Our Oxford Laidlaw Scholars have returned with a renewed commitment to drive change, making a significant impact on the ground. Led by Ruby-Anne Birin, the Scholars have launched vibrant extracurricular programmes across four local schools—John Henry Newman Academy, Rose Hill Primary School, The Oxford Academy, and Orchard Meadow Primary School. These initiatives engage students with innovative projects that inspire learning and action, bringing the UN Sustainable Development Goals (#SDGs) to life in the classroom.

On their recent engagement tour last Friday, the Scholars ventured beyond the classroom and into the community at Blackbird Leys. This hands-on experience allowed them to connect with local residents, understand the community’s unique challenges, and discuss sustainable solutions that benefit everyone. Their work directly supports several key SDGs, including SDG11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), SDG1 (No Poverty), and SDG4 (Quality Education), reinforcing the commitment to making a meaningful impact at the local level.

Guided by research leads Tanya Manchanada and Sophia Stone, the Scholars are progressing with their research projects, focusing on practical, evidence-based interventions that address key SDGs. Detailed outlines are set to be shared soon on the Laidlaw Network. They have also participated in engaging sessions with Oliver Cook on the Sports Impact Lab, exploring how sport can drive social change, and with Alex Betts discussing local and global engagement at the University of Oxford.

At the Lab, we partner Oxford students with organisations to deliver impactful SDG-specific research. Global Goals Week 2024, running from 20th to 29th September, is a week of action, awareness, and accountability that brings together over 170 partners, including civil society, business, academia, and the UN, to accelerate progress on the Sustainable Development Goals during the UN General Assembly High-level Week.

This year’s theme underscores the urgency of turning commitments into concrete actions, as progress on the SDGs remains behind schedule. Global Goals Week serves as a rallying cry for transformative solutions, and these Fellowship projects exemplify the kind of local engagement that can drive global change.

Join us and engage in this week’s online forums on sustainability, climate action, and fighting global poverty. Check out the 2024 event calendar at the link in our bio!

Sign up, get involved and be a part of the change. Let’s make #GlobalGoalsWeek count!