Photo: LWF/S. Gallay
Download guidelines and pedagogical tools for online and face-to-face training
(LWI) – The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) has published a manual for trainers to help churches increase their participation in implementing the United Nations (UN) Agenda 2030 for sustainable development.
The Faith-Based Actors and the Sustainable Development Goals Training Manual for Facilitators presents technical topics on SDGs in teachable modules and need-based activities for church target groups. It is part of LWF’s Waking the Giant initiative, established in 2018, to affirm the churches’ contribution to the universal call to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure that all people enjoy peace and prosperity by the year 2030.
Ms Marina Dölker, LWF Program Executive for Diakonia and Development describes the manual as “a great training resource for churches and other faith communities,” that can also be adapted to different contexts. “It is only possible to achieve the 17 SDGs by involving faith-based actors; and this resource aims to do exactly that,” she adds.
Guidelines for online or face to face training
Meant to encourage facilitators to organize trainings on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for members and staff in their home churches, the manual offers practical guidelines for both online and face-to-face meetings. It includes self-assessment tools that show the link between the SDGs and the mission of the church.
The manual is offered alongside four PowerPoint presentations and a pedagogical ‘SDG Cross Cube’ to help trainees reflect on their progress including their valuable experiences, skills and knowledge as active participants.
Through Waking the Giant, LWF supports its churches and other faith actors to assess and increase their contribution to the achievement of the 17 SDGs, in particular the following eight goals: no poverty (SDG 1), zero hunger (SDG 2), good health and well being (SDG 3), quality education (SDG 4), gender equality (SDG 5), reduced inequalities (SDG 10), climate action (SDG 13), and peace, justice and strong institutions (SDG 16).
Focus on these goals is based on recognition that ending poverty must go hand-in-hand with strategies that improve health and education, reduce inequality, and spur economic growth, while tackling climate change and working to preserve God-given resources.
The manual and additional tools can be downloaded here and on the Waking the Giant website in English, French and Spanish.
By LWF/P. Mumia
‘Waking the Giant’ is an ecumenical initiative to build the capacity of churches to contribute effectively to the 2030 UN Agenda for Sustainable Development. Through the platform, the LWF offers churches and their related actors tools and training to make visible their local contributions to the SDGs. There are opportunities to become part of a network that engages in mutual learning and joint planning for direct action and advocacy.
