July 31st, 2025

Written by Haniya, a student at Preston High School

Eastwood Collegiate Institute’s (ECI) eco club, IMPACT, hosted its second annual “UNSDG Expo,” in collaboration with the Outdoor and Environmental Education Department. The event focused on the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals which aim to bring peace and prosperity for people and the planet.

Select students from Waterloo Region District School Board (WRDSB) secondary schools, including Grade 9 geography classes and members of eco clubs, were invited to learn about how they can have an impact on our local community.

The day started with a tour of the school’s eco-initiatives, from art pieces commenting on littering, to an opportunity to meet the school’s chickens.

Students were provided a “passport,” with 17 Sustainable Development Goals printed inside. It served as a checklist encouraging students to interact with 27 organizations in the library and cafeteria. As they visited each booth, students received a stamp verifying they had learned something.

When students gathered in the auditorium, they listened to guest speakers such as Eastwood students, Grace and Scarlett, who shared the origins of ECI’s recycling program, which was inspired by a staff member’s child and their desire to save the trees.

The program is a partnership between students, custodial staff, and teachers. They advocated for others to participate in and support the program.

A representative of Sustainable Waterloo Region spoke about climate justice as human justice. She reminded the audience that those most impacted by climate change and extreme weather—such as those facing homelessness—deserve our attention and advocacy.

Provincial government representatives and a local photographer and journalist also spoke to students about environmental activism and protecting endangered species.

Overall, it was an exciting day of inspiration and positive influence.

#StudentVoice Series

This article is written by a WRDSB student and is part of the Student Agency and Voice program. Student journalists embody WRDSB’s commitment to creating space for students to tell their stories. They are ambassadors for their peers as they share their personal experiences and stories about their schools and communities in their unique voices.

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