We ourselves feel that what we are doing is just a drop in the ocean. But the ocean would be less because of that missing drop.

- Mother Teresa

Inspiration for your future

As early as secondary school, you make several important choices for your future. You have to choose the right level of education, make a profile choice with a corresponding subject package, and finally choose a follow-up study, all for your future. But how can you know what you want to be when you grow up? Where to start and how to choose?

Doing something that suits you, usually makes you happy. But your happiness and your future also depend on a healthy society and a livable planet. And you can make (your) work for that!

Get inspired by the challenges and opportunities of the Donut Economy and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)! 

Donut Economy and SDGs

Kate Raworth, a British economist, coined the Donut Economy. This model has received a lot of attention worldwide. If you draw this model, you will see a large circle (the limit of what our planet can handle) with a small circle inside (the social lower limit). Her model looks like a donut, hence the name "Donut Economy."

Kate would like to replace our current economic model, which is mainly about economic growth and more, more, more, with the donut model, because our current model causes great ecological damage, such as climate change, pollution, and an enormous gap between rich and poor.

Kate's Donut Economy has an inner and an outer boundary, with the safe and just space for the economy in between, good for people and the environment. The inner boundary of the donut (the hole) is defined by various things that indicate the minimum of a good, humane existence, such as having food, peace, work, housing, electricity and education. The outer boundary of the donut is defined by ecological issues, such as air pollution, climate change, ocean acidification, soil depletion and loss of biodiversity (life in the water and on the land). In her model, the economy is secondary to the planet.

Together, the Donut Economy and the SDGs are an ideal combination: the SDGs with practical, internationally supported goals and the Donut Economy as the new economic model that supports achieving the sustainable goals.

Seven steps to a 21st century economy

In her book "Donut Economy," Kate Raworth pleads for a situation in which the economy balances between an ecological upper boundary and a social lower boundary. Through eight short videos, she explains what this is all about:

Major challenges

We are facing several major challenges worldwide, such as climate change, a growing gap between rich and poor, deforestation, pollution, pandemics such as COVID-19, lack of water and food, and overpopulation. At the same time, we are seeing a rapid increase in the number of possible solutions, due to high-tech developments and growing awareness, also among young people. This is giving rise to all kinds of initiatives and actions that contribute to solutions for these challenges.

UN Sustainable Development Goals 2030

The United Nations set several years ago 17 sustainable development goals to work on together worldwide. By 2030, these goals must be realized. These goals are inspiring for everyone, because we all benefit from meeting them. They contribute to our happiness.

These goals are also being worked on in The Netherlands. Take a look at the website of the SDG Netherlands Network. The beauty of it is that everyone can contribute in his or her way, small or large. Look for your  opportunities to make a meaningful contribution to society.

68 Inspiration videos linked to the 17 SDGs

Get inspired about future possibilities and discover the opportunities the Donut Economy and the United Nations' 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) can offer you. There are 68 Inspiration videos on this page. For each SDG, there are 4 videos showing how all kinds of people and organizations are working on these goals. When you finish watching, answer the questions below the videos for yourself. What have you become curious about? What would you like to participate in? What will be your future?

Note!

Do not watch the Inspiration videos with large groups at once directly on the website, as it will crash the server. Scan the QR code for a PDF with the links to the 68 videos.

From time to time, movies are replaced as they expire or become obsolete. Look for the refresh date. Through the OR code, you will always have the latest version.

Movie release date: Oct. 10, 2023   

There are many English-language movies with it. If you would like a Dutch explanation of all the movies, you can find them here for free.

SDG 1. No more poverty

What does modern development aid in India look like?

Video: 1.58 min

SDG 2. No more hunger

SDG 3. Good health and well-being for all

SDG 4. Ensure quality education

SDG 5. Gender Equality

SDG 6. Access to clean water and sanitation

SDG 7.Promote affordable and sustainable energy

SDG 8. Creating decent work and economic growth

SDG 9. Stimulating industry, innovation and infrastructure

SDG 10. Reduce inequality

SDG 11. Creating sustainable cities and communities

Are young people going to live on the water?

Video: 3.45 min

SDG 12. Influencing responsible consumption and production

SDG 13. Combating climate change

SDG 14. Protecting life under water

SDG 15. Promoting life on land

SDG 16. Ensuring peace and justice and strong public services

SDG 17. Building partnerships to achieve the goals 

Questions at the Inspiration videos

  1. Which videos did you watch and why?
  2. Which videos have touched you and why?
  3. Which video did you find most interesting and why?
  4. What development or innovation did you see in that video?
  5. What did this video make you curious about?

Formulate your Future Question:

6. I would like to know .......

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