Reimagining Education and Action: SDG Action Summit 2026 in review
Reimagining education as a catalyst for real-world change, the International School for Better Beginnings (ISBB), a K-12 educational institution recognized by the United Nations & UNESCO, and Global Changemaker Schools, a leading nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting education for sustainable development (ESD) successfully staged the SDG Action Summit at the Glorietta Activity Center last February 24, 2026, bringing sustainability education and citizen action to the heart of Makati. This event was supported by Glorietta and by the European Union-Philippines Green Economy Partnership.
The event gathered over 80 local & international NGOs, United Nations agencies, national and local government units, youth-led initiatives, social enterprises, and schools – making it the largest SDG-focused public engagement event ever held in the Philippines centered on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Now in its 9th iteration, this SDG Action Summit marks a major milestone for its organizers, with plans already underway to bring the initiative to more cities and municipalities nationwide. The event is a huge feat for the high school students who led in organizing the event.
Guided by the theme “Be the change for people & planet; Act now,” the summit aimed to mainstream the SDGs among Filipinos as a global blueprint for local action. It emphasized practical ways citizens can help address pressing issues such as climate change, poverty, and inequality through everyday acts of kindness, responsible consumption, volunteering, and community-based solutions.
Over 1,000 participants comprised of students, teachers and the general public attended the SDG Action Summit. The event featured:
- 80+ speakers across topics including AI and marine conservation, gender equality and social entrepreneurship, and cross-sectoral collaboration for the SDGs
- 40+ exhibitors showcasing SDG-centered initiatives
- Real-time volunteer sign-ups and engagement with organizations like iVolunteer Philippines, Good Neighbors Philippines, 350 Pilipinas, and more
During the Opening Ceremony, Mr. Matija Kovač of the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office in the Philippines delivered a message encouraging the youth to be confident, test bold and even unconventional ideas, and never underestimate the power of local action. He also challenged participants to apply pressure and remind the world that “good enough is no longer good enough” until the global goals are achieved by 2030.
In his keynote address, Mr. Edwine Carrie, Deputy Resident Representative of UNDP Philippines, underscored the critical role of young people in advancing the SDGs. He highlighted the energy, innovation, and community awareness of the youth, encouraging young Filipinos to begin SDG action within their own communities and harness technology and data to drive meaningful change. He noted the exceptional enthusiasm and commitment of Filipino youth, affirming that the future of sustainable development lies in how they choose to shape it.
Founder and CEO of the host organization, Global Changemaker Schools, Ilan Enverga echoed these sentiments by adding that “sustainable development can only be achieved with cross-sector and intergenerational collaboration. The best government policies and private sector innovations will fail without the activation and participation of civil society. The SDGs are not a single-sector project, but a whole-of-society transformation; and this transformation can only happen with the education and empowerment of Filipino society.”
The SDG Action Summit reaffirms that lasting change is driven by collective effort and youth leadership. Through continued collaboration and action aligned with the SDGs, Filipinos have the opportunity to shape a future that is equitable, resilient, and sustainable—ensuring that no Filipino is left behind.
