Sustainable Development Goals at the crossroads: where health, education and community partnerships intersect

By Murdoch Children's Research Institute

Progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) has been lagging and was exacerbated by the recent pandemic. The University of Melbourne recently joined the Reach Alliance network which aims to pursue the full achievement of the SDGs by equipping and empowering the next generation of global leaders. We will hear about two student-led case studies on community-led mental health and education initiatives in India and Guatemala. These will be presented by the two research teams from the University of Melbourne. Carolina Bermudez-Currea, Colombia Program Manager of the non-governmental organisation Kindred with extensive experience in community-based research with Indigenous communities in both Australia and Latin America, will also discuss the importance of partnering with communities when conducting research.

Two student-led teams from the University of Melbourne will present their recently-completed case studies on community-led mental health and education initiatives in India and Guatemala. Carolina Bermúdez Currea, who has extensive experience in community-based research with Indigenous communities in both Australia and Latin America, will then discuss the importance of partnering with communities when conducting research.

Empowering education leaders in rural Guatemalan communities

Daniela Guraieb Elizalde, Arshia Jain, Anggi Putri, Darren Ong, Devyani Vadke, The University of Melbourne

Atmiyata: Addressing mental health distress in rural India

Jayden Battey, Ashley Garcia, Anila Mahita, Tamanna Moudgil, Lavinia Tjangdjaja, The University of Melbourne

Community partnerships in research

Carolina Bermúdez Currea Colombia Program Manager, Kindred