On October 16-18, UWC Adriatic second-year students Arissa (Canada) and Madina (Afghanistan) participated in the Inner Development Goals (IDG) Summit in Stockholm, Sweden. This event gathered global leaders and educators to explore the role of personal development in achieving the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The IDGs, a non-profit and open-source initiative, focus on fostering inner qualities such as empathy, resilience, and critical thinking, which are essential for addressing complex global challenges.
Over months of preparation, Arissa and Madina contributed as members of the planning team for Track 4 on Education. During the summit, they facilitated a workshop attended by over 100 participants and led a panel discussion with Dr. Tho Ha Vinh, a renowned educator and advocate for Gross National Happiness.
He also created the Happy Schools in Vietnam Curriculum, an innovative educational program introducing Mindfulness, Social and Emotional Learning and Care for the Planet in the Vietnamese education system – a UNESCO initiative that aims to promote the well-being of students and create a more positive learning environment in schools.
Reflecting on her experience, Arissa noted: «The experience at the IDG summit and the leadup to it was an exceptional learning experience. We were so lucky to work alongside talented colleagues at the Learning Planet Institute, Salzburg Global Seminar, and Emory University.»
Her insights highlighted the importance of the IDGs in advancing the 2030 Agenda: «The IDGs represent a missing piece I believe is critical for the world to progress toward the SDGs. Inner growth is critical for outer growth.»
Madina emphasised the importance of integrating inner development into education systems, saying:
«Education isn’t solely about academics; it’s about fostering the holistic growth of students, nurturing their inner capabilities alongside their knowledge.»
Both students advocated for stronger youth representation in the IDG framework. Arissa reflected:
Arissa (UWCAD 2023-25)
Their participation underscores UWC Adriatic’s commitment to developing students who are equipped to lead systemic and sustainable change, demonstrating that inner development is an essential foundation for a better, more equitable world.
