Champions of sustainable development: the university for the common good and Grameen Caledonian College of Nursing in Bangladesh

In January 2016, the United Nations launched its 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Sustainable development is defined as “development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs ” (WCED, 1987). The 2030 Agenda calls for countries to mobilize efforts to achieve 17 sustainable development goals (SDGs) to end all forms of poverty, fight inequalities and tackle climate change, while leaving no one behind. The inter-related nature of the 17 SDGs recognizes that ending poverty must go hand in hand with strategies that build economic growth and it addresses a range of social needs including education, health, social protection and job opportunities. This case tells the story of how ‘Sustainability Champions’ from Scotland and Bangladesh joined forces to establish the Grameen Caledonian College of Nursing (GCCN) as a social business “For the Common Good”, and to contribute to realization of this ambitious agenda. The case illustrates how the vision, unwavering belief, and entrepreneurial spirit of these Champions, working in the spirit of SDG#17 (Partnerships for SDGs) have led to GCCN contributing to the achievement of SDG#1 (Poverty), SDG#3 (Health and Well-Being), and SDG#5 (Gender Equality), as well as their predecessor Millennium Development Goals (MDG).