we grow, share and consume our food. Agriculture can provide nutritious food for all and generate incomes, also support rural development and protect the environment. Today, 815 million people are suffering from hunger and the additional 2 billion people expected by 2050.

How well do you know Ukrainian agriculture sector?

TASK:Volunteer names 20 agricultural products, only 10 of them are really planted in Ukraine. Children have to guess whether the product is really growing up here or not.

If team answered at least 7 out of 10 products correctly, give them a point.

Pen, list of agriculture products, answers

How many of you are doing sport regularly? This is the next goal of sustainable development, so you have already understood its importance. It is widely known that sport is a very useful activity for health. Scientists have proved that regular exercise has a positive effect on our physical and emotional state. Therefore, to prevent diseases and increase motivation to do some sports, you should do some basic sport exercises now.

TASK:Volunteer tells the following sport exercises and all team members have to repeat it 5 times:SquatA single leg squatPush-upsJumpsExercise "swallow” (5 sec)Participants can also offer their own ideas for exercises.

If all members of the team completed a task, volunteer can give them a point.

Obtaining a quality education is the basic step to improving people’s lives and sustainable development. Every year the equal access for education all around the globe is improving, however a lot of things still need to be done. For example, today girls and boys can equally access the primary education everywhere, but only few countries have achieved that target at all levels of education, as universities for example.

The corruption is one of the major obstacles for quality education. In 2015, The Guardian called Ukraine "the most corrupt nation in Europe."

Discussion:1)Have you ever faced corruption in your life? Tell some stories.TASK:Sometimes, corruption may be present even at schools. Can you define what is considered corruption? (volunteer/one team member read the following statements, team should discuss and then put up the card with their answer)

Statements:1. Teacher gives the answers on the exam beforehand, so students can have a good grade and teacher might have a reward. – CORRUPTION2. Teacher asks some money to put a good grade for an exam - CORRUPTION3. Teacher puts only good grades for a student who is his closest relative - CORRUPTION4. A present for a teacher for some special occasions as 1st of September (flowers, chocolates) – NOT CORRUPTION5. Teacher puts a good grade because school direction asked him to do so – CORRUPTION6. Teacher provides an extra lesson for a student who didn’t understand the material – NOT CORRUPTION7. Teacher gives an extra exercise for students who have already completed their tasks – NOT CORRUPTION8. Teacher gives his phone number to students – NOT CORRUPTION9.Parents pay charity contribution to school – NOT CORRUPTION10.Parents pay for their children’s books - CORRUPTION

If a team gives 9/10 answers correct, then volunteer can give them a sticker.

Two cards – CORRUPTION and NOT CORRUPTION

Gender equality is about equal rights and opportunities for men and women. This includes equal access to different job positions, access to the higher education, rights to talk, to drive a car, health care, representation in political and economic world, etc. It is a fundamental human right and a necessary foundation for a peaceful and sustainable world.

Discussion:1) What do they know about gender equality?2) Have you ever faced gender discrimination?

TASK 1:Volunteer read a list of the professions. Team has to show a card – “Male”, “Female” or “Both” (is that profession male or female?)ANSWER:All professions are suitable for both sexes. On December 22, 2017, the Ukrainian government adopted the law that all work can be done by men or women equally (before 468 professions were prohibited for women). Among the industries banned for women were mining, metallurgy, and chemical production. Restrictions were established in the military service, law enforcement activities, in the field of food production, transport, communications and agriculture. The woman did not have the right to drive a bus, a subway train. In aircraft construction there were some prohibitions also. A woman could only work as a stewardess, but she could not fly an airplane.

Give a point for an active participation.

List with professions (20)Cards – “Male”, “Female”, “Both”

Clean, accessible water for all is an essential part of the world we want to live in. There is sufficient fresh water on the planet to achieve this. But due to bad economics or poor infrastructure, every year millions of people, most of them children, die from diseases cause by bad sanitary hygiene. It also negatively impacts food security and educational opportunities for poor families across the world. By 2050, at least one in four people is likely to live in a country affected by important water problems.In this situation, it is very important to know and follow basic sanitary rules. Do you know them?

TASK:In teams, write some basic rules of sanitary hygiene while eating fruits/go camping/etc.

If a team gives at least 5 rules, then give them a point.

Paper, pen

Energy is central to nearly every major challenge and opportunity the world faces today. Be it for jobs, security, climate change, food production or increasing incomes, access to energy for all is essential. Sustainable energy is opportunity – it transforms lives, economies and the planet.

There is very popular tendency nowadays to use alternative sources of energy. Do you know some?

TASK:Discuss in teams and name main alternative sources of energy.

ANSWER:Solar energy, wind energy, geothermal energy, hydroelectric energy, biomass energy, ocean energy, hydrogen energy

If a team gives at least 3 answers, then give them a point.

Almost half the world’s population still lives on about US$2 a day. And in too many places, having a job doesn’t guarantee the ability to escape from poverty. The creation of quality jobs is a major challenge for almost all economies well beyond 2015. Societies need to create the conditions that allow people to have quality jobs that stimulate the economy and at the same time not harming the environment.

You will all find some jobs in future, so let’s try to see how the job interview looks like.

TASK:Discuss in teams what is important during the job interview (how to behave, what language use, etc). Choose one person to pass a job interview. Volunteer proposes a profession according to children’s desires (policeman, fireman, nurse, etc). Then volunteer ask questions as during the job interview (however, child’s version)

You can pick up questions from the list below:- Could you tell something about yourself? What is your

academic background? What kind of hobby do you have?- What kind of experience do you have that is relevant for

this position?- What is your motivation applying for this position?- Why should we select you?- Can you describe your ideal working place?- How do you see yourself in 5 years?- If you could be remembered for one sentence, what would

it be?- What three thing you would change at your school and

why?- Tell me a joke?

If a team member passed an interview successfully, then give a point.

Transport, energy and information and communication technology – are important to achieving sustainable development and developing communities in many countries. It is proved that growth in productivity and incomes, and improvements in health and education outcomes require investment in infrastructure. Without technology and innovation, industrialization will not happen, and without industrialization, development will not happen.

TASK:The 21st century is well-known for some important innovations. Try to guess what country is related to which innovation. Match two rows together: statements about innovations from one side, countries – from other.

If a team gives at least 7/10 answers correct, then give a point.

Pen, prepared blank with statements/countries

ENERGIZER (ex: http://www.funretrospectives.com/one-two-ping-

four-pong/)

If we are talking about equal rights, we shouldn’t forget about those who are the most vulnerable – people with some disabilities. Inequality still persists, and the access to health and education services is not equal at all. To reduce this inequality, policies should be universal in principle paying attention to the needs of disadvantaged populations.

TASK:Volunteer shows a word/sentence from a sign language, children have to guess what it means. 10 words overall.

If a team guesses at least 6 words, then give a point.

Prepare 10 words of sign language beforehand(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=toIztzxGY9c)

Cities are hubs for ideas, commerce, culture, science, productivity, social development and much more. At their best, cities have enabled people to advance socially and economically. However, many challenges exist to maintaining cities in a way that continues to create jobs and prosperity. The challenges cities face can be overcome in ways that allow them to continue to grow. The future we want includes cities of opportunities for all, with access to basic services, energy, housing, transportation and more.

TASK:Children are deputies of the local administration and they need to vote for some reforms proposed by our volunteer (some of them are really useful for the development, some are not). Volunteer proposes a bill, team should discuss and then vote in favor or against.

List of the reforms to propose:1. Create 10 km of bicycle paths in the city. (YES)2. Ensure timely public alert system in case of

emergencies. (YES)3. Open more commercial centers (NO)4. Open more parks and natural areas (YES).5. Protect cultural and natural heritage included in

UNESCO World Heritage list (YES).6. Build new central cinema (NO)7. Make sure to build places for disabled people in city

parking (YES)8. Abolish the ban on casino (NO)9. Allow a businessman to open a pub near the school

(NO)10.Allow children of under-school age to take public

transport to free. (YES)

If a team votes correctly at least for 7 reforms, then give a point.

Sustainable consumption and production is about promoting resource and energy efficiency and providing access to basic services for all. It helps to achieve overall development plans, reduce poverty and develop agriculture. One of the important aspect of the responsible consumption is a trash sorting, which is so popular in the Western countries.

TASK:Sorting trash: put 4 cards on the floor 2 meters one from another. Volunteer read a list of rubbish, team in discussion has to decide where to put this item and to place one of the team members near the card.

Possible list of rubbish: apple(organics), box from BigMac (paper), water bottle (plastics), half of the BigMac (organics), newspaper (paper), flower (organics), milk jug

4 cards: Paper, Organics, Glass and Plastics

(plastics), soda can (plastics), fish (organics), broken glass (glass).

If a team gives at least 8 answers correctly, then give a point.

Climate change is now affecting every country on every continent. It is disrupting national economies and affecting lives, influencing people, communities and countries today and even more tomorrow. People are experiencing the significant impacts of climate change, which include changing weather patterns, rising sea level, and more extreme weather events. Climate change is a global challenge that does not respect national borders. Emissions anywhere affect people everywhere.

TASK:Volunteer names one of the natural forces (water, fire, earth, wind) and teams have to think of a natural disaster related to it.

Possible answers: hurricane, earthquake, tornado, volcano eruption, tsunami, flood, wildfire, drought, avalanche, landslide, etc

If a team names at least 5 natural disasters, then give a point.

The world’s oceans – their temperature, chemistry and life – drive global systems that make the Earth possible to live for humankind. Our drinking water, weather, climate, coastlines, much of our food, and even the oxygen in the air we breathe, are all ultimately provided and regulated by the sea.

TASK:Volunteer/one of the team members read the following statements, then a team has to decide whether it is true or false.

STATEMENTS: 1. Salty water of ocean has the capability to move pollutants from the ocean into the coast. (TRUE)2. There is an island of garbage twice the size of Texas inside the Pacific Ocean: the North Pacific Gyre off the coast of California is the largest oceanic garbage site in the entire world. (TRUE)3. 50% of the Earth is covered with water (FALSE, 70%)4. People cannot get contaminated easily by eating contaminated seafood (FALSE)5. Plastic is the most common element that is found in the ocean. (TRUE)6. Oil is the fastest source of deterioration to the ocean, being far more harmful than trash and waste. (TRUE)7.Dolphins are not affected by the water pollution (FALSE).8. There are dead zones in the oceans that have been created by pollution making life in those zones impossible for marine or plant life. (TRUE)9. Over one million seabirds are killed by ocean pollution each year. (TRUE)10. Ocean pollution shouldn’t be taken seriously as there is no ocean in Ukraine (FALSE).

If a team gives at least 7/10 answers correctly, then give a point.

Forests cover 30 per cent of the Earth’s surface and in addition to providing food, forests are key to combating climate change. Thirteen million hectares of forests are being lost every year. It poses major challenges to sustainable development and have affected the lives of millions of people in the fight against poverty. Efforts should be made to manage forests.

TASK:Game “Crocodile”. Volunteer tells an animal to one of the team members, he/she has to show it without any words to the rest of the team. The person who guess, start showing the next animal.

List of the animals proposed: Polar Bear, Rabbit, Koala, Lion, Giraffe, Zebra, Hippopotamus, Panda, Black sheep, Penguin

Give a point for an active participation.

Goal 16 of the Sustainable Development Goals is about the promotion of peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development. The access to justice should be equal for all. And effective institutions and government is the goal for every society.

TASK:Children, as all people, have their own rights. They need to know them. There is an official document– UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. Team members should discuss and then write as muсh children’s rights as they remember. Then discuss how they can protect them.

Link to the convention

Give a point for an active participation and discussion.

Pen, paper,

Print a UN convention in a child friendly language (is possible)

To build a strong society, governments, the private sector and civil society should cooperate and listen to each other. These partnerships built upon principles and values, a shared vision, and shared goals that place people and the planet at the center, are needed at the global, regional, national and local level.

TASK: BLIND FOLDTrust is one of the most important aspects of partnership. Choose one team member, close his eyes. All the team members need to guide this one verbally to pass the obstacle course and achieve the final stage.

Give a point for an active participation.

NB: Don’t forget to fix the time of the end of the game! Compare results of all the teams and choose a winner!