Threads of Life and the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals

In 2015, the United Nations General Assembly established a set of 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that were adopted by all 193 United Nations Member States, including Canada. These goals set a timeline to end poverty, improve health and education, reduce inequality, spur economic growth and address climate change by 2030. These goals build on decades of work by the United Nations and their Member States.

Within the 17 goals are 169 targets – specific action items that, when implemented, will help achieve the SDGs.

Organizations within both the private and public sector are realizing that they have a role to play to help meet the SDGs and a significant number of them are adopting the goals into their own Corporate Social Responsibility and sustainability plans and mission-based activities. According to a 2018 PWC survey of more than 700 companies around the world, 72% of those surveyed mention the SDG’s in their annual corporate or sustainability report.

At Threads of Life we recognize that our mission and vision also align with some of the Sustainable Development Goals and targets.

Specifically Under SDG 8 – Decent Work & Economic Growth, is Target 8-8: Protect labour rights and promote safe and secure working environments for all workers, including migrant workers, in particular women migrants and those in precarious employment.

This fits closely with our mission to help families heal through a community of support and to promote the elimination of life-altering workplace injuries, illnesses and deaths. And our vision to lead and inspire a culture shift as a result of which work-related injuries, illnesses and deaths are morally, socially and economically unacceptable.

Additionally, under SDG 3 – Good Health & Wellbeing is target 3.6: By 2020, halve the number of global deaths and injuries from road traffic accidents. Knowing that the road is a workplace for those in the transportation industry, we recognize the role we can play in supporting this target.

Also under SDG 3 is target 3.9: By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water and soil pollution and contamination. Exposure to chemicals and pollution in the workplace is a cause of work-related illness and death. Our efforts to raise awareness of the need for prevention of all types of workplace tragedy support this target.

As an organization, our efforts on a daily basis to promote workplace safety through our Speakers Bureau presentations, our print and electronic communications and our events are making a significant difference in workplaces and in homes and communities across Canada, while at the same time contributing to a global push to improve working environments around the world.

For a complete list of the goals and targets, and more information please see: www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/