GIFT: creative mini-marathon in Rome.
“I know that you have talked a lot about the 17 Sustainable Development Goals at school. What I am curious to know, however, is not so much what you already know, but rather what still leaves you speechless. So, I ask you: is there something that you have discovered today for the first time? Something that you did not know, about yourself or about the topics discussed?” asked Mohamed Fadiga, Fondazione Mondo Digitale coach to the students.
We are at the Rome offices of Save the Children Italia for the first of a series of creative marathons promoted as part of Project GIFT. There are about 80 students and the enthusiasm is palpable [see news: Creative Mini-marathons in Rome].
A hand quickly goes up, it's a girl. “I discovered how much I care about the sea. I thought I always knew, but this discussion has allowed me to truly understand how important it is to me and how much I value marine ecosystems.”
Then, the voice of a boy: “I discovered the power of evocative words and images.” And then, another girl: “I realized how lucky we are to have a public health system in Italy. Sometimes we take it for granted.” The Q&A session is the preamble to the announcement of the winners, who will be called on stage to receive the award created at the Fondazione Mondo Digitale fab lab.
Eight teams participated in a challenge to create a communications and promotion campaign to raise awareness on the Sustainable Development Goals of the 2030 Agenda. How? By creating a simple, effective and memorable slogan.
The discussions at the work tables were lively and, even if it is not easy to transform thoughts into words, with the help of trainers and tutors, the students managed to complete the task on time and pleasantly amaze the jury that was "surprised by the ability of the students to create effective messages, especially to create connections between the different objectives, demonstrating that they know how to think transversally, too.”
What emerges from their presentations is that the new generations care about sustainability issues, especially environmental ones, but they are often unaware of attitudes that are potentially harmful to health, such as smoking or alcohol consumption.
The most widespread feeling is without a doubt the desire for change. The “Iris” Team (named after a flower that represents unity and peace between peoples) hoped a flower will blossom from the rubble of war. The “Gli Studenti” Team called for barrierless, quality education for everyone. “The Changers” dreamt of a world in which everyone will protect the ecosystem and enjoy greater well-being. A holistic vision that won the jury over.
THE "OBJECTIVE PHRASES" COINED BY THE EIGHT TEAMS
The Changers (WINNER)
SDG: Life Underwater
Slogan: Clean Seas, Clean Minds
Gli Studenti
SDG: Quality Education
Slogan: Break down the wall and build the future
Quelli Sostenibili
SDG: N. 3, Health and Wellbeing
Slogan: Prevent today, enjoy tomorrow
Coccinelle Rampanti
SDG: Fight Climate Change
Slogan: Centre the Hole
Agua Life
SDG: Life underwater
Slogan: Plastic plates, plastic in your plates
Iris
SDG: N. 16, Peace, Justice, and Solid Institutions
Slogan: May a flower blossom from the ashes
Uniti per l'uguaglianza
SDG: Gender equality
Slogan: Equal opportunities, equal dignity
Futuro in Salute
SDG: N. 3, Health and Wellbeing
Slogan: Every life counts
The report was prepared by Alberta Testa, social media manager.
