June 10th, 2026

Nearly 380 students from 12 of the WRDSB’s 16 high schools came together to explore global challenges and local solutions at the Third Annual UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Expo in partnership with the University of Waterloo. Hosting the event at the University of Waterloo marks an exciting evolution for the Expo and provided students with a glimpse into postsecondary learning. 

The event opened with a keynote address from Berry Vrbanovic, Mayor of Kitchener, who spoke to students about leadership, civic responsibility and the importance of youth engagement in shaping sustainable and inclusive communities. 

For Adam Kasper, educator at Eastwood Collegiate Institute and sustainability advocate, the UN Sustainable Development Goals serve as a powerful entry point for students looking to make an impact on the environment and their communities. 

“The SDGs give students a framework from which to start learning about issues they care about most, and help them understand what they can do in their own lives and communities,” Kasper explains. 

By offering a universal framework that can be shared globally and acted on locally, he believes the SDGs help shift students from feeling discouraged to feeling empowered. 

Kasper has seen the impact of this framework firsthand.  At Eastwood Collegiate Institute, initiatives such as a community garden and food forest connect food security with responsible consumption, climate action, and care for the land. These are examples of initiatives that make sustainability tangible and relevant for students. Levi Moore, Outdoor Education Specialist, Wrigley Corners Outdoor Education Centre (WRI), highlights the importance of SDGs in providing opportunities for students to explore ways to engage in shaping sustainable actions in their communities and working towards a shared goal. 

“Eco-anxiety is something more and more students face,” Moore shared. “The SDGs help break down complex global issues and explore how things like poverty, inequality, biodiversity loss, and climate change influence each other.” 

Moore also reflected on how the SDGs reshaped his own thinking. While he has always been passionate about protecting the natural world, the framework helped him see that environmental issues cannot be separated from social and economic realities.

“If I truly want to protect nature, I also have to eliminate poverty, reduce inequalities, and take action on climate change,” he said. That realization, he notes, has made him a more effective educator and a more active participant in his community. 

Both Adam and Levi emphasized the importance of preparing students for the world they are inheriting, not by avoiding difficult conversations, but by grounding them in empathy, knowledge, and action. Kasper acknowledged that students are acutely aware of global leadership failures, but believes events like the SDG Expo help reframe that narrative. 

“Helping students see people in their own communities tackling the world’s toughest challenges helps ignite empathy and show them where they can take action,” he said.

Events like the SDG Expo extend learning far beyond the classroom. Students connect with local organizations, explore volunteer opportunities, and begin thinking about meaningful futures rooted not only in careers, but in purpose. 

Student Reflection

Written by Chahatpreet, a WRDSB secondary student

At the UN SDG Expo, there were a lot of community partners present, including organizations like ClimateActionWR, Reep Green Solutions and Seeds of Diversity Canada. These groups shared their work and showed students different ways they can get involved in making a positive change locally and globally.

A personal highlight from our experience was the creative station, where we could paint and draw. The people running the station made it especially enjoyable and welcoming. It stood out because it allowed us to express our ideas about the environment in a fun and relaxing way. It gave us a chance to think creatively about sustainability, rather than just through discussion. Another memorable part of the day was a survival-style game, which challenged us to think critically about decision-making and resource use. It was fun.

Overall, the SDG Expo was an inspiring and engaging event. I am very thankful to the University of Waterloo, especially the Faculty of Science and the Faculty of Environment, for being such welcoming hosts. Events like this show how student voices can make a difference and remind us that even small actions can help create a more sustainable future.

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