Do you know the 2030 UN sustainable development goals (SDGs)? What does the 17 goals entail and how does it relate to one's work and lives?

In an effort to promote awareness of 2030 SDGs among the youth and create a platform for them to participate and play their part in the realization of these goals, Shenzhen Foundation for International Exchange and Cooperation (SFIEC) and Global Competency Center of Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School (GCC, SIGS) jointly launched the "Keeping up with Shenzhen NGOs in promoting SDGs " program.
The program consists of a series of visits to Shenzhen local NGOs. A joint team from both founding organizations will visit project sites, sit down with NGO leaders and staff to learn about their work towards realization of SDGs, and document the activity with articles and short videos, helping to raise awareness of sustainable development.
On Dec 21, the team visited Vanke Foundation (VKF) as the first stop.

Accompanied by VKF Project Officer Chen, the team started the tour by listening to an introduction of where the VKF office is based at- Vanke Center- a LEED platinum level building. Designed by architect Steven Holl, the building mainly uses reproducible materials such as bamboo, cotton, wool, etc., and it's constructed in a way to minimize energy waste. The team then was introduced to VKF's refuse composting project: an ecological way to treat green garbage and kitchen wastes locally. This pilot project has introduced black soldier fly, a human-friendly insect that feeds on kitchen waste and whose excrement can be good source of a natural fertilizer.

The visit ended with a lively discussion between the visiting team and VKF’s staff, with a great debate on the economic return of certain trial projects and the social, environmental and educational values.