In this activity, students research a specific Sustainable Development Goal (SDG), analyze international trends, and formulate recommendations for the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs. By combining data literacy, systems thinking, and policy skills, students learn to act realistically and with impact on global sustainability issues. The activity ends with a symbolic ‘policy ceremony’ in which students present their advice to NGOs and policymakers.
- Activity goal
- Activate prior knowledge | Exchange knowledge | Practice skills | Reflect
- When
- In class
- Where
- Offline | Online
- Duration
- < 10 minutes| < 60 minutes| > 60 minutes
- Group size
- Small | Medium
Step-by-Step
Step 1
Introduction of the assignment: Explain that students will examine and analyze data in order to ultimately create a policy recommendation for an SDG. Introduce the different steps and mention that you will conclude with a policy ceremony.
Step 2
Choose your SDG: Students choose (individually or in groups) an SDG that matches their interest, such as poverty, inequality, sustainable energy, or climate action.
Step 3
Analyze the data: Using platforms such as the SDG Tracker, students collect relevant data. They interpret the trends: Is progress being made or not? And where exactly?
Step 4
Identify causes: Students investigate explanations for the developments they observe. Which policy choices, events, economic, or cultural factors contribute to these? Consider cause-and-effect chains, system interactions, or political contexts.
Step 5
Formulate policy advice: Students write a clear and realistic policy recommendation addressed to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This includes concrete, well-supported recommendations.
Step 6
Present at the ‘policy ceremony’: The lesson or module ends with a ‘policy ceremony’ — a session where students present their advice to a panel (e.g., fellow students, guest speakers, NGOs, or subject lecturers). Panel members give feedback, ask questions, or vote for the most convincing advice.
Variation 1
Work in roles: Assign students roles within a working group (data analyst, policymaker, spokesperson, researcher) to structure collaboration.
Variation 2
Policy brief or video: Have students present their advice as a written policy brief or as a short video pitch to the minister.
Start your lesson with an icebreaker such as a thought-provoking graph or data visualization on an SDG. Ask students what stands out, what’s missing, or what they would like to investigate further.
