Education for the SDGs in the wider community

University of Galway has a vibrant global alumni community and many of our alumni continue to engage with the University through various initiatives designed to foster a sense of community, collaboration, and lifelong learning. One such initiative is the University of Galway’s flagship Alumni Magazine - Cois Coiribe.  Cois Coiribe celebrates the achievements of our graduates while at the same time highlights the University of Galway’s ongoing work to address key global challenges and progress the UN SDGs. Recent Cois Coiribe features (Sept 2024–2025) highlight University of Galway’s leadership in sustainability and global citizenship — from All Together Now: Working Collaboratively for Climate Action and What Is Just Transition? to Into the Deep: Searching the Ocean for Climate Solutions, Defining the Future of Agri-Food, and All Boats Rising: The Ryan Institute. These stories showcase our researchers and alumni tackling climate, biodiversity, and health challenges in advancing the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

University of Galway hosts sustainability related awareness weeks, to educate and engage, students, staff and communities, on sustainability issues.

For example, University of Galway Nelson Mandela Anti-Racism Week is designed to promote racial equality and actively engages and educates various segments of the University and wider community including alumni, local residences and displaced people. For example, Wear Red Day campaign is delivered in collaboration with the Immigrant Council of Ireland and is an opportunity for our communities to send out a strong message that we as communities’ welcome diversity, celebrate it, and take a stand against racism in all forms.            

The events delivered during Nelson Mandela anti-racism weeks in both  2024 and 2025 are designed to be deliberative and interactive, facilitating discussion, learning and engagement on a wide range of issues relevant to race, ethnicity, displacement and anti-racism. Full programme at this link 

The University of Galway’s SDG Week educates, raises awareness, and actively engages both the university and local communities in driving progress toward the SDGs. Our SDG Week belongs to everyone and is open to all. We have hosted SDG Weeks in 2023, 2024 and 2025. 

SDG Week 2025  included for example a series of workshops, talks and activities ranging from a Sustainability-themed Parkrun with over 200 runners,  a Community Climate Assembly, the raising of the third Green Flag and a guided walk along the University’s Biodiversity Trail.