The Story of an SDG INTERN By Divyansh Nandan
Vice-President of the Economics Society at the University of Sussex, Brighton, UK A Young Awareness Officer at the Marian Foundation, Gorakhpur, India
From the hooting of the mills in the county of Sussex to the rickshaw-bustling city of Gorakhpur, from a mode of vocation to being a young intern, I found myself thrust into a world of the vibrant colour culture of sustainability.
As an ambitious student with some knowledge about sustainable development goals, I eagerly accepted an internship opportunity at The House of MOSAIC and Marian Foundation to work on a project aimed at making the world of sports a more sustainable place, among other SDG-focused projects. I began my journey on August 6, 2024.
On my first day at the office, which shared its premises with St. Paul’s School, I was immediately struck by how deeply integrated the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were in every corner of the school. From the carefully designed signage to the pillars, each highlighting a distinct SDG, the presence of these goals was unmistakable. Specific locations, like the washrooms, prominently displayed SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation, serving as constant reminders of their importance. After I took in my surroundings, I was warmly welcomed by the founder, an SDG expert, and his dedicated team, who provided an overview of the projects I would be involved in.
Eager to make a difference, I quickly immersed myself in the project, uncovering the environmental challenges posed by the very sports we all cherish. Despite my knowledge of the SDGs, it was a shock to me that the regular evening game of badminton I enjoyed, or the annual Wimbledon tournament I watched with my father had such a negative impact on the environment. Given that sports are a supplement for achieving SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being, it was startling to realise how contradictory their effects could be for the environment’s well-being. At that moment, I resolved to see this project through to completion, drivenby the need for a clear conscience and to bring about meaningful change.
In my early days at work, I met with the student publication team in St. Pauls, where I met Ishan, a 12th-grade science student who was the editor-in-chief of the school’s student magazine ‘St. Paul’s BEATS’, which included news ranging from within the school itself to international snippets. Assisting in their magazine made me enamoured with a couple of things. Firstly, the deep integration of the SDGs in the magazine intertwined with the design of the magazine and the content. The constant reminder of the SDGs from the school to every minor thing hinged the thought of them in my brain and was being etched in every piece of work I did. Second, their ambitious vision is to expand the magazine’s reach beyond the school, aiming to distribute it across Gorakhpur’s schools and outlets. I admired their determination and commitment to broadening their impact.
A few days after working at this foundation, my first significant event came up, the first-ever Marian Senior Healthcare Awards ‘24, an award ceremony designed to honour healthcare practitioners in the city of Gorakhpur who are above the age of 75 for their outstanding work in the medical field. This was the moment I realised how hectic working in an event can be, from coordinating designs and guests to overseeing the event itself. While the work itself was enormous, the essence of the organisation was always present in every aspect. The addition of SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being and SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals in every design
aspect really embedded into everyone what the essence of the event was truly about. Having conversed with a few doctors, they were ecstatic that they had been given recognition in the city of Gorakhpur, which had never been done before. It drew my attention to the type of work this organisation did. In my experience with the SDGs, a lot of emphasis was put on the fact of the need for urgency for the implementation of the SDGs by 2030, but I had not seen much emphasis on the fantastic individuals/teams who had done such excellent work for the betterment of our world, especially on a local level. As my internship drew to a close, I reflected on my profound journey. The experiences I gained, from engaging with the intricacies of sustainability in sports to witnessing the recognition of local healthcare heroes, have left an indelible mark on my perspective. While I worked on all the SDGs, my focused involvement in SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being and SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals made me a true expert in those areas, improving my understanding of their role in creating a sustainable future. The constant immersion in the Sustainable Development Goals, both in theory and practice, has deepened my knowledge and strengthened my resolve to contribute meaningfully to their advancement. This internship was more than just an academic or professional milestone; it was a reminder of the power of collective action and the importance of recognising the unsung efforts that drive positive change.
A key takeaway from this internship was the importance of clear communication with colleagues to ensure success. At the start of my internship, a lot of information was relayed to me, making me forget a few details. This eventually led me to bug about every minor detail, which may have been an annoyance for everyone else, but it ultimately helped me gain a clear understanding of their expectations. Additionally, when working towards a goal, creating an environment that prioritises that objective and surrounding yourself with like-minded individuals who share the same vision significantly enhances the likelihood of achieving it. Whenever I created a piece of work, I occasionally glanced ahead and saw a large SDG wheel, reminding me to ensure that my work aligned with the goals. It also served as a powerful reminder of the greater purpose behind what I was doing.