SDG 16 - Targets and aims

De Montfort University is the only higher education institution in Britain to be a global hub for a Sustainable Development Goal (SDG). 

Simply SDG 16 is to promote peace, justice and strong institutions, but within that overall goal is a series of aims and targets established by the United Nations and endorsed by all member states. 

SDG 16 looks to promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels. 

Without peace, justice and strong institutions, achieving any of the other SDGs becomes almost impossible. 

How can countries escape poverty, enjoy economic growth, have clean water and sanitation, quality education and equality if the government is corrupt or the country at war? 

SDG 16 has targets to address these problems to try to find solutions, including; 

• Significantly reducing all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere.
• Promote the rule of law at national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all.
• Develop effective, accountable and transparent institutions at all levels.
• Strengthen relevant national institutions, including through international cooperation, for building capacity at all levels, in particular in developing countries, to prevent violence and combat terrorism and crime.
• Promote and enforce non-discriminatory laws and policies for sustainable development. 

It is DMU’s role to act as a hub for research, information and good practice into SDG 16 and to increase awareness of all the goals to students, staff and the general public. At DMU, SDG 16 is the focus of a series research projects.