By Charlize Jade Janda and Chester Cruz

The Ateneo Senior High School (ASHS) is not only imparting education limited inside the four walls of every classroom, but also motivating change-makers committed to peace, success, and a flourishing world.

A common roadmap for peace and prosperity for people and the planet, both now and in the future, is provided by the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which has been endorsed by all United Nations Member States in 2015. The 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) include a wide range of interconnected issues, such as gender equality, sustainable energy, economic growth, hunger, poverty, health, education, and strong institutions. 

Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) stands tall as a beacon of academic achievement in the Philippines, perfectly bringing together its Catholic background with a sincere commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). These goals include universal health and well-being, overcoming cultural divides, integrative ecology, and educational transformation.

As we explore the Ateneo terrain, we will uncover the intricate pieces embedded in the ASHS curriculum, providing a fertile environment where the principles of the SDGs take root.

Nurturing Urban Futures: A Closer Look at the SDGs for Cities 

The population of the planet is continually growing. It is projected by the United Nations (UN) to rise by almost 2 billion people over the course of the next 30 years, from the present 8 billion to 9.7 billion in 2050. With over half of the world’s population currently living in urban areas, 70% of people are predicted to live in cities by 2050, and this number is only expected to increase. However, there is still urban expansion, air pollution, and a dearth of open public places. All of these combined create a detrimental effect on the environment. 

Cities are the worldwide dwelling of the future. Thus, the UN highlights the need for contemporary and sustainable cities that can accommodate everyone. According to them, we need fresh and clever urban design that produces robust, safe, and reasonably priced communities with environmentally friendly and culturally-stimulating living environments if we are to all survive and thrive.

Despite being the smallest region in the Philippines, the National Capital Region (NCR) is the most densely populated region which is home to over 13 million Filipinos. Additionally, Pateros, Mandaluyong, and Caloocan rank in the top 10 most populous cities in the world, with Manila, the nation’s capital, coming in at first. Thus, this stresses the need for inclusive sustainable development among cities and communities, and each sector plays a crucial role in shaping the path towards this goal. One of these significant sectors are academic institutions due to their capacity to support these actions and instill it to a number of people such as its students and workers. Ateneo undoubtedly recognizes this importance, which consequently leads to its array of activities in pursuit of a progressing path to sustainability.

Ateneo de Manila University and the SDGs 

The ADMU campus is situated in the bustling Quezon City, which is among the cities in the country’s most densely populated region. This city is packed with multistorey buildings, numerous transportation systems, and urbanized spaces and areas. As a campus established in the midst of all of these, Ateneo strongly emphasizes the need for support in making these communities sustainable.

The eleventh SDG is known as the Sustainable Cities and Communities Goal. This SDG places a strong emphasis on making urbanized areas and human settlements inclusive, safe, and resilient.

Ateneo has employed numerous courses of action in the hopes of achieving the said SDG. The adoption of sustainable practices within the school has advanced significantly throughout time, highlighting a dedication to building resilient and ecologically-friendly urban settings. The provision of daily necessities, including the promotion of environmentally-friendly transportation, has also been emphasized. Various sectors have also been upheld in line with this goal through the support of remote work choices, offers for affordable employee and student housing options, and priority for pedestrian-friendly campuses. Encouraging cooperation with the local government in planning and development and upholding high construction standards are some of the main initiatives, specifically in coordinating with external forces. Together, these initiatives improve the university campus’ goals towards sustainability and inclusion, as well as benefit the local communities. 

A notable example of Ateneo’s initiative towards achieving sustainability is the E-jeep program. The E-Jeep program’s ridership statistics from March 2022 to September 2023 show that it has become widely accepted as a sustainable urban mobility choice. In the beginning, just 1,500 riders were served by two E-Jeeps in the program. However, ridership increased in tandem with the initiative’s growth, with over 24,000 people serviced by the program by September 2023.

In addition to promoting sustainable transit options, the program’s success has demonstrated dedication to sustainable development and effective public transit. The initiative is paving the way for a cleaner, greener future for urban mobility as it further develops and serves as a beacon for environmentally responsible transportation.

Ateneo’s initiatives for a sustainable future do not end there. In 2013, a center for sustainable development was established, known as the Ateneo Institute of Sustainability (AIS). Ten years later, under the banner of “Shaping a Sustainable Future Together,” the institution reaffirmed its dedication to both the environment and people. Under AIS, a variety of programs have been created, encompassing campus sustainability, climate and disaster resilience, campus wildlife, and sustainability policies and reports. All of these links the University with other external stakeholders, widening Ateneo’s horizons in paving the way for a more sustainable future.

However, beyond these efforts, the institution also receives some concerns from the student body when it comes to promoting sustainability within the community. For instance, a student from the ASHS stated that, “It’s cool what they’re doing, but to be sustainable, it comes with a lot of sacrifices. In Ateneo, mainly one is our comfort. For example, we all know that we don’t have air conditioning, and there are plants everywhere but it doesn’t really make up for the heat. I can see the effort, but the comfort factor is lacking,” regarding the integration of the SDGs in the campus. 

Another student provided their sentiment on the same matter, “The attempts of the Ateneo to meet these goals are quite apparent, but there are also pitfalls. The implementation of E-Jeeps and promoting cycling are effective, but they are also a bit inefficient because of the campus’ location, which is urbanized so there’s a lot of traffic and the dangers of cycling.” 

The comments voiced by these students shed insight into the challenges of implementing the SDGs on the campus. While the university’s efforts toward sustainability are widely recognized, the sentiments of these students highlight the importance of taking various factors into account, including logistics and comfort. This emphasizes the need to ensure that projects are not only physically appealing but also successfully address underlying environmental issues while prioritizing the well-being of the Atenean community. 

SDGs as Part of the ASHS Curriculum 

Given the four goals that the University has committed to, the different subject areas of the ASHS also have various ways of integrating the SDGs inside the classrooms. This includes encouraging the students to connect their research topics with educational transformation, integral ecology, bridging cultural divides, and universal health and well-being. Specifically, subjects like Practical Research emphasize this integration by providing videos and presentations made by the Ateneo itself. Other subjects also incorporate the SDGs into the criteria or rubrics of the projects assigned to students.  

John Wyne Caliguiran, a Grade 11 STEM student from the ASHS, mentioned that his understanding of the SDGs expanded through the integration of these goals into different school activities. Notably, working on his Earth Science Portfolio, joining the Buwan ng Wika contest Buhay na Museo, and engaging with the SDGs in Christian Living Education (CLE) major assessments have all played a role in deepening his knowledge about these global targets. 

However, aside from the required assessments and the lectures, the ASHS also consistently improves its commitment through increasing initiatives to improve the overall implementation of the SDGs on the students’ educational experience. Within the vibrant framework of school-wide festivities, ASHS reimagines celebration with a mission. After it ended on October 24, 2023, Buwan ng Wika (with the theme “Salupongan”) evolved into something that was more than a celebration of language and culture. Activities such as Harana, Origs, Tudlaan (Tanghalan-tula), and Buhay na Museo showcased the creativity and talent of the students while intertwining with the threads of the SDGs through its rubrics that required the integration of the goals.

Navigating the Roadblocks: Challenges and Plans

While there are several policies incorporated by the University, it is not an easy feat to make these strategies flawless. 

The integration of SDGs in the curriculum should continue to be tackled in the lens of pragmatism. This entails using an approach that evaluates the validity of theories or beliefs based on how well they can be applied in real-world situations. It is still discernible that the Ateneo still has room for improvement in terms of sustainability. 

Blue Mobility, Loyola Schools’ youngest organization, serves as an example of such pragmatism in action. They aim to promote sustainable and inclusive mobility both within and outside of the school, with the goal of gradually diminishing car-centric regulations in favor of more cost-effective and environmentally friendly transportation options. As student-led initiatives continue to emerge, the school may need to assess strategies to enhance these programs and encourage student participation. Through these efforts, sustainability becomes ingrained not only as an action but also as a value that students can pass on to their peers both within and outside the community.

Nevertheless, despite the various initiatives already underway, there is still room for further fostering and acknowledging community engagement. A student from the ASHS commented on the Ateneo’s approach to practicing the SDGs, saying, “In terms of the education aspect and raising the students’ awareness about the SDGs, there is definitely loads more room for improvement, especially with how [the] Ateneo integrates it into their curriculum. But when it comes to the university’s actual efforts to meet the SDG targets, it’s actually pretty good and progressive, as can be seen in their E-Jeep program, use of solar panels for energy, provision of bike lanes, waste segregation practices, scholarship offers, policies regarding gender and inclusivity, and numerous projects for a cause that aim to uplift the lives of those in need.” 

Doing the ‘walk’ rather than solely focusing on the ‘talk’ can be a game-changer in uplifting these targets. This implies actually translating words into actions. Implementing projects where students can apply their learnings, such as creating alternative products, would be beneficial. Aside from this, integrating SDGs into school-wide events can further reinforce their importance. Constantly reiterating the importance of SDGs is key, especially when they are connected to other aspects of life, such as spirituality, as seen in projects related to Laudato Si’. In this way, students are more engaged to address sustainability from various perspectives.