Australian Sustainable Cities and Personal Growth Discovery Tour

This winter break, we are traveling to Sydney, Australia, home of the United Nations Social and Economic Office's SDGs Global Collaborative Platform project: Sustainable Sydney 2030, to explore the characteristics of sustainable cities and communities.

As Australia’s largest city and a center of culture, education, and economy, Sydney serves as an international gateway to the world, satisfying our longing for the sea, our curiosity about species unique to the southern hemisphere, and our desire for a cosmopolitan, diverse, friendly, multilingual environment that offers a rare sense of relaxation.

From various perspectives such as architectural design, urban planning, history, natural ecology, and socioeconomic factors, we will delve into the multiple interpretations and underlying principles of SDG 11’s sustainable cities and communities. Through daily in-depth experiences—including clothing, food, housing, travel, learning, research, and tours—we will find points of integration for our personal growth and career planning while acquiring the green knowledge and skills necessary to become pioneers in promoting sustainable communities.

Green

The Green component aims to make Sydney an internationally recognized environmental leader, targeting a reduction of the city's greenhouse gas emissions by at least 70 percent by 2030 to combat climate change. By 2030, every city resident will have access to a park or green space within a ten-minute walk.

We will follow the 135 principles of sustainable travel, using standardized operating coaches provided by specialist travel agencies for long-distance journeys. We will visit local communities by ferry to islands and waterfronts, and experience surface light rail that replaces cars, reducing emissions while enhancing public transportation capacity.

We'll travel to the Blue Mountains National Park, a World Heritage Site, to explore the ancient Aboriginal world of rock art and stunning scenery. We'll also take a boat trip to Parrot Island, which has transitioned from an Aboriginal settlement to a convict exile location, and then to a shipyard and student accommodation—epitomizing Australia's diverse history.

We will visit flora and fauna research and conservation organizations both on the outskirts and within the city to study and observe how urban residents live in harmony with nature.

Global

The Global section emphasizes Sydney's role as Australia’s key global city, attracting investment, enhancing cultural infrastructure, and supporting quality jobs. During the second five days of our trip, we will stay in the stunning Bay Rocks area, where we will interact with young people from around the world.

We will gain insight into the attractions of this migrant nation and the challenges it faces as a sustainable city by exploring historical elements—from the remnants of European colonizers in The Rocks to Chinese missionaries at St. Andrew’s Cathedral, which serves as a major destination for modern global migrants.

Connected

The Connected component focuses not only on developing a convenient urban network (which we will experience on our daily trips) but also on cultural inclusion. We aim to enhance cohesion within diverse communities, support indigenous cultures, and promote public-private partnerships and international exchanges.

Throughout each day's excursions, students will engage in tasks that encourage interaction with various people to understand the importance of culture and inclusion, as well as how a city fosters a safe and inclusive social environment.

Additionally, a special trip to the capital city of Canberra has been included to provide participants with a visual representation of Australia’s history and development. We will explore the evolution of the modern state in both the old and new Parliament buildings on the shores of Lake Burley Griffin. The National Gallery will showcase unique modern and Aboriginal art, while the National Museum will provide an overview of modern Western history, highlighting two centuries of social change and the profound intersection of history and modernity.

At Questacon, Australia's National Science and Technology Centre, we'll also engage with technology through hands-on experiences.

In total, we will visit twelve organizations, two biodiversity hotspots, and two World Heritage sites; enjoy two famous beaches; participate in four modules of Social Emotional Learning (SEL); complete three online classes in SDGs General Education Training; and attend lectures and sharing sessions with Australian experts on two topics. All of these activities will help you discover your strengths and identify your goals and plans! In addition, we will partake in the exciting festivities of the annual Australia Day Spectacular!

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Project Details:【联合国SDGs实践】澳洲可持续城市与个人成长探索之旅