Project 17

In 2015 the United Nations announced a radical plan to change the world.

Global leaders drew up a list of 17 "sustainable development goals" to create a blueprint for a better future. Governments agreed to support the goals which cover gender equality, health provision, a good education and much more. Now 17-year-olds from 17 different countries tell us what they think needs to change if the world is to meet those goals by 2030.

Seventeen-year-old Ruhani Akhtar doesn't want to work in a garment factory like her mother. But what other opportunities are open to young people in Bangladesh? The country has seen rapid economic growth during the last three decades and she wants to know what her options are. Ruhani talks to another young woman who went to Saudi Arabia as a domestic worker with disastrous results, to a government minister, and she visits a modern new textile factory where work is changing fast.

Presenter: Sana Safi Producer: Nina Robinson

Project 17 was produced in partnership with The Open University

In 2015 the United Nations announced a radical plan to change the world.

Global leaders drew up a list of 17 "sustainable development goals" to create a blueprint for a better future. Governments agreed to support the goals which cover gender equality, health provision, a good education and much more. Now 17-year-olds from 17 different countries tell us what they think needs to change if the world is to meet those goals by 2030.

Nestor lives in the far north of Colombia and his village has been transformed since solar panels were brought in to provide electricity to the schools. Children now have access to computers, and light in their classrooms. He wants to find out just how much of Colombia's electricity can be created using renewable sources. He visits the country's biggest solar plant, and interviews Colombia's deputy energy minister to find out whether the government will meet the UN goal on clean energy by 2030.

Presenter: Sana Safi Producer: Bob Howard

Project 17 was produced in partnership with The Open University

In 2015 the United Nations announced a radical plan to change the world.

Global leaders drew up a list of 17 "sustainable development goals" to create a blueprint for a better future. Governments agreed to support the goals which cover gender equality, health provision, a good education and much more. Now 17-year-olds from 17 different countries tell us what they think needs to change if the world is to meet those goals by 2030.

Joyce lives in rural Rwanda and has to walk to a communal tap to collect water for her family every day. But she is lucky, she doesn't have to walk too far and the water is clean. Some of her friends face much longer journeys and have to collect water from ponds used by cattle or for laundry. She talks to activists, a government spokeswoman and other schoolchildren about Rwanda's water and sanitation situation.

Presenter: Sana Safi Producer: Kate Lamble

Project 17 is made in partnership with The Open University

In 2015 the United Nations announced a radical plan to change the world.

Global leaders drew up a list of 17 "sustainable development goals" to create a blueprint for a better future. Governments agreed to support the goals which cover gender equality, health provision, a good education and much more. We've asked 17-year-olds from 17 different countries tell us what they think needs to change if the world is to meet those goals by 2030.

Seventeen-year-old Monet Wimbish lives in the US city of Baltimore. She hopes to go to university and become a nurse. But as an African American student, born in a low income neighbourhood, she knows she faces many challenges if she is to finish her education and get a good job. Monet takes us on a tour of Baltimore and investigates why there are such starkly different outcomes – in terms of health, education and income - for those from poor black neighbourhoods. She ends her journey by meeting the city’s new mayor and asks him whether these inequalities can be reduced by 2030.

Project 17 was produced in partnership with The Open University. Presenter: Sana Safi Producers: Rob Walker and Mary Rose Madden With thanks to Writers in Baltimore Schools and to Rejjia Camphor for help with production.

In 2015 the United Nations announced a radical plan to change the world.

Global leaders drew up a list of 17 "sustainable development goals" to create a blueprint for a better future. Governments agreed to support the goals which cover gender equality, health provision, a good education and much more. We've asked 17-year-olds from 17 different countries tell us what they think needs to change if the world is to meet those goals by 2030.

Jonathan Chu lives in Germany and like many school students all over the world he's found himself studying at home because of the Covid-19 pandemic. But what happens to students who have poor internet connections? Have they been falling behind and losing touch with teachers and other pupils? In the 21st century most countries are trying to provide good internet infrastructure for business, industry and ordinary citizens. But even a rich, developed country like Germany is finding it hard to achieve that goal.

Project 17 is produced in partnership with the Open University

Presenter: Sana Safi Producer Tim Mansel