The first 17 Rooms at Queen's event was held June 21, 2021 and assembled close to 300 students, faculty, staff and community members in virtual Zoom rooms where they discussed each of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and how Queen's can make progress on them to create a global impact. The inaugural event was led by the Office of the Vice-Provost (Global Engagement) and the Principal's Office and resulted in significant collaboration, ideation and excitement that helped create awareness of the SDGs.
A 17 Rooms exercise is a fast-paced, brainstorming approach to generating awareness on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It brings together people interested in making a difference into 17 small groups, each tasked with generating ideas and knowledge to make progress towards a particular SDG. 17 Rooms events have been used by universities and other institutions around the world to generate activity around SDGs. It is an initiative designed by The Brookings Institute and The Rockefeller Foundation. Ideas generated may lead to initiatives in the future.
Meet the 17 Rooms
1. No Poverty
2. Zero Hunger
End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture.
Moderators: Elaine Power and Susan Belyea
Read Room 2 report.
3. Good Health and Well-Being
Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages.
Moderator: Nazik Hammad
Read Room 3 report.
4. Quality Education
Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.
Moderator: Lindsay Morcom
Read Room 4 report.
5. Gender Equality
Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls.
Moderator: Kathleen Lahey
Read Room 5 report.
6. Clean Water and Sanitation
Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all.
Moderator: Elijah Bisung
Read Room 6 report.
7. Affordable and Clean Energy
Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all.
Moderator: Warren Mabee & Suraj Persaud
Read Room 7 report.
8. Decent Work and Economic Growth
Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all.
Moderator: Samuel Dahan
Read Room 8 report.
9. Industry Innovations and Infrastrucutre
Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation.
Moderator: Ali Etemad
Read Room 9 report.
10 Reduced Inequalities
11. Sustainable Cities and Communities
Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable.
Moderator: Ajay Agarwal
Read Room 11 report.
12. Responsible Consumption and Production
Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns.
Moderator: Jean-Baptiste Litrico and Laurence Yang
Read Room 12 report.
13. Climate Action
Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts.
Moderator: Diane Orihel
Read Room 13 report.
14. Life Below Water
Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development.
Moderator: Ryan Mulligan
Read Room 14 report.
15. Life on Land
Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss.
Moderator: Sharon Regan
Read Room 15 report.
16. Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels.
Moderator: Awet Weldemichael & Jonathan Rose
Read Room 16 report.
17. Partnerships for the Goals
Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development.
Moderator: Susan Bartels and Parvin Mousavi
Read Room 17 report.