Contributions of school physical education to the sustainable development goals of Agenda 2030: a Brazilian perspective

The United Nations uses sport and Physical Education as tools in its humanitarian efforts to foster sustainable development and peace. The International Charter of Physical Education and Sport asserts the right to participate in Physical Education and sport for everyone, recognizing their role in individual and societal growth. Agenda 2030 includes 17 Sustainable Development Goals, with sport contributing to these goals. The Common National Curriculum Base aligns with Agenda 2030, focusing on sustainability competencies but lacks detailed implementation strategies due to ideological challenges. This study investigates how Physical Education contributes to these Sustainable Development Goals through a literature review of relevant journal articles from 2015 to 2023, selected via Google Scholar. The findings reveal diverse connections between Physical Education and the Sustainable Development Goals, with some articles linking Physical Education to one or two goals and others to up to eight. Key findings include the need for inclusive Physical Education practices, addressing gender stereotypes, and promoting responsible consumption. Articles highlight the importance of interdisciplinary approaches and teacher training for integrating Sustainable Development Goals into Physical Education. However, gaps exist, such as insufficient focus on social justice issues like racism. To be effective, Physical Education must shift from a competitive model to one that prioritizes inclusive and quality education. Challenges include an overemphasis on biomedical aspects, poor teacher training, and low engagement from teachers and students. Integrating Sustainable Development Goals into Physical Education curricula and involving local communities in educational planning are essential for transformative change.