Ericsson (NASDAQ: ERIC) today announced a partnership with Indian Institute for Human Settlements (IIHS) to launch a unique initiative to drive awareness regarding United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The project, which will involve school and college students, will run across India and is designed to create awareness through online learning modules, workshops, field events, and other engagements to contribute towards the implementation of the SDGs, by 2030.  The program will soon be rolled out nationwide.

According to Amitabh Ray MD of Ericsson Global Services, “It is extremely important for us to educate the children today on the importance of SDGs so that they continue to engage within their schools, homes, and local communities and drive the SDG agenda going forward.”

The workshops will be conducted by subject experts from IIHS and will introduce research and practice-based solutions to challenges in sustainability, climate change, health and nutrition, poverty, and innovation. Mr Ray also added, “Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) can go a long way to help achieve the SDGs and address many global challenges. By applying our technology and expertise, we are striving to make a positive impact and support the SDGs in communities across the globe”.

Aromar Revi, Director, IIHS added, “We have about 4,000 days to implement the SDGs across the world, so that no one is left behind. India, and especially its cities and towns, will be pivotal in this implementation, as China was to the MDGs in the 2000s. Through this partnership with Ericsson, we hope to light the spark, that will enable hundreds of millions of young Indians to participate ending poverty and enabling social and economic transformations that are struggling to take coherent shape in India”.