University Sector Support to the UN’s Decade of Action - A Meeting of University Presidents in the Americas
On Thursday, April 21, 2022, The UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) held a regional meeting of University Presidents from across the Americas. The 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 the role of their universities in supporting sustainable development.
The 3-hour meeting welcomed over 150 participants, including the Presidents of more than 100 universities from over 20 countries. Participants engaged in an open exchange of ideas on how to align universities and university networks with the UN Sustainable Development Goals and Paris Climate Agreement through practical, evidence-based modes of action.
Professor Jeffrey Sachs, President of SDSN, welcomed the participants, sharing that the purpose of this meeting of university leaders is to help bolster the capacity and role of universities in responding to the integrated challenges of sustainable development in our world today. He emphasized the overarching goal of sustainable development as global peace and cooperation, and emphasized the importance of this mission during the current geopolitical climate and environmental crises facing the world. SDSN hopes to support and strengthen the expertise and global thought leadership provided by universities through a global network of over 1,600 member institutions across 48 national and regional networks. By joining forces around these issues, universities have a better chance of addressing these challenges and overcoming setbacks and educational silos.
Opening Remarks were given by: Her Excellency Mia Mottley, Prime Minister of Barbados; Ms. Amina Mohammed, UN Deputy Secretary-General; and Dr. Verónica de Lourdes Figueroa Huencho, Subsecretary of Higher Education, Chile. Prime Minister Mia Mottley emphasized the importance of the SDGs in helping to guide policy and find solutions to the development challenges of today. The SDGs are a measure of success for humanity, and are intertwined in our everyday lives. In order to advance the 2030 Agenda, universities themselves must become models of best practices for sustainability. Research and resources need to be directed towards solving these problems, including addressing disparities in climate crisis mitigation, like in small island developing states (SIDS), which she referred to as “canaries in the coalmine” of the climate crisis due to the particular risk they face.
Ms. Amina Mohammed, UN Deputy Secretary-General, emphasized the special role university presidents play in promoting sustainable development and setting the pathway for change. She announced an upcoming summit in September, to be convened by the UN Secretary-General, on the transforming education agenda as a part of Our Common Agenda, to renew commitment to education as a preeminent public good.
Dr. Verónica de Lourdes Figueroa Huencho addressed the inequality gap in education. SDGs are essential incentives for activating universities on these challenges, and working to close existing equity gaps. The SDGs can be used as agents of social transformation, contributing to the construction of non-sexist educational communities and non-discriminatory societies through knowledge democratization, community cooperation, and intersectional education.
These opening remarks were followed by a panel on the role of academia in achieving the SDGs and Paris Agreement, with Ms. Gabriela Ramos, Assistant Director-General for the Social and Human Sciences, UNESCO; Dr. Michael Crow, President, Arizona State University; Dr. Jean Andrey, Chair of SDSN Canada and Dean of the Faculty of Environment, University of Waterloo; and Ms. Ángela María Penagos, Acting Director, SDG Center for Latin America & the Caribbean.
Breakout Discussions
The meeting then moved to four high level experts’ dialogues:
- Session 1, moderated by Dr. Radhika Iyengar of the Earth Institute, Columbia University, focused on Education for Sustainable Development
- Session 2, moderated by Dr. Oscar Molina Tejerina, Chair, SDSN Bolivia, focused on Implementing the SDGs on campuses, despite COVID-19
- Session 3, moderated by Dr. David Smith, Chair, SDSN Caribbean, focused on Climate Change and Research Program
- Session 4, moderated by Dr. Helen Bond, Co-Chair, SDSN USA, focused on COVID-19, Rising Inequality, and Leaving No One Behind (LNOB)
Professor Sachs closed the meeting with a summary and next steps for the group. The SDSN has a series of policy research programs on issues ranging from decarbonization, to education for sustainable development, sustainable land use, and others. We must make sure we have an ever-expanding network of researchers working together on these topics. There is a lot that can be learned from cross-country comparison, including technical and policy pathways that may differ significantly across countries. In addition, there are great opportunities to expand networking on the education side, including joint teaching programs and education exchanges that are low-cost but significant, and ways to get students involved. Professor Sachs also shared his thoughts on financing sustainable development and funding research.
The University Presidents Meeting for the Americas is the last in a series of regional dialogues meant to strengthen the partnership between the UN and universities around the world.
Find coverage of the other University Presidents Meetings below:
Asia Pacific University Presidents Meeting, December 1
Asia, Europe and the Middle East University Presidents Meeting, January 18
Africa University Presidents Meeting, March 10th
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