Question to the Department for International Development:

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, pursuant to the Government's report on Investing in a better world: results of UK survey on financing the SDGs, what steps he is taking to increase public awareness of the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

The UK is committed to delivering and promoting the Sustainable Development Goals at home and abroad. The UK’s Voluntary National Review of progress towards the Goals, published in July, was an important step to showcase the UK’s work and raise public awareness.

The Government undertook awareness raising activities including a nationwide youth art competition and press and social media support for the #MyGlobalGoal campaign which encouraged the public to think about their New Year’s resolutions in relation to the Goals.

We include the Goals in our key public engagement work. Every charity donation we double through the UK Aid Match scheme goes towards the delivery of a Goal. And our Connecting Classrooms programme, run with the British Council, includes free resources for schools, allowing children across the UK to learn about the Goals.

During the recent UN General Assembly, the Government highlighted its commitment to girls’ education, raising awareness of Goal 4 on Quality Education. DFID also used this important global moment to publicise the Government’s support for the Goals on social media.

The Government will continue to seek further opportunities to raise public awareness of the Goals.