United Nations Sustainable Development Goals Open Pedagogy Fellowship
The "UNSDG Postcard" invites students to produce a piece of collateral material that
focuses on the Goal and Target that most resonate with them
Christina Shorthouse, Kwantlen Polytechnic University (BC, Canada)
Dr. Andrée Comiskey Betancourt, Montgomery College (Maryland)
2022-2023
Introduction:
Welcome to your role in an international mission. This mission is dedicated to expanding
educational access and championing student empowerment through "open pedagogy." In this
approach, you, as a student, are at the heart of an engaging, collaborative learning environment,
with the freedom to access your educational journey. What is this mission's ultimate goal? To
heighten social justice in our community, promoting the free exchange of knowledge and work.
Under the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) framework, this renewable
assignment paves your path to becoming an agent of change within your community. Prepare to
embark on this transformative journey.
For this work, we will integrate the disciplines of Public Relations and Communications to
achieve the primary goal of responding to SDG #3: Good Health and Wellbeing. Within this
SDG, we will focus on the specific target 3.9: "By 2030, substantially reduce the number of
deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water and soil pollution and
contamination." This assignment also focuses on SDG #1: No Poverty; SDG #2: Zero Hunger; ;
SDG #4: Quality Education; SDG #5: Gender Equality; SDG #6: Clean Water and Sanitation;
SDG #7: Affordable and Clean Energy; and SDG #8: Decent Work and Economic Growth.

Purpose:
This active learning practice is designed to help students practice implementing the RACE
Planning Process, increase community connections, and improve social justice for our
community. The artifact created through the assignment is designed to be shared widely to
educate and raise awareness.

Learning Objectives:
Students should learn that words and images based on thorough research, well-crafted and
strategically targeted to a specific audience can shift public opinion and inspire action.

Instructions:
Part 1: Assess current situation.
Use the RACE Planning Process to evaluate existing examples of collateral materials. Write a
short reflection on a problem that needs solving in your community or an interesting initiative or
community member.
(Assign before class.) Watch the RACE Planning Process lecture video on Moodle.
Review the attached examples, the posters on this site https://ccncsj.ca/infographics/, or a
brochure, poster, or infographic of your choice, and then in your small groups, share your
experiences regarding the following:
Evaluate one or more of the examples using the RACE Planning Process model. What is the
problem or opportunity? Who produced the piece, and what do you think was their objective(s)?
Who are the audiences? Identify three key messages. What strategy was this a part of? Why do
you think they chose this tactic to relay the key messages? Do you think it achieves its objective?
How do you think they could measure whether it was successful?
What do you like/dislike about the chosen format? Does it do a good job of explaining and/or
persuading? Why or why not? What other format might work to tell this story?
Assignment: Drawing from your own experience, write a 250-word reflection paper on a problem
that needs solving in your community or an interesting initiative you think deserves to be
highlighted.
Part 2: Teams review the 17 UNSDGs and decide on a Goal and Target that inspires
Visit the website of the 17 UNSDGs https://sdgs.un.org/goals Take some time to review the
specific targets under each.
•
•

Based on your discussion from part 1, what topics attracted you?
Teams will vote on a topic with which to proceed.

Part 3: Choose your own adventure "Postcard Project" assignment – Explain, Persuade, Feature
Teams of 4-6 students will be formed. A progress report(s) will be submitted, and each team will have a
rotating project lead. With your team, brainstorm ideas to advance your passion/cause. Be sure to
consult and seek instructor approval before starting your project. For example:
If your team is passionate about UNSDG #3 Good Health & Wellbeing, Target 3.9 By 2030,
substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water, and
soil pollution and contamination, you might pursue one of the following:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•

Produce a poster that explains how a business (car wash, dry cleaner) is working to reduce the
amount of chemical waste it releases into the environment.
Create an infographic for a not-for-profit organization working to get oil & gas companies to
clean up orphan wells.
Create a postcard that explains how a certain chemical can pollute/cause harm.
Write and illustrate a poem to honor a stream or river where you live
Write a brochure that persuades people to contact their local MP or MPP about a specific
polluter in your community
Create a poster for a movie such as "Erin Brockovich" or the documentary "The Water Walker."
that explains these issues in your community or an Indigenous community
Create an infographic that explains how Indigenous stewardship of land leads to better
biodiversity outcomes

