UN Sustainable Development Goal 16: Peace, Justice & Strong Institutions 

Your Challenge:

Your challenge is to understand why Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions are important for sustainable development.

Follow this Process:

1. Watch this video Building effective accountable and inclusive institutions to achieve sustainable development

2. Research and find out more information on this development goal at these sites:

   1. UN Global Goal 16: Promote just, peaceful and inclusive societies

   2. UN: Peace, justice and strong institutions - why they matter

3. Discuss as a class whether your country meets the definitions of Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions according to the UN.

4. Take this deeper by forming 3 groups to measure whether your country meets these standards on a scale of 1-5:

   1. Freedom to express views in public and private.

   2. People are able to contribute to decisions that affect their lives.

   3. Laws are applied without discrimination.

   4. Disputes can be resolved without violence.

5. Summarise and report back to the class on your main findings.

6. Take action by writing to your local Member of Parliament (or equivalent) should you identify any common areas of concern regarding this goal and suggest that appropriate changes to laws or rules are made.

7. Capture and share your views by creating a video outlining your interpretation of the results on this website

Educator Notes

You may need to lead discussion in this area more than other webquests to assist with the concepts being explained. We have mentioned below a Member of Parliament (MP) or equivalent which could be City Councillor, Community Board member, Regional Councillor etc - whatever you feel may be appropriate.

To make this more accessible:
Pick one of the areas for discussion which is being covered in the news media or likely to have been discussed at home. Try to ensure that all angles of the debate are covered – pro and con

To make this more challenging:
Focus on the justice system in your country and discuss whether it includes any biases that affect free access to the law for all people? (discrimination against women, poor, non land-owners). What can be done to improve this? You may be able to find a lawyer to talk to the class on this issue.

Useful links

Building effective accountable and inclusive institutions to achieve sustainable development

UN Global Goal 16: Promote just, peaceful and inclusive societies
UN: Peace, justice and strong institutions - why they matter