Oftentimes, as learners, we feel a lack of capability when a certain approach to learning is not compatible with our style, passions or skills and it only destabilizes our self-esteem. This is also a reflection of an issue of diversity within academic institutions too.

This is exactly what the SDG (Sustainable Development Goals) Academy Indonesia is implementing, a blended-learning approach that uncovers the foundational subjects of SDG issues, leadership materials, SDG financing, and SDG monitoring and evaluation.

Success was woven through reality as the fourth batch of graduates from the SDG Leadership Program was proudly presented on Sept. 12, a continuity of positive implementation since 2021 with a family of 153 alumni.

A collaboration between the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the National Development Planning Agency (Bappenas) and the Tanoto Foundation, together with the SDG Leadership Program, they all have a shared vision of including the government, private sector, philanthropic organizations, civil society organizations, media organizations and academia. This is in the hope of creating unity within the nation to enhance the potential that the people of Indonesia have by journeying through the three programs: SDG Leadership Certification, SDG Mobile Learning, and SDG Study Abroad.

SDG Academy Indonesia has students from a variety of demographics.

Expanding beyond the different regions of Sumatra, Java, Bali, Nusa Tenggara, Kalimantan, and Sulawesi, there were also graduates from academic backgrounds, the professions, civil service and business and philanthropy, including participants who had experience working in NGOs, CSOs, and similar.

Not only does this encourage inclusion within an ecosystem, but also deconstructs the stigma of regions and identities that are often neglected when it comes to demonstrating adequate capabilities. With an age group of 31-40 in batch four, 57.8 percent were female graduates.

“Batch four of the SDG Leadership Program has successfully generated nine capstone projects with outstanding ideas to accelerate the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. We hope these programs can continue to be implemented and expanded, especially in SDGs 1 and 4,” said Muhammad Husain, director of SDG Academy Indonesia.

The SDGs referred to by Muhammad were goal 1: Poverty Eradication, and 4: Quality Education, which is a diverse-approached journey for the institution itself. Learning activities that contributed to the journey of achieving these goals were in a hybrid format for Workshop 1, and a virtual workshop for Workshops 3, 4, and 5. The final product of all the workshops will be presented in a Result Seminar (Colloquium) through a final project that was curated by nine groups of participants.

The nine final projects produced by the participants evoked a positive and inspiring learning environment that touched on a variety of industries. 5 projects focusing on the topic of Quality of Education which reflected from SDG number 4, among others are a program to empower and enhance the competence of teachers in Padang; a social initiative to improve and tighten the collaboration between companies and universities in Jakarta and its surroundings; a program to reduce high school dropout rates in Pandeglang, redefining an educational ecosystem for students in Garut, a literacy program for schools in Labuan Bajo.

Urgency of collaboration was further encouraged by Yanuar Nugroho, coordinator of the Expert Team at National SDG Secretariat Bappenas who highlighted how, “the government cannot work alone; it’s now the era of co-creation.”

The other projects focusing on several issues related to Poverty Eradication, SDG Number 1 such as an agricultural management training program for women and senior fishermen in Banten; and a management training program for a group in Sleman and informal workers in Surabaya. The disadvantaged and often-neglected individuals were especially taken care of, leading to an income improvement program with small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Rote Ndao regency for households that experienced many forms of disadvantage.

“May these projects be executed successfully. Essentially, the SDGs provide an interconnected and synergistic framework, and when we focus on one goal, it can contribute to achieving the SDG objectives,” said Siprianus Bate Soro, representative of UNDP Indonesia.

Post-graduation, participants were named “SDG Certified Leader” which signifies their ability in problem-solving skills, and knowledge related to development within the SDGs framework.

Yunety Tarigan, representative from the Tanoto Foundation, explained the significance of spreading information about SDGs in their respective communities as it would, “broaden the reach and impact of SDGs.”

For SDG Academy Indonesia, this is just the beginning of a journey to live upon.

“Alun-Alun Inovasi” and the “Learning Module and Prevention of Violence based Extremism” were birthed in conjunction with the graduation ceremony, which is a platform for sharing learning in the best SDG practices in Indonesia and the 14th module of the Mobile Learning Program.

Therefore, learning is not only about the application of books to life, but the discovery of one’s purpose and contribution to the world and beyond.

Learners, especially for those who are intrigued with circular economy, you have until the end of September to get a spot in the fifth batch of the SDG Leadership Program. You can access registration information through the SDG Academy Indonesia website: sdgacademyindonesia.id/en/ or Instagram: @sdgacademy_id.

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