Advancing Social Impact with Digital Technologies

Explore real-life case studies to discover how harnessing digital technology can achieve SDGs and drive positive social impact with this online course from RMIT University.

Duration

6 weeks

Weekly study

3 hours

100% online

How it works

Unlimited subscription

Learn more

Accreditation

More info

Established

1887

Location

Melbourne, Australia

World ranking

Source: QS World University Rankings 2022

Be guided through the Sustainable Development Goals with RMIT University

The UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) offer a blueprint to help simultaneously tackle humanitarian and environmental crises.

On this six-week course from RMIT University, you’ll take a guided tour with world experts through the UN SDGs. During this exploration, you’ll discover how digital technology can help achieve different SDGs and drive social impact.

Using carefully curated case studies, you’ll discover the real-world applications of digital technology. You’ll then develop an action plan for your organisation to adapt this approach and work toward relevant SDGs.

Learn how to promote equal opportunity and quality education

You’ll start by delving into the SDGs that promote equal opportunity.

Exploring quality education, reduced inequality, and gender equality, you’ll discover the digital technology solutions that can help achieve these goals.

Understand how digital technology can build sustainable cities

Next, you’ll explore the link between digital technologies and sustainable institutions, delving further into SDGs such as sustainable cities and communities.

Expanding from cities to the planet, you’ll learn how digital technology can positively benefit the environment – from on land to below water.

Explore case studies on clean water and sanitation and good health and wellbeing

Each week, you’ll unpack real-world case studies to help you see digital technology in practice.

During the final weeks, you’ll understand how this technology can help with SDGs for clean water and sanitation, zero hunger, and partnerships for achieving the goals.

You’ll finish the course by identifying the SDGs you want to help achieve and draw up an action plan to help harness digital technology for positive social impacts.

  • Week 1

    Introduction

    • Welcome to the course

      Course overview and objectives plus Intro video

    • The UN Sustainable Development Goals

      Introduces what a Sustainable Development Goal is (SDG) and how it is designed and used.

    • Digital technology as a humanitarian tool

      These steps will show how digital technologies can be used to help attain SDGs.

    • The use of case studies

      Introduce the use of case studies in the course and how they will be used throughout the course to help hone and apply learning. It will also have tips applying the case studies to your organisation or community.

    • SDG 1: Ending poverty in all its forms everywhere

      Introduces SDG1: the current situation, the importance of eradicating poverty, and the projected goals.

  • Week 2

    Digital technology and equal opportunity

    • Introduction to week 2

      will focus on SDGs that promote equal opportunity: SDG 4: Quality Education, 5: Gender Equality, SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth and SDG 10: Reduced Inequality.

    • SDG4: Inclusive and equitable quality education and lifelong learning opportunities for all

      Introduces SDG4: the current situation, the importance of achieving inclusive and quality education for all, and the projected goals.

    • SDG 5: Gender equality - Ending all discrimination against women and girls

      Introduces SDG5: the current situation, the importance of ending all discrimination against women and girls, and the projected goals.

    • SDG 8: Decent work and economic growth

      Introduces SDG8: the current situation, the importance of promoting sustained economic growth, higher levels of productivity and technological innovation, decent work and the projected goals.

    • SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

      Introduces SDG10: the current situation, the importance of reducing inequalities within and among countries, and the projected goals.

  • Week 3

    Using digital technology to build sustainable institutions

    • Introduction to week 3

      This week will focus on the following SDGs: 7. Affordable and clean energy, 9. Industry, innovation and infrastructure, 11. Sustainable cities and communities and 16. Peace, justice and strong institutions.

    • SDG 7: Affordable and clean energy

      The importance of expanding infrastructure and upgrading technology to provide clean and more efficient energy in all countries, and the projected goals.

    • SDG 9: Industry, innovation and infrastructure

      Introduces SDG9: the current situation, the importance of improving infrastructures and technology and developing clean energy, and the projected goals.

    • SD11: Sustainable cities and communities

      Introduces SDG11: the current situation, the importance of making cities and communities sustainable, and the projected goals.

    • SDG16: Peace, justice and strong institutions

      Introduces SDG16: the current situation, the importance of significantly reducing all forms of violence, and work with governments and communities to end conflict and insecurity, and the projected goals.

  • Week 4

    Digital technology and the environment

    • Introduction to week 4

      The learner will continue to examine digital technology case studies. This week will focus on the following SDGs:12. Responsible consumption and production, and 13. Climate action, 14. Life below water and 15. Life on land.

    • SDG12: Responsible consumption and production

      Introduces SDG12: the current situation, the importance of changing the way we produce and consume goods and resources, how that can be achieved, and the projected goals.

    • SDG13: Climate action

      introduces SDG13: the current situation, the importance of combating climate change, and the projected goals.

    • SDG14: Life below water

      The importance of sustainably managing and protecting marine and coastal ecosystems from pollution, as well as addressing the impacts of ocean acidification, and the projected goals.

    • SDG 15: Life on land

      Introduces SDG15: the current situation, the importance of promoting sustainable use of the land, and the projected goals.

  • Week 5

    Using digital technology to preserve human life

    • Introduction to week 5

      In Week 5 the learner will continue to examine digital technology case studies. This week will focus on the following SDGs: 2. Zero Hunger, 6. Clean Water and Sanitation., and 3. Good Health and Well-being,

    • SDG 2: Zero hunger

      Introduces SDG2: the current situation, the importance of ending all forms of hunger and malnutrition, and the projected goals.

    • SDG3: Good health and wellbeing

      Introduces SDG3: the current situation, the importance of achieving good health and wellbeing, and the projected goals.

    • SDG6: Clean water and sanitation

      Introduces SDG9: the current situation, the importance of ensuring universal safe and affordable drinking water, and providing safely managed sanitation services for all, and the projected goals.

  • Week 6

    Using digital technologies to establish partnerships and affect humanitarian change

    • Introduction to week 6

      Weekly Intro video

    • SDG17: Partnerships for the goals

      Introduces SDG17: the importance of strong global partnerships for increased financial resources and aid.

    • Course summary

      Summary of the SDGs covered throughout the course, grouped by themes and looking at what can be achieved if businesses take action to address them.

    • Creating your action plan

      Instructions for creating a personalised action plan for identifying and using digital technologies to address SDGs in your organisation or community.

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