As a profession that recognises itself as a critical player in creating value for the country and indeed the world, one of our main objectives is to instil the value of responsible leadership in all of those who are part of the profession already, as well as those who are working towards achieving the designation. It is against this backdrop that the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA) launched the Student Leadership Summit (SLS) 17 years ago. During this time, we have been delighted to see just how many of our previous SLS finalists are making a positive impact on the world around them.
In our quest to grow the world’s future leaders, this year SAICA is inviting BCom CA- and BCom AGA(SA) stream students to put together a business case that illustrates how you would empower and improve the country through a community-based project that works towards solving one or more of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The top five teams (a minimum of one person and maximum of five) will be hosted in Johannesburg on 5 & 6 September 2024 at a life-changing Summit where they will receive leadership coaching, business mentoring and more. The winning team will win money that they will commit to start their community project as well as individual prizes and will be required to report on the impact of their community project by October 2025.
WHAT ARE SDGs?
THE WORLD NEEDS MORE LEADERS WHO CARE
17 Goals for People, for Planet. World leaders came together in 2015 and made a historic promise to secure the rights and well-being of everyone on a healthy, thriving planet when they adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The agenda remains the world’s roadmap for ending poverty, protecting the planet, and tackling inequalities. The 17 SDGs, the cornerstone of the agenda, offer the most practical and effective pathway to tackle the causes of violent conflict, human rights abuses, climate change and environmental degradation and aim to ensure that no one will be left behind. The SDGs reflect an understanding that sustainable development everywhere must integrate economic growth, social well-being, and environmental protection.
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), otherwise known as the Global Goals, are a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure that all people enjoy peace and prosperity. These SDGs serve as a framework for the sustainable change the world needs to provide solutions for poverty, world hunger, poor health, the lack of quality education, climate change, gender inequality, access to clean water & sanitation, environmental issues, social injustice and more.
The Goals interconnect and in order to leave no one behind, it is important that we achieve each Goal and target by 2030.
Click on each goal below to read more about individual goals. You can also visit SAICA’s SDG website here.
- GOAL 1: No Poverty
- GOAL 2: Zero Hunger
- GOAL 3: Good Health and Well-being
- GOAL 4: Quality Education
- GOAL 5: Gender Equality
- GOAL 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
- GOAL 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
- GOAL 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
- GOAL 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
- GOAL 10: Reduced Inequality
- GOAL 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
- GOAL 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
- GOAL 13: Climate Action
- GOAL 14: Life Below Water
- GOAL 15: Life on Land
- GOAL 16: Peace and Justice Strong Institutions
- GOAL 17: Partnerships to achieve the Goal