Advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals: Prudence Foundation’s Dedication to Safer School Journeys through the Star Rating for Schools Programme

Safe Steps Kids launch in Vietnam – Image credit: AIP Foundation

Prudence Foundation, the community investment arm of Prudential plc in Asia and Africa, is dedicated to fostering safer and more resilient communities through its impactful initiatives. With a mission to secure a better future, the Foundation collaborates with NGOs, governments, and private sector partners to amplify its efforts across its strategic focus areas: Financial Literacy & Inclusion, Health & Safety Prevention, and Climate Adaptation. A cornerstone of its Health & Safety Prevention efforts is the innovative SAFE STEPS program, a global initiative designed to deliver life-saving education and awareness to millions.

SAFE STEPS, created and developed by Prudence Foundation, lies at the heart of its safety-focused mission. This program provides accessible and practical guidance on critical topics such as climate and disaster risk preparedness, road safety, first aid, and Covid-19 response, reaching over 100 million people across Asia and Africa via multi-media platforms.

A flagship component, SAFE STEPS Road Safety, exemplifies the Foundation’s commitment to Health & Safety Prevention. Aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) such as SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), and SDG 17 (Partnerships), Prudence Foundation’s efforts through SAFE STEPS Road Safety reflect its broader vision of enhancing community well-being and resilience across its markets.

A significant contribution to global road safety comes through Prudence Foundation’s role as the Global Programme Partner for the Star Rating for Schools (SR4S) Programme. With its generous support, the SR4S course and tool have been made freely available to road safety practitioners advocating for safer school zones in 76 countries. SR4S partners have directly improved safety for nearly half a million students, contributing to the global goal of halving road deaths by 2030 in alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and the UN Decade of Action for Road Safety 2021-2030.

iRAP and the SR4S Programme express deep gratitude to Prudence Foundation for its unwavering commitment to ensuring safer, healthier school journeys for students worldwide.

Examples of SAFE STEPS Road Safety initiatives led by Prudence Foundation’s local partners in Asia and Africa, using SR4S for evidence-based road safety solutions:

• SAFE STEPS KIDS Road Safety program put student safety first in Gia Lai Province, Vietnam
• Prudential Cambodia and AIP Foundation make Stueng Sen High School safer through their Safe School Zone Infrastructure Modification project
• Safe Steps Road Safety Zambia