The idea of a planet where all living organisms are interconnected and prosper in a mutually interdependent fashion is not straightforward. But the truth is that each living component affects the others and, like in a domino effect, each may end up being beneficial or noxious.

This was the core message of TWAS Editor Raffaella De Lia, who taught high school students from Liceo Scientifico Galilei, in Trieste, about the basic principles underpinning the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and their importance at the global level.

Her presentation was held in English, and took place on 26 September, within Sharper - The European Researchers' Night, an international event dedicated to the dialogue between research and citizens, co-financed by the European Commission in the framework of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions.

As we are all interconnected, De Lia added, we should all participate in a responsible and sustainable manner to the global welfare, because our health is everybody's health, and the future depends on every single step we take.

De Lia browsed the 17 SDGs urging the students to embrace the broader concept of well-being, in line with the one shared by the World Health Organization. By asking pointed questions, she encouraged active involvement and invited the students to make explicit their idea of sustainability. More than 50 students were in the audience: they showed energy and enthusiasm and offered smart ideas to some of the current challenges that the world is facing, proving with their passion that building our common future starts now.

Cristina Serra