Corroborating Interconnectedness: An Essay on the Importance of the

Interdisciplinary Approach in Connection with the Sustainable Development

Goals 

There is a saying that goes by the likes of, “Everything in this world is

connected.” The concept of universal connection or how every existence in itself is the

result of a perpetual relatedness promotes the notion that we are living in an

interdependent universe. To overlook a facet of a topic is quite similar to shutting one’s

eyes to the focal idea at hand. To undertake a certain idea with an interdisciplinary

approach is to subject ourselves to deeper thinking, and understanding. Through this,

we are able to distinguish the significance of each perspective, owing to the fact that

this technique fosters the skill of actively seeking out information. An issue is never one-

sided, and the attempt to decipher and ascertain a solution calls for society to be

dynamic and inquisitive learners. 

In the year 2015, a sense of urgency was called upon all the countries to take

notice of plummeting global conditions. A track to sustainable redirection was created -

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, or the Sustainable Development Goals

(SDGs). This collaboration consists of seventeen goals that recognize the foremost

problems being faced by humanity, with the aim to gradually end these crises. These

goals are interconnected; a hindrance to one goal obstructs the chances of other targets

being achieved. A prominent and relevant issue being faced by the Philippines is the

faltering of the education standard, especially in times of the current pandemic. This

issue falls under SDG Number Four - Quality Education. According to the UNICEF
Philippines Representative Oyunsaikhan Dendevnorov (2020), as quoted by UNICEF

(2021), “schools globally were fully closed for an average of 79 teaching days, while the

Philippines has been closed for more than a year.” UNICEF (2021) adds that over 27

million Filipino students have been affected by the dire situation, disrupting their

academic attainment. To achieve all targets of SDG Number Four, one must take notice

of the other goals. 

SDG Number One has a goal of No Poverty. It comes without saying that a

certain percentage of the 27 million Filipino students are in poverty-stricken situations.

These students have had the most challenging and demanding shift in terms of the

online setup. For our country, and other countries in that matter - how can we say that

we can achieve inclusive and equitable education if we fail to provide the penniless with

the materials necessary to learn? To branch out and recognize how integrated the

SDGs are to one another is to create outstanding questions and relevant solutions that

give various types of knowledge that tie social, and economic factors altogether.

Unequivocally, that is the essence and significance of using an interdisciplinary

approach.