Part 4: Use the RACE Planning Process to decide on an approach for the collateral material
1. In this section, you will take on the role of a PR pro and use the RACE Planning Process to
demonstrate why you took the approach you did for your UNSDG Postcard (or other
collateral). Give a clear explanation of:
a. The issue / context you are writing within (e.g. current farming practices in
Abbotsford, BC) and the problem (harmful pesticides) or opportunity (new
government funding for organic farmers) you are addressing. This 2-paragraph section
should reflect thorough research on the issue with appropriate citations.
b. The company / organization you are producing your postcard on behalf of (e.g.
David Suzuki Foundation, Government of BC, Oceanwise).
c. The audience(s) you are targeting (be as specific as possible). (E.g. farmers,
provincial & federal governments, corporations, young people in the Fraser Valley)
d. The goals / SMART objectives (bullet point list) you want to achieve by persuading
or informing your viewer. What do you want them to understand? What change do you
hope to see? What action do you want them to take? (e.g. enact legislation to protect
ban harmful pesticides, invite farmers to consider new approaches.)
e. Your plan for getting your postcard in front of your audience. How will it be seen

and distributed?
f. Your plan for measuring if and how your SMART objectives were met.

Part 5: Develop the Copy. Collaborate with graphic design students to produce the final piece
and select the appropriate method of distribution based on the target audience.
Write the copy for your postcard, brochure, poster, or infographic. Peer edit and decide on a final
version.
Part 6: Design & Production [to be completed by students from PRLN 1110 Design & Production]
Develop a creative brief based on the RACE plan and copy provided by PLRN 1120 Writing for PR
Create three thumbnail design options for your project. As a group, select one, then choose fonts
and create a color palate. Choose open-license, royalty-free images, or use your own illustrations
or photographs.
Create your final piece using InDesign, Canva, or another graphic platform (as assigned by your
instructor).
Ensure RACE Planning Process is detailed and thorough. Teams will rotate leads and submit
progress reports.

Format Requirements:
Images must be original, royalty-free, or creative commons licensed. Final digital pieces will be
saved in the appropriate formats depending on the method of distribution e.g., PDF file, vector
file, high-resolution file prepped for printer.

Assessment Criteria:
Part 1 is worth 5% of the mark, and Parts 2 - 4 are worth 20%.
The assignment has an assessment rubric that evaluates the following:
Writing shows a strong and well-informed understanding of their respective genres. Writing is
accessible, gains attention and interest, and reflects audience expectations in terms of form, tone,
information need, level of understanding, and the way they consume and share content. There are
no grammatical, spelling, punctuation, or sentence structure errors.

Rationale demonstrates a strong and well-informed understanding of the RACE Planning process.
The contribution to the team was consistent, equal to that of other members, and supportive of
other team members.
This assignment effectively addresses all of the learning objectives for PRLN 1120 Writing for
Public Relations:
•
•
•

•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•

Apply the RACE formula (Research, Analysis, Communication, and Evaluation) to
structure public relations writing.
Use correct grammar and sentence structure.
Demonstrate effective writing and storytelling techniques, including attention-getting
leads, smooth paragraph transitions, short sentences and paragraphs, active voice,
effective endings, and integrating common search terms (SEO) to help boost the search
ranking of content in the digital space.
Recognize and distinguish between different public relations writing styles, including
informative and persuasive writing.
Use principles of rhetoric to frame a persuasive argument, including audience analysis,
source credibility, timing, and context.
Effectively analyze audience in order to create content that resonates, uses appropriate
voice, language, and jargon, and utilizes appropriate channels.
Identify and integrate credible primary and secondary research sources using recognized
citation formats and fact-checking.
Synthesize complex information into clear and concise written content.
Analyze and summarize data for short-copy applications and content platforms that
emphasize brevity.
Demonstrate the ethical boundaries of persuasion and differentiate between propaganda,
misinformation, fake news, and harmful speech.
Describe and/or apply strategies to establish and maintain positive and professional client
relationships that lead to client loyalty.
Develop content, plans, and strategies that are diverse, equitable, inclusive, and respectful
of diverse thoughts, perspectives, experiences, and identities (including Indigenous
communities, race, gender, class, sexuality, religion, ability, etc.)

The "UNSDG Postcard" invites students to produce a piece of collateral material that
focusses on the Goal and Target that most resonates with them is licensed by Christina
Shorthouse, Kwantlen Polytechnic University (BC, Canada) and Dr. Andrée Comiskey
Betancourt, Montgomery College (Maryland) under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0
International (CC BY-NC)