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University Sector Support to the UN's Decade of Action

By SDSN

A Meeting of Asia, Europe and the Middle East University Presidents (Virtual)

On Tuesday, January 18, 2022, the Asia, Europe and the Middle East University Presidents Meeting brought together University Presidents, UN and Government representatives, along with experts from the region, SDSN Network Chairs, Managers, and members of the SDSN Leadership Council, to discuss how universities can contribute to the SDGs and the Paris Climate Agreement and engage with local governments and communities through their key functions.

Throughout this 3-hour meeting, which welcomed over 150 participants, including the Presidents of 100 Universities from 45 different countries, speakers and participants emphasized the importance of making universities global leaders in achieving the 17 SDGs.

Professor Jeffrey Sachs, President of the SDSN, welcomed the participants by stating that universities have an important role to play, and carry a unique responsibility, in a world whose complexity has been stressed by the global pandemic. As the world faces many global challenges relating to the environment and the pandemic, as well as widening inequalities and rising geopolitical tensions, a tsunami of problems - environmental, social, technological, developmental- is overwhelming the governments all over the world. Such interconnected challenges, and a common desire for sustainable solutions, is what brought university presidents together for this SDSN meeting.
Opening remarks were given by Ms. Niki Kerameus, the Minister of Education and Religious Affairs in Greece. Minister Kerameus shared her government’s efforts to promote education for sustainable development, including establishing specific units dedicated to sustainable development, launching a network for sustainability, and by integrating the SDGs in its strategic plans.

These opening remarks were followed by a Panel with Stefania Giannini, Assistant Director-General for Education at UNESCO, Andrew Haines, Professor of Environmental Change and Public Health at LSHTM, Vladimir A. Mau, Rector of the Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration (RANEPA), and Vuk Jeremić, President of the Centre for International Relations and Sustainable Development and former President of the UN General Assembly.

In the discussion session, several university presidents and leaders shared some of the most recent and most innovative steps taken by their institutions in aligning their actions with the Agenda 2030. Participants found that the sector's response to COVID-19 demonstrates the leading role that higher education institutions can play in tackling global challenges. Universities are capable of driving climate protection forward by teaching, researching and advancing climate relevant knowledge.

The meeting then moved to three breakout sessions moderated by SDSN Network Chairs:

  • Thematic Group No1 on Education Programs for Sustainable Development was co-chaired by Paul Walsh, Full Professor of International Development Studies and an elected member of the Governing Authority in University College Dublin, together with Mr. Omar Hernández, Public Information Officer at the UN, and Prof. Smriti Das, Associate Professor at TERI School of Advanced Studies.
  • Thematic Group No2 on Climate Change and Research Programs was chaired by Phoebe Koundouri, University Professor at the Athens University of Economics and Business and Director of ReSEES Research Laboratory.
  • Thematic Group No3, Building Forward Better, was chaired by Zulfiqar Bhutta, University Professor at Aga Khan University and Founding Director of the Institute for Global Health and Development.


Key Takeaways

  1. Connections - Prof. Sachs expressed the willingness of the SDSN to ensure and cultivate the connections of the universities in this meeting, expressed hope that a future meeting of university presidents could take place in person, and that a special, global session on education, would be held in September 2022 during the UN General Assembly.
  2. Curriculum Development －It is clear, at all levels - from pre-school to lifelong learning - that there is a need and the opportunity to help develop the curriculum of sustainable development. SDSN is already working on the Mission 4.7 Projectto this end, together with UNESCO and other international bodies. Participants wishing to contribute to such development are invited to contact the SDSN Secretariat.
  3. Global Partnerships of New Kinds －Thanks to the digital breakthrough, there is now an opportunity to have all kinds of projects (MOOCs, seminars, webinars, joint courses, joint research projects, etc.) at low cost and high productivity. All sorts of partnerships can be made, including with those universities that are in specific locations and lead on certain topics.
  4. Joint Active Research － Given that everyone has the same homework, as every region has to decarbonize, more active research programs are needed to achieve the common goal - common pathways analysis, common climate adaptation strategies and common tools (GIS tools, planning and modeling tools, common programs, etc.). Finally, students have to be involved and must be brought into research activities.
  5. Funding and Finance － Greater support is needed for the consortium of universities so that they can make investments to be able to participate fully and actively in the above activities. SDSN will seek funding to enable better online access to particular shared tools, resources, organizing events, common projects, etc.