First published on ICTU’s website
Ireland’s Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, Richard Bruton, has appointed 12 organisations, including the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU), who are leading by example in achieving the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The 12 champions will raise public awareness among the Irish population of the SDGs, and illustrate practical ways in which organisations and individuals can contribute to achieving the goals.
The ICTU is in charge of promoting four out of the global labour movement’s six priority SDGs:
- Goal 1. End Poverty in all forms everywhere.
- Goal 8. Promote inclusive and sustainable economic growth, employment and decent work for all.
- Goal 10. Reduce inequality in and among countries.
- Goal 16. Promote just peaceful and inclusive societies.
David Joyce, International Development Officer with the ICTU, said that the ICTU is looking forward to participating in the SDG Champions programme and demonstrating the important role that trade unions have to play in achieving the SDGs. He pointed out that "progress is far too slow on meeting SDG targets, for instance 70 per cent of the World’s population has no access to social protection, 300 million workers in emerging and developing countries earn less than 1.9 dollars a day; and 81 per cent of all countries in the world have violated the right to collective bargaining".
Minister Bruton said, "We need to take actions in a broad range of policy areas to put us on a more sustainable pathway. The Sustainable Development Goals draw those together in an integrated way. Achieving them will be a challenge. We need everyone to get involved and play their part in whatever way they can."
For more information
Picture: ICTU SDG Champion leaflet
