CCDC Strengthens Global and Local Partnerships Toward Sustainable Development

Cordillera Career Development College (CCDC) reaffirms its commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through its comprehensive Institutional Sustainability Report for Academic Year 2023–2024. Guided by its mission of providing holistic, inclusive, and transformative education, CCDC continues to lead regional efforts in advancing sustainability through education, community engagement, and institutional collaboration.

Advancing the SDGs through Education and Action

CCDC’s sustainability framework integrates the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into all aspects of institutional operations — from teaching and research to community extension and campus stewardship. For the academic year, a total of 177 sustainability-aligned projects and initiatives were implemented across academic departments, student organizations, and extension units.

These initiatives demonstrated significant progress in key focus areas:

• SDG 4 (Quality Education): The largest share of projects, representing 21.5% of total initiatives, focused on inclusive and transformative education, literacy programs, and community-based learning.
• SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being): Health and wellness programs, blood donation drives, and mental health awareness campaigns benefited students and partner communities.
• SDG 1 (No Poverty) and SDG 5 (Gender Equality): Financial aid, livelihood training, and women empowerment programs addressed social inequalities.
• SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions): CCDC’s Free Legal Aid Clinics, voter education, and student leadership programs promoted civic engagement and ethical governance.

Strengthening Partnerships for Sustainable Impact (SDG 17)

In alignment with SDG 17 – Partnerships for the Goals, CCDC recognizes that achieving sustainable development requires collective action. The institution has forged strong collaborations with local government units (LGUs), national agencies, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and academic partners. These partnerships amplify CCDC’s impact across multiple SDGs through shared expertise, joint programs, and resource support.

Key partnerships during AY 2023–2024 include:

• Local Government Units (LGUs): Collaboration in community health missions, disaster preparedness training, and environmental programs.
• Government Agencies: Partnership with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) for tree-planting and waste management; Department of Health (DOH) for health outreach; and Department of Education (DepEd) for literacy and Brigada Eskwela programs.
• Non-Governmental Organizations: Joint projects with the Zuellig Family Foundation (ZFF), Philippine Volunteers for Environmental Protection (PVEP), and Elevate Movement on health education, environmental sustainability, and student leadership development.
• Academic and Industry Collaborations: Internship programs, joint research endeavors, and sustainability benchmarking with other higher education institutions strengthened the integration of sustainability in teaching and practice.

Through these partnerships, CCDC extended its reach beyond campus, implementing programs that foster social equity, environmental stewardship, and economic empowerment in the Cordillera region and beyond.

Looking Ahead: Sustaining Momentum

The 2023–2024 report identifies opportunities for further growth, particularly in strengthening environmental initiatives related to Climate Action (SDG 13) and Life on Land (SDG 15). Moving forward, CCDC plans to expand renewable energy projects, promote biodiversity conservation, and enhance sustainability research and monitoring.

By aligning its vision with global sustainability targets and leveraging local partnerships, CCDC continues to embody the spirit of SDG 17 – working together for a sustainable future. The institution stands as a model for collaborative impact, where education serves as the foundation for community resilience and global responsibility.

